This week on Family History in Focus we bring you a book review of a personal memoir that is a testament of struggle, perseverance, faith and hope—the life story of Shirley Robideau. Shirley is legally blind. Shirley is deaf. Shirley is limited in her mobility to a wheelchair. Shirley is a polio survivor from a polio attack at age two that left her fighting in the hospital for a year, not expected to live or ever walk again. Today, Shirley is 77 years old, a convert to the Latter-day Saint faith, and attends the temple each week. She’s got quite a story.
Let’s talk about why we read good books, personal memoirs as good books to read, and a brief review of this book and a recommendation for Holding to the Iron Rod: The Life Experiences of Shirley Ann Robideau.
The Divine Invitation to Read Good Books
It feels like Latter-day Saints have been given kind of a unique invitation from the Lord himself to read good books. Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants tells us in verse 118 to “seek learning,” and to gain learning and wisdom by “seek[ing] . . . out of the best books.” Can personal memoirs be among such best books?
In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi recounts in 1st Nephi his efforts to craft plates of ore and create a written record. He writes of including “the record of my father” (verse 1), the family’s “journeyings in the wilderness” (verse 1), and also “the ministry and the prophecies” (verse 3)—all for “the instruction of my people.” Nephi was commanded to create this record, and of course it became scripture, but my point here is that Nephi’s family record became useful for the instruction and learning of his relatives and others. My contention is that such personal records, those written with faith and insight, can be among the “best books” that we seek learning and gain wisdom from as we select books to read. My hope is to bring more of these books to your awareness and share them as possibilities to read.
Holding to the Iron Rod: The Life Experiences of Shirley Robideau
I actually enjoy learning the story of how particular books come to life. In this case, I know the story because I helped to make it happen. I really got to know Shirley Robideau when she knocked on the door of the bishop’s office, I answered, and she said from her wheelchair: “Bishop Brotherson? The Spirit told me to come and see you.” Quite an introduction!
Thus, I got to know Shirley Robideau, who had lived in nearby wards, but who was now coming to live as a member of the ward where I then served as a bishop. I learned that she was a polio survivor. I learned that she was a mother who had lost her only infant daughter. I learned that she had been miraculously converted to the restored gospel through a vision and answer to prayer in her young adult years. I learned that had been through divorce three times before meeting a kind man, also dealing with a disability, who took the missionary lessons at her invitation and became a Latter-day Saint and her eternal companion. I learned that she had survived polio, encephalitis, car accidents, physical assault, and other traumas. I learned that Shirley was and is one of the most determined, resilient, and faith-filled personalities I have ever known.
How did the book happen? Well, after several years and hearing many of her stories, I suggested (as others had done) to Shirley that she should write her life story. She laughed and said, “Who me?” She didn’t think that she could write a book.
Then, after giving her some more encouragement, one day an email appeared and a little story from her childhood came along with it. Then a second, and a third, and soon Shirley was spending time writing her memories. She needed someone to edit and I volunteered, and about a decade later, her book was ready in spring 2025—Holding to the Iron Rod: The Life Experiences of Shirley Ann Robideau.
Why Holding to the Iron Rod?
Shirley has had some curious readers unfamiliar with Latter-day Saint themes ask what “holding to the iron rod” means or refers to in her title. Shirley wrote in her introduction to the book:
“The Iron Rod is a favorite song of mine, as well as a guide for me to follow in my desire to return to Heavenly Father’s presence. One time when life’s challenges really seemed to be more than I could handle, I saw this vision of a rod going from before me and it extended all the way to Heaven. When I saw it, I grabbed hold of it and hung on with all my strength. The meaning of this vision is, as the song says, “The Iron Rod is the word of God.” The Holy Scriptures are books of instructions given to us to aid us in surviving the challenges that we are to endure while here on Earth. So, when things get difficult in my life, I drop what I am doing and pray, and then I read and ponder the Scriptures to help myself to gain control and feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit assure me that I can keep on going. Holding to the Iron Rod is the only way we will be able to withstand the challenges of these last days prior to the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
In her memoir, Shirley recounts many examples of facing struggles in life and how consistently choosing to hold onto the Lord’s guidance has blessed and protected her.
Life’s Trials and Blessings
So, what kind of trials are we talking about here? A stubbed toe? More?
Much of life is about learning to be resilient—and I learn so much from the stories and example of others. I think we all do. Also, it is about learning to see God’s blessings in the midst of our trials and learning to rely upon God to help us through those challenges. Shirley’s life story provides numerous examples.
Imagine . . . being diagnosed with polio at age 2, expected to never walk again, spending a year in the hospital . . . and going forward.
Imagine . . . being carried up and down 28 steps at the school, 6 times a day, to attend school and gain an education.
Imagine . . . having an emergency C-section to have your first and only child, a beautiful daughter, only to see her die within hours . . . and going forward.
Imagine . . . seeing a spouse fall into addiction and leave you after having found the gospel . . . and going forward.
Imagine . . . being diagnosed with encephalitis, experiencing dramatic effects of memory loss and emotional struggles for months on end . . . and going forward.
Imagine . . . struggling to hear the words spoken in sacrament meeting because of hearing loss and feeling excluded . . . and going forward.
Is this a book only of hardship stories? No. Holding to the Iron Rod: The Life Experiences of Shirley Ann Robideau is a beautiful and powerful memoir of hardship, perseverance, faith, resilience and community. Shirley relates not just her stories of struggle but how she has been able to persevere with faith in God, assistance of loved ones and friends, personal effort, and the power of patience.
Let’s highlight a couple of stories of faith and miracles in Shirley’s life, then conclude this review and recommendation.
Meeting the Prophet of God
Shirley Robideau first met the Latter-day Saint missionaries in Texas, living there as a young adult with her second husband, and subsequently was converted to the restored gospel. Her conversion itself is a beautiful and miraculous story.
But let’s fast forward . . . to many years later, when she and her husband Charles travel over a thousand miles to Salt Lake City. The President of the Church was Ezra Taft Benson. Both Shirley and Charles were confined to wheelchairs, but they were able to attend the temple, and while on this trip they happened to attend the Jordan River Temple on a day they learned that President Benson would also be attending. Here is Shirley’s story of meeting the prophet of God:
“I talked with Chuck and Sid and we made plans to go to the Jordan River Temple ourselves on that coming Friday. I prayed earnestly that we could go at the right time and perhaps meet the Prophet, President Benson. We got to the Temple and I went into the dressing room to change into my temple clothing. Then, I went from there to the prayer room and waited. I didn’t see President Benson and started to think that I would not get to see him. But, then the Holy Spirit whispered to me that everything would be all right. So, I calmed down and felt confident. We next went in for the temple endowment session and still didn’t see him and I started to worry again. Again, the Spirit whispered that everything would be all right. So, again I calmed down. The Spirit of the Lord always speaks to me in my language and I found that he responds to me in the way that I can understand.
Following the temple session, I met with Charles and Sid in the foyer by the elevator and we were going to go down to change clothes back into our street clothes so that we could go down to eat in the dining room. Just as we entered the elevator, I felt the Spirit and President Benson’s presence in a very strong way. The spiritual feeling that I had was so overpowering that I said: “He is here.”
The Elder that was pushing my chair said, “Who is here?” I said President Benson was here. He said it was possible but that we could not be sure of that. I told him, “I know that he is here.” As the elevator moved, I could feel his presence stronger and stronger.
As the elevator door opened, I said again, “He is here!” We got to the floor where we were supposed to get off and the door opened and it was just like someone turned the lights on. The room just glowed and his presence was so strong. We turned the corner and there he was standing near the dressing rooms, dressed in white, the Prophet of the Lord. As we went to shake hands with him, tears streamed down my face at the goodness of my Father in Heaven’s kindness to allow me to shake the hand of one of his chosen Prophets. I could not talk, as I was so emotional, but I did shake his hand. President Ezra Taft Benson shook our hands and then said: “What are you two doing here in your chariots on wheels!”
I loved that man instantly! I knew without a doubt that this truly was a Prophet of God. That was an experience I will never forget. To touch the hand of a Prophet and receive a sure witness for myself that he was indeed a Prophet of God. It was such a special feeling to meet him. This episode became one of the most memorable and touching spiritual experiences of my life and of our lives together as a married couple.”
A Recommendation for Holding to the Iron Rod: The Life Story of Shirley Ann Robideau
There is so much in this book that is to be recommended—its humor, its uplifting voice, its witness of miracles, its testament to resilience despite life’s challenges, its conviction that love and friendship and ministering make all the difference. I recommend it as a book that will uplift, encourage, and instruct, but also just make you smile and cry.
Shirley Robideau never planned a book for a wide reading audience, but then asked if it might be possible to share it beyond family and friends. I asked her why. Her answer was simple: “I never had the chance to serve a mission. This is my opportunity to share my testimony and love of the Savior—of all He has done for me and each one of us.”
Her story illustrates how one’s life can be blessed as you put your hand into the hand of God. Now 77 years old, Shirley Robideau has a unique and warm and compelling story. I hope you choose to read it and enjoy it.
Availability
Holding to the Iron Rod: The Life Story of Shirley Ann Robideau is available in e-book format, paperback and hardcover print format through Amazon. Links below:
