Unshattered

One of the best-selling biography titles in my store this year is Unshattered by Carol J. Decker with Stacey K. Nash. The book is Carol's story, and what a story it is! When she was thirty-three weeks along in her second pregnancy, something felt terribly wrong. She went to the hospital, where she was eventually rushed for an emergency C-section. The C-section itself took only ten minutes. But Carol was in the operating room for a long time afterwards. Finally, her husband, Scott, got the news from the doctor: Carol had sepsis and was in septic shock.

The toxins released into the blood by sepsis eventually cost Carol her two feet, one hand, a finger on the other hand, and her eyesight. When she was being wheeled in for surgery, nobody had any idea it was the last time she would ever see her family. She never got to see the face of her second daughter.

Carol's story is raw, real, and beautiful. She is very frank and honest about what it was like to feel completely shattered, to have your life seemingly stolen from you. She is honest about her bad days--of which she had many. It was not an easy journey from her first surgery to where she is now.

But her story is still beautiful and one of hope. Slowly, she learned to let go of the parts of her life that were gone, but likewise learned to embrace the parts she retained and the parts that were new. She had a lot of help along the way. After expressing her sadness that she'd never be able to make cookies or cook with her daughters, Erin, their nanny, involved Carol in making cookies and pizza. Through the help of others, she slowly began to realize that there were so many things she could still do.

Carol's family was an incredible support to her. Her husband wore so many hats, yet never faltered in his love for her and determination to make her life as full and wonderful as possible. Her two brothers would spend days on end with her at the hospital. Her parents were there for her. Sadly, one of her brothers died of an overdose. Going to his funeral was hard, but also a turning point for Carol, as she found new purpose in her life through comforting the survivors in her family.

Although she has made so much progress and been able to do incredible things like surf, snorkel, and ski, Carol acknowledges that there are probably still many challenges ahead. But she doesn't despair because of them. She has learned to choose a beautiful life.

Melchizedek Priesthood

I was excited earlier this year when Dale G. Renlund and Ruth Lubbert Renlund wrote The Melchizedek Priesthood together. In the preface to the book, the authors explain that the book actually evolved from study and discussions that they had together. The book is a collection of their thoughts and insights on the Melchizedek Priesthood based upon what they learned from the scriptures and teachings of Church leaders.

Right off the bat the authors make an important distinction about what the priesthood is. The example they use is the term "earth." The word "earth" can either mean the planet we live on, or it can mean topsoil. While the planet Earth certainly includes topsoil, topsoil does not encompass the planet Earth. Likewise, priesthood is referred to as the power of God, but also the power delegated to man. The power delegated to man would be the topsoil in our example.

They talk about how the priesthood blesses both the priesthood holder, and blesses others. They point out that Abraham mentions a few specific blessings to the priesthood holder such as "greater happiness, peace and rest, righteousness, knowledge, and family blessings." However, the primary purpose of the priesthood is to bless others. The priesthood makes the covenants and ordinances of the Lord available to the world, allowing all of God's children full access to the blessings of the Atonement.

They talk about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood and point out that it is always God who swears the oath, giving us full confidence in Him that He will fulfill His promises. In their footnotes, the authors also quote modern prophets who explain that we enter an oath ourselves through the ordinances. Priesthood holders are commanded obey the following commandments:

1. Pay attention to the words of life, because they need to live by every word that comes from God
2. Share the fullness of the Gospel of Christ with everyone 
3. Do not boast of miracles in their priesthood ministry
4. Become the Savior's friend

The last half of the book focuses on the doctrine of the Priesthood, and suggests how to obey these four commandments. Humility is required. Unity is required. Learning the attributes of the Savior and becoming like Him is required. The priesthood is meant to help us learn how to become more Christlike. It is a call to serve. It is a call to learn more of the Lord. As priesthood holders magnify their callings and the priesthood, they become more like God. The closer they come to being like God, the more readily are they able to use the priesthood.

I really enjoyed this book, and it will have a permanent home on my shelf. This is a book that I think every priesthood holder would benefit from as they read it. I am grateful I had the opportunity to do so.