Sheri L. Dew

Sheri L. Dew – Life, Career, and Inspirational Voice

Discover the life, journey, and works of Sheri L. Dew (born November 21, 1953), an American author, publisher, inspirational speaker, and leader in the Latter-day Saints community.

Introduction

Sheri Linn Dew (born November 21, 1953) is a prominent American author, publisher, business executive, and inspirational speaker, well known within the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and beyond. She has written numerous books—especially on faith, personal development, and biographies of LDS Church leaders—and has served in leadership roles in religious, publishing, and charitable spheres. Despite earlier shyness, Dew has become an influential public voice. In the following, we explore her life, contributions, personality, memorable sayings, and lessons from her journey.

Early Life and Family

Sheri L. Dew was born on November 21, 1953, in Ulysses, Kansas. oldest of five children in a family that farmed grain on a large plot of land.

On the family farm, she learned early the lessons of hard work, of rising early, of tilling, planting, harvesting, and the rhythms of rural life.

Though naturally shy in personality, she had musical skills (particularly as a pianist) and was known to serve in her local church from her youth.

She attended local schools in Kansas before eventually enrolling in Brigham Young University (BYU), from which she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History, with emphasis in religious / American religious history.

During her college years, she also traveled as a pianist on USO tours to regions such as Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia.

Challenges, Personality & Early Ambitions

Though gifted, Dew battled with shyness and self-doubt.

Her athletic ability in high school and her height (around 5 ft 10 in) gave her visibility, but her internal struggles with confidence were a counterpoint she often references in her public talks.

Over time, her faith, encouragement from mentors, and inner drive helped her gradually overcome many of those barriers.

Career and Contributions

Entry into Publishing & Early Roles

After graduating from BYU, Dew began working in religious publishing. Her first position was as an assistant editor at Bookcraft, where she spent about four years.

She then served as editor and associate publisher at This People magazine.

In 1988, she joined Deseret Book (a major LDS publishing, retail, and media company) as associate editor. She rose through various roles: director of publishing, vice president of publishing, eventually becoming executive vice president in 2000.

In March 2002, she was appointed President and CEO of Deseret Book.

She currently (or most recently) serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer of Deseret Management Corporation, the parent organization encompassing Deseret Book and affiliated media operations.

Religious & Organizational Service

Within the LDS Church, Dew has held significant leadership roles in women’s organizations. She served as Second Counselor in the General Presidency of the Relief Society (the women’s organization of the Church) from 1997 to 2002. unmarried woman to be called to a general officer position in the LDS Church.

Beyond that, she has been active in church writing, church speaking, and church education roles.

In 2003, she was appointed by the U.S. White House to serve on the U.S. Delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls at the United Nations.

She has also been instrumental in charitable initiatives—such as Chapters of Hope, which ships children’s books to underserved regions internationally (e.g. Ghana, the Pacific Islands, Russia, Zimbabwe)

She has also been a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness, having been diagnosed with (small) breast cancer in 2006, and emphasizing early detection.

Authorship & Written Works

Sheri Dew is a prolific author in the faith, inspirational, and biographical genres. Many of her books are published by Deseret Book or related LDS publishing arms.

Some notable titles include:

• Go Forward with Faith: The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley

• Ezra Taft Benson: A Biography

• Women and the Priesthood: What One Latter-Day Saint Woman Believes

• Worth the Wrestle

• Amazed by Grace

• Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson

Her writings often weave together doctrine, personal experience, scriptural insights, and practical counsel for living faith in everyday life.

Historical & Cultural Context

Sheri Dew’s life and career are situated within the latter-20th and early-21st century evolution of the LDS Church, the growth of religious publishing and media, and the changing roles of women within faith communities. Her prominence reflects both the expansion of LDS media enterprises and the increasing visibility of women leaders in church-affiliated spheres.

Her ascendancy in a traditionally male-dominated religious and business setting marks a shifting culture where more women take public leadership roles. Her role as an unmarried woman in high church office is particularly notable in the LDS context, where marriage and family are deeply emphasized.

Furthermore, as religious publishing has migrated into digital realms and cross-media efforts (events, films, apps), Dew’s leadership at Deseret Book and Deseret Management places her at the nexus of faith and media innovation.

Legacy and Influence

Sheri Dew’s influence can be seen in various spheres:

• Within LDS Church culture: as one of the most visible female authors and leaders, her writings and speeches resonate widely with members, especially women seeking spiritual encouragement.

• Publishing & media: under her leadership Deseret Book diversified and expanded its digital and media footprint, influencing how LDS and Christian audiences access religious content.

• Inspirational and motivational circles: her personal story (shy farm girl → public leader), her own struggles and faith reflections, and her communicative skill make her a sought-after speaker and influence beyond just religious circles.

• Women in religious leadership: by serving in high leadership despite being unmarried, she challenges assumptions and broadens the space for women’s roles in church and faith-based organizations.

Her life is often cited as an example of how faith, perseverance, and authenticity can overcome personal limitations and lead to meaningful service.

Personality, Strengths & Vulnerabilities

Strengths

• Deep sincerity and humility in public speaking; her transparency about struggles (shyness, regrets) gives her relatability and credibility.

• Intellectual and spiritual integration: she blends doctrinal insights with personal narrative, making complex spiritual ideas accessible.

• Leadership acumen: her capacity to lead publishing, manage media enterprises, and guide initiatives shows organizational strength.

• Resilience: facing health issues (breast cancer) and public scrutiny, she’s continued her work and advocacy.

Vulnerabilities / Challenges

• The tension of being unmarried in a religious context that emphasizes family—this has led to public curiosity and sometimes probing about her personal life.

• Navigating criticism when her public statements engage with social issues (e.g. comments about family, same-sex relationships) — as many public religious figures do.

• The balancing act of leading within both spiritual and commercial spheres — managing business demands while keeping spiritual integrity is often a delicate path.

Selected Quotes of Sheri L. Dew

While Dew is more often known for speeches and sermons than pithy standalone quotes, here are some passages and ideas attributed to her:

• “You reap what you sow.” (a motto drawn from her farming background)

• On spiritual identity: “The reality is that when I’m allowed to do something that blesses someone else, that’s the Spirit. It’s the work of the Spirit.”

• On recognizing who we are: in her BYU Women’s Conference address, she encouraged listeners to ponder “not just who you are, but who you have always been” in spiritual terms.

• On serving in faith: her writings often echo themes of wrestling with challenges (faith is not blind) rather than expecting a life without struggle. (cf. Worth the Wrestle)

Those ideas reflect recurring Dew themes: identity in the divine, spiritual agency, perseverance, service, and purpose.

Lessons from the Life of Sheri L. Dew

1. Our origins need not limit our reach. From a Kansas farm and a shy temperament, Dew’s life shows how early lessons (honesty, work ethic) can be a foundation, but not a limitation.

2. Vulnerability builds connection. Her willingness to admit struggles, regrets, and fears makes her message more persuasive and human.

3. Faith and action intertwine. She emphasizes that spiritual principles require real-world action — writing, publishing, service, speaking, organizational work.

4. Leadership comes in many forms. One need not conform to a single life path (e.g. marriage, traditional roles) to lead, serve, and contribute meaningfully.

5. Perseverance through trials matters. Health challenges, public scrutiny, self-doubt — she has faced them and modeled resilience.

6. Identity is deeper than circumstance. Her message often returns to the idea that who we are spiritually is more fundamental than what we do or what others expect of us.

Conclusion

Sheri L. Dew’s story is a compelling example of how faith, authenticity, and courage can overcome internal and external constraints. From the fields of Kansas to leadership in publishing and religious service, she has become a voice of encouragement, doctrine, and inspiration, especially among those wrestling with identity, purpose, or unexpected life paths. Her writings, speeches, and life continue to impact many who seek to walk sincerely in faith while engaging thoughtfully in the world.