I really enjoyed reading this collection of discourses (talks, meeting notes, informal addresses, etc.) by LDS women and female leaders throughout the Church's history. Watching the progression of the Relief Society and its members over time was especially fascinating to me. I read 1-3 talks every night in addition to my scripture study and found the experience to be uplifting, inspiring, and faith-promoting. It gave me a much greater appreciation for the women of the LDS church -- those represented in AT THE PULPIT are incredible examples of intelligent, passionate, God-fearing women who are devoted to doing the Lord's work. If you're looking for a great read to boost your faith, lift your spirit, and give you a better appreciation for the great work of the Relief Society, look no further. This is an excellent choice.

I loved reading and studying the important words of women from our church history and present day. Recently a friend mentioned that she thought it would be wonderful if one year the lesson manual for Relief Society and Priesthood classes was a compilation of talks from the female general auxiliary presidents. I agreed, and soon after I was presented with the opportunity to review this book, which is just what we had been thinking about, but even better since it also includes women who are not well known but have an interesting history and poignant testimony. It strengthened my own testimony to read such a wide variety of talks, rich with gospel principles, gratitude for the Relief Society, and strong examples of enduring and overcoming hardship. Each individual's brief background is set forth before their address and I especially appreciated it for the historical context as well as instilling a feeling of admiration for the woman whose words I was about to read. Each discourse is significant in some way and I felt edified by each.

One of my favorites was "An Elevation So High Above the Ordinary" given by Eliza R. Snow in 1872, where she encourages the women in regards to both spiritual and intellectual edification, as well as the necessary development of domestic skills as a foundation for daily life and upon which to build "finer accomplishments". Another that stood out to me was "Drifting, Dreaming, Directing" by Ardeth G. Kapp in 1980 about the importance of standing immovable in matters of principle and making choices based on motivation from a relationship with the Savior and personal revelation, instead of drifting with the crowd, our faithfulness simply based on practices and tradition, existing on "borrowed light".

At the Pulpit is an amazing book that is perfect for personal gospel study and as a resource for teaching lessons or devotionals in the home and church. I highly recommend it to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those who want to learn more about the history and spirituality of Mormon women.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

This book would seem to be right up my alley - I'm an LDS woman and I'm interested in church history. The book is a collection of talks and sermons given by women over the years. I did enjoy the book - the pictures were a very nice touch - but I felt that it was too long. I think this would have been easier to read if it had been separated into more than one book. Still, I would recommend this for those interested in the LDS church or women's history.