Can I Get an Amen? Celebrating the Lord in Everyday Life

by Zandra Vranes and Tamu Smith

The Sistas in Zion are two friends, Zandra Vranes and Tamu Smith, who started a blog to keep in touch when one moved out of state. Their journey, detailed in their blog, touches on all aspects of life, but most especially and most importantly on being inclusive in a world that is increasingly polarizing and divisive.
The Sistas' humorous and poignant outlook on life will strengthen your faith and remind you of the joy to be found in living a Christ-centered life.
This book was previously released as The Diary of Two Mad Black Mormons.

Genres: Religion, Lds

240 pages, ebook

Published April 8, 2019

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting and fun short book written by Tamu and Zandra, two friends, who started a blog to keep in touch when they moved out of state. They explain their experiences as African-American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They have a fresh and humorous voice that shares their experiences from youth to adulthood. They encourage people to appreciate and be kind to others.

[Suze Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio version of the Sistas In Zion was AWESOME! There’s nothing better than hearing the personalities of people as they present their words. The entire book was entertaining but I especially loved the chapter on Friends & Family talking about “dysfunctional” families and listed all the dysfunctional relationships in the scriptures. Had my literally laughing out loud! Never thought of it that way before! Anyways I recommend this book to all! Super good!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and highly recommend hearing them read it...the inflection is powerful

[Jamille Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very entertaining. You could hear their voices coming out of the pages. I highly recommended the read.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and uplifting! They are so great!!

[Alex]

'Change isn't only about correcting things that we are doing; sometimes we need to make a change so that we can be restored from things that have happened... Getting hurt by another person can take a piece of us, so we begin grasping for anything we can cling to so we can replace what they stole and feel in control again. What's usually right within reach is anger, shame, frustration, pain, guilt, and the list goes on... What we are failing to realize is that hanging on takes much more strength than letting go... Holding on to negative emotions does exactly the opposite of what we are trying so hard to achieve. Instead of being in control, we are now being controlled. You know what ends up happening when we want control but our emotions want to run things? A fight happens, that's what, and the opponent is our self... If we stop fighting to hold on and instead release our grip on what is barring us, we begin to gain relief.'

'We don't hold on to anguish because we love it. We hold on because we're forgetting to love ourselves.'

'God gives us opportunities to have many different types of relationships because He expects us to continue sharing and accepting love.'

[Taryn Ralston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite nonfiction books I’ve ever read! Reading this feels just like having a conversation with two wise, witty, down-to-earth friends. Zandra and Tamu share meaningful gospel principles using clever extended metaphors, funny and relatable family anecdotes, and a host of memorable one-liners. You can find advice on everything from service to relationships to how to handle change within this book. I made the right decision to read this little by little over two months, and I can’t wait to read it again!

[Deseret Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I love this book! These two women are so entertaining and they talk as if they are having a conversation with me. If you can listen to this book I recommend it! If not take time to really read it! They make great analogies that we all can understand and they make learning gospel principles fun! I love this book and will forever refer to it when I’m feeling down and confused. They will always get an amen from me!" --Customer Review

[Rae Ann Huggins-Ledbetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these sistas!!! I saw them speak at a time out for women years and ago and had this book on my “to read” list ever since! I love hearing their personal stories and life lessons. I honestly would love to hear more-maybe that means I need to go listen to their podcast/radio show?? If you are Christian and just enjoy stories in general, you will love the Sistas in Zion!!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having heard one of the authors speak more than once, I thought I'd check out her book. It's filled with stories from the authors' lives, observations and musings. A fun read with a lot of good messages.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting!

[Patty Van Valey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first found their blog and thought they were great- honest, funny, and real! The book is just that!! Love me some Sistas!!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved their attitude and stories!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I expected more from it, and was disappointed. It was exactly how the Sistas are on the blog... which is great, I just was thinking this would be... more...?

[Jodi Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Ashleyguercio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great listen. Really fun and shared good insights. I love their perspectives.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and Fun

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book and it was delightful. They are very entertaining and have lots of words of wisdom.

[Jan Ostler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I listened to the audiobook and I would recommend it to get the full effect of the personalities of these two awesome women.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no one else I’d rather wait in the Las Vegas airport with. Genuinely funny moments in the story and I loved hearing their perspectives.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love their real take on life!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the authors. This made it a fun book to listen to. Their stories made me re-think my actions and how I'm living my life without being preachy. I highly recommend it.

[Ryser7 Ryser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to listen to this more than read - the authors are clever and so real. They help me laugh and look at life more joyfully yet with focus.

[Lacey Quale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, and I was inspired by the description of the mothers and grandmother in this book! I love the fresh new look at the LDS church! It makes me think about things I never thought about! It helped me realize how I need to be more sensitive to others in my church who started out from a different background or culture! Love these women! They are hilarious and even better in person at the Time out For women I first discovered them at!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read! 3 and 1/2 stars!
Journal entry style writing and story telling to understand what it was like for these amazing black women to grow up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.