Book Review: Written on Our Hearts by emily freeman

courtesy Deseret Books

About the Author

Emily Freeman took her first creative writing class in high school and has loved writing ever since. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. She is the author of several books, including The Ten Virgins; 21 Days Closer to Christ; and “The Promise of Enough.” There is nothing Emily enjoys more for breakfast than a bowl of vanilla ice cream, raspberries, and chocolate chips. Other favorites include parades, vacations, firework displays, and going for a long walk with a good friend. Emily and her husband, Greg, live in Lehi, Utah, with their four children, whom she adores.

 I love this little book; it is an intimate and personal book. The title comes from Jeremiah 31:33

“After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

I have often wondered how the Lord puts his law in our “inward parts”, what does that mean?  Are those inward parts a means of fully “digesting his word, his precepts and commands and then after digesting them the nourishing parts fill our heart. I really like how the author simplifies this in her writing style; she writes as if she is writing in her own scripture journal and she is allowing us to peek over her shoulder. She manages to breakdown quite a few familiar and not so familiar Old Testament scripture and like Nephi, she “likens them” to ourselves.

Excerpt: Comfort Ye Your Hearts

There is a lesson to be learned in the plains of Mamre from the moment when three holy men appeared to Abraham. In that moment, Abraham realized these holy men had the power to bless his life. He was not going to let that opportunity pass him by. As the men approached Abraham, he said “Pass not away…Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And they said “So do, as thou has said (Genesis 18:3-5; emphasis added)

I couldn't help but notice the way in which Abraham performed their request: And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal…And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetch a calf…and he hastened to dress it…and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat (Genesis 18:6-8 emphasis added).

There are holy men in my life—bishops, stake presidents, Apostles, and a prophet of the Lord. I have pondered the way in which I go and do what the holy men in my life have asked of me. Do I hasten to perform their counsel? Do I quickly respond? In a world that mocks and questions and throws stones, do I stand by them?Written on Our Hearts….Emily Freeman pages 4-5

The prophet Joseph Smith encouraged us to “read the best books”, this is one.