In 1898, Jennie Brimhall and Inez Knight were called to be the first single female missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in England.

For the month of July, the LDS Living Book Club will be reading The Sister Preachers: Based on the True Story of the First Sister Missionaries in 1898 by Gale Sears. The Sister Preachers is based on the real lives of Lucy Jane (Jennie) Brimhall, Amanda Inez Knight, and other early sister missionaries. This story offers a glimpse into the Church’s early missionary work and into the faith and fortitude that have come to characterize the tens of thousands of sister missionaries who have followed in the footsteps of these pioneering women.

As the sisters worked to combat others’ doubts of their knowledge and abilities, they drew upon the strength of womanhood and their own testimonies to build their confidence and forge a new path in missionary service. In addition to facing their own internal struggles, they also confronted angry, misinformed hecklers and violent persecutors. Fighting the temptation to give up and return to the safety of home, the women dug deep, drew on their faith, and found inspiration in the small miracles around them.

• An easy-to-follow reading schedule shared on Instagram
• Excerpts from the book shared on LDSLiving.com
• Poignant quotes and discussion of the topics addressed in the book

► You may also like: Q&A: Why an award-winning author novelized the story of the first sister missionaries

Each month we choose a new book to read together. Joining is easy! Simply follow @ldslivingbookclub on Instagram for reading reminders and insights.

The Sister Preachers

From acclaimed author Gale Sears, The Sister Preachers is based on the real lives of Lucy Jane (Jennie) Brimhall, Amanda Inez Knight, and other early sister missionaries. This story offers a glimpse into the Church’s early missionary work and into the faith and fortitude that have come to characterize the tens of thousands of sister missionaries who have followed in the footsteps of these pioneering women.

Available in Deseret Book stores and at deseretbook.com.

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Gale Sears

Gale Sears is an award-winning author, known for her historical accuracy and intensive research. Gale received a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in theater arts from the University of Minnesota. She is the author of the bestselling The Silence of God, Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, and several other novels, including The Route, Christmas for a Dollar, Autumn Sky, Until the Dawn, and Upon the Mountains. She and her husband, George, reside in Utah.

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