Way to Be!

Goodreads Says:    From one of the world's foremost spiritual leaders, an inspiring book that provides young adults and their parents with a game plan for leading a better life. 

This inspiring, upbeat, life-affirming book shows teenagers and their families how to navigate through the moral minefields of contemporary life and how to truly enjoy the opportunities and blessings that the modern world has to offer. 

Drawing upon his faith as well as his personal experience, Gordon B. Hinckley provides his readers with a game plan for discovering and embracing the things in life that are valuable and worthwhile. He shows how our lives are shaped by the decisions we make every day about personal behavior -- and he shows how to make the right decisions with the help of nine guiding principles. 

With its vivid anecdotes, invaluable precepts, and timeless wisdom, Way to Be! will be a source of both inspiration and practical advice for young people everywhere who want to lead better, fuller, more satisfying lives.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved President Hinckley. He was an amazing man, and I will always remember when he first spoke about the Be Attitudes. I was a teen when he gave this talk, and I love how simple and straight forward his 9 Bs are. I think everyone, not just members of the LDS church, could benefit from living by these Bs. 

-    I loved reading the personal stories and lessons from President Hinckley's life. He had some amazing parents.

-    This book is short and sweet, but there is a lot to absorb.

The Earth Shall Teach Thee: The Lifework of an Amateur Artist

From Goodreads:    This book features paintings, drawings, and wood carvings representing a lifetime of work. As an avid lover of nature, Boyd K. Packer has carefully studied the appearance and habits of birds and animals and used them as his primary subjects. Above all, his art expresses reverence for life. Through artwork he has shared the lessons of life with his family and church members. President Packer wrote, "During those hours working with my hands, I pondered on the marvels of creations, and inspiration would flow. As I carved wood, I carved out talks."--Publisher summary. 

My Thoughts:

-    This book pleasantly surprised me. I thought it would just be a documentary on Elder Packer's artwork, but the whole book is like a short autobiography. It was very enjoyable to read and get to know Elder Packer better. I learned a lot about him. He was a great man.

-    He touched on a lot of subjects like music, math, art, teaching, etc. He found joy in learning about any subject, and he often found art in a lot of the topics he researched.

-    Always the teacher, the book is full of small lessons and information for the reader.

-    Elder Packer was an amazing artist! I loved seeing all his work, and I'm sad that I didn't know about this artistic side of him until he passed away. 

-    I felt very uplifted reading about Packer's art and his inspiration. His love for nature was touching, and I appreciate birds and plants a little more now. 

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. 

The Miracle of Forgiveness

Goodreads Says:    In his earthly ministry, Jesus preformed many miracles. In particular, he healed numerous diseased and disabled bodies. But perhaps his greatest miracle was the healing of people's souls - the forgiveness of sin. Jesus still offers that miracle today, and on the same terms as formerly: sincere repentance. This book is a penetrating explanation of repentance and forgiveness that is illuminated with a bright hope for those who are searching for peace and security. It is a landmark work that has spoken with authority and insight for thirty-five years, bringing to bear President Kimball's rich experience and the inspiration of his calling. Elder Richard G. Scott, in his October 2000 conference address suggests reading the last two chapters first.


My Thoughts:

-    This was a soul searching, thought provoking, and peace giving book. I loved it!

-    If someone is truly honest with themselves, this book will give hope and a better understanding of their lives. If one isn't truly honest with their flaws, they will find this book hard to read. 

-    I learned a lot about myself, and I'm such a sinner! I also learned a lot about my Savior, repentance, and forgiveness.

-    I liked how this book was organized. President Kimball starts by talking about all the different sins. We are committing the same offences today that they committed in the Bible. Sins don't really change throughout time. Then he talks about how we need to forgive others and repent. The last few chapters are awesome! Basically, the book tears you down and builds you up. 

-    I think half the book is referencing scriptures. There are a lot of scripture quotes. It was awesome! I didn't realize how much the scriptures talks about this subject. 

-    I took my time with this book. It was one that needed to be savored and read bit by bit.