Twelve Sisters

by Leslie Beaton Hedley

On the surface, the fast and testimony meeting seems quite ordinary. Prelude music only slightly masks the noise as members of the ward fill up the pews and the bishop smiles benignly over the assembling Saints. But beneath their scrubbed and freshly pressed exteriors, each of the women in the Foothills Ward struggles with challenges and decisions that others in the congregation are not aware of. In this beautifully crafted novel, we share the lives of twelve "ordinary" Latter-day Saint women - discovering in their diversity and their yearnings toward sisterhood what it means to be a woman in the Church today.

Genres: Lds Fiction

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good easy read. It was a good eye-opener because it makes you think and remember that everyone around us has their own problems they are struggling with and many of them people don't realize they have. It just helped me to remember that I need to forget about my own problems and think about others. Also, to look around and try to find another person that is struggling and that we could help. I think it is also a reminder of being careful not to judge other's actions because we may not understand the situation.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look inside the thoughts of twelve different sisters during a Sacramet Meeting. I almost gave it two stars, but there was a lot that I really did like about this book.. Although you only get a very small piece of several different stories, it really makes you think about your own church ward or branch sisters. Looking around on Sunday may make you feel like others have it so much easier than you, or you may judge people based on one or two little observations you have made, without really seeing the whole picture.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of 12 Mormon women who all live in the same neighborhood (or ward boundaries). Hedley explores the preconceived notions we have of each other, especially woman to woman, and how we judge each other on false assumptions. An intriguing character study.

[Flyingzebras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the lives of 12 women.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy came yesterday. Used book from Powell's bookstore in Portland. $1.00 plus shipping. (I wrote this back in 2008. Glad to finally read this).

This is an LDS fiction novel. We get to read the thoughts of twelve sisters during a sacrament meeting. It is not what I expected. I really liked it, especially the last few chapters. That catapulted my rating from 3 to 4. The women all have different challenges and perceptions of themselves and others. It was a quick read, but will stay with me for awhile.

[Sandie Mixa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give it 3.5 stars. I bought this at Deseret Industries for 50 cents. I took it to Utah for a family reunion. It was just right for an interesting, fun book that didn't keep me glued to it so that I ignored my relatives. I liked the theme that you can't judge another person because you never know what trials they are going through in their private life.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uh...well I wouldn't want too many people readig this and think that this is how all ward sisters are. It was good to see how complex and different each one is and how all are connected. However, I felt the connections in the book limited how sisters really interact and are in many wards.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The differences between each of these twelve women makes up this lovely story. Don't we all have challenges that make us unique? What makes us special is our ability to rise up to the occasion and love one another.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable! Great reminder that we all have flaws and feelings that make up who we are that are not visible from a church pew on Sundays!

[Lacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story about 12 women in a ward and some of the events in their lives. No a bad book, but definitely not a favorite.!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique style of writing that works. Not really a story, but different insights into the lives of 12 women. Easy read

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book -- reminds us not to judge others, what we see may not always be what is the truth.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok book about 12 Relief Society sisters.