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But If Not: Finding God in Unmet Expectations and Unwanted Detours
Though we all have hopes for our lives, we often find ourselves taking unexpected detours—developing skills and talents we never envisioned, going in different directions than we planned, and feeling pain and loss we couldn’t have imagined. Despite our diligence and obedience to God, we may find the path we hoped for is no longer passable or our strength is not sufficient to enable us to continue. How can we manage an unknown future amid unmet expectations, particularly when it seems that God has left us on our own? How can we find God when we feel distant from Him?
With trust in God’s plan of happiness, His word, and His healing balm, beloved author Camille Fronk Olson explores how the consequences of living in a fallen world, our own mortality and personal agency, and unfounded gospel interpretations sometimes take us on unexpected detours. As we strive to understand the will of God, and with faith in His love for us and the power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, our unmet expectations can lead us to needed blessings in our ultimate desire to become like Him.
With trust in God’s plan of happiness, His word, and His healing balm, beloved author Camille Fronk Olson explores how the consequences of living in a fallen world, our own mortality and personal agency, and unfounded gospel interpretations sometimes take us on unexpected detours. As we strive to understand the will of God, and with faith in His love for us and the power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, our unmet expectations can lead us to needed blessings in our ultimate desire to become like Him.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2025
39 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 18, 2025
I definitely will have to read this one again and really take notes and pay attention. I loved her thoughts on this subject. Many things I have wondered about for years. I loved her examples in the scriptures.
December 10, 2025
My dearest friend was writing a book about Camille Fronk Olson when she passed away unexpectedly last December. I received so much comfort from hearing from Sister Olson about unmet expectations, including the loss of loved ones. What a beautiful treasure this book is.
February 7, 2026
Fast listen. Loved it.
September 8, 2025
This is a great book to give you hope when things don't work out how you planned.
December 25, 2025
There were some nice thoughts here about managing our expectations and understanding God's love and plan for us. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"That covenant path contains the same essential covenants and ordinances for all, but the shape, length, and circuitousness of the path differ for each one of us (p. 5)."
"Even though our life's plans need to be continually reworked along the way, the fact that we have a plan propels us to act and be ready to pivot and refocus when unforeseen events become roadblocks in our path (p. 6)."
"How can we understand the gap between our expectations and our reality through the lens of the restored gospel? Did God block my way on the path and if so, why? Did I misunderstand the directions and therefore take a wrong turn? Did someone choose to close the door and shut me out? Can they do that? Does God allow that? Or did some natural phenomena damage the path and impede my progression? If I do my part, isn't God bound to give me my righteous desires? (p. 7)"
"Their trust in their God was fully grounded in their humble awareness that God knew more than they did and whatever He did would be for their benefit. It was not dependent on mortal outcomes. It was not conditioned on God's response to their desires. Their response to a very bad situation underscores true faith in the Lord. But if not. Can my faith be equally unshakable? (p. 8)"
"Life rarely turns out the way we expect--and maybe, just maybe, that's a good thing (p. 9)."
"Much of the value comes in sensing God's presence and awareness, whatever the reasons and circumstance (p. 9)."
"I hope that you... will sincerely contemplate whether unmet expectations can be transformed into a precious gift--a gift that offers far more than we could have ever imagined (p. 10)."
"You can look at any book of scripture and any era of history and find the same reality; bad things are always happening to good people, including you and me (p. 15)."
"I wonder how many faithful Christians have walked away from religion because of an inaccurate understanding of divine laws, which led to unrealistic expectations that never materialized. So, we might ask ourselves, are my unmet expectations based on a faulty interpretation of God's plan of happiness? (p. 16)"
"He saw the commandments as tasks to be 'completed' in short order rather than a process and lifelong endeavor to assist us in becoming more like our Savior (P. 17)."
"Discover the Lord's abundant gospel. A gospel that enables us to do, understand, and become more--much more--over time (p. 17)."
"Jesus was asking him to learn obedience through hardship and the trial of his faith (p. 19)."
"How did Book of Mormon prophets understand God's promise of prosperity? (p. 21)"
"Having the Lord's presence in our daily life through the companionship of the Holy Ghost is the promise the Lord gives all those who sincerely strive to remember Him and keep His commandments (p. 22)."
"'It is essential that we honor and obey His laws, but not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations... Some misunderstand the promises of God to mean that obedience to Him yields specific outcomes on a fixed schedule... We ought not to think of God's plan as a cosmic vending machine where we (1) selected a desired blessing, (2) insert the required sum of good works, and (3) the order is promptly delivered' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 26)."
"Limhi instructs us to turn to the Lord 'with full purpose of heart.' To me, that means that I plead to God in faith, knowing He is the only one who can deliver me (p. 28)."
"Limhi didn't say that we are to just hang out and wait until the Lord sees fit to rescue us; he directed us to 'serve God with all diligence of mind' (p. 29)."
"Rather than asking the questions 'Why is this happening to us?' or 'Has God forgotten us?' Limhi directed his people to exercise their faith in Jesus Christ over the long haul, seeking ways to lighten another's burden, discovering evidence that God was with them, and witnessing strengths in themselves that they had not known before (p. 30)."
"It isn't enough to simply ask God for answers (p. 30)."
"Patience requires time... Patience is not interested in efficiency and instant returns (p. 32)."
"Discipleship means that we not only retain but increase our faith and trust in Him, growing in understanding each step of the way as we manifest that faith by our actions (p. 33)."
"'Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered... But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended' (Spencer W. Kimball, p. 33)."
"There is no substitute for consistent, inquisitive, and prayerful study of the word of God (p. 34)."
"Expanding our understanding of the gospel to include the 'wintry doctrines,' as Elder Maxwell called them, will lead to more realistic expectations (p. 35)."
"A sincere and consistent gospel study strengthens not only our understanding of doctrine but our trust in God and His Son (p. 35)."
"The rains and the floods hit the house built on the rock every bit as much as the one built on sand. Being built on the Rock of our Redeemer didn't prevent the storms of life. Rather, building our foundation on the only inexhaustible and enduring Bedrock gives us the opportunity to develop strength to stand when challenges hit (p. 37)."
"Our relationship with our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ holds the power to help us to stand, or get up again, when Satan sends shafts in the whirlwind our way (p. 37)."
"He stands ready to welcome us to Him if we turn to Him, trust Him, and serve Him (p. 38)."
"Becoming more conversant in and converted to true doctrine... will open doors to greater empathy, fulfillment, and satisfaction (p. 39)."
"Our mortal experience was created to allow and encourage learning by faith through unfairness, suffering, and opposition (p. 43)."
"God knew that working through uncertainties and hardships is essential to developing character and becoming more like Him (p. 44)."
"Opportunities to develop a relationship with the Lord and His work were amplified by requiring Adam to work by the sweat of his brow to bring sustenance from the ground (p. 44)."
"We would face hardships to know joy and fulfillment (p. 46)."
"'One's life cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 47)."
"'Greatness comes from character and... it's formed out of people who suffered' (Jensen Huang, p. 51)."
"We can choose to repent and change (p. 54)."
"'Our Heavenly Father's goal in parenting is not to have children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him' (Dale G. Renlund, p. 56)."
"Fatal diseases, debilitating accidents, and attacks on our muscles, nerves, and brain can diminish our physical and mental abilities... sooner than we imagine (p. 62)."
"'I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 64)."
"Celestial glory is not granted by maintaining robust health in mortality... Perfect bodies are not requisite to fulfilling God's plan for us (p. 64)."
"Mortality includes the likelihood of loss of physical abilities (p. 67)."
"Empathy for someone suffering serious illness is a blessing that can be learned through similar suffering (p. 68)."
"'Certain forms of suffering, endured well, can actually be ennobling. Part of enduring well consists of being meek enough, amid our suffering, to learn from our relevant experiences in ways which sanctify us' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 68)."
"Elder Maxwell learned that suffering from cancer was part of his mortal education to complete his personal mission as God deemed important (p. 69)."
"'All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God' (Orson F. Whitney, p. 71)."
"Our lives may not be what we dreamed of... but we can't help but feel gratitude and love for the One who knows more than we do (p. 71)."
"To one day become like our Father, we also need to learn to recognize another's agency (p. 81)."
"Sometimes God does indeed intercede, and other times it feels like no Divine Hand is reaching out to help (p. 83)."
"God honors agency (p. 85)."
"'God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others. But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them' (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 89)."
"God knows us better than we do and sees much farther into the future than we can (p. 95)."
"'Our Father is willing to guide each of us along His covenant path with steps designed to our individual need and tailored to his plan for our ultimate happiness with Him' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 95)."
"The Lord in His wisdom and power brings beauty from ashes (p. 95)."
"If we let Him, God will take us to that place where only He can help us (p. 97)."
"'God is aware of you individually... He knows what you are capable of becoming. Be not discouraged, then, if you do not get all the things you want just when you want them' (Hugh B. Brown, p. 98)."
"I always dreamed and planned to marry and have a family. But that isn't a goal you achieve on your own (p. 102)."
"I believe God had a different path for me than what I was capable of envisioning (p. 104)."
"'When you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world, He, and He alone, does have the power to lift you above the pull of this world' (Russell M. Nelson, p. 111)."
"'When nothing is expected and everything is appreciated, life becomes magical' (Gary B. Sabin, p. 115)."
"Increased understanding of God's plan through study and lived experience repeatedly invites us to build our foundation on Jesus Christ (p. 115)."
"'God doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world' (2 Nephi 26:24).
'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him' (1 Corinthians 2:9, p. 116)."
"Day by day, year by year, we are learning to be more like Jesus. I'd call that exceeding expectations! (p. 117)"
"That covenant path contains the same essential covenants and ordinances for all, but the shape, length, and circuitousness of the path differ for each one of us (p. 5)."
"Even though our life's plans need to be continually reworked along the way, the fact that we have a plan propels us to act and be ready to pivot and refocus when unforeseen events become roadblocks in our path (p. 6)."
"How can we understand the gap between our expectations and our reality through the lens of the restored gospel? Did God block my way on the path and if so, why? Did I misunderstand the directions and therefore take a wrong turn? Did someone choose to close the door and shut me out? Can they do that? Does God allow that? Or did some natural phenomena damage the path and impede my progression? If I do my part, isn't God bound to give me my righteous desires? (p. 7)"
"Their trust in their God was fully grounded in their humble awareness that God knew more than they did and whatever He did would be for their benefit. It was not dependent on mortal outcomes. It was not conditioned on God's response to their desires. Their response to a very bad situation underscores true faith in the Lord. But if not. Can my faith be equally unshakable? (p. 8)"
"Life rarely turns out the way we expect--and maybe, just maybe, that's a good thing (p. 9)."
"Much of the value comes in sensing God's presence and awareness, whatever the reasons and circumstance (p. 9)."
"I hope that you... will sincerely contemplate whether unmet expectations can be transformed into a precious gift--a gift that offers far more than we could have ever imagined (p. 10)."
"You can look at any book of scripture and any era of history and find the same reality; bad things are always happening to good people, including you and me (p. 15)."
"I wonder how many faithful Christians have walked away from religion because of an inaccurate understanding of divine laws, which led to unrealistic expectations that never materialized. So, we might ask ourselves, are my unmet expectations based on a faulty interpretation of God's plan of happiness? (p. 16)"
"He saw the commandments as tasks to be 'completed' in short order rather than a process and lifelong endeavor to assist us in becoming more like our Savior (P. 17)."
"Discover the Lord's abundant gospel. A gospel that enables us to do, understand, and become more--much more--over time (p. 17)."
"Jesus was asking him to learn obedience through hardship and the trial of his faith (p. 19)."
"How did Book of Mormon prophets understand God's promise of prosperity? (p. 21)"
"Having the Lord's presence in our daily life through the companionship of the Holy Ghost is the promise the Lord gives all those who sincerely strive to remember Him and keep His commandments (p. 22)."
"'It is essential that we honor and obey His laws, but not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations... Some misunderstand the promises of God to mean that obedience to Him yields specific outcomes on a fixed schedule... We ought not to think of God's plan as a cosmic vending machine where we (1) selected a desired blessing, (2) insert the required sum of good works, and (3) the order is promptly delivered' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 26)."
"Limhi instructs us to turn to the Lord 'with full purpose of heart.' To me, that means that I plead to God in faith, knowing He is the only one who can deliver me (p. 28)."
"Limhi didn't say that we are to just hang out and wait until the Lord sees fit to rescue us; he directed us to 'serve God with all diligence of mind' (p. 29)."
"Rather than asking the questions 'Why is this happening to us?' or 'Has God forgotten us?' Limhi directed his people to exercise their faith in Jesus Christ over the long haul, seeking ways to lighten another's burden, discovering evidence that God was with them, and witnessing strengths in themselves that they had not known before (p. 30)."
"It isn't enough to simply ask God for answers (p. 30)."
"Patience requires time... Patience is not interested in efficiency and instant returns (p. 32)."
"Discipleship means that we not only retain but increase our faith and trust in Him, growing in understanding each step of the way as we manifest that faith by our actions (p. 33)."
"'Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered... But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended' (Spencer W. Kimball, p. 33)."
"There is no substitute for consistent, inquisitive, and prayerful study of the word of God (p. 34)."
"Expanding our understanding of the gospel to include the 'wintry doctrines,' as Elder Maxwell called them, will lead to more realistic expectations (p. 35)."
"A sincere and consistent gospel study strengthens not only our understanding of doctrine but our trust in God and His Son (p. 35)."
"The rains and the floods hit the house built on the rock every bit as much as the one built on sand. Being built on the Rock of our Redeemer didn't prevent the storms of life. Rather, building our foundation on the only inexhaustible and enduring Bedrock gives us the opportunity to develop strength to stand when challenges hit (p. 37)."
"Our relationship with our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ holds the power to help us to stand, or get up again, when Satan sends shafts in the whirlwind our way (p. 37)."
"He stands ready to welcome us to Him if we turn to Him, trust Him, and serve Him (p. 38)."
"Becoming more conversant in and converted to true doctrine... will open doors to greater empathy, fulfillment, and satisfaction (p. 39)."
"Our mortal experience was created to allow and encourage learning by faith through unfairness, suffering, and opposition (p. 43)."
"God knew that working through uncertainties and hardships is essential to developing character and becoming more like Him (p. 44)."
"Opportunities to develop a relationship with the Lord and His work were amplified by requiring Adam to work by the sweat of his brow to bring sustenance from the ground (p. 44)."
"We would face hardships to know joy and fulfillment (p. 46)."
"'One's life cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 47)."
"'Greatness comes from character and... it's formed out of people who suffered' (Jensen Huang, p. 51)."
"We can choose to repent and change (p. 54)."
"'Our Heavenly Father's goal in parenting is not to have children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him' (Dale G. Renlund, p. 56)."
"Fatal diseases, debilitating accidents, and attacks on our muscles, nerves, and brain can diminish our physical and mental abilities... sooner than we imagine (p. 62)."
"'I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 64)."
"Celestial glory is not granted by maintaining robust health in mortality... Perfect bodies are not requisite to fulfilling God's plan for us (p. 64)."
"Mortality includes the likelihood of loss of physical abilities (p. 67)."
"Empathy for someone suffering serious illness is a blessing that can be learned through similar suffering (p. 68)."
"'Certain forms of suffering, endured well, can actually be ennobling. Part of enduring well consists of being meek enough, amid our suffering, to learn from our relevant experiences in ways which sanctify us' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 68)."
"Elder Maxwell learned that suffering from cancer was part of his mortal education to complete his personal mission as God deemed important (p. 69)."
"'All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God' (Orson F. Whitney, p. 71)."
"Our lives may not be what we dreamed of... but we can't help but feel gratitude and love for the One who knows more than we do (p. 71)."
"To one day become like our Father, we also need to learn to recognize another's agency (p. 81)."
"Sometimes God does indeed intercede, and other times it feels like no Divine Hand is reaching out to help (p. 83)."
"God honors agency (p. 85)."
"'God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others. But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them' (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 89)."
"God knows us better than we do and sees much farther into the future than we can (p. 95)."
"'Our Father is willing to guide each of us along His covenant path with steps designed to our individual need and tailored to his plan for our ultimate happiness with Him' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 95)."
"The Lord in His wisdom and power brings beauty from ashes (p. 95)."
"If we let Him, God will take us to that place where only He can help us (p. 97)."
"'God is aware of you individually... He knows what you are capable of becoming. Be not discouraged, then, if you do not get all the things you want just when you want them' (Hugh B. Brown, p. 98)."
"I always dreamed and planned to marry and have a family. But that isn't a goal you achieve on your own (p. 102)."
"I believe God had a different path for me than what I was capable of envisioning (p. 104)."
"'When you yoke yourself to Jesus Christ and do the spiritual work required to overcome the world, He, and He alone, does have the power to lift you above the pull of this world' (Russell M. Nelson, p. 111)."
"'When nothing is expected and everything is appreciated, life becomes magical' (Gary B. Sabin, p. 115)."
"Increased understanding of God's plan through study and lived experience repeatedly invites us to build our foundation on Jesus Christ (p. 115)."
"'God doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world' (2 Nephi 26:24).
'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him' (1 Corinthians 2:9, p. 116)."
"Day by day, year by year, we are learning to be more like Jesus. I'd call that exceeding expectations! (p. 117)"
October 15, 2025
Notes:
The covenant path contains the same essential covenants and ordinances for all but the shape length and circuitousness of the path differ for each one of us.
What happens when our expectations are tied to promised blessings in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and yet evade fulfillment? Despite our diligence and obedience to God, we find our path is no longer passable. Our strength is not sufficient to enable us to continue, or we reach the door at the top of the incline only to find. Is closed and locked. In a disconnected curves between what we believe, God promises, and what we receive, our happiness level can plummet while our disillusionment with divine dictates can mushroom exponentially. How can we understand the gap between our expectations and our reality through the lens of the restored gospel? Did God block my way on the path, and if so, why? Did I misunderstand the directions and therefore take a wrong turn? Someone choose to close the door and shut me out. Can they do that? Does God allow that? Or did some natural phenomenon damage the path and impede my progression? If I do my part, isn't God bound to give me my righteous desires?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego put their trust in God. Their trusting God was more fully grounded in their humble awareness that God knew more than they did and whatever He did would be for their benefit. It was not dependent on mortal outcomes. It was not conditioned on God's response to their desires. Their response to a very bad situation underscores true faith in the Lord. But if not. And my faith be equally unshakeable when the outcome doesn't materialize as I expected. Can I be like meShach, Shadrach and Abednego and not forsake him?
On the eve of my high school graduation, some friends and I sat down to envision our futures. We thought that scene through the next 10 years would pretty much describe the rest of our lives. Considering each of us one by one. We guessed the number of years before marriage, professions of our husbands, the number of children each of us would have, and the distance from our hometown we would live to raise our families. Then i wrote down an additional handful expectations for me including skills i've mastered and ways that would make a difference in society in the future. After 10 years elapsed, not one of my expectations had materialized. It would be closer to 30 years before anything on my list occurred, with the great majority of my expectations unfulfilled. Most of our expectations as teenagers focused on skills and roles that we discussed in our church mutual classes. In our mind, these goals were exactly what God wanted for each of his daughters, and we were happy to fulfill his dream for us. But the unexpected happen in our lives took different turns than we foresaw. For three in our group, serious disease shorten our lives. For another infidelity ended her marriage another adopted her children because of infertility, another. Suffered significant financial loss. Another Bora chilled child with disabilities. Another watched her children leave the religion she loved. And I didn't even get a marriage proposal, let alone Mary. Was there something wrong with what we expected and planned for in life?
I remember hearing about a member of the church living in Russia who reads the Book of Mormon every year so that he won't be surprised when bad things happen to good people. The truth is, you can look at any book of scripture and any era of history and find the same reality. Bad things are always happening to good people, including you and me. So why does it surprise us? Where is it recorded in Scripture that God promises a life void of strife and unpleasant surprises if we love and obey Him? Where is it taught that by keeping the commandments of God, we are ensured that our prayers are answered at the time and in the way we request? Therefore, why do we lose faith in blame God when that doesn't happen?
A well known and OFT repeated promise in the Book of Mormon, if taken out of context, can lead to a faulty interpretation of this doctrine, just as the rich young ruler experienced. The familiar passage is Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, you shall prosper in the land, but inasmuch as you will keep not my commandments, you shall be cut off from my presence. Without any context or accompanying examples in the Book of Mormon, it is natural to conclude that God is promising in the life of ease and material wealth if we will simply keep His commandments. In whatever naive way we may choose to define keeping the commandments. How did the Book of Mormon prophets understand God's promise of prosperity? Does it agree with the way of today's society? Use of the term? A strain of modern Christianity, often called the prosperity gospel gospel, subscribes to this faulty interpretation. It claims that God rewards the faithful with wealth, health and happiness in response to their positive declarations and financial donations to religious causes, financial success, and physical well-being. I then seen as evidence of righteousness and receipt of God's favor. According to this false explanation of the gospel, lack of health and wealth advertises the believer's failure to receive God's approval.
This scripture as a mathematical structure. What then is opposite of prospering in the land being cut off from God's presence? Therefore, what does it mean to prosper in the land not being cut off from God's presence? Having the Lord's presence in our daily life through the companionship of the Holy Ghost is the promise the Lord gives to. All those who sincerely strive to remember him and keep his commandments. We hear this correlation between obedience and receiving the Spirit every single week in the sacrament prayers when we renew our covenants with God.
Do we ever find ourselves expecting more of others in the Church than we do of ourselves?
A house doesn't survive in a storm because the house is strong. It also doesn't survive just because the rock is strong. The house survives the storm because it is firmly attached to that strong rock. It is the strength of the connection that matters.
I even found this truth taught in Hollywood movies. Groundhog Day humorously portrays the various possible outcomes if you could live the same day repeatedly. In it, a weather man named Phil Connors considers himself the talent in every podcast and believes that anyone is fortunate to be in his shadow. He is cocky, inconsiderate, and cynical. When he finds himself forced to relive the same day hundreds or possibly even thousands of times, he realizes that he is the only one who remembers what anyone said or did when the same day reopens on the Morrow. And this cyclical. In Surreal World, Phil Connors experiments with manipulation, robbery, gluttony, a drunk driving spree, and every other self indulgent behavior because there are no consequences. Sensing no lasting joy or fulfillment from living his day that way, over time and through trial and error, Phil Karnish begins using the day to develop new skills. In experiments with compassionate responses to people he repeatedly encounters along the way, Filled figures out what is most important in life. He becomes a new creature, not just one who is at play acting, but one who is new from the inside out. He chooses to change. He chooses to live each day with respect, compassion, and honor. Instead, with selfishness, lust and greed, and he finally feels truly happy. In a related way, every new day gives us the invitation to learn from the consequences from our actions the day before. We can choose to repent and change. In other words, we can repent every day and start anew.
Remember that the root word for chasten is chaste god's pruning leads us to be pure nobler and better than we were before.
The best way to learn to love my family in a Christ like way would be to serve them without expectations that they would validate my worth in return. Serving without expectations is Christlike service.
The covenant path contains the same essential covenants and ordinances for all but the shape length and circuitousness of the path differ for each one of us.
What happens when our expectations are tied to promised blessings in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and yet evade fulfillment? Despite our diligence and obedience to God, we find our path is no longer passable. Our strength is not sufficient to enable us to continue, or we reach the door at the top of the incline only to find. Is closed and locked. In a disconnected curves between what we believe, God promises, and what we receive, our happiness level can plummet while our disillusionment with divine dictates can mushroom exponentially. How can we understand the gap between our expectations and our reality through the lens of the restored gospel? Did God block my way on the path, and if so, why? Did I misunderstand the directions and therefore take a wrong turn? Someone choose to close the door and shut me out. Can they do that? Does God allow that? Or did some natural phenomenon damage the path and impede my progression? If I do my part, isn't God bound to give me my righteous desires?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego put their trust in God. Their trusting God was more fully grounded in their humble awareness that God knew more than they did and whatever He did would be for their benefit. It was not dependent on mortal outcomes. It was not conditioned on God's response to their desires. Their response to a very bad situation underscores true faith in the Lord. But if not. And my faith be equally unshakeable when the outcome doesn't materialize as I expected. Can I be like meShach, Shadrach and Abednego and not forsake him?
On the eve of my high school graduation, some friends and I sat down to envision our futures. We thought that scene through the next 10 years would pretty much describe the rest of our lives. Considering each of us one by one. We guessed the number of years before marriage, professions of our husbands, the number of children each of us would have, and the distance from our hometown we would live to raise our families. Then i wrote down an additional handful expectations for me including skills i've mastered and ways that would make a difference in society in the future. After 10 years elapsed, not one of my expectations had materialized. It would be closer to 30 years before anything on my list occurred, with the great majority of my expectations unfulfilled. Most of our expectations as teenagers focused on skills and roles that we discussed in our church mutual classes. In our mind, these goals were exactly what God wanted for each of his daughters, and we were happy to fulfill his dream for us. But the unexpected happen in our lives took different turns than we foresaw. For three in our group, serious disease shorten our lives. For another infidelity ended her marriage another adopted her children because of infertility, another. Suffered significant financial loss. Another Bora chilled child with disabilities. Another watched her children leave the religion she loved. And I didn't even get a marriage proposal, let alone Mary. Was there something wrong with what we expected and planned for in life?
I remember hearing about a member of the church living in Russia who reads the Book of Mormon every year so that he won't be surprised when bad things happen to good people. The truth is, you can look at any book of scripture and any era of history and find the same reality. Bad things are always happening to good people, including you and me. So why does it surprise us? Where is it recorded in Scripture that God promises a life void of strife and unpleasant surprises if we love and obey Him? Where is it taught that by keeping the commandments of God, we are ensured that our prayers are answered at the time and in the way we request? Therefore, why do we lose faith in blame God when that doesn't happen?
A well known and OFT repeated promise in the Book of Mormon, if taken out of context, can lead to a faulty interpretation of this doctrine, just as the rich young ruler experienced. The familiar passage is Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, you shall prosper in the land, but inasmuch as you will keep not my commandments, you shall be cut off from my presence. Without any context or accompanying examples in the Book of Mormon, it is natural to conclude that God is promising in the life of ease and material wealth if we will simply keep His commandments. In whatever naive way we may choose to define keeping the commandments. How did the Book of Mormon prophets understand God's promise of prosperity? Does it agree with the way of today's society? Use of the term? A strain of modern Christianity, often called the prosperity gospel gospel, subscribes to this faulty interpretation. It claims that God rewards the faithful with wealth, health and happiness in response to their positive declarations and financial donations to religious causes, financial success, and physical well-being. I then seen as evidence of righteousness and receipt of God's favor. According to this false explanation of the gospel, lack of health and wealth advertises the believer's failure to receive God's approval.
This scripture as a mathematical structure. What then is opposite of prospering in the land being cut off from God's presence? Therefore, what does it mean to prosper in the land not being cut off from God's presence? Having the Lord's presence in our daily life through the companionship of the Holy Ghost is the promise the Lord gives to. All those who sincerely strive to remember him and keep his commandments. We hear this correlation between obedience and receiving the Spirit every single week in the sacrament prayers when we renew our covenants with God.
Do we ever find ourselves expecting more of others in the Church than we do of ourselves?
A house doesn't survive in a storm because the house is strong. It also doesn't survive just because the rock is strong. The house survives the storm because it is firmly attached to that strong rock. It is the strength of the connection that matters.
I even found this truth taught in Hollywood movies. Groundhog Day humorously portrays the various possible outcomes if you could live the same day repeatedly. In it, a weather man named Phil Connors considers himself the talent in every podcast and believes that anyone is fortunate to be in his shadow. He is cocky, inconsiderate, and cynical. When he finds himself forced to relive the same day hundreds or possibly even thousands of times, he realizes that he is the only one who remembers what anyone said or did when the same day reopens on the Morrow. And this cyclical. In Surreal World, Phil Connors experiments with manipulation, robbery, gluttony, a drunk driving spree, and every other self indulgent behavior because there are no consequences. Sensing no lasting joy or fulfillment from living his day that way, over time and through trial and error, Phil Karnish begins using the day to develop new skills. In experiments with compassionate responses to people he repeatedly encounters along the way, Filled figures out what is most important in life. He becomes a new creature, not just one who is at play acting, but one who is new from the inside out. He chooses to change. He chooses to live each day with respect, compassion, and honor. Instead, with selfishness, lust and greed, and he finally feels truly happy. In a related way, every new day gives us the invitation to learn from the consequences from our actions the day before. We can choose to repent and change. In other words, we can repent every day and start anew.
Remember that the root word for chasten is chaste god's pruning leads us to be pure nobler and better than we were before.
The best way to learn to love my family in a Christ like way would be to serve them without expectations that they would validate my worth in return. Serving without expectations is Christlike service.
January 26, 2026
I want to give this 2 stars but I like "Women of the Old Testament" too much and will probably read some of the other books by this author, one of these days.
The only reason for me, personally, to pick up this book is because Camille Fronk Olson had reached a certain age and was STILL SINGLE. This book was published just last year as I write this-in 2025. Aside from the 2008 "A Single Voice" by Kristen M. Oaks, (yes THAT wife of our current Prophet/President of the LDS church in 2026) how many Deseret published books can you list for me from the last decade that provide ANY kind of insight, inspiration and support for single, childless members of the church with counsel for how to navigate church culture and maintain hope in a family-centered religion?
I'll wait.
For those of us in the LDS church who have reached a certain age and find themselves STILL perpetually single and childless in such a family-centric environment, they are the perfect "But if Not" poster child as the author found herself (because single, childless men in the church have no such trials or problems! We must assume such men already Found God in Unmet Expectations and Unwanted Detours).
This is also a very quick and easy read: just 7 short chapters and 117 pages.
She hooked me immediately in the first chapter with a personal story on page 4, on the eve of graduating high school (this would've been about 1973 or so) she and group of best girlfriends all sat down and thought it might be fun to guess where they would all be in 10 years-marriage, kids, successful careers, new skills. You can see where this is going because, of course, ten years later, everyone ended up in much different places and circumstances then they’d wished: divorce, handicapped children, young adult children who eventually left the church, infertility issues, financial loss and other setbacks, detours and unmet expectations.
And, wouldn't you know it, for the author-to her mild annoyance-there she was, ten years later, STILL SINGLE AND CHILDESS! Sure, she was a successful professor at BYU, financially independent, probably owned her own home/condo, but she'd always dreamed of temple marriage, one-little-two-little-three-little babies of her own, living the dream of the ideal SAHM/tradwife lifestyle. None of her predictions had come to pass. Yet, the "About the Author" on the very last page of this book says she is married with children and grandchildren. But...but...the title of her book...???
How did she get from crazy cat lady to marriage?
Anxious to find out, I quickly devoured the next four chapters and their anecdotes and inspirational quotes by general authorities, many of the stories I'd already heard in gen conf talks or read before. All the quotes and stories shared by general authorities and past prophets of the church were all good of course, but nothing I could personally relate to.
Ch. 2 focused on the story of the rich young man in the New Testament and how financial setbacks requiring sacrifice can prevent us from staying on the covenant path God wants us on. Ch. 3 expounded on Adam and Eve's sorrow living in a fallen world with opposition on all things as our refiner's fire. I appreciated her snarky comment that LDS church culture strongly suggests that Eve's sorrow compared to Adam's is twofold and terribly unfair because she must also bear children while hunter/gatherer Adam's sorrow is that he must work his entire life. So, does that mean women who either never get the opportunity to marry and have children of their own or those who are married but infertile are excused from "sorrow?" Not true! Ch. 4 focuses on physical health challenges and setbacks such as the story of blind Patricia Parkinson shared in 2019 Gen Conf talk by a member of the 70 which I'd already heard before. Ch. 5 is all about agency-some use it for good, others for evil. Don't be like the latter!
FINALLY we come to Ch. 6. with this encouraging true story from the author's own personal unique life experiences that I feel we in the LDS church desperately need more of, because nobody: not Sheri Dew, not Kristen Yee, not even Sharon Eubank dare talk about, much less write a book about, what Sister Olson admitted to experiencing when she was a single adult in her 40's and if we had any prominent single, childless 35+ year-old men in the LDS church, maybe they too could share their stories for all the articles out there bemoaning the manosphere ideologies and the struggling male amidst population decline. Such stories are even more desperately needed, don'tcha think?
With no marriage prospects (Ok she says she actually served to better understand Church doctrine and share it with others) she served a mission at 21 despite being told by many both in the out of the church and pretty much standard culture stigma from 1976 onward that she should flirt more, put herself out there, stop being so picky and just GET MARRIED ALREADY never mind the college and doctorate degrees and honorable mission you served, no one wants to marry a girl like that. She says, to quote, "I always dreamed and planned to marry and have a family. But that isn’t a goal you achieve on your own. To be honest, guys were not knocking on my door interested in getting to know me. And while my undergraduate degree and mission closed a lot of dating doors, (gee, wonder what she thinks of the recent lowering of the sister missionary age to 18?) my academic achievement opened completely different doors." (103) She got many job offers after graduating college, starting with teaching seminary, the equivalent back in those days to being a “Catholic nun” and completely unheard of at that time. This led to more academic opportunities and advancements. She wrote books (such as “Women in the Old Testament”) and tried to stay busy and active continuing to get all the education she could so while her dream of being a SAHM didn’t materialize she found incredible opportunities and interaction with fascinating people. Heading a department at BYU, she also taught classes and one day, a young man came into her office to see why such an amazing single and childless women was so happy despite never being snatched up by anyone, “I thought you couldn’t be happy unless you were married!” he commented to this much older cat lady (guess this doesn’t apply to single, childless MEN in the church, eh?) she doesn’t tell us how she answered this poor, innocent, naïve young man, she instead goes into another teaching paragraph expounding on: I found family in other people in my social circles, sure I felt like I was the only person on this unique life path where no one could help me but Him yet…Marriage did eventually come to me, (105) but it was on that road less traveled. She met her husband on this path at age 48 and for her, a first marriage is “magical!” it turned out so much better than what she and her friends predicted for themselves all those years ago.
And that's how Camille Fronk Olson managed an unknown future amid unmet expectations so her own "but if not" worked out for her good after all.
Read it and maybe you can too!
The only reason for me, personally, to pick up this book is because Camille Fronk Olson had reached a certain age and was STILL SINGLE. This book was published just last year as I write this-in 2025. Aside from the 2008 "A Single Voice" by Kristen M. Oaks, (yes THAT wife of our current Prophet/President of the LDS church in 2026) how many Deseret published books can you list for me from the last decade that provide ANY kind of insight, inspiration and support for single, childless members of the church with counsel for how to navigate church culture and maintain hope in a family-centered religion?
I'll wait.
For those of us in the LDS church who have reached a certain age and find themselves STILL perpetually single and childless in such a family-centric environment, they are the perfect "But if Not" poster child as the author found herself (because single, childless men in the church have no such trials or problems! We must assume such men already Found God in Unmet Expectations and Unwanted Detours).
This is also a very quick and easy read: just 7 short chapters and 117 pages.
She hooked me immediately in the first chapter with a personal story on page 4, on the eve of graduating high school (this would've been about 1973 or so) she and group of best girlfriends all sat down and thought it might be fun to guess where they would all be in 10 years-marriage, kids, successful careers, new skills. You can see where this is going because, of course, ten years later, everyone ended up in much different places and circumstances then they’d wished: divorce, handicapped children, young adult children who eventually left the church, infertility issues, financial loss and other setbacks, detours and unmet expectations.
And, wouldn't you know it, for the author-to her mild annoyance-there she was, ten years later, STILL SINGLE AND CHILDESS! Sure, she was a successful professor at BYU, financially independent, probably owned her own home/condo, but she'd always dreamed of temple marriage, one-little-two-little-three-little babies of her own, living the dream of the ideal SAHM/tradwife lifestyle. None of her predictions had come to pass. Yet, the "About the Author" on the very last page of this book says she is married with children and grandchildren. But...but...the title of her book...???
How did she get from crazy cat lady to marriage?
Anxious to find out, I quickly devoured the next four chapters and their anecdotes and inspirational quotes by general authorities, many of the stories I'd already heard in gen conf talks or read before. All the quotes and stories shared by general authorities and past prophets of the church were all good of course, but nothing I could personally relate to.
Ch. 2 focused on the story of the rich young man in the New Testament and how financial setbacks requiring sacrifice can prevent us from staying on the covenant path God wants us on. Ch. 3 expounded on Adam and Eve's sorrow living in a fallen world with opposition on all things as our refiner's fire. I appreciated her snarky comment that LDS church culture strongly suggests that Eve's sorrow compared to Adam's is twofold and terribly unfair because she must also bear children while hunter/gatherer Adam's sorrow is that he must work his entire life. So, does that mean women who either never get the opportunity to marry and have children of their own or those who are married but infertile are excused from "sorrow?" Not true! Ch. 4 focuses on physical health challenges and setbacks such as the story of blind Patricia Parkinson shared in 2019 Gen Conf talk by a member of the 70 which I'd already heard before. Ch. 5 is all about agency-some use it for good, others for evil. Don't be like the latter!
FINALLY we come to Ch. 6. with this encouraging true story from the author's own personal unique life experiences that I feel we in the LDS church desperately need more of, because nobody: not Sheri Dew, not Kristen Yee, not even Sharon Eubank dare talk about, much less write a book about, what Sister Olson admitted to experiencing when she was a single adult in her 40's and if we had any prominent single, childless 35+ year-old men in the LDS church, maybe they too could share their stories for all the articles out there bemoaning the manosphere ideologies and the struggling male amidst population decline. Such stories are even more desperately needed, don'tcha think?
With no marriage prospects (Ok she says she actually served to better understand Church doctrine and share it with others) she served a mission at 21 despite being told by many both in the out of the church and pretty much standard culture stigma from 1976 onward that she should flirt more, put herself out there, stop being so picky and just GET MARRIED ALREADY never mind the college and doctorate degrees and honorable mission you served, no one wants to marry a girl like that. She says, to quote, "I always dreamed and planned to marry and have a family. But that isn’t a goal you achieve on your own. To be honest, guys were not knocking on my door interested in getting to know me. And while my undergraduate degree and mission closed a lot of dating doors, (gee, wonder what she thinks of the recent lowering of the sister missionary age to 18?) my academic achievement opened completely different doors." (103) She got many job offers after graduating college, starting with teaching seminary, the equivalent back in those days to being a “Catholic nun” and completely unheard of at that time. This led to more academic opportunities and advancements. She wrote books (such as “Women in the Old Testament”) and tried to stay busy and active continuing to get all the education she could so while her dream of being a SAHM didn’t materialize she found incredible opportunities and interaction with fascinating people. Heading a department at BYU, she also taught classes and one day, a young man came into her office to see why such an amazing single and childless women was so happy despite never being snatched up by anyone, “I thought you couldn’t be happy unless you were married!” he commented to this much older cat lady (guess this doesn’t apply to single, childless MEN in the church, eh?) she doesn’t tell us how she answered this poor, innocent, naïve young man, she instead goes into another teaching paragraph expounding on: I found family in other people in my social circles, sure I felt like I was the only person on this unique life path where no one could help me but Him yet…Marriage did eventually come to me, (105) but it was on that road less traveled. She met her husband on this path at age 48 and for her, a first marriage is “magical!” it turned out so much better than what she and her friends predicted for themselves all those years ago.
And that's how Camille Fronk Olson managed an unknown future amid unmet expectations so her own "but if not" worked out for her good after all.
Read it and maybe you can too!
December 22, 2025
A longer explanation of the title might be, “But what if we do everything right and we’re still not getting the promised blessings?” Camille Fronk Olson, BYU professor emeritus of ancient scripture, entitles her first chapter “Unexpected Roadblocks,” and presents the age-old conundrum: “When a disconnect occurs, between what we believe God promises and what we receive, our happiness level can plummet while our disillusionment with divine dictates can mushroom exponentially. How can we understand the gap between our expectations and our reality through the lens of the restored gospel? . . . . If I do my part, isn't God bound to give me my righteous desires?” (7)
The word “expectations” is problematic because it suggests a sense of entitlement. The author quotes Elder Gary B. Sabin from his 2023 General Conference talk: “When nothing is expected and everything is appreciated, life becomes magical” (115).
“Don't think of obedience as God's vending machine with immediate results,” Olson advises (27). She refers to the oft-quoted Book of Mormon scripture that states, “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.” But “prospering” may not denote money, comfort and ease that many people assume it does. Rather, “prosper in the land” means being in the presence of God whereas not obeying results is being cut off from God” (22).
Nor does “prospering” mean a life free of stress, strife, and illness, etc., “Learning to progress amid and despite natural laws such as entropy and illness is part of a plan to teach us what God offers in a fallen world. Learning to progress amid natural law is all part of the plan” (62) . . . No trial or suffering is wasted if administered to our education and makes us worthy to be called children of God” (72).
Olson suggests that we “cease fixating on preconceived details of our expectations” (115). (She shares her own experience of waiting to be married until age 48).
She concludes, ”We try to see what lies ahead, and make plans accordingly, but if not, God does. . . . Day by day, year by year, we are learning to be more like Jesus. I'd call that exceeding expectations!” (117).
The word “expectations” is problematic because it suggests a sense of entitlement. The author quotes Elder Gary B. Sabin from his 2023 General Conference talk: “When nothing is expected and everything is appreciated, life becomes magical” (115).
“Don't think of obedience as God's vending machine with immediate results,” Olson advises (27). She refers to the oft-quoted Book of Mormon scripture that states, “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.” But “prospering” may not denote money, comfort and ease that many people assume it does. Rather, “prosper in the land” means being in the presence of God whereas not obeying results is being cut off from God” (22).
Nor does “prospering” mean a life free of stress, strife, and illness, etc., “Learning to progress amid and despite natural laws such as entropy and illness is part of a plan to teach us what God offers in a fallen world. Learning to progress amid natural law is all part of the plan” (62) . . . No trial or suffering is wasted if administered to our education and makes us worthy to be called children of God” (72).
Olson suggests that we “cease fixating on preconceived details of our expectations” (115). (She shares her own experience of waiting to be married until age 48).
She concludes, ”We try to see what lies ahead, and make plans accordingly, but if not, God does. . . . Day by day, year by year, we are learning to be more like Jesus. I'd call that exceeding expectations!” (117).
January 4, 2026
Exactly what I needed. Sometimes the seemingly bad is just overwhelming. Perspective is vital. I love who I am on the other side of it, but it stinks having to get there.
"So what shall we do? Let us pursue truth, get back up after stumbling, seek opportunities to lift and serve others and build relationships along the way. Day by day, year by year, we are learning to be more like Jesus."
"...after exploring possible reason why our expectations are derailed, we find that increased understanding of God's plan through study and lived experience repeatedly invites us to build our foundation on Jesus Christ. Because of hope in our Savior, joy, satisfaction and even magic follow despair from unfulfilled expectations."
"People with very high expectations have very low resilience, and unfortunately resilience matters in success. I don't know how to teach resilience, but for all of you...I wish upon you ample doses of pain and suffering. Greatness comes from character. Character isn't formed out of smart people. It's formed out of people who've suffered."
"We are living a reality that is different from what we anticipated, and we have survived. In truth, it's not our suffering stumbling and challenges that define us, rather it is how we respond to them that determines our fulfillment and satisfaction in life. The choices we make and the attitudes we exhibit, after the unexpected happenings, alter the details of our life, determine our happiness, not what we might have been...success is slippery..."
"So what shall we do? Let us pursue truth, get back up after stumbling, seek opportunities to lift and serve others and build relationships along the way. Day by day, year by year, we are learning to be more like Jesus."
"...after exploring possible reason why our expectations are derailed, we find that increased understanding of God's plan through study and lived experience repeatedly invites us to build our foundation on Jesus Christ. Because of hope in our Savior, joy, satisfaction and even magic follow despair from unfulfilled expectations."
"People with very high expectations have very low resilience, and unfortunately resilience matters in success. I don't know how to teach resilience, but for all of you...I wish upon you ample doses of pain and suffering. Greatness comes from character. Character isn't formed out of smart people. It's formed out of people who've suffered."
"We are living a reality that is different from what we anticipated, and we have survived. In truth, it's not our suffering stumbling and challenges that define us, rather it is how we respond to them that determines our fulfillment and satisfaction in life. The choices we make and the attitudes we exhibit, after the unexpected happenings, alter the details of our life, determine our happiness, not what we might have been...success is slippery..."
December 12, 2025
A favorite quote:
"Without paying the price of doctrinal study and subsequently applying scriptural teachings to understand the restored gospel, it is easy to buy into cultural expectations and perpetuate them when fulfilling our assignments in the Church. Accepting and disseminating culturally accepted expectations can be very damaging to our own and others' testimonies. Whether we are invited to speak in sacrament meeting, teach a class, or engage in gospel discussions at home, questions arise that we often answer with hearsay, especially if we haven't searched out the answer on our own. When something taught doesn't sound right, it behooves us to search it out by asking clarfying questions, seeking authoritative sources, and praying for guidance. Each of us has a right to the Spirit's tutelage of what is true doctrine and what is not. By strivingto increase our gospel understanding with continual study and faith, we will educate our expectations with good doctrine rather than with our own wishes and an excape from our fears." pp 24-25
"Without paying the price of doctrinal study and subsequently applying scriptural teachings to understand the restored gospel, it is easy to buy into cultural expectations and perpetuate them when fulfilling our assignments in the Church. Accepting and disseminating culturally accepted expectations can be very damaging to our own and others' testimonies. Whether we are invited to speak in sacrament meeting, teach a class, or engage in gospel discussions at home, questions arise that we often answer with hearsay, especially if we haven't searched out the answer on our own. When something taught doesn't sound right, it behooves us to search it out by asking clarfying questions, seeking authoritative sources, and praying for guidance. Each of us has a right to the Spirit's tutelage of what is true doctrine and what is not. By strivingto increase our gospel understanding with continual study and faith, we will educate our expectations with good doctrine rather than with our own wishes and an excape from our fears." pp 24-25
November 24, 2025
Someone let me borrow this book and I really enjoyed it. It was a pretty short book but I felt like that was helpful. It got straight to the point and it was an easy read. It made the topic simple to understand. I feel like this book is helpful in identifying ways where we may place expectations on God or the gospel that are not realities. It was a good eye opener for me and helped me realize that it is possible to be happy and fulfilled even if life doesn't go exactly how I expect it to. The joy of life is in the journey and not the destination.
February 2, 2026
This book explores where you can go and what to do when things do not turn out as you thought it would.
In reality has any part of life for anyone turned out as you thought it would? This was such a good reminder that even though things feel hard… and life is hard.. God has not abandoned you. Just give Him time and trust in His plan and keep moving forward with faith all will be as it should because with God in the details it will be beautiful.
In reality has any part of life for anyone turned out as you thought it would? This was such a good reminder that even though things feel hard… and life is hard.. God has not abandoned you. Just give Him time and trust in His plan and keep moving forward with faith all will be as it should because with God in the details it will be beautiful.
November 14, 2025
This book, written by a retired Chair of Ancient Scripture at BYU, and popular speaker, helps to put into perspective the difficulties we have in life, and puts to rest some faulty ways of thinking that may have led us to think that bad things shouldn't happen to good people. Super short, but helpful.
December 30, 2025
A concise, forthright little book that shares how important adversity is in God's plan. The unity of opposites. How we can't ascend to godhood without the pains and problems of mortality. How our path doesn't always (or even often!) turn out the way we think it will. Helped me find meaning in my own suffering and confusion. Well-rendered.
September 22, 2025
Good book with wonderful principles. I just felt like I wanted more depth and more content. I wanted it to be longer, with more things that can bring me comfort in my “But if not” times.
All in all, I still plan on buying this book for a friend of mine who’s struggling. It’s a good book.
All in all, I still plan on buying this book for a friend of mine who’s struggling. It’s a good book.
September 23, 2025
Good book. Had issues with the audiobook though. As a result I don’t remember the first part of the book enough to remark. I’m grateful things haven’t worked out how I wanted them to, my life is so much better than I imagined and that is thanks to heavenly father’s plan for me.
October 13, 2025
thoughtful and encouraging
The topic of ‘why suffering’ has been front and center of late. Thus this book has been helpful in growing in understanding and how to handle various unwanted and unexpected (leading to unprepared for) things happening in the world.
The topic of ‘why suffering’ has been front and center of late. Thus this book has been helpful in growing in understanding and how to handle various unwanted and unexpected (leading to unprepared for) things happening in the world.
February 8, 2026
This little gem of a book is packed with wisdom and thought-provoking truths. I have loved Camille Fronk Olsen for years and always appreciate her insights. I think everyone would benefit from reading this book because we all have unexpected things happen in life. Definitely recommended!
February 10, 2026
What a beautiful reminder that God is in charge and will never forsake us, even if things don’t turn out the way we may hope. It brought tears to my eyes several times and I read it in one sitting! A must read!!
August 25, 2025
Well researched in the scriptures, and answers some tough questions with honesty. Recommend for sure.
September 3, 2025
Excellent!!
September 7, 2025
Very good thoughts and insights as to view ourselves and improve our relationship with Jesus Christ
September 10, 2025
Camille Fronk Olson is one of my favorite authors and teachers and this book does not disappoint. I absolutely loved the ideas discussed in this book and highly recommend this to all.
September 23, 2025
Good book. Unfortunately, not many notes because my mind was elsewhere due to having lost my job and actively looking for another.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2025
A quick read. Good reminder that things in life don't always work out how we hope and plan, but we can get through our trials and lean on God.
September 23, 2025
Excellent.
Read
September 30, 2025A quick one to listen to with some great insights.
October 21, 2025
I love Camille's take and advice on how to navigate unmet expectations through The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It seems to be a topic we can all relate to.
October 27, 2025
A quick read filled with great reminders and even offered a new way of looking at various gospel stories and topics that I hadn't thought of before.
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