Emma Lou Warner Thayne is a much honored and anthologized writer of 14 books of poetry, essays, fiction, and nonfiction. In her newly published memoir, The Place of Knowing: A Spiritual Autobiography, she shares her terrifying near-death experience. As she narrates her journey through her recovery process, she reflects on her life experiences -- from the daily to the sublime. Through both example and insight she offers a calming presence for those who may fear death, yearn to know how to celebrate life, and crave direction on how to access the divine.

She has published internationally on kinship and peace among people and nations and has received numerous honors and awards, including the David O. McKay Humanities Award, the Association for Mormon Letters awards for poetry and its Lifetime Contribution to Mormon Literature Award, the Cathedral of the Madeleine Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts and Humanities and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Utah. A service center has also been named in her honor -- The Thayne Center for Service and Learning at Salt Lake Community Center.

She lives with her husband of 61 years in Salt Lake City where she has been a pioneer for women in business, education and the arts. She is also the author of the hymn, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” You can visit her website.

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