This
week’s column contains a potpourri of products for the LDS
market, but they go beyond those usually found in an LDS bookstore —
in good ways.
D&C
89 is familiar to most of us; we refer to it as the Word of Wisdom.
And most of us could rattle off the “don’ts” about
coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. It’s the “do”
part of it we’re a little fuzzy on. Jane Birch, assistant director of the BYU Faculty Center, is out to change that with
Discovering the Word of Wisdom, aptly subtitled
“Surprising insights from a whole food, plant-based
perspective.” (No, WFPB does not stand for White Flour/Peanut
Butter.)
Birch’s
purpose is not to convert us all, but to enlighten and clarify so
that we may make better choices that enable us to live more
healthfully. She presents facts from well-respected researchers and
her own studies as well as anecdotal evidence she calls “Real
Mormons, Real stories,” told by people who’ve seen
firsthand the benefits of eating more mindfully.
Birch’s
approach is never preachy or healthier-than-thou. She offers simple,
straightforward explanations and implications of “the flesh of
beasts,” “wholesome herbs and fruits,” and “all
grain is good,” along with an extensive bibliography for those
who really want to get into a study of the subject.
Admitting
her own reluctance and the challenge in learning to prepare and enjoy
“this strange stuff,” Birch speaks as a trustworthy
compatriot in the fight for a healthier lifestyle. A chapter titled
“Overcoming Challenges” will be particularly useful to
someone making this major dietary change.
Readers
will likely find motivation as well as a guide to a fuller
understanding of the Word of Wisdom in Birch’s well-written
book (Fresh Awakenings 2013, 213 pages in soft cover, $11.95. Order
at http://discoveringthewordofwisdom.com/buy-book/).
From
a licensed marriage and family therapist with a bent for theatrics
comes a handy tome, 250 Great Movies for Latter-day Saint
Families (CFI 2013, 261 pages in paperback, $12.99).
Jonathan
Decker, host of The KJZZ Movie Show and proponent of
family-worthy films that hold post-movie discussion value, offers his
take on a wide range of movies suited to family viewing. His brief
reviews include a letter grade, content cautions, and messages to
discuss together.
The
movies cover decades and genres, from the 1939’s classic The
Wizard of Oz (grade: A) to the animated action of 2011’s
Thor (B+) and video world of 2011’s Wreck-it Ralph
(A-).
While
most are rated G, there are several PG-13 options included in his
list (among them: Harry Potter and Star Wars titles, and a
1998 dramatization of Les Miserables — not the gritty
2013 version of the popular musical).
Movies
made for and by Latter-day Saints — some familiar, others not
so, some rated, others not — also appear on the list (Midway
to Heaven: B; Saints and Soldiers: A; Mountain of the
Lord: B+).
Decker
has taken care to add an index for genre as well as topics and
separated film titles by ratings. This readable book is a terrific
tool that could well be the best money a family spends for
entertainment this year.
Speaking
of movies, The Saratov Approach, the gripping true
story of two LDS missionaries kidnapped in Russia in 1997, is now
available on DVD. Garrett Batty’s surprisingly successful
limited-screen release has been widely viewed by Mormons around the
country since October.
Although
too violent for kids, the story’s resolution is ultimately
uplifting. A welcome benefit of having it on DVD is that those of us
who feel motion-sick with the shaky camera technique can “pause”
it. Extras include a “making of” featurette, news clips,
trailers, and seeing the real-life Elders Tuttle and Propst on the
set. A little pricey at around $25 on DVD or Blu-ray, but it’s
a keeper.
A
good gift for high school coeds about to embark on college life is
the pocket-sized The
BYU College Survival Handbook,
by Abbey Romney (Zion Book Works 2013, 62 pages in paperback, $9.99,
or Kindle, $2.99). What seem on the surface like well-worn quips
prove to be more when considered as jumping-off points for deeper
thought: “Occasionally give something someone doesn’t
deserve (do their dishes, do a chore, plant a treat).”
Next
page: “Forgive.”
Illustrations
by Jarom Neumann help sprinkle smiles amid the good advice.
Laurie
Williams Sowby has been writing since second grade and getting paid
for it since high school. Her byline ("all three names, please")
has appeared on more than 6,000 freelance articles published in
newspapers, magazines, and online.
A
graduate of BYU and a writing instructor at Utah Valley University
for many years, she proudly claims all five children and their
spouses as college grads.
She
and husband, Steve, have served three full-time missions together,
beginning in 2005 in Chile, followed by Washington D.C. South, then
Washington D.C. North, both times as young adult Institute teachers.
They are currently serving in the New York Office of Public and
International Affairs
During
her years of missionary service, Laurie has continued to write about
significant Church events, including the rededication of the Santiago
Temple by President Hinckley and the groundbreaking for the
Philadelphia Temple by President Eyring. She also was a Church
Service Missionary, working as a news editor at Church Magazines,
between full-time missions.
Laurie
has traveled to all 50 states and at least 45 countries (so far).
While home is American Fork, Utah, Lincoln Center and the
Metropolitan Museum of Art have provided a comfortable second home.
Laurie
is currently serving a fourth full-time mission with her husband in
the New York Office of Public and International Affairs. The two
previously served with a branch presidency at the Provo Missionary
Training Center. The oldest of 18 grandchildren have been called to
serve missions in New Hampshire and Brisbane, Australia.