As the Ward Turns

As the Ward Turns #1

by Joni Hilton

"Joni Hilton takes a lighthearted look at the turning points and travails of an LDS Relief Society president's life with wit and wisdom. She sends up life's petty concerns and focuses on what really matters in living the gospel." --- Senator Orrin G. Hatch

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Humor, Religion, Adult, Christian Fiction

152 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1991

About the author

Joni Hilton is an award-winning playwright, the author of 20 books, and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from USC. She is frequently published in major magazines and contributes columns to MeridianMagazine.com. She hosts a call-in radio advice show on Saturday mornings on AM-1380 KTKZ (streaming live)at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
Hilton is a former TV talk show host and TV spokeswoman for various corporations, and lives in Sacramento, California, with her husband, Bob, a former game show announcer. They are the parents of four children. Read more at jonihilton.com. Or, check out her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joni-Hi...
Her three new Kindle books are available for just $2.99 at amazon.com/author/jonihilton and in paperback form at Createspace.com.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I had to give this 4 stars not because it is great literature, but because I laughed so hard and had such a good time reading it. It is easy to read and completely clean. The characters are not realistic - they are more like exaggerated caricatures of LDS people you know. It probably wouldn't be funny at all to someone who is not familiar with the 'LDS culture'.

For example, here's a clip:

Here is what happens when the bishop goes out of town. First, there's a funeral. Next, three or four people have major surgery, all of whom have children with chicken pox who need babysitting, then, pregnant women who aren't due for two months start having their babies. Husbands of these women are invariably unable to boil water, and must have all meals brought in until a grandmother arrives... Then the church air conditioning system konks out, somebody misplaces all the hymn books, and four people get offended when someone gives a talk about exemplary ward members and doesn't mention them. ... All this we can handle. In fact, the core of hard workers in every ward mobilize like minutemen when these things happen. They've learned that the real secret to happiness is service. If you didn't ask them to help, they'd volunteer anyhow. But what I was utterly unprepared for, which, of course, happened when the bishop was out of town, was Lara Westin's talk show format fireside.


The main character learns some touching and valuable lessons, and you feel good when the book is done.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this years ago and remember it being very funny and silly!

[Lynette · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book from my 80 something year old neighbors garage ... I’d heard about it, now I’ve read it. You wouldn’t understand it if you were not familiar with Mormon culture and it is outdated and corny, but it has a few redeeming qualities. The narrator is a relief society president, which is the calling I hold at present, so I got the jokes and the plot even though it was poured on rather thick. I give it a sideways thumb.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute entertaining book about being a Relief Society President. A couple of quotes I really enjoyed:

The best things in life aren't things. The golden age only comes to men when they have forgotten gold

Sometimes we forget the big picture - the overall goal and we let the little daily upsets crowd out the things that matter most.

you can control whether it stays crummy or if it gets a little better. Getting knocked down wasn't your fault, but staying down that part you can control. Her present suffering seemed to be the result of her choice to stay angry. Now the pain was coming from a sin on her part, the refusal to forgive.

Whenever we think we've had it tougher than everyone else, we lose our sympathy for people who let the slightest problems overwhelm them. We compare. Then we get irritable because to us their complaints seem so trivial. It can make it harder if you don't get rid of all the self pity.

"you can't judge the church by every person you meet there. If you want strength, you go to the source - Christ.

When you come to church with an empty cup waiting for others to fill it, you will never know the happiness that could come if you brought a full cup to church and tried to fill everyone else's


"Sometimes you have to step back and let people do things their own way, good, or bad. Maybe everyone will learn some tolerance - and humor"

Funny saying: Question: How long have you been hooking rugs, Edith? Oh I've been a hooker for most of my life.

[Linnae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let the hilarity begin!

Andy Taylor has an unfortunate new perm and also a new calling: Ward Relief Society President. A busy mother of 3, she feels a bit overwhelmed, but determined to do a good job. She needs someone to be her Homemaking night coordinator, and she's heard there's a sister (not currently active in the church) who has built her entire house using only particle board and a hot glue gun. Perfect!

When she meets Edith Horvitz in person, however, she realizes she may have just made a huge mistake. Edith is very enthusiastic about her new calling, and in fact, has invited a local reality show to film Andy's visit to explain her new responsibilities. Edith, if not certifiably crazy, is pretty doggone close. Perhaps the glued house should have been the first clue? In any case, Homemaking night will probably never be the same again!

And that's just the beginning...

* * * * *
Good thing Andy has a sense of humor--she's really going to need it! A few blue-ribbon apologies wouldn't hurt either, as she always seems to be sticking her foot in her mouth. At least her heart is in the right place.

Even having read these many times before, I found myself chuckling once again at Andy's embarrassing predicaments and Edith's antics. Perhaps being easily embarrassed myself, and prone to get into such situations, made it all the more funny.

I blog at www.ofbooksandblooms.com

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a lot of funny parts to this book, for anyone who has been LDS for any length of time (if you're not LDS, it probably won't be funny at all). The humor is mostly of the sort where the protagonist makes many blunders and you (the reader) are glad that you, at least, aren't *that* clumsy. I found a lot of the people and conversations were so exaggerated as to not be realistic at all. While it's true that exaggeration can be a part of humor, it was just not believable to me at all that one person would make so many silly mistakes, and yet have such a perfect happy ending. There were some good things that the main character learned, which were more poignant due to the awkward circumstances she found herself in, though these insights are often talked about too much and demonstrated too little. It was a quick read, though, so if you want some light, funny reading and you find this book lying around, you might enjoy it.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just been put in a Relief Society Presidency in my church, this book (about the crazy adventures of one Relief Society President) was wonderful to read for two reasons.

1) It's laugh out loud funny. Yes, some of the humor is campy, but some of the dialogue and situations are so true to life that you can't help but laugh. And when you're feeling stressed (like I have recently!), a good laugh is worth its weight in gold. And of course it's all G-rated.

2) The book is full of stories that are a bit exaggerated for the sake of humor, but the author is very good at reigning it all in to the focus of the gospel. There are beautiful conversations between Andy (the RS Pres.) and sisters in her ward about marriage, forgiveness, and other truths. It never comes across as preachy, just thought provoking. And any mother who cherishes her children (all of us, right?) will finish the last chapter in tears.

[kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you probably wouldn't get much out of this book. If you are a member or have ever been a Relief Society president you would laugh your way through this book. As the Ward Turns is an exaggerated comedy of what happens in the life of Relief Society President Andy Taylor as she tries to fulfill her calling. The situations she happens into are unrealistic and preposterous but contain a seed of truth. That is what makes the book so hilarious, because even though the characters are overdone most readers can probably think of someone they know in their ward that could be that character. The book is a melodrama, hence the title recalling the feeling of a soap opera. This book is the first in a four book series, 1) As the Ward Turns, 2) Around the Ward in 80 days, 3) Scrambled Home Evenings, and 4) Stop the Ward, I Want to Get Off.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Taylor is the Relief Society President in her LDS ward in California, and she has her work cut out for her. And it doesn't help that things just always seem to go wrong when she tries to do what is right. However, her heart is definitely in the right place, and so sometimes, even by accident, everything comes together just like it should be.

A fun, tongue in cheek look at the craziness that it can be to be in a church full of imperfect people, trying to do what is right. I loved Andy, the way she loved her family, and the way she truly loved the sisters that she served in her ward. I read this with my daughter who is twelve, and although I had to explain a few outdated references that she didn't understand, she really enjoyed it too. It starts out pretty crazy, but it all pulls together in the end and definitely warms your heart. 3.5 stars

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't want to like this book, like I'd have to swallow a bitter pill to reconcile the contrast that often exists between the Gospel of Jesus Christ versus the people who attempt to live the Gospel in the LDS context. But despite my efforts, I was laughing so hard I cried. I got past the corny, dated, overly stereotyped setting and let myself enjoy a thoroughly exaggerated story, just like my mom would have told me about her own life when I was growing up. My family likes to say, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story," and this story let the important truths come through in a way that also left me in tears.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The WHOLE As the Ward Turns Series (which includes As the Ward Turns, Around the Ward in 80 Days, Scrambled Home Evenings, and Stop the Ward! I Want to Get Off!) are all hilarious. Any LDS woman would die laughing. They’re a great pick me up book to read—Hilton has a way with words that leaves me guffawing each time I read these books. (I’ve been rereading them for about ten years!)

[T.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those sitcoms where the canned laughter plays constantly at humor that should only provoke a smile? That's this book. It is funny and heartwarming, but the characters in the book are in constant fits of hysterical laughter over things that really aren't that funny. I did laugh out loud twice and I enjoyed the story, but the characters' reactions were often bemusing.

[Andie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book's heroin to be super annoying throughout the book. I felt that she always jumped to a million conclusions, and complained A LOT. But then all of these absolutely hilarious things kept happening, and the book was worth finishing. So go ahead and read through the beginning complaints, because the cream is right in the middle!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is laugh out loud funny in some parts in the beginning which was welcome because I was looking for a light-hearted read. As the book went on, it got kind of boring and tedious. I liked it though. It was a cute book all in all. If you would like to borrow it, let me know. I have it out to a friend right now.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a funny book about quirky people in your Ward at church. It was really cheesy, but it was also funny and made me feel bad for Relief Society Presidents and all of the things they have to deal with that most people never know about. I read a couple of books while reading this one, so it was a good "filler-in-between-books" book.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so hilarious. My mother gave it to me for Christmas. I thought I might be too young to understand it. But apparently I was familiar enough with my LDS culture that I could laugh myself to tears through the entire book.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little too "cheesey" for my liking. Or it just may have been too outdated. It really bothered me that the RS President had SO much guilt, especially about things that were not her fault. I did laugh out loud once, and thought it ended well. It's an easy quick, light read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously laughed very hard with this quick read. Some of her characters are cheesy but I loved them just the same. There were a few very profound thoughts that stood out to me when I see myself interacting with people around me.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. I can't give it 5 stars because it's not in league with my other 5 star books, but I love to read these when I need something quick and entertaining... always good for a laugh.

[Carley Tall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually thought this book was well written and quite funny in parts. It has the typical churchy feel, which is to be expected, but it's not terribly preachy. Over all, I enjoyed this short read and the laughs it provided.

[Becky Roper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was picked for our book club to read. It was pretty fluffy (as expected) and most of the situations were very exaggerated, but did have a few good moments. I'm afraid it does nothing that would add to the reputation of LDS writers.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little over the top with the punchy humor. I would have thought this was hilarious when I was about 15. Mingled in the slap stick here and there are some sweet gospel tidbits; love, kindness, forgiveness.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest novels I have ever read. It is a good thing I had something to laugh at because we goofed up two cars this week in the anderson family. I would recommend this to any LDS woman who needs a good laugh.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! Just a lighthearted story of a relief society president and the comic misadventures she finds herself in as she strives to serve her sisters in the gospel.

[Saralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny book about wards and life.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and lighthearted, but still fun and worth the read. I laughed out loud a couple of times.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love to laugh you will love Joni Hilton.
The Kids , the Husband and miscomunication between all reminds you of your own family.
The Outlandish Edith who keeps you in stitches ...

[LaShelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hillarious! I think there's an Edith in every ward!

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. So down to earth and I could relate to many of her stories.