Review
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Title: From Grace to Charity
Author: Emily Belle Freeman
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Genre: Religious Non-Fiction
Year Published: 2023
Number of Pages: 144
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1639931217
Price: 18.99
Reviewed by Amanda Ray for the Association of Mormon Letters
I had a funny moment when Emily Belle Freeman was called to be in the General Young Women’s Presidency at Conference a few weeks ago – my ears perked up and I went, “The YouTuber??” I know that she’s known to many as a motivational speaker and writer, and I really got to know her from the “Come, Follow Me” series she and David Butler produce on YouTube and have released a number of Deseret Book publications of study helps as a result. When I had a Sunday School teacher calling, I watched their videos as part of my preparation and appreciated their enthusiasm and insights. So, I was looking forward to reading From Grace to Charity in the context of that and her new prominent calling.
Freeman loosely frames From Grace to Charity around a trip to the Holy Land, interspersed with other personal stories, all tied together on the life and ministry of the Savior. It’s not a direct travelogue, but places and people are mentioned and used as examples as she writes her own journey to finding deeper meaning and significance of grace and charity in Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem, and even an anecdote about the story of Christmas involving the sister-in-law of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It makes for a lovely read, learning some new information about the places she went and how they relate to a study of the scriptures.
I gain a lot from following along a leader’s scripture study, reading the same verses, and seeing where they chose to investigate further or what stood out to them at different points in their lives. Freeman offers a few occasions for the reader to join her process, and that alone makes the book a helpful tool of scripture study for those who are looking for extra guidance. The reader leaves with a few more tools to embark on their own personal studies with more confidence. This makes the book a welcome gift not just for a new gospel learner, but even more experienced learners will glean insights from her studies and perspectives.
Freeman does make a few references to Strong’s Concordance, which my more academically minded friends have let me know they don’t necessarily use and that there are better options available. But Freeman’s usage is light and intended to offer a little more clarity for the average reader to the topics she brings up.
She made familiar stories brighten with new meanings and helped make new concepts accessible. Many scripture and doctrinal books can be a little too heavy on the academia for the average reader, and Freeman’s gentler approach is no less intellectually potent, but is a little broader in its reach, while not being overly simple either. It’s a fine balance she’s able to make. And while not a memoir, Freeman brings in stories from her life to continue to frame her new understanding of grace and charity, so you develop a more personal relationship with her as well.
From Grace to Charity is a short book, but packs quite a punch in only a few pages. Not only does it give guidance for how the reader can study the scriptures a little deeper, but it also gives some stories and affirmations, and insights that can be a personal help and be the basis for a talk or lesson as needed. And it makes for a nice introduction for those interested in the new Young Women General President.