Sisters at the Well: Women and the Life and Teachings of Jesus By Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel Bookcraft (Salt Lake City), 1993. 203 pages. ISBN: 0-88494-896-X Suggested retail price: $16.95 (US) Audience: LDS adults
Reviewed by: Jana Bouck Remy

The authors begin this book with a very vivid description of the grim situation of women in Jesus'time. In Rome, female babies were often "exposed," or left to die, because their parents did not want them. Also, male relatives frequently molested and raped female children. In Jewish society, laws regarding the uncleanness of menstruation and childbirth greatly complicated the lives of women. They could not prepare food or attend the temple, and everything they touched, sat on, or lay on became unclean as well. The Jewish culture also held many legal disadvantages for women. For example, if women became widowed, then they had no income and were at the mercy of male relatives for subsistence.

Therefore, it makes sense that Christ, who reached out to many "undesirable" people, would focus a great deal of his service and ministry toward women. Sisters chronicles each event in Jesus' ministry when he interacts with a woman and explains how each is significant. The first example describes Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. It is absolutely remarkable that Jesus would approach this woman for a drink of water because she is a Samaritan and a woman. (Jewish men were cautioned about talking too much to women because this would "bring evil upon him.") When the woman leaves the well, she returns to her town and becomes a witness of Christ to the people of her town. Her role as a witness is also an unusual one for this time because Jewish society did not recognize women as legal witnesses.

At the end of this section about the Samaritan woman, the authors explain:

Drawing water is a powerful image. We are convinced that, like the Samaritan woman, other women living in Jewish Palestine thirsted for living water to quench their parched souls. They stood at the well, hoping to draw life from the ancient traditions of their people or longing to discover an inner well of divine power and life. They wanted to be wellsprings of a new vision and hope, to use their gifts to change their own lives and the lives of their families, friends and neighbors.

The tenacious faith of these women in the face of personal trials and persecution was not forgotten by the authors of the four Gospels. These women, like the women at the well, had to recognize who indeed spoke when Jesus spoke, and consequently had to ask Jesus for living water. They served as models of discipleship that we can emulate to our benefit.

I think that we can all learn a great deal from the discipleship of the women in this book. Additionally, we can gain a greater understanding of how Christ's gospel is available to everyone -- even those individuals that may seem less desirable to us.

Reading this book reminded me of the last time that I heard Richard Holzapfel bear his testimony. He explained that the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that it is for everyone. The lowliest woman that drew water in Samaria can be saved through Christ, as can a woman who lived in the Dark Ages, or who lives today. This gospel is the only one which allows for all to be saved through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! I have thought often about this message and have concluded that this is the true "good news" of Christ.

I heartily recommend Sisters to anyone who enjoys the study of the four gospels from a historical perspective, or for those who enjoy reading about the women of the scriptures. This book not only includes a great deal of factual details about the time, but conveys a beautiful spirit of the love Christ extends to all of his followers -- male and female.

--Jana Bouck Remy
jremy@xmission.com