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The Simeon Solution: One Woman's Spiritual Odyssey
Although Simeon is mentioned only briefly in the scriptures, he is a shining example of faith and patience. Promised through the Holy Ghost that he would not die before the long-awaited Messiah, Simeon apparently spent much of his life watching for fulfillment of that promise. Surely there must have been times of doubt, moments when it seemed foolish to cling to such a hope, but his faith was at last rewarded when he was shown the infant Jesus in the temple and recognized him as the Savior of the world. In The Simeon Solution, Anne Osborn Poelman describes how she, like Simeon, learned to trust in the Lord and have patient faith in the ultimate fulfillment of his promises. When she was a medical student at Stanford University she discovered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, finding in it the spiritual fullness for which she had been searching since childhood. She joined the Church and went on to become an internationally known expert in her medical specialty. At age thirty-eight she married Elder Ronald E. Poelman, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. In this book she shares many personal experiences that have demonstrated the workings of the Simeon solution in her own life.
151 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 3, 2010
A good friend gave me this book after I questioned the hierarchy of the Mormon Church being made up of only men. I really liked this book, written by a woman who converted to the Mormon Church after being raised Methodist and searching for something else. She was interested in Mormonism after becoming acquainted with persons who were Mormon and seemed to be living the best of their religion.
This is a good book for anyone to read - Mormon or non-Mormon, as it is written about something many people want, an identity within a religion. I don't agree with the author's stance on Mormonism, but finding peace within a religion is understandable.
This is a good book for anyone to read - Mormon or non-Mormon, as it is written about something many people want, an identity within a religion. I don't agree with the author's stance on Mormonism, but finding peace within a religion is understandable.
April 2, 2008
This book had two strikes against it before I even started to read it. First, my husband brought it home from the library and told me, "You should read this." The author is a radiologist he works with whose name I have heard and seen on his many radiology textbooks. Unfortunately, we have rather different tastes when it comes to book choices and both of us have been burned by this seemingly harmless advice. When I read its description on the inside jacket, my inner ump cried, Strike Two! It's a non-fiction, inspirational church book.
Why that's a strike, I have no idea. I only know I have a hard time getting through books like this. They invariably seem redundant and turn into a really long relief society lesson in my mind. Always a good message, but rarely anything I haven't heard before, or even thought of before. Yes, it's always good to have reminders, but when it comes to reading, I'm usually in too much of a hurry to trudge through a message book. I know. I have a serious failing here.
This book was in no danger of striking out, however, after I read the first two pages of the introduction. Anne Osborn Poelman's voice is clear, intelligent, interesting, funny and honest. I was completely drawn into her story and finished this short book within a couple of hours. Very, very enjoyable. Oh...I'll just add one more very. Very!
While this book was published 13 years ago, I wish it were more well known amid reading circles today. How applicable this book is to my generation! Or to any church member of any age. The thing I admired most about it was the fact that a highly intelligent professional woman didn't intellectualize her faith. In fact, she explains incredibly reasonably how she lives by an almost opposite principle, which she calls The Simeon Solution. Simeon was a High Priest briefly mentioned in the New Testament who had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would meet the Messiah. Much later in life, he is prompted to go to the temple and sees Joseph and Mary there with the Christ child, knows that the promise was fulfilled. (Luke 2:29-32) By this time, he was very old, and must have lived an entire lifetime on that brief bit of knowledge or inspiration he had earlier in life. How easy it would have been to doubt his faith after years and years of waiting. Most of his peers did. Many ridiculed anyone who believed in something that they certainly did not know "for sure" would ever happen - the coming of a Messiah. But Simeon remembered the promise he had from the Lord, and recognized its fulfillment. Similarly, Anne Osborn Poelman realized her faith was much like Simeon's. During a lively discussion of faith during a dinner party, questions were directed to her curiously wondering how she can justified being a member of a sexist faith that "withholds" the priesthood from women. Her answer, with some support from another guest at the party who helped put how she felt into a concrete idea, is the basis of the book. It's called the Simeon Solution. So simple, yet so easy to dismiss. It's about having a testimony that the Lord fulfills his promises.
Osborn Poelman uses her own conversion, which happened DURING medical school, and her later trials that came with being a new member, a single sister, a world famous radiologist, and a married-later-in-life to a general authority woman. I don't think this book will disappoint anyone. It's perfect for those who are looking for more than a pat on the back but simple and clear enough for those who are looking for encouragement in an increasingly intellectual literary crowd.
Why that's a strike, I have no idea. I only know I have a hard time getting through books like this. They invariably seem redundant and turn into a really long relief society lesson in my mind. Always a good message, but rarely anything I haven't heard before, or even thought of before. Yes, it's always good to have reminders, but when it comes to reading, I'm usually in too much of a hurry to trudge through a message book. I know. I have a serious failing here.
This book was in no danger of striking out, however, after I read the first two pages of the introduction. Anne Osborn Poelman's voice is clear, intelligent, interesting, funny and honest. I was completely drawn into her story and finished this short book within a couple of hours. Very, very enjoyable. Oh...I'll just add one more very. Very!
While this book was published 13 years ago, I wish it were more well known amid reading circles today. How applicable this book is to my generation! Or to any church member of any age. The thing I admired most about it was the fact that a highly intelligent professional woman didn't intellectualize her faith. In fact, she explains incredibly reasonably how she lives by an almost opposite principle, which she calls The Simeon Solution. Simeon was a High Priest briefly mentioned in the New Testament who had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would meet the Messiah. Much later in life, he is prompted to go to the temple and sees Joseph and Mary there with the Christ child, knows that the promise was fulfilled. (Luke 2:29-32) By this time, he was very old, and must have lived an entire lifetime on that brief bit of knowledge or inspiration he had earlier in life. How easy it would have been to doubt his faith after years and years of waiting. Most of his peers did. Many ridiculed anyone who believed in something that they certainly did not know "for sure" would ever happen - the coming of a Messiah. But Simeon remembered the promise he had from the Lord, and recognized its fulfillment. Similarly, Anne Osborn Poelman realized her faith was much like Simeon's. During a lively discussion of faith during a dinner party, questions were directed to her curiously wondering how she can justified being a member of a sexist faith that "withholds" the priesthood from women. Her answer, with some support from another guest at the party who helped put how she felt into a concrete idea, is the basis of the book. It's called the Simeon Solution. So simple, yet so easy to dismiss. It's about having a testimony that the Lord fulfills his promises.
Osborn Poelman uses her own conversion, which happened DURING medical school, and her later trials that came with being a new member, a single sister, a world famous radiologist, and a married-later-in-life to a general authority woman. I don't think this book will disappoint anyone. It's perfect for those who are looking for more than a pat on the back but simple and clear enough for those who are looking for encouragement in an increasingly intellectual literary crowd.
April 12, 2020
"I put unresolved issues temporarily aside. I don't ignore or forget them; I simply move them to a spiritual back burner. I've learned I don't have to have immediate answers to all my concerns and questions." (ch 1)
Eight steps to the Simeon Solution:
1. Trust the Lord
2. Learn to recognize and heed spiritual promptings.
3. Focus on the fundamentals - if we strive to remain focused, centered, and grounded in basic gospel principles, then personalities and peripheral issues will neither confuse nor distract us from our eternal goals. (ch 10)
4. Stand firm in the faith.
5. Be patient.
6. Adopt the eternal perspective.
7. Keep the commandments.
8. Know the Church is true.
Using the light of Christ to move through life's foggy moments. Maintain trust in ambiguity.
"I believe it so hard I know it."
"Why do you ask?" - reply to awkward personal questions.
Figure out our time and season and follow it, not someone else's.
They don't take health for granted anymore.
"With an eternal perspective and trust in the Lord all things are possible, and bearable too."
Eight steps to the Simeon Solution:
1. Trust the Lord
2. Learn to recognize and heed spiritual promptings.
3. Focus on the fundamentals - if we strive to remain focused, centered, and grounded in basic gospel principles, then personalities and peripheral issues will neither confuse nor distract us from our eternal goals. (ch 10)
4. Stand firm in the faith.
5. Be patient.
6. Adopt the eternal perspective.
7. Keep the commandments.
8. Know the Church is true.
Using the light of Christ to move through life's foggy moments. Maintain trust in ambiguity.
"I believe it so hard I know it."
"Why do you ask?" - reply to awkward personal questions.
Figure out our time and season and follow it, not someone else's.
They don't take health for granted anymore.
"With an eternal perspective and trust in the Lord all things are possible, and bearable too."
November 22, 2021
A friend recommended this book to me. I actually appreciated that there was nothing really new here. I don’t like having to worry about whether I believe the same principles. Instead I found that I simply appreciated her application of principles and her connections of how she gained her testimony of certain principles through her own life experiences.
Otherwise, the thing I really appreciated about the stories is that there were several where she was human and where she made mistakes. I dwell on some of my past mistakes, when I shouldn’t. They are pretty small in the grand scheme of things, and honestly we all have made them. It was a good reminder to me to apply grace-to others and myself. I didn’t always relate to her experiences, but when I did, they really resonated.
Otherwise, the thing I really appreciated about the stories is that there were several where she was human and where she made mistakes. I dwell on some of my past mistakes, when I shouldn’t. They are pretty small in the grand scheme of things, and honestly we all have made them. It was a good reminder to me to apply grace-to others and myself. I didn’t always relate to her experiences, but when I did, they really resonated.
September 5, 2021
I read this book I don't know how many years ago and messages from the book have stuck with me all these years. I've come back to them multiple times since that first reading. I have found it very helpful.
August 8, 2018
This is timeless, if not increasingly relevant.
December 16, 2018
Very inspiring read.
February 8, 2019
Clear, no nonsense advice from the life of a remarkable woman. Personal histories are fascinating, and this one is full of wonderful ups and downs that give you a feeling of connection to "Annie."
January 18, 2023
A sweet testimony and conversation story. It is dated.
March 4, 2025
Loved this conversion story. Almost an autobiography, but didn't start at birth. Plus it was more spiritual than informational.
July 7, 2008
This a reread of a short book. I like this book and will probably reread it every few years or so. I quote from the fly leaf of the cover of the book. “Although Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) is mentioned only briefly in the scriptures, he is a shinning example of faith and patience. Promised through the Holy Ghost that he would not die before he beheld the long-awaited Messiah, Simeon apparently spent much of his life watching for fulfillment of that promise. Surely there must have times of doubt, moments when it seemed foolish to cling to such a hope, but his faith was at last rewarded when he was shown the infant Jesus in the temple and recognized him as the Savior of the world.”
“In The Simeon Solution, Sister Poelman describes how she, like Simeon, learned to trust in the Lord and have patient faith in the ultimate fulfillment of his promises.” Sister Poelman joined the church while in medical school at Stanford. In this book she shares some of her experiences that have helped her to put the Simeon solution to its test. Very readable which leaves a person with a warm fuzzy feeling and desire to continue on in this process of life.
“In The Simeon Solution, Sister Poelman describes how she, like Simeon, learned to trust in the Lord and have patient faith in the ultimate fulfillment of his promises.” Sister Poelman joined the church while in medical school at Stanford. In this book she shares some of her experiences that have helped her to put the Simeon solution to its test. Very readable which leaves a person with a warm fuzzy feeling and desire to continue on in this process of life.
April 12, 2010
I met Anne Osborn Poelman many years ago. She was a customer at the bank where I worked as a teller. The handful of times I helped her with transactions, she always impressed me. There was just something about her that made you want to know her better. Sometime later, while reading a newspaper article, I discovered that she was married to Elder Poelman of the Quorum of the Seventy (I had only ever seen checks written to Osborn, her maiden name) and had written this book. I thought at the time that the article explain a lot about that special quality about her.
Recently, a conversation sparked memories of Anne and I sought out this book. The book, like Anne herself, is impressive. I found it insightful and inspiring. The story of her conversion and courtship with Elder Poelman are wonderful. I highly recommend this one.
Recently, a conversation sparked memories of Anne and I sought out this book. The book, like Anne herself, is impressive. I found it insightful and inspiring. The story of her conversion and courtship with Elder Poelman are wonderful. I highly recommend this one.
April 25, 2008
Anne Poelman is a neuroradiologist who travels the world lecturing about her profession. She is intelligent and from her writing appears to be a very logical thinker. Probably why I liked the book because I'm very logical as well.
She shares personal experiences that have molded her life. The concept of the Simeon Solution came from a friend of hers and includes these points:
Trust the Lord
Learn to recognize and heed spiritual promptings
Focus on the fundamentals
Stand firm in the faith
Be patient
Adopt the eternal perspective
Keep the commandments
Know the Church is true
A great read and one that blessed my life.
She shares personal experiences that have molded her life. The concept of the Simeon Solution came from a friend of hers and includes these points:
Trust the Lord
Learn to recognize and heed spiritual promptings
Focus on the fundamentals
Stand firm in the faith
Be patient
Adopt the eternal perspective
Keep the commandments
Know the Church is true
A great read and one that blessed my life.
January 30, 2011
This book was a short and easy read, but very enjoyable. The author did a great job of:
1) Explaining in simple terms the beliefs of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2) Elaborating on the perspective of new converts to the church (as a lifelong member, it is so good for me to gain insight on some experiences and feelings that converts have).
3) Empathizing with anyone who has had trials in life (like not being married or not knowing what step to take next in life), but putting those trials into perspective.
4) Finding humor in her own life experiences
A very uplifting read!
1) Explaining in simple terms the beliefs of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2) Elaborating on the perspective of new converts to the church (as a lifelong member, it is so good for me to gain insight on some experiences and feelings that converts have).
3) Empathizing with anyone who has had trials in life (like not being married or not knowing what step to take next in life), but putting those trials into perspective.
4) Finding humor in her own life experiences
A very uplifting read!
January 23, 2014
I read this book nearly twenty years ago, and I loved it then. Re-reading it again this week was just as delightful as the first time. (But obviously, I'm at a very different place in my life than I was when I read it in 1995.) I love Sister Poelman's fresh, honest writing style and the way she doesn't pull any punches as she tells the story of her growing-up years, her eventual conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and her experiences as a medical doctor and professor. I love her candor and her perspective on life and the principles of the gospel. She may have spent her life as a scientist, but she's also gifted with words.
August 2, 2011
The author, Ann Osborn Poelman, tells about her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and about some of her life experiences. "Simeon", referred to in the title, is the old high priest mentioned in Luke 2. He had been promised that he would see the promised Messiah before he died. He had faith in this promise his whole life, until it finally came to pass when he was able to hold the baby Jesus in his arms when Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple. The experiences the author recounts center on the principle of living with this kind of faith.
December 19, 2012
Hi Everyone!
I absolutely love this book! The author talks of her single life and her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and tells of her fantastic medical career, and then her marriage to a general authority. I can already give it a five star review even though I have not read to the very end...so far it is really, really good! I always wanted to be a nurse or a teacher (I have been a nursing assistant, a teacher's aid and a substitute teacher), so the fact that she writes about her medical background is very interesting.
Kathy
I absolutely love this book! The author talks of her single life and her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and tells of her fantastic medical career, and then her marriage to a general authority. I can already give it a five star review even though I have not read to the very end...so far it is really, really good! I always wanted to be a nurse or a teacher (I have been a nursing assistant, a teacher's aid and a substitute teacher), so the fact that she writes about her medical background is very interesting.
Kathy
November 21, 2008
It was fun to read Anne's conversion story, especially since I remember about it when I was growing up in Menlo Park Ward, where it all happened. I remember as a teenager and young adult loving to hear her speak because she always used great personal stories to teach gospel principles, and that's what she does in this book. Even though the book is about 13 years old, her messages are just as timely, if not more so now.
January 14, 2009
Easy and inspiring read of Anne Poelman's conversion. She uses Simeon's life as a basis for how to stand steadfast in the gospel. That is a minor theme throughout the book, but she does tie in her learning moments into the 8 steps of Simeon's testimony and lifelong quest to see Jesus before he dies. She also provides another interesting perspective of the single woman's plight in a very family-central church.
August 25, 2010
This was a wonderful book about the life of Ann Poelman how she found her way to be a doctor, how she found the gospel and how she found her future husband Tom Poelman of the seventies. She compares all the events in life with the life of Simeon in the Bible waiting for the Savior to come to the earth before he died as he was promised. At the end it also talked about Anna who was also given that promise. Loved what this book taught me. Good read. Good Author Ward Book Group
August 7, 2008
This book helped me with one small issue that can turn into a negative, bigger issue if allowed to. When I come up against something in the Church that maybe I don't understand or makes me a little uncomfortable, there's a back burner to move it to where it can simmer all it wants, until I'm ready to tackle it, or research it, or ponder on it more in-depth.
January 15, 2011
I can't decide if I picked this book up because it was on sale or because I really needed to read it. I believe it was the latter. I read this book in one evening, which is very, very rare for me to read any book this fast. It was full of ideas and stories that I needed to hear and I believe they would help anyone, LDS or not.
September 3, 2008
Articulate, simply written journey of self-discovery. Anne Osborn Poelman's spiritual lessons from Simeon (of the New Testament) and other experiences throughout her life were insightful and at times moving.
September 3, 2021
I rarely read books more than once, and I loved this book this, the third time, just as much as I did the first time several years ago. It is a reminder that keeping your life simple and living with faith will help you endure through all that is asked and expected of you.
November 9, 2008
When I read about Simeon in the New Testament I am always struck by how faithful he was that he was allowed to wait for the Savior to come to the temple. Am I this faithful - am I waiting - and more importantly - am I ready? Reading this book focuses me each time.
January 5, 2009
I was surprised at how good this book was. I thought it would be another self-help-type book (the kind that makes me feel guilty for all I'm not doing). The author is very entertaining and is a great story-teller, so it didn't make me feel guilty at all!
July 8, 2009
I read this years ago with my mother while we were on a road trip. I wish I remembered more about it, but I still remember the general impression I got was, that although life rarely works out as we plan, it all works out for the best.
Want to read
October 8, 2009What intrigued me to buy this book is that this is an "older" LDS woman that married (by LDS standards that is in the medical profession that has overcome obstacles in her life. I'm very interested to read this book & learn more about her..
September 26, 2010
Loved it! Anne Osborn Poelman is an amazing lady. She also wrote The Amulek Alternative, both excellent books. She reminds me of Sheri Dew with her conviction of faith and sense of humor. You will be happy you read each of these books.
January 19, 2011
One woman's story of her conversion to the LDS church. Her description of trying to "fit in" (even before learning of the church) is something everyone can relate to at some time or another. I was especially touched by her simple but strong testimony and faith.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews