The Bet Faith in the Values for Young Women series By Chirley Arnold Deseret Book. Paperback. ISBN: 1-56236-450-2 Suggested retail price: $7.95 (US)
Reviewed by: Jacki Friedmann

This is my first book review, so please all . . . bare with me.

I have read the book, The Bet, by Chirley Arnold. It is a novel of "values for young women." While it might be directed to that specific audience, I, at almost 40 years old, got a lot out of it and believe it is a joy to read at any age.

Okay . . . here goes my review. . . .

The story is seen through the eyes of Julie, a 17 year old woman who's family is inactive in the Church and lives in New York City. She has no religious upbringing. Her family moves quickly to Provo, Utah, after her mother is diagnosed with cancer and wishes to return to her roots and her home for treatment.

We see the initial resentment, the initial confusion and then her decision to give up college in New York to be by her mother's side. She is however, not happy totally in her decision.

Upon arriving in Utah, Julie is now faced with all aspects of the Church that she never knew living in New York. Her family attends Church meetings, she attends Youth parties and her few friends in Provo are of course LDS.

All the while, she has made a "bet" with her boyfriend in New York, whom she has left behind, that the Church will not get her and she will not be converted. He claims she will, she holds fast not. Obviously in the end, she does join the Church.

The book handles her life and her typical teenage problems with delicacy and gentleness. We see her struggle to cling to her New York lifestyle and yet still live in Utah. We feel her pain and confusion through the author's descriptions of her emotions. Eventually her cynical perceptions of Utah, and it's "hick-like" ways, slowly losen up as she discovers that her life there is just beginning.

In whole, this is an excellent concept to me, of comparing the non Mormon upbringing she had for 17 years, to the gospel's way of life. As a convert myself, especially one who grew up and still does reside in New York, I found much parallel to my own life. And I felt her pains, her emotions and her confussions all the way. I think the author handled this transition very well. Julie fights the Church's ways, questions the power of prayer and doesn't understand others' devotion to this new lifestyle. I am sure that all teenagers, even many adults, myself included, have felt questions, had doubts, even worries. In this area, I found the story line to be a helpful reminder of what is truly important, of where our priorities should lie, and of Heavenly Father's and Christ's love for us all.

However, I had a few problems with the parallels of New York versus Utah. It seemed that the author was trying to say that a non Mormom life in New York couldn't compare to a Mormon life in Utah. While I agree that living the gospel and attending Church is a joy and by far a better way to live, I don't believe that this lifestyle is indigineous to Utah only. Perhaps the LDS population is greater in Utah, obviously so. Perhaps that is where it all began. However, I found the parallel to New York somewhat insulting. There are Mormons in New York. And perhaps this is an even harder place to live the gospel, but on the other hand, shows perhaps even more faith, more devotion. Isn't it harder to stick to something, commit to something when all those around you aren't? In Utah, it was easy enough for Julie to turn to the Church. Her family, her friends and all those around her were members. The author seemed to give the impression that her conversion would not have occurred had she remained in New York. As a convert, who indeed lives in New York, this part of the book was slightly insulting.

However, the main premise that living the gospel and being a member of the Church will in fact enhance our lives, give us hope, promise and guidance, is indeed a well spoken thought and one that I relished in each word.

At the end, when Julie is baptized and plans for her family's sealing in the Temple are finalized, I cried. I had memories of my own baptism. Her final words are to a friend who has been called to serve his mission in New York City and she gives him the name and address of her boyfriend there, as she bets now that he too, will convert.

I am not sure how much further to go with this review, but end by saying that if anyone has any comments, questions, or thoughts, to please write and I will answer them as best as I can.

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Jacki Friedmann
email: JackiKF@worldnet.att.net
homepage: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/8163
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