Review
======

Title: What Would a Holy Woman Do?
Author: Wendy Watson Nelson
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Inspirational
Year Published: 2012
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 41 minutes
ISBN10: N/A
ISBN13: 978-1-60907-060-1
Price: $14.99

Reviewed by Karen Hamilton for the Association for Mormon Letters

This talk has an intimidating title, only in that I have a hard time seeing myself as “holy.” Seriously, what woman can and would describe herself as “holy”? There is the commandment to “practice … holiness…continually.” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:33) If it is something that needs to be done, what is the best way to go about becoming holy and more like our Savior?

Wendy Watson Nelson shares the impact the words on every temple, “Holiness to the Lord,” had on her insights. While walking through a temple before its rededication, those words were missing from the temple. When it was pointed out, the omission was quickly fixed and the rededication went on as scheduled.
In consideration of the questions and thoughts that “Holiness to the Lord” invoked, she offered a three-day experiment to several friends. The guidelines were simple: choose one daily activity, ask yourself, “How would a holy woman do this activity?”, and finally keep a prayer in her heart to accomplish the task with holiness.

As her friends reported the results of the three day experiment, Wendy Watson Nelson was impressed to see the change in her friends. With all the joy of one friend for another, she shares the results, and in the process shows us how simple and completely doable this experiment is. She shares the story of one friend who tackles the task of brushing her four year old's teeth. Another experience is of a mother ready to deliver a child and having her current baby tell her that he was completely toilet ready.

It was very encouraging to hear that it wasn’t an overwhelming task to complete the three day challenge. As she went on assignment with her husband, Elder Nelson, she has offered and encouraged the sisters around the world to have their own experiences with holiness. The response was amazing and spiritual for those who took the challenge set by Sister Nelson.

With a voice that inspires a sense of familiarity and friendship, Wendy Watson Nelson shows each listener how to unlock potential holiness. She also reminds the listener that the list of spiritual gifts in the scriptures is in no way complete. The gifts of the spirit are as varied as the individuals who are sharing the world with us.

This is a CD that I wholeheartedly recommend to each woman. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by the activities that we should be doing, that this talk is a calming influence in a day filled with chaos. In a way Wendy Watson Nelson shows how to multi-task our spiritual growth and how to gain a renewed enthusiasm for growing stronger in the Lord.