Book Review of Before the Dawn

Before the Dawn By Dean Hughes 293 pages. Deseret Book, c2007. $22.95

The book opens with the good Bishop Bowen interrupting widow Leah Sorenson's plowing. He came to call her to be the new Relief Society president. Leah thought she was the worst woman for the job as she was rough around the edges. But as the times were tough in Utah in 1932, Leah was just the woman for the job.I enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't a page turner, but it was entertaining. If you have liked other Dean Hughes books (Children of the Promise, Saboteur), you will probably like this one. It was interesting to read what the Church was probably like during the Great Depression in a small town in Utah. The greater message of the book, however, is the need for Relief Society in any time, and the great purpose we sisters have to support eachother and contribute to our communities.