Amazed by Grace by Sheri Dew

Editor's note: I love sharing the opportunity to review books with family and friends. Today's review is from a dear friend who is an author herself. I'll just put a plug in for her books here (see more below in Pam's bio). Her first book was especially moving to me. It was one of those books I couldn't put down. It's a book about grief and loss, and faith and triumph. I still remember sitting in the dentist's chair waiting, reading, and weeping.

I think it's only fitting that Pam would review a book about grace. Thank you, Pam!
~Michelle

Amazed by Grace book review

by Pamela

Once again, Sheri Dew amazes.

After reading her book, Amazed by Grace (Deseret Book, 2015), I have a greater understanding of “the majesty of doctrine so central to the Atonement.” I found it uplifting and inspiring.

In the easily readable 75 pages, she asks four questions:
- What is grace?
- What difference can grace make in our lives?
- How does the Savior make His power available to us?
- What must we do to gain access to the Savior’s power?

After illustrating the concept of grace through two personal heartfelt examples, Sheri defines grace as “the power that flows from the atonement.” I loved what she had to say in response to her second question. “Faith in the Lord and in His grace” she states, “coupled with obedience and earnest seeking, can literally turn weakness into strength.”

Sheri answers the third question by teaching that “through His grace, He has made His highest, holiest spiritual privileges available to both men and women” through the divine power of the priesthood. Reiterating what she taught in her book,Women and the Priesthood (Deseret Book, 2013), “women who have been endowed in the temple have as much access to priesthood power for their own lives as do ordained men.” What a glorious truth!

And finally, in my favorite part of the book, Sheri discusses discipleship; describing it as “resisting the gravitational pull of the world and shedding the attitudes, appetites, and behaviors of the natural man or woman.” It means “remembering Him when we choose what media we’re willing to expose our spirits to.” It means wanting to be “part of the kingdom of God more than we want anything else.” Wow. That feels doable!

As we seek to implement the power of grace and the atonement in our lives, we would be wise to hearken to Sheri’s counsel: “None of us will stay here long. Doesn’t it make sense to devote as much energy as possible to things we can actually take with us into the eternities? To covenants, eternal relationships, our knowledge of truth, and the blessings that come from devotion to the Lord?”

I read this book three times, and gleaned additional insight each time. I’m going back for more.

Pam Hansen has enjoyed raising her children in various parts of the country, and currently resides in Utah with her husband, Mark. She is the author of Running with Angels and Finding the Angel Within. She helps host [and is the founder of] the annual ‘Running with Angels 5K,’ a Run/Walk which benefits Women’s and Children’s Services at Intermountain Health Care. Pam blogs at http://pamhansen.blogspot.com/