Werrett, Jacob and David Read, Ed. A Twenty-Something’s Guide to Spirituality: Questions You Hesitate to Ask, Answers You Rarely Hear. Salt Lake City: Publishers Printing, 2007. ix, 262 pp. Illustrations, charts, notes, index. $15.95 paper. ISBN 978-1-59038-794-8.

This book compiles ten specific questions, asked by students with wide ranging backgrounds, and presents each of their questions with a written answer by either Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Philip Barlow, Susan Easton Black, Kim B. Clark, James S. Jardine, Truman G. Madsen, Robert L. Millett, Camille Fronk Olson, Virginia H. Pearce, or William Hayes Pingree. The preface introduces some of these questions: “How can I become scholarly while remaining meek and teachable?
“As a female, to what extent should I pursue an education?
“What is the relationship between truth, knowledge, and faith?
“Are some aspects of science, ancient history, and philosophy a threat to the premises of Latter-day Saint philosophy?
“Is it possible to pursue tough scholarly questions without disrespecting priesthood authority?
“How can I balance spirituality with the demands of college life?” (vii). A few other questions, along with their answers, comprise the book, making it a valuable read for young adults, or anyone grappling with these and similar issues.
The first question posed, about “remaining meek” while pursuing a higher education, is answered in depth by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He delves into the nature of truth itself, granting the reader a clearer perspective on remaining meek by defining what it is, in fact, we are searching for. He then gives readers the perspective that by searching for truths—whether they’re the type that are “facts,” with “momentary utility” and “a short shelf life,” (4-5) or whether they’re more significant, eternal truths, we can grow and consecrate ourselves and our knowledge to God:

“To be a disciple-scholar in our time is a call to high adventure! Just as one’s quest for knowledge should be unending, so too should the quest for greater love, meekness, and patience” (22).

Camille Fronk Olson, in her answer to the question about females and education, pulls quotes from various church authorities to show the value of female higher education. She said:

“President Brigham Young pursued a view not popular in his day when he encouraged women to extend their efforts outside the daily maintenance of the home to vocational and academic pursuits. He recognized that such efforts prepared women for God’s greater purpose for them” (53).

She then goes on to quote President Brigham Young:

“We believe that women are useful, not only to sweep houses, wash dishes, make beds, and raise babies, but that they should stand behind the counter, study law or physics, or become good bookkeepers and be able to do the business in any counting house, and all this to enlarge their sphere of usefulness for the benefit of society at large. In following these things they but answer the design of their creation” (53).

From questions such as these, to questions about philosophy, about the subjectivity of truth itself, and even about personal apostasy, this book provides clear answers supported by quotes from LDS Church authorities.