When one picks up the book, Daughters of God: Scriptural Portraits by S. Michael Wilcox, she would be impressed with the book jacket, if nothing else. Clearly, it speaks to a female in its design. The book jacket is cream with gold, all of which has been embossed with tiny floral designs, usually only found in museums and art galleries. She, the reader, would already feel that something special had been planned for her and she would expect quality to continue through the pages.

Brother Wilcox has acknowledged the diversity of women in the Church todaymarried, single, divorced, with or without children, active or not, widowed, married to non-members, mothers of children who are valiant or not, young or old, wealthy or living in poverty, but he says, each situation a Latter-day Saint woman faces is reflected in the scriptures. Further, Brother Wilcox has chosen to collect in one book the stories of each of the sisters found in the scriptures, from Eve to Emma. He calls these scriptural portraits, likened to those pictures found in great art galleriessome rather sketchy, some elaborate and detailed, but all with usefulness and meaning.

As each sister is explained and described, Brother Wilcox adds a personal note which helps the reader bridge the scriptural portrait with the experiences of our modern day world. Some of these have been based on his own wife and his mother, his experiences as a bishop, missionary, and institute leader, and upon words from prophets and Church leaders. Each is readable and understandable and for the most part are practical applications to the problems of our current world. Brother Wilcox describes the collection in this way:

It is a personal odyssey, a thematic journey of discovery, rather than a scholarly commentary or a comprehensive explanation. Other truths are found in the lives of these women, for we will never exhaust the riches of the scriptures. I have diligently tried to apply the stories in an edifying manner, but they are personal applications. Please accept this book for what it is intended to belessons one man has learned from the women whose lives are recorded in the scriptures. I sincerely pray that my examination of their lives will create respect and gratitude for the wonderful daughters of God.

If, then, I accept this as his purpose, I can truthfully say that he did just as he intended to do. If one were to read critically, one might find the language redundant and the format somewhat tedious and typical. If one were to read for information only, one might find fault with assumptions or speculation that the author used where details were sketchy about the woman described. If one were looking for enriching vocabulary and scholarly detail, one would be disappointed in the easy-to-understand and common language usage. But the reader cannot help but be edified by the sincere and respectful treatment of women and womens issues that the author presents. He speaks to a womens heart and shows great compassion for the oft-underrated contributions of the women to the spiritual legacy of our scriptures.

Personally, I have found the book to be useful in the following ways:

• As a helpful addition to my present study of the Old Testament reading assignments for Gospel Doctrine class;
• As a reference for the preparation of my Relief Society lessons;
• As a source of topics for discussion in my Family Home Evening Group for single sisters currently meeting in my ward.
• For personal edification and nourishment.

While other books may present a more scholarly doctrinal dissertation, this book is generally readable by the vast majority of the Church members. I say this based on my experience of working with small wards and branches in the mission field where sisters may have varying degrees of education and sophistication that they bring to their reading. I think that most any sister could read this book and understand and be able to use it for preparing talks, lessons, or for personal reference. The language is that which we generally use when we teach and fulfill speaking assignments.

Missing, perhaps, is the creation of the context in which most of the scriptural sisters livedthe Jewish law and tradition, the place of women in that time, the rights which may or may not have existed, and the motives to act or to be silent. Without that background to each portrait, I am not sure that they can fully be understood. The author may have purposely omitted this to keep the stories simple and understandable and to put the emphasis on the practical application of the stories in our lives.

As an example to include in this review, I refer to the portrait of a little- known woman named Abigail. In 1 Samuel 25:3, we read that Abigail was married to Nabal, a man who was churlish and evil in his doings, but Abigail was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance. Some of Brother Wilcoxs points (paraphrased) are:

• A husbands churlish ways do not have to affect the nobility of his wifes character.
• WhenDavid girded on his sword and led his men toward Nabal, swearing he would kill everyone before the next morning, Abigail gathered the provisions and went out to meet David. Then she pleaded with David on behalf of her husband.
• Her beautiful plea softened Davids heart, and he answered by recognizing her wisdom and good understanding. Abigail had the type of vision that sees the consequences of decisions made in the heat of emotion, checks that emotion, and thus prevents sorrow and suffering. Abigail knew if David slaughtered her family that he would regret his actions. She successfully reminded him of this.
• Often,when we are offended, we respond with anger. Like David, we gird on our swords, swearing to strike back. Decisions made in anger are rarely righteous and often bring sorrow and regret. The daily newspaper and the evening news show tragic examples of the results of rage. How much sorrow could have been eliminated had those involved listened to the Abigails in their lives and realized the regrets that would come?
• In this world where sorrow and regret are often experienced by those who will not control their passions, we see the Lords wisdom in including the portrait of Abigail in his scriptural gallery. (pages 100-101)

All in all, I found this book to be useful, uplifting, and one I would recommend to other female LDS readers. I do not think men would find the book very interesting unless they had an assignment in this venue. It is a book which fulfills the purpose for which it was written and is a contribution to the books currently available which tell the female story in the Church.

Janice Bouck