Review
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Title: Desire of Our Hearts
Author: Sariah S. Wilson
Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.
Genre: Book of Mormon - Historical Fiction
Year Published: 2007
Number of Pages: 248
Binding: Soft bound
ISBN-13 978-1-5959811-407-2
Price: $15.95

Reviewed by Marilee McQuarrie

Sariah S. Wilson’s "Desire of Our Hearts" is based on the account of
Alma the Elder as a high priest in the court of King Noah. The story
opens at one of the king's lavish parties in which he is seeking another
concubine from among the many young women in the city. The ones that the
king doesn’t choose are left for the priests to pick from. Alma sees a
young woman and is instantly attracted to her. He tries to meet her but
when he sees Amulon dragging her away he is quick to rescue her and walk
her home. He learns that her name is Sam and that she lives in a very
small "shabby hovel" with her father and sisters. He also learns that
she has to haul water every morning and that she works out in the fields
because her father is sick.

Sam is not impressed with Alma because he is a priest and it is her
belief that anyone associated with King Noah is wicked and evil.
However, Alma does what he can to help make her life easier. Even though
Sam finds Alma detestable he does not give up courting her.

When King Noah learns that Alma is interested in someone, he has a
messenger sent to Sam’s home to make marriage arrangements. Amulon, who
is plotting to undermine Alma, goes to Sam’s home and make his own
marriage offer. Sam is forced to choose one of the men and chooses to
marry Alma but only because she sees him as the lesser of two evils and
because she is told by her father that it will help her family.

Amulon used to be King Noah’s favorite priest until Alma came along so
there is constant tension between the two men. Alma knows Amulon’s
weaknesses and is able to keep ahead of him by pleasing King Noah with
the work he does. However, when a prophet comes and tells the people
that they need to repent, Alma finds himself listening and believing.
King Noah orders the execution of Abinadi. But when Alma tries to
intercede, King Noah orders Alma taken prisoner as well. Alma escapes
and hides in the forest.

If you have read "The Book of Mormon" you know the story but what you
won’t know is how Sam discovers what a righteous man her husband really
is and how and why she learns to love him.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light read and very well written.
It made me think about how things could have happened during Alma’s time
and why. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys LDS historical fiction.