The Gospel at 30,000 Feet

Title:  The Gospel at 30,000 Feet

Author:  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Publisher:  Deseret Book

Date Published:  January 1, 2017

Genre:  Religion, Non-Fiction, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christian

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-  Dieter F. Uchtdorf is a general authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has a deep passion for flying and served as a pilot for most of his life. He flew with the German military and a German airline. This book focuses on the parallels between principles of flying and principles of the gospel. 

-  Elder Uchtdorf is one of my favorite speakers during general conference. I have always loved his stories about flight and airplanes, and I love the way he ties them to life experiences. This was a delightful book that combined many of his stories in one place. 

-  The book was uplifting and helped me visualize things in a new way. I couldn't relate to everything he was saying, but I enjoyed it. 

-  The book is full of Elder Uchtdorf's charm, wit, and wisdom. It was a joy to read, and I loved the pictures from his piloting days.

My Thoughts in a GIF:

A Disciple's Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell

Goodreads Says:    The story behind the writing of this book really began in 1976, when Elder Maxwell invited me to take a leave from Brigham Young University and work for two years under his daily direction in the new Correlation Department at Church headquarters. In later years, when I was an administrator and a teacher at Ricks College and then at BYU, I saw him often in Church Educational System meetings, where he was a key figure on the Church Board of Education. In 1996 I was called to the Seventy and assigned to an Area Presidency in Australia, where I remained until returning to Utah in August of 2000. Like so many other Church members, my wife, Marie, and I were stunned by the news of Elder Maxwell's leukemia in late 1996, and we worried and prayed about his health. During October conference 1999, he invited me to come by his office. As we talked, he indicated he was not certain about his condition. He said he was receiving an experimental treatment but "one of these days" the leukemia just might fully return. That was the main reason, he said, why he'd finally yielded to prodding from others that he allow the writing of his biography. I thought a book on his life story would be wonderful until he asked if I would write it. As honored as I felt, I honestly thought my doing this was not a good idea. I believed that he, his family, and the Church deserved thorough research and writing, and the work needed to be done at once to maximize the possibility of being published during his lifetime. He shared those hopes. But given the frightening uncertainty about his health; given that acceptable biographies can take years to document and write; given that he hadn't kept a personal journal, which would necessitate additional months of original research; and given that I was half a world away on a Church assignment I replied that someone who could give this project immediate and full-time attention was needed. Nonetheless, after more visits with Elder Maxwell and with others, within a few days I had agreed to begin the project and to move as quickly as possible. In the weeks that followed, I worried about having committed myself to something as unreachable as this task seemed. As I would awaken to hear the colorful birds that rule those fresh Australian mornings, I would sometimes wonder if indeed, I would hope that I had agreed to write Elder Maxwell's biography only in a dream. Then the reality would hit me again. At times I would remember Nephi's words about the Lord preparing a way for people who have a work to do.

My Thoughts:

-    This was my third attempt to read this book, and I finished this time!! Woo!! Elder Maxwell was my favorite speaker as a teen, and it has always been a goal of mine to finish this book. I DID IT!

-    This book was part text book, part biography, part BYU history, part church history, and part uplifting. I wish it had been mostly biography and uplifting. I really didn't need the all the BYU history and church history. Those parts were tedious to read.

-    I was really moved by Elder Maxwell's obedience, especially during World War II.

-    I like that the author didn't sugarcoat the horrors of war. The chapters about World War II were some of my favorite. It was thrilling to read about, and I loved how Elder Maxwell's faith got him through.

-    I love how highly Elder Maxwell praises his wife. They supported and loved each other, and they were true companions and partners. It is nice to read about marriages like that.

-    A lot of Elder Maxwell's university days read like a textbook. It was very boring, and I didn't really understand much of it.

-    I liked finding similarities between Elder Maxwell and myself. I also get bored in church and start reading my scriptures, I am having to learn empathy, and I'm often impatient and in a hurry to get things done. 

-    I love how the author addressed the way Neal Maxwell spoke. It was very interesting to read how he developed his cadence of speech. His love for language and words was fun to read about, and I love the quotes from the other apostles about Elder Maxwell's speech. 

-    Elder Maxwell was an incredible man, and he accomplished so much in his life. Even though I struggled through some of the book, I'm really glad I read it. His story is inspiring. 

The Continuous Conversion

From Goodreads:    I wrote this book because I know too many people who are giving up! One discouraged friend said, "I can't do this Mormon thing. I've tried, and the expectations are just way too high." … I know returned missionaries who spent their entire missions teaching about the Atonement, but now they have made some mistakes and feel like the Atonement won't work for them. I know people who have gone to the temple to be sealed and then never returned. I know others who are feeling burned out in their callings. Too many Latter-day Saints feel like they will never measure up. I wanted to write something that will provide hope and motivation next time we or those we love are tempted to toss in the towel. I wanted to write something that would remind people why we do what we do and that it's worth it--not because of all we are earning, but because of all we are learning. Instead of just going through the motions, I wanted people to read this book and once again feel the emotions of discipleship. That's what they are missing. Whether the challenge is getting more out of the temple endowment or dealing with callings or juggling the many aspects of our lives and feeling like we are dropping too many balls, I wanted to provide a shot in the arm.

My Thoughts:

-    I enjoyed this book better than The Continuous Atonement. This one spoke to me more.

-    It is nice to know that others have the same questions and struggles that I do.

-    I learned a few things about me and the gospel. It was good.

-    I really liked the story of the old man juggling for Jesus.

-    There are times where I feel like God asks too much of us, but we can only do our best. 

-    I liked the theme of this book. We are constantly being converted to the gospel. It isn't a one time deal. We will always be learning and striving to be better throughout our whole lives. 

Key Lime Pie

From Goodreads:    When Sadie Hoffmiller's new friend, Eric Burton, receives word that his missing daughter's body may have been found in Florida, he immediately packs his bags. Sadie is determined to stay home and prove to everyone that she is not a busybody. But when she senses Eric is hiding something, Sadie is compelled to take action. Before she knows it, she's in the heart of Miami, trying to piece together a trail that might just give Eric the answers he's so desperately searching for. In the process, Sadie finds herself in the company of some colorful characters and some good ol' southern cooking. But despite the drama and intrigue, all Sadie really wants is to go home ... as soon as she does just one more thing.

Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadie's Test Kitchen.

My Thoughts:

-    FINALLY!! Something other than a murder mystery! Well...there is still some murder involved, but the main mystery isn't a murder! 

-    The beginning was a tad slow. It doesn't really pick up until about 3/4 of the way through, and then the fun really begins!

-    Every time I fee like I'm not going to continue with these books, the story pulls me in, and I want to read another. 

-    For some reason, I feel attached to Sadie. I don't know why, but I feel attached, and I want to keep reading about her and her nosiness.

-    I'm starting to get the rhythm and feel for these books, so the ending wasn't a shocker, and I kinda predicted most of what happened. There better be some surprising things in the future for Sadie. 

-    My favorite character in this book was Monty. What a guy!

-    I thought Eric was a jerk and a loser in this book! I didn't like that. I wanted to continue loving him, but Pete stole the stage. Pete was a jerk in the last book though, so now I'm just confused!

-    Why are these considered LDS books? The author is LDS, but so are other authors from Utah that aren't considered LDS authors. There is almost no religion in these. I would just consider them mysteries. 

-    I like it when Sadie gets roughed up. Violence is exciting!

Previous Books in the Culinary Mystery Series

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

English Trifle

Goodreads Description:    High Crimes at High Tea

Things to Do in England

Visit Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the London Zoo. Take the Jack the Ripper tour
Sample authentic English scones and crumpets.

Discover a dead body

What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery when they discover a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor.

Breanna's boyfriend, Liam, is heir to both the family title and the family estate of Southgate, where everyone seems to have a secret . . . or two.

When the body in the sitting room disappears, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave. With their departure delayed, they might as well solve the murder.

Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But as Sadie uncovers layer after layer of misdirection, secrets, and outright lies, she wonders if anyone is telling the truth
Take a missing family history, toss in a secret romance, mix with a mysterious murder, and this is one vacation Sadie will never forget.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a fun clue-like mystery. I don't read many murder mysteries, but I liked this one.

-    It was nice read about a grown woman. I usually read about teenagers, so this was a nice change.

-    I want to bake all sorts of foods now. I just love that there are recipes to a lot of the foods mentioned in the book! I want to try them all!!

-    What are crumpet rings? I cannot even picture what they should look like!

-    I like how curious and stubborn Sadie is, but I would not want her as a neighbor. She would be too nosy!

-    I liked that Breanna was a bigger part of this story. I like her character, but I think she could be developed a bit more. I want to get to know her!

-    I really couldn't figure out everything. There were so many pieces, and none of them seemed to fit together. It takes a while for the whole picture to be seen! The story is really intricate.

-    I wish Liam had been more assertive. He really needs to learn how to take charge.

-    I love that this book took place in England. There were so many fun English things, and it made me want to watch Downton Abbey.

-    The book has some slow parts, but it is worth sticking through til the end.

Previous Book in the Culinary Mystery series

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

Lemon Tart

From Goodreads:    A recipe for murder!

* 5 families living on Peregrine Circle
* 1 flowered curtain tieback
* 1 missing child
* 1 body in the field


Mix with a long list of suspects and top with two very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains.

Award-winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary "cozies" that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado-turned-amateur detective, Sadie Hoffmiller, tries to solve the murder of Anne Lemmon, her beautiful young neighbor - a single mother who was mysteriously killed while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is Anne's missing two-year-old son, Trevor. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects - including her!

Armed with a handful of her very best culinary masterpieces, Sadie is determined to bake her way to proving her innocence, rescuing Trevor, and finding out exactly who had a motive for murder.

My Thoughts:

-    This murder mystery (that was chucked full of yummy food) was really fun!  It had everything a good mystery book needs:  good cop, bad cop, murder, several suspects, chase scenes, hiding scenes, sneaking around scenes, shocking secrets, etc.  It was great!

-    This made me want to bake and cook....A LOT!!  I'm definitely trying out most of the recipes in the book.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the book includes recipes to some of the yummy goodness mentioned in the book. 

-    I loved the main character.  Sadie is so funny and so believable.  I think I know a few ladies just like her.  

-    This whole book took me through so many emotions.  It was suspenseful, thrilling, sad, anger inducing, and other varieties of emotions. 

-    There were a lot of victims in this book, not just the one that got killed.  I feel really bad for some of the people in Sadie's life.  I hope the other books address how everyone gets their lives together...or don't get their lives together. 

-    There were some slow bits in the book, but there were a lot of "I can't turn the pages fast enough" bits too.  The latter outweighed the first.  

-    The whole story and plot were really well thought out!  Koodos for the author!  She did a good job putting this whole mystery together and how it was going to be solved.  There was no way for me to predict the ending!  It was really well done. 

-    My only worry is that there are a lot of books in this series, and I hope they aren't really similar so I get tired of them.  I'm looking forward to the next one though!