Review
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Title: By Small and Simple Things: Talks from the 2011 BYU Women’s Conference
Author: Compilation
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2012
Number of Pages: 246
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN-10: N/A
ISBN-13: 978-1-60908-898-9
Price: $24.99

Reviewed by Katie Parker for the Association for Mormon Letters

It almost doesn’t seem fair to try to review this book. If you enjoy reading talks for LDS women, and appreciate such speakers as Elder David A. Bednar, Sister Julie B. Beck, and a host of other known-and-loved LDS speakers, you’ll appreciate this book. It’s that simple.

For those who need a little more persuasion, let me elaborate on the theme and share a few tidbits from the book. The theme for the 2011 BYU Women’s Conference was “By Small and Simple Things.” It was taken from Alma 37:6, which in part reads: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” Elder Bednar launches the topic right away with the first talk in the book. He explains that in today’s world, we often expect the quick fix or the instant gratification. But the Lord works “line upon line” (2 Nephi 28:30) and ministers to his people “one by one” (3 Nephi 11:15). And it is by small acts that most of our greatest accomplishments will come to pass.

Elder Cecil O. Samuelson’s talk about goals and weaknesses mentions the time that the Savior came to the Americas and invited those with afflictions to come to him and be healed. As I thought of this, I wondered if I would have the faith and humility to heed the invitation to be healed of my own afflictions and weaknesses. It was great food for thought.

I remember Olene Walker as the lieutenant governor and later governor of Utah when we lived there several years ago. She discusses a surprising call she received recently to serve as the Primary president of her ward. The major concern she had was her age; she was seventy-eight at the time. She doesn’t mention the fact that she’d spent years as a leader in Utah politics. I admit that if I were the one giving the callings I probably would have wondered if someone with her leadership experience might be better utilized by serving adults. Sister Walker, however, doesn’t even bring up that point. She bears a sweet testimony of Primary and service, and love for the Lord’s children. “When you put your faith and trust in the Lord, He will give you the strength and ability necessary to carry out your calling. In any position where we are called to serve, we can magnify that calling and grow individually in the gospel when we rely on our Savior” (171).

I always enjoy the words of Sister Julie B. Beck. She is a great example of what women can do to help build the kingdom of God. Along with many other words of wisdom, here she shares a difficult time she experienced not long ago: tending her young grandchildren for five days while her daughter had a new baby. “I learned that my mothering skills were a little out of date,” she relates. “My grandmother skills were fine, but I had to enter into mothering mode, and I was a little out of practice” (43). She continues:

"I prayed a lot. I couldn’t remember what I used to do in any number of scenarios. I thought the Holy Ghost was supposed to bring all things to our remembrance. But I combined the mothering role with the grandmothering role, and in times of great stress, I fed them cold cereal. I think they may still be coming down from the sugar high, but it made them happy!" (43)

There you have it. In times of great stress, feed them cold cereal. I was tickled to learn that I wasn’t the only mom that had resorted to that on occasion. Even women who have become mighty instruments in the Lord’s hands like Sister Beck have their cold cereal moments, recognizing that sometimes there are things more important than precisely what the family is eating. I find it strangely comforting.

While each talk builds on the idea that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass,” each talk in itself is a complete “great thing,” carefully prepared through much thought and prayer by each speaker. You could read one talk in the book and be spiritually fed. The cumulative effect of each of these talks is also a “great thing.” Each speaker brings his or her own gifts and insights to the table. When put with the others, the separate dishes become a great feast.

It has been a pleasure sitting down with this book and reading a talk or two at a time. Some of them feel like they’re aimed specifically at me. They discuss topics of interest to LDS women, such as visiting teaching, being a working mom, and receiving personal revelation, in ways that are specifically geared toward LDS women.

I’ve never attended the BYU Women’s Conference, although I’d like to go sometime if I have the opportunity. Not every woman who can benefit from the conference can reasonably attend. But this book can be a blessing for those who weren’t able to be there personally, as well as for those who were there.