Divine Signatures, The Confirming Hand of God

From Goodreads.com:As Latter-day Saints, we know God exists, but sometimes we may wonder, "Heavenly Father, are you really there for me?"

When trials seem beyond our ability to bear, some people lose their spiritual bearings, while others are made even stronger. How can we strengthen our faith and deepen our testimony to the point that we can endure whatever life holds in store for us and emerge stronger than before?

In this unique book, Gerald N. Lund shows how having a correct idea of God's character, perfections, and attributes is essential to our ability to strengthen our faith and develop our testimony.

He also reminds us of how much God loves His children and that He "delights" to bless us, especially when we are striving to do His will. As and example, Elder Lund introduces the idea of a "divine signature": "Sometimes blessings come in such an unusual manner and with such precise timing that they accomplish something in addition to blessing us. They so clearly confirm the reality of God's existence that they buoy us up in times of trials."

Throughout the book, Elder Lund relates story after story - some from Church history, some from his own life, and some from acquaintances - that illustrate the inspiring and life-changing insights he shares.

This book is a powerful blend of personal reflection and deep doctrine that will help us identify the tender mercies and "divine signatures" that abound in our own lives and which will lead us closer to God

Short Story From first draft to final product

From Goodreads.com:SHORT STORY is not a typical "how to" guide. I spent time looking for a book which would show me how a "raw" story was developed through drafts, with comments received and the changes made. Struggling to find such a work, I decided to create my own, being transparent and honest in the details.

Using the story that gained me an offer of a place on a Master's in Creative Writing, SHORT STORY will take you through three drafts of the work.

The book details not only the major revisions, feedback given by a professional novelist and an academic, but also has a bunch of tips from my writers toolbox condensed between the drafts.

I hope that the process provides something useful for you, be it a tip from the writing toolbox, a look at the editing process, or motivation in knowing that you can do better than I did!  


My Thoughts: It took a bit to get through but I enjoyed the items he brings up about writing. Nothing really new but good points just the same.

Moving in His Majesty and Power

From Goodreads.com:My father finished working  on the manuscript of this book just ten days before he passed away. By that time he had little energy, but in the last weeks of his life, he was focused intently on two almost-consuming priorities: spending time with his family, including giving blessings to grandchildren who had not yet received one, and finishing his last manuscript.
As these priorities exemplify, Neal A. Maxwell was a teacher. He loved the word of the Lord. He believed with the psalmist that the word of the Lord "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). He observed, "When one sees life and people through the lens of His gospel, then one can see forever" ( Ensign,  May 1974, 112). That perspective guided his life's work.
Dad often said the gospel was inexhaustible, and his actions underscored that belief. The gospel was for him an endless source of truth and joy; he found the study of it invigorating. He taught it in his daily walk and talk and through his sermons and books. His desire to capture in words the insights and connections his perceptive mind noted stayed with him throughout his mortal life.
At my father's funeral, President Gordon B. Hinckley noted: "I know of no other who spoke in such a distinctive and interesting way. When he opened his mouth we all listened. We came alive with expectation of something unusual, and we were never disappointed. . . . Each talk was a masterpiece, each book a work of art, worthy of repeated reading. I think we shall not see one like him again" ( Church News,  31 July 2004, 3).
Moving in His Majesty and Power  is the last installment in Elder Maxwell's printed legacy. It includes, in revised form, three talks he gave in the last two years of his life and which he felt were worthy of publication. It also includes a section of succinct, penetrating gospel insights on a wide variety of topics, similar in format to that of his previous work, W hom the Lord Loveth.
I hope you will enjoy this book. More importantly, though, I hope my father's objective in writing it will be achieved, namely, to help us resolve to become more committed disciples and to deepen our gratitude for the inexhaustible gospel he loved so deeply and proclaimed so tirelessly.
Cory H. Maxwell


My Thoughts: I love reading Elder Maxwell. I enjoyed listening to him more but this was close.
This was a great collection of final thoughts from a great man who had gone through so much, yet stayed so humble and close to the Lord.

A must read for any who enjoy Elder Maxwell
 

Temples Sacred Symbolism, Eternal Blessings

From Goodreads.com:Modern temples aren't just pretty white buildings—they are Heavenly Father's classrooms. When we enter His holy house, the Lord teaches us through symbols so we can understand and retain more of the sacred instruction provided there. In this book, David J. Ridges not only helps us find these symbols within temple walls, but he brings to light profound symbolism as found in ancient Israel’s tabernacle worship and elsewhere in scripture. As you understand the symbols explained in this book, your experience will be redefined with deeper meaning.

My thoughts:At first glance of the title I had high hopes of something a little more "deep" but in reading it I could see how the author could not go there.
I still found this book to be a great read and helpful in confirming my thoughts on symbolism and also where it can be applied in the scriptures.
A sort of quick read but one you let sit in your brain and ponder on it afterwards

Quenching Spiritual Thrist

 

Really 4 talks combined on 2 CD's but I count it as an audio book

 

Really good

I Need Thee Every Hour

 

From Goodreads.com:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important even that ever or ever will occur at any time or in any place in our universe. It is a gift not only for our last breath and the last day of our lives, but it is also for every day of our lives and every breath of our lives. For it is during the hours of our everyday lives that we work out our salvation, usually unobserved by others, sometimes feeling alone, and often feeling opposed.
Though commonly mentioned in the Church, the Atonement of Christ is frequently misunderstood by many of the Saints. It is often viewed as a tool that is only to be employed when dramatic sins are committed. However, the Atonement is something that should be a part of every facet of our lives ‹ in both joyful periods and challenging times.
Drawing on his personal experience as a husband and bishop, David Vandagriff has written I Need Thee Every Hour to help readers see how the Atonement can encourage us and improve our lives as we realize the enormity of the Savior's sacrifice and how far it extends. Using real-life stories, each individual chapter discusses how the Atonement relates to different areas of daily life ‹ including death, prosperity, trials, service, and undeserved suffering ‹ to show how the Atonement is the foundation of all hope and the proof of a loving God.

Migthy Miracles

From Goodreads.com:

“We do have miracles today—beyond imagination . . . What kinds of miracles do we have? All kinds—revelations, visions, tongues, healings, special guidance and direction, evil spirits cast out. Where are they recorded? In the records of the Church, in journals, in news and magazine articles and in the minds and memories of many people.” —President Spencer W. Kimball
Elder Matthew Cowley witnessed and participated in countless miracles throughout his storied life. As an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from 1945 until his death in 1953, Matthew Cowley was among the most spiritually powerful and well-known of the Lord’s servants. In this compilation of vignettes, taken from personal journals and correspondence, as well as the treasured memories of those who knew him best, the details of many of his most miraculous experiences, including healing the blind and witnessing the raising of the dead, are painted in vivid detail. From his early missionary work with the Maori people of New Zealand to his widespread influence as an Apostle, Elder Cowley blessed the lives of Church members around the world with his gifts of faith and healing. Sure to edify and uplift, this biographical portrait of one of the Lord’s elect will inspire readers to recognize the mighty miracles in their own lives.



I Loved this short book

Spiritually Anchored in Unsettled Times

 

 

From Goodreads.com:As the latter days grow later and later, opposition, complacency, and uncertainty can cloud our view and bog down our steps. Whether we are new converts or lifelong Church members, sincerely trying to follow Christ in today’s fear-filled world can make us feel acutely aware of how far we have yet to go.
How, then, do we stand steady in such a world while continuing to move with surety toward the “better world” the Lord promises his true followers (see Ether 12:4)?
In this candid book full of personal stories and rich doctrine, Elder Bruce C. Hafen helps us think and feel in fresh, deep ways about faith, reason, and other elements of a well-anchored testimony — one that will stabilize, orient, and energize the disciple’s quest for that “better world” while “abounding in good works” in this one. The book shows how developing such faith is a process, not an event — a process that includes overcoming the snares and stagnations that punctuate our life’s paths.
Elder Hafen here teaches us how we can again feel movement and find joy in the journey, with both anchor and sail so well set that “the furious wind” that blows “upon the face of the waters” actually hastens us “toward the promised land" (Ether 6:5)

Amaed By Grace

From Goodreads.com:Do we believe we are saved by grace? With access to sacred scripture and modern revelation, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ought to have special insight into the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the amazing power of grace in our individual lives. Yet how many of us truly understand grace and how to unlock the power it contains?
In Amazed by Grace, author Sheri Dew considers four questions: What is grace? What difference can grace make in our lives? How does the Savior make His power available to us? And what must we do to gain access to the Savior's power?
Expand your understanding of grace and broaden your gospel horizon with Sheri as she reminds us that "the central, most compelling, most life-changing message of all time is that Jesus Christ already triumphed over sin, death, hell and every kind of misery. Surely there is nothing our Father is more eager for us to understand than the breathtaking scope of the Atonement of His Son and the power the Atonement makes available to us."

My thoughts: A very quick and simple read yet I enjoyed it so much.
A must read for anyone who has ever thought of Christ's grace.

Odds are you're going to be exalted

From Goodreads.com:In this hope-filled book, Alonzo L Gaskill reviews the teachings of the scriptures and modern prophets to instill in readers a greater sense of God's unfailing love and mercy and of His power and desire to exalt His children. Exaltation may be not only possible but probable!

This book took me a long time to get through, not that it was extermly deep or hard to follow I just kept getting distracted by other things.
I guess that in it self is a review of the book. Some make me never want to leave, others I drop quickly, and others I want to get back too. This one landed somewhere in that range.
I am glad I read it and would recommend it to any Saint.
 

The Sabbath: His Gift to Us, Our Gift to Him.

From Goodreads.com: The Sabbath provides refreshment, renewal, and spiritual protection for all who will obediently participate. As we keep this sacred day holy, we become holy ourselves, little by little. 

—Dennis C. Gaunt

The powerful principle of appropriate Sabbath-day worship is vital to the happiness and eternal progression of the Lord’s children. However, the call to keep the Sabbath holy can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and visions of lengthy lists of prohibited activities. In The Sabbath: His Gift to Us, Our Gift to Him, nine prominent Latter-day Saints—from bestselling authors to gospel scholars—look beyond the lists of do’s and don’ts to address the true spirit of Sabbath-day observance.This compilation of doctrinal guidance, prophetic counsel, and personal testimony serves as a sweet reminder that the Sabbath is a sacred gift—most importantly, it is a day full of possibilities for personal and spiritual growth. Learn to make the Sabbath day a delight as you find joy in service, build your spiritual reservoir with study, and strengthen your relationship with the Savior by joyfully remembering Him.

My thoughts:Interesting collection of several authors thoughts on the Sabbath and what it all means.
If you are looking for a book that spells out do this, avoid that, this is not the book you want.
It does lead the reader to examine their own ideas and beliefs not he sabbath and what it should mean to themselves and their families.
I would recommend it to anyone looking to increase their ideas on the Sabbath

The Screwtape Letters

 

From Goodreads.com:The story takes the form of a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, a junior "tempter" named Wormwood, so as to advise him on methods of securing the damnation of a British man, known only as "the Patient".

Screwtape holds an administrative post in the bureaucracy ("Lowerarchy") of Hell, and acts as a mentor to Wormwood, the inexperienced tempter. In the body of the thirty-one letters which make up the book, Screwtape gives Wormwood detailed advice on various methods of undermining faith and promoting sin in the Patient, interspersed with observations on human nature and Christian doctrine. Wormwood and Screwtape live in a peculiarly morally reversed world, where individual benefit and greed are seen as the greatest good, and neither demon is capable of comprehending or acknowledging true human virtue when he sees it.

My Thoughts: I found it very interesting that even though this was written in 1941 it still is so 100% true account of human nature and how we are tempted.

This is a must read for readers

Miracles and Massacres

From Goodreads.com discription#1 bestselling author Glenn Beck gives us inspiring, courageous, and little-known stories from American history, from the Founders through September 11.

Don’t miss the huge bestseller Miracles and Massacres, history as you’ve never heard it told and incredible events that you never knew existed.

HISTORY AS IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE TOLD: TRUE AND THRILLING. 

Thomas Edison was a bad guy—and bad guys usually lose in the end. 

World War II radio host “Tokyo Rose” was branded as a traitor by the US government and served time in prison. In reality, she was a hero to many. 

Twenty US soldiers received medals of honor at the Battle of Wounded Knee—yet this wasn’t a battle at all; it was a massacre. 

Paul Revere’s midnight ride was nothing compared to the ride made by a guy named Jack whom you’ve probably never heard of. 

History is about so much more than memorizing facts. It is, as more than half of the word suggests, about the story. And, told in the right way, it is the greatest one ever written: Good and evil, triumph and tragedy, despicable acts of barbarism and courageous acts of heroism. 

The things you’ve never learned about our past will shock you. The reason why gun control is so important to government elites can be found in a story about Athens that no one dares teach. Not the city in ancient Greece, but the one in 1946 Tennessee. The power of an individual who trusts his gut can be found in the story of the man who stopped the twentieth hijacker from being part of 9/11. And a lesson on what happens when an all-powerful president is in need of positive headlines is revealed in a story about eight saboteurs who invaded America during World War II. 

If the truth shall set you free, then your freedom begins on page one of this book. By the end, your understanding of the lies and half-truths you’ve been taught may change, but your perception of who we are as Americans and where our country is headed definitely will.

My thoughts.

Be sure to check the notes in the back as a lot of stuff was imagined based on how they interpreted their research. So the end product is more "based on a true story" historical fiction than accurate history. 

I knew some of the stories but some I did not.

I enjoyed this...not sure if i can recommend it but if you like Glen Beck then give it a try

Man's Search for Meaning

From Goodreads.com:Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945, Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering, but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory--known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")--holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.

At the time of Frankl's death in 1997, Man's Search for Meaning had sold more than 10 million copies in twenty-four languages. A 1991 reader survey for the Library of Congress that asked readers to name a "book that made a difference in your life" found Man's Search for Meaning among the ten most influential books in America.

My thoughts:I know quite a few that found this book to be life changing. I did not. If I had read it back in the 70-80's maybe.
The first part details the authors time in Nazi camps during WWII and I found that extremely interesting and thought provoking.
I found myself coming back time and time again to the simple question of what would I have done if put in the same circumstance. I didn't have a solid answer. I have what I hope I would be and od but never will know thank goodness.
The last part of the book goes into the authors  brand of science of the mind. It is now a bit outdated but it was nice to read where he got his ideas from and so much more agreeable than Freud.

The Holy Secret

From Goodreads.com:Many today carry a secret: We do not love what we have been commanded to love. We do not love what is holy. Although we might reverence things that are deemed holy- the temple, for example, and the scriptures, and the Sabbath- we do not love them. Not really. Not with our whole souls.

The Holy Secret is the story of a man who learns how to love what matters. As he does, he learns another secret: Love for holiness transforms life itself. His realization of what he had been missing may lead you to some discoveries of your own!

I listened to this on CD and found it better than I reviewed last time. In truth I didn't even realize that I had read this in 2010 until I logged on here and saw I had done so.
This book is a "story" to bring to light a way to study the scriptures. I still did not hear anything new but enjoyed it more than before.
I do find myself wanting to be like Al in the book. To have that knowledge at the tip of your finger...well I know how to get there! I would recommend a listen or read to help you think about a different way to study and get into the scripture sturdy

Previous Review 2010:Not sure what to say. I know most love this book but for me I was a little bored. I am not trying to brag but there was not anything new to me here. I have dug into my reading as suggested for quite awhile now but I still recommend this to any who want a idea on how to start their study of the scriptures.

The life changing magic of Tidying up

From Goodreads info:
Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles?
Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you'll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo's clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).
With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house "spark joy" (and which don't), this international best seller featuring Tokyo's newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home - and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.
My thoughts: Some basic ideas but when she got into thanking your clothes for the good work they have done for you as you discard them I started to giggle.
Then when she said you needed to touch every one of your books to wake them up and give part of your energy I smirked.
Then she said she got rid of over 200 books and encourages clients to do the same then I stopped liking her ideas.

This is a pass...basically to tidy up you look at an item and ask Does this bring me joy? if yes you keep it if no you toss it.

50 Signs of the Times

From Goodreads.com description:
"Signs of the Times" are prophecies given by the Lord to bear witness that the last days are here and that the Second Coming of the Savior will occur soon. As His return grows closer, more and more of these signs are being fulfilled.
In this book, David J. Ridges describes 50 of these prophecies, placing them in one of three general categories.
Each prophecy is designated as:
1. Fulfilled
2. Being Fulfilled
3. Yet Future
The format is concise and makes it easy for the reader to see these signs of the times at a glance and get more information about each one as desired.
A detailed explanation of the actual events which will take place at the Second Coming is also included.
My thoughts: This was just an OK book. I know the author put a lot of time into it but I really didn't find out anything new here. Guess that is a good thing concerning the subject matter.
I felt like I was sitting in a lecture hall with the author up front reading his presentation...

Writing Magic: creating stories that fly

From Goodreads.com description: In Writing Magic, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of great writing. She shows how you, too, can get terrific ideas for stories, invent great beginnings and endings, write sparkling dialogue, develop memorable characters—and much, much more. She advises you about what to do when you feel stuck—and how to use helpful criticism. Best of all, she offers writing exercises that will set your imagination on fire.

With humor, honesty, and wisdom, Gail Carson Levine shows you that you, too, can make magic with your writing.  

My Thoughts: This was a simple approach to the act of writing. It differed in most writing books in that it gave plenty of exercises to do and assignments that were to be followed to get you in the habit of actual writing.
I found a few of her thoughts to be new and useful for me.
If you are a writer or want to be and need a quick couple of ideas, then this quick read is for you.

Commitment

From Goodreads.com:  Author Vaughn J. Featherstone explains the necessity of living a Christlike life, being willing to change plans when a better course is presented, and striving to constantly increase our own light that others might also be guided to the truth. As we begin to understand and make these commitments, our lives will blessed and we will truly become an instrument in the Lord’s hands for good.

I first read this book when it came out in the early 1980's. In rereading it I was happy to see that some of the main points on the authors on what defines "commitment" still stand today.
How you act, dress and treat others all shows your level of commitment.
I would say this is a must read for anyone that wants to improve how they get things done, even if just a little bit
 

Increase in Learning

From the Book Description:

The overarching purpose of Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness is to provide His spirit children with opportunities to learn,” writes Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. But how can we best learn the things we need to know and do?

Elder Bednar emphasizes concepts, patterns, and processes that invite each of us to act and learn fundamental truths for ourselves. Declaring that answers to our questions always are found in the doctrines and principles of the restored gospel, he provides a framework in this book for learning those doctrines and understanding with our hearts.

 

 

My Thoughts:This was a bit of a let down. It is divided into 4 chapters with Elder Bednar introducing the idea and then talking just a bit on the subject. He then would add a lot of scriptures about the chapter. This was followed by copies of Talks he has given that support the subject of the chapter.
At first I felt annoyed that I had spent the money on a book that included so much already published items, but in going through it found this to be helpful since it made me read it. If the talks had just been referred to I would not have ever looked them all up.
The best part of the book was the accompany DVD of Elder Bednar and his wife talking with several groups of people. I have watched and re watched this several times.