Gilbert Woman Shares Testimony through Novel


By: Tina Scott


If author Carolyn Adams Hanchett learned one lesson during the past 20 years, it's perseverance. After two decades in the making, Carolyn recently published her first book, a young adult novel, called The Lost Gift.

"You don't give up on your dreams," she says.

At 67, Sister Hanchett, of San Tan First Ward, Gilbert San Tan Stake, feels that things are finally starting to come together for her after a lot of discouragements. "I was told in priesthood blessings that the adversary did not want this project to get off the ground because of the good that it could do, and I've had to battle him for years. But you don't give up if you feel prompted and inspired that this is what you're to do with your talents," she says.

"I have felt compelled to write these things-that this is what Heavenly Father wanted others to know-non-members of the Church as well as the youth, so that they can see that their struggles and sacrifices in this life are going to be so worth it. But I thought if I'm going to target youth, I've got to write in a genre that's exciting to them."

The Lost Gift is about Valtarr, Zarin and Alazzia who live in the Kingdom of Mairace on a faraway planet called Sarian. Long ago, because of the wickedness of the people, sacred gifts were hidden from their knowledge. But, because of their righteousness, Zarin and Alazzia are chosen to interpret ancient scrolls that will bring to light the lost gift given them by a loving Creator Father.

Zarin's brother, Valtarr, is not as righteous. As the son of a king, he wants things given to him. When he reads a different set of ancient scrolls that contain secret combinations, Valtarr vows to destroy Zarin and take Alazzia as his wife.

The curious and studious Alazzia is the character that Carolyn feels most akin to, and she says, "I've always had a thirst for gaining knowledge and learning all that's out there to learn. And, like Alazzia, I've had these feelings in my heart and I've wanted to know."

Carolyn is a big fan of Hugh Nibley, and as she read about the ancient documents that have surfaced in past years, and learned more about making sacrifices in this life and becoming exalted, she felt a need to pass on her impressions.

"I thought there is a need to have that defined," explains Sister Hanchett. "And so this is kind of what the book is about. The Lost Gift contains some of those things that I feel, or in my heart I know, we are able to look forward to if we do all that is required of us. To me, it excited my soul so much that I wanted to share it."

Readers seem to be happy that she did. As the reviews come in, they include glowing praise. Nivla Hatch calls The Lost Gift, "A very fascinating read! It is a story that keeps you captured clear to the end."

Holly Talbot says the book is "a very thought-provoking story that truly makes you wonder about the possibilities of other worlds and inspires the reader to think beyond our own existence."

Self-published by Sister Hanchett, The Lost Gift is available on Amazon and at createspace.com/3421463. To visit Carolyn's bog, go to upwardreach.blogspot.com