1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents

This is my first time reviewing a parenting book, and that thought is a little weird to me. Welcome to adulthood, I guess. Amy found this book at the library and then eventually bought her own copy. After she finished reading it, she asked me to read it as well. It was really well written and taught some great principles that both Amy and I have begun to put in practice.

1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents is written by Thomas W. Phelan and Chris Webb. It is an expanded idea on an original book by Phelan, but tailored for a Christian audience. I found some humor in this, because a few times the authors say something to the effect of, "It isn't really magic. It just seems like magic because it works." It made me laugh each time because it was almost as if they were worried some people would think the book contained witchcraft or something. There is definitely none of that in this book.

The main principle behind 1-2-3 Magic is that when children exhibit some sort of undesirable behavior, you count them. When they do it three times, they are told to "take five" and they go to timeout. But more than just counting, the crucial part of this is for the parent to do no other talking and to show no emotion. This removes all the fuel for a child who is misbehaving in order to get attention.

But counting is only for stopping behaviors and it should not be used for children who need to start good behaviors. Other methods should be used instead. One such method is getting a child to start doing their chores. If they don't, then they need to pay you to do it. This can be through allowance, time spent with electronics, toys, friends, etc. But this is just one of many ideas to help children start good behaviors.

That being said, counting and starting good behaviors are not the only parts of parenting. An essential part of that is to also provide one-on-one time with each children and create positive moments with them. These moments are crucial for healthy relationships with the children.

Most of the advice in the book was really good. Some of it, not so much. The part that made both me and Amy laugh was the suggestion to just not take small children to church because they are too young to behave. As tempting as that might be some weeks, we know that is not the right choice. But overall this book was very helpful, and I think it is safe to say that I will be referring to it many times throughout the next several years.

Dragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King

I have enjoyed Brandon Mull's Fablehaven series for many years now. Book two, Rise of the Evening Star, is the book that really hooked me into the series, especially with the cliffhanger ending (read it, if you haven't yet). His new series takes place less than a year after the end of Fablehaven, and it is always so much fun to jump back into that world. That is why I was excited for the release of the second book in his new series: Dragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King.

It's always hard to write about a fictional book, because I don't want to give away anything in case the reader of this blog wants to read the book for themselves. So, with that being said, I will try not to spoil anything too important, but I can't help but discuss certain parts of the book.

Both Kendra and Seth seem to have matured in this book, even more than the last book. Seth was much less willing to do brash and foolish things, even when tempted by a dark creature at one point. I thought it was fun with one part of the book where the brother and sister had to be without their special powers for a certain time.

I loved the way that Brandon Mull built up suspense about Stormguard Castle. At first it was just casually mentioned, but already as a reader I wanted to learn more about it. Then it kept coming up again and again, building more suspense each time. Finally, it became a crucial part of the plot line, and I loved every minute of it!

The pacing of this book was very fast! All of the events in it take place in about two days. Because of that, there weren't really any slow parts, and yet so many of the characters were still very well developed. That being said, there were a few times where I felt like things were rushed a little too quickly, especially scenes involving the cousins Knox and Tess. I have no trouble accepting magic, dragons, fairies, etc. But the reaction and treatment of these two children seemed a little unrealistic regarding the circumstances of the book.

As I neared the end of the book, I couldn't believe I had so few pages left, and yet so much more than I felt still needed to happen! And then it happened--Brandon Mull gave the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers! Obviously I can't tell you what it is, but I did NOT see it coming! It was extremely well done. The only problem? I probably have to wait an entire year for the next book! Hats off to the author for making me care this much, and making me so invested in the story!

I definitely recommend this book and this series. I'm glad Brandon Mull decided to return to the Fablehaven world. I am looking forward to the next three books!

Precept Upon Precept

When Robert L. Millet's book Precept Upon Precept was released, several members of my team read it and talked about how much they enjoyed it. For reasons I can't remember, I didn't read it when it was brand new, but kept it in the back of my mind. A couple weeks ago I finally got the chance and really enjoyed it!

This book is a doctrinal biography of Joseph Smith. This means it isn't just a regular biography of the prophet's life. It talks about how events in his life impacted revelations he received, as well as how the revelations he received impacted his life. Joseph's life and his revelations are so intertwined, but Millet has done an excellent job in presenting them both in this book.

There are many things in this book that I could talk about, but I will only mention two in particular. The first is the very beginning of the book. In talking about the "war of words" that Joseph Smith faced, the author lists several doctrines, and then notes which religions believed what regarding each doctrine. For example, regarding baptism, Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists, and Episcopalians believed infants were subjects of baptism and that sprinkling was an acceptable method. Baptists and Eastern Christians believed that baptism had to be by immersion, and only believers should be baptized. Quakers rejected all ordinances (including baptism) completely.

As Millet describes the various beliefs regarding several doctrines, it is easy to see why young Joseph was so confused. With so many contending doctrines, each stemming from different interpretation of scripture, it is no wonder that Joseph felt the only way to get a correct answer was to ask of God.

Another part of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed was Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible. Millet talks about how his translation led to so many other revelations as Joseph sought to understand more of the Bible. Several sections of Doctrine and Covenants were received because of Joseph Smith working on the translation and asking questions.

The author mentions that some critique the Book of Mormon because Joseph did not  quote from it in his sermons nearly as much as he did the Bible. He responds that it only takes a moment's reflection to consider that Joseph Smith was raised with the Bible. His family read from it. He spent three years on his inspired translation of it. In the words of Robert Millet, "The Bible was in his soul" (pg. 54). Joseph Smith loved the Bible. Those who fear that the Book of Mormon replaces the Bible need look no further than the Prophet of the Restoration to know what a treasure the Bible is and ought to be to each member of the Church.

I am glad I read this book. My only problem is reading it so close to the book Saints, which both deal with Church History. As I reflect on one, I keep thinking of passages from the other, mixing the two in my mind. It makes it difficult to write a review about each one, but also speaks to how much I enjoyed them both.

Carried

I remember well when the news reported that Annie Schmidt was missing, and later when her body was found. Perhaps one reason why it got more publicity than other missing person cases is because she is the daughter of Jon Schmidt of the Piano Guys. The book Carried is written by Michelle Schmidt, and gives us the perspective of Annie's mother as they searched for her daughter's body. I learned more details about the search than I had previously known, but that is not what made me enjoy this book so much. I enjoyed hearing the accounts of faith and divine inspiration from so many people involved in the search.

If I had to choose just one part from the book that impacted me the most, I would probably say it was this: "I don't believe that Heavenly Father caused Annie to die, nor that  her passing was necessarily His will. But I do believe that all things work together for good to them that love God, and that God is able to bless and guide His children in such a way that the most possible good can come of a tragedy such as this."

I loved how the author didn't just tell the store of searching for Annie and the faith, prayers and miracles that went into it. She also told of earlier experiences in her life that prepared her for this experience. She talks about learning to recognize the voice of the Lord, learning how to truly pray with faith, and trusting in God's wisdom and plan. Even though they did not find Annie alive, or even find her body as quickly as they would have liked, the author shares several experiences she had that let her know God was aware of her. She truly experienced many tender mercies throughout what could only be called a nightmare.

A very tender part of the book actually takes place at the end, where several tributes to Annie are included from people who knew her. These tributes helped me get to know Annie better. They made me ponder how I could be a better person.

I am grateful that Michelle Schmidt was willing to share her experience and testimony through this book. Because I read it, I want to be a better person. I want to learn to trust in the Lord the way she did.

Saints: The Standard of Truth

There was a lot of excitement centered around the release of Saints: The Standard of Truth, a publication put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This book is the first of a four-part series of the church's history.

A lot of people I spoke with talked about how much they were learning, and how many things they never knew before. Having read a LOT of Church History, I didn't really learn many "new" things from this book. That being said, I did gain new perspectives and I got to read accounts from people that I had not read before. So, although I may have been familiar with the material, I was not as familiar with the different perspectives.

Take, for example, the Missouri conflict. I knew that one of the causes of conflict between the saints and the residents of Jackson county was the issue of slavery. Converts to the church were mostly from the North and opposed slavery. Missouri was, however, a slave state. I always understand this would create conflict. But what I had never taken into consideration was the fear that the slave-owning Missourians had that the church members would incite their slaves to rebellion. This had happened in other states and in one case, the slave rebellion resulted in the deaths of fifty whites.

While the concern can be understandable, it in no way excuses the people in Missouri for doing what they did to those early saints. Although the saints did many things wrong and disobeyed many commandments from the Lord, the heinous acts committed against them are inexcusable.

I also was pleasantly surprised to find accounts from some of Joseph Smith's plural wives. Although I have known for most of my life that Joseph Smith restored the practice of plural marriage, I honestly could not name more than one of his plural wives. This book talked about several of them, and I even got to read some of their accounts. The accounts shed more light on how difficult it was for Emma, at one time accepting the doctrine (and even attending the sealing of two other wives to Joseph), and at other times totally rejecting the doctrine (kicking those same two women whose sealing she witnessed out of their house).

Emily Partridge was one of these women. The doctrine of plural marriage was extremely difficult for her to accept, but after receiving her personal witness from the Lord, she agreed to practice it. Many years later she wrote the following:

"I know it was hard for Emma, and any woman, to enter plural marriage in those days, and I do not know as anybody would have done any better than Emma did under the circumstances. God must be the judge, not I." (Saints, pg. 508).

This first volume ends just as the saints are leaving Nauvoo and preparing to head west. I am excited to read more when the new material is ready. I am grateful to have read this volume, and to have read more about many of the saints, particularly Joseph Smith. I love reading his words. I love reading his testimony. I have my own witness that he truly is God's prophet.

The Compassionate Soldier

It is common to hear about the inhumanity of man during war. News reports give us atrocious details of the suffering and misery inflicted by war. That's what makes Jerry Borrowman's book The Compassionate Soldier so refreshing. In the midst of so many unpleasant stories, Borrowman has collected a few shining examples of men and women who stand out in history.

Every chapter in the book was good, but I will only highlight a couple. The first is Sergeant Richard Kirkland, a soldier in the Confederate Army. After a particularly difficult battle (especially for the Union soldiers), both sides were subjected to the tormented cries of the wounded on the battlefield. Finally, Sergeant Kirkland could stand it no longer and, after obtaining permission from the general, entered the field with as many canteens as he could carry and began attending to the wounded on both sides of the war. The Union soldiers were so startled that nobody fired a shot, and they began cheering when they saw what he was doing. Sergeant Kirkland made several trips, with gunfire ceasing on both sides every time his head emerged, until he had cared for every soldier on the battlefield. What an amazing story of compassion!

Another incredible story took place during World War II. Major General Dietrich von Choltitz of the Germany army was originally fiercely loyal to Adolf Hitler. He slaughtered enemies, and led his own men to the slaughter all to accomplish whatever Hitler ordered. That is what makes his story so remarkable. Towards the end of the war, Hitler placed von Choltitz Paris, which was Hitler's most-prized victory in the war. With the Allied troops gaining ground, Hitler ordered the major general to blow up the entire city if it seemed like the Nazis would not be able to keep it. The Furher cared nothing for the cultural treasures of the city that would be lost.

Von Choltitz, on the other hand, recognized that such destruction was nothing more than a vindictive move, and would be a tragedy if carried out. However, he also knew that if he did not carry out his orders, he and his family would be in grave danger and be seen as traitors. He had all intentions of being faithful to his orders, even placing the bombs strategically around the city. As uprisings began happening, he realized that he would very soon have to execute Hitler's orders. In a meeting with Raoul Nordling, the Swedish consul in France, von Choltitz asked him to get word to the Allies. In a traitorous move, he asked for the Allies to help him save Paris. Despite many last-minute telegrams and messages ordering him to destroy the city as the Allies descended upon it, von Choltitz felt a greater need to serve humanity, rather than the insane dictator.

There are so many more stories like this in the book. Anybody who likes to read true, less-known war stories would enjoy Borrowman's work.