Review
Title: The Power of Sarah’s Prayer
Author: Wendy W. Nelson
Illustrator: Brandon Dorman
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Biography, written with children in mind.
Year Published: 2021
Number of Pages: 29
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN13: 978-1-62972-952-7
Price: $18.99
Reviewed by Sherry Ann Miller for the Association for Mormon Letters.
The Power of Sarah’s Prayer is based on the true account of Sister Wendy W. Nelson’s great-great-grandmother. Sister Nelson wrote it with the intent to “reassure children that Heavenly Father hears their prayers and knows their needs and desires” (as quoted from the front jacket’s inside flap). Sister Nelson’s ancestor, Sarah Elizabeth Daggett Rosenberg, lived near the small town of Vinton, Iowa, with her husband, Ephraim, and two young children during the pioneering time frame of this story. I’m certain that Sister Nelson loved sharing Sarah’s answer to prayer because her love for Sarah shines through on each and every page. After all, Sarah and Sister Wendy W. Nelson are family.
While The Power of Sarah’s Prayer is written with children in mind, it is perfectly appropriate for adults as well. It might even remind the adult reader to share with their own children and/or grandchildren regarding the time when they went to the Lord in prayer and later found the prayer answered, especially when they asked in faith.
I had been hoping and praying to find a children’s book to present as a gift to my great-granddaughter, Amberly, when she visits in November. I wanted a book we could bond over, one that would convey my love for Amberly, while teaching a worthwhile concept or a principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wanted a book we could read together, one that Amberly could take home with her and remember the special time that we spent together. I had decided on another book and had ordered it online to be delivered to my home, but it wasn’t THE perfect book that I prayed to find. It was just the only book available that even caught my interest.
Then, Andrew Hamilton from Association for Mormon Letters wrote to ask if I would be interested in reviewing The Power of Sarah’s Prayer by Sister Wendy W. Nelson. My heart almost beat out of my chest because the Spirit whispered, “Yes!” so strongly. Of course, I immediately agreed. Although Andrew said he didn’t want me to feel locked into reviewing only children’s books, in actuality I heard the Spirit say the Lord wanted to answer my prayer and end my search for THE perfect book.
While I was our family’s genealogist from the moment I was born, I just didn’t realize that as a fact until after I married. To date, I have gathered quite a few family ancestor’s names, along with their pioneer histories. So, when I learned the Sarah in The Power of Sarah’s Prayer was an ancestor of the Prophet’s wife, and since I am personally acquainted with the prophet (he operated on my mama’s heart four separate times, and after her demise, Apostle Nelson and I kept up a correspondence for a number of years), I knew my great-granddaughter, Amberly, and I would have plenty of history to bond over within the pages of The Power of Sarah’s Prayer.
The Lord had, indeed, answered my own prayer when he allowed THE perfect book to drop out of Heaven into my lap, although Andrew Hamilton will probably say it was shipped to me via the U. S. Postal Service.
So, thank you, dear Father in Heaven, for always looking out for me.
If the story within the pages of The Power of Sarah’s Prayer doesn’t wring the tears from your eyes, the beautiful illustrations by artist Brandon Dorman certainly will. Each page is a tapestry of color telling Sarah’s story for her. I especially loved the artwork when Sarah tells her husband, Ephraim, “I’m going to be baptized.” The spunk and determination on Sarah’s face spoke volumes. Sarah’s expression also says, “I’m determined. I will not back down!” even though the author, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, did not pen those seven words exactly.
I’m not going to review or share much of this beautifully written and illustrated, priceless story because I don’t want to give The Power of Sarah’s Prayer away, except to say it teaches children of all ages to expect the Lord to answer their prayers.
Trust me, this book is a Gift of the Spirit to all who read it. Let me just add that I believe The Power of Sarah’s Prayer will be a valuable asset to any home, whether there be children around or not.
And, thank you, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, for writing it for me. How did you know I would need it just at this perfect moment? Oh, wait. You have a direct line to Heaven through prayer, as do we all. And, your sweet message about trusting the Lord with all of our heart will be read and loved around the world.