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.

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.

Watch and Be Ready

I really enjoyed the book Watch and Be Ready by Brent L. Top. The message of the book is how to prepare spiritually for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Too often we might find ourselves so absorbed with the Signs of the Times that we neglect to focus on being ready for "the time." Even less productive is trying to calculate the day of the Savior's return based on signs and interpretation of scripture.

Top compares us in many ways to children on a road trip to Disneyland who keep asking how much farther they have to go. The driver can answer with the exact number of miles, but small children will not be able to comprehend the answer and so keep asking how much further. In that sense, we are like little children who keep asking when the Second Coming is. The author points out that between Matthew 24 and 25, the verses on the Savior's discourse on preparation outnumbers his discourse on signs four to one! This gives us an idea of where our attention should be when it comes to preparing for the Second Coming.

The fact is, many of the "signs of the times" have been present in every generation since the Savior first gave the warnings. The author points out that there is a purpose for this--to make sure we are always spiritually ready. In fact, in the Doctrine and Covenants, we are taught to live as if he is coming tomorrow. The signs aren't given to help us know the exact date the Savior is returning; they are meant to be a reminder to us to be spiritually prepared.

So what do we do to spiritually prepare? We need to be like the Savior. We need to develop charity. This includes having attributes such as forgiveness, kindness and compassion. There are certainly very troubling times ahead. The scriptures warn that if it is possible, even the very elect will be deceived. Only the most faithful and the most believing will abide the day of the Lord's Second Coming. With this in mind, how important it is to be spiritually ready!