paragraphs A Light Shall Break Forth compiles the talks from the 2005 BYU Women's Conference. As has been true of previous volumes, the talks cover a variety of subjects. And, as with previous volumes, many of the talks are insightful, witty and ultimately helpful.

The centrality of Joseph Smith's First Vision provides the impetus for the collection, with various trajectories into its importance in our lives today and the different ways in which the light of Christ, so evident to Joseph that day, is still vital to our own Christian experience.

As the book progresses, the emphasis shifts from the general application of the Christian life in the light of God's latter-day revelations to a more specific treatment of marriage, motherhood, and other family issues. Much of it is familiar in tone, but placed in the context of the writers' individual experiences. This approach often adds a dimension of understanding to the lessons being taught.

Several essays stand out: Nora Nyland's "I Tried to Do Everything Right but..." explores the problems faced by folks who mistake the larger patterns of life, and the accompanying expectancies based on spiritual instruction, for the lesser patterns that don't always work out as we would wish. It's nicely written and very instructive.

Susan Robinson's "Escaping the Superwoman Syndrome" offers a realistic view of what it means to want to be a supermom, superwife, or super-whatever, and how destructive such goals can be. The essay is cautionary and wisely advised in its counsel to women who are, quite simply, exhausted from trying to measure up to the expectations of others.

Owners of previous BYU Women's Conference volumes will know that they are generally well edited, nicely presented, and a pretty good reflection of the mind of the Church on issues affecting women and families.

Only one question persists in my mind: if this is a "Women's Conference," why are nine of the 26 essays written by men?

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Jeff Needle
April 27, 2006