General Conference time brings some outstanding new books that help elevate and inspire families.
Choose Higher Ground, by Henry B. Eyring, is his first book in nearly 12 years and the wait is definitely worth it! This outstanding book showcases how, and what, we need to do in order to rise above the fray and lift ourselves closer to the reaches of heaven. President Eyring said that his mother would tell him when he complained about difficulties: “If you are on the right path, it will always be uphill.” So, we must always choose higher ground to choose what the Lord would have us choose. The book is broken into five sections: A Strong Foundation, Personal Growth Through Helping Others, Strength in Adversity, Power to Live a Consecrated Life and Help for the Last Days. Each of these five sections has several chapters that help you step through the process to reach your higher ground. In the chapter, “In the Strength of the Lord”, President Eyring states “the restored gospel makes plain the simple things we need to do”. And this book helps facilitate what we must do to choose and reach that higher ground!
The Continuous Conversion, by Brad Wilcox, contains life’s lessons that we can learn as we grow in our continuous conversion to once again live with our Heavenly Father. The ten chapters include many personal stories from the author and are uplifting and directly relate to the theme of this book. Each chapter has a prized quote from the author that quickly summarizes the important message of that chapter. Underneath the heading in the chapter, “Why Do We Believe in Christ?” the author states: “Who is to say Jesus lived at all? Who is to say He was more than an ordinary man? Who is to say He knelt in a garden and bled from every pore and allowed himself to be nailed on a cross? Who is to say He was resurrected, lives today, and is coming again? We can and we do!”
An Uncommon Life: Years of Preparation, by L. Tom Perry, is a beautifully written autobiography that takes this great apostle’s life from birth to the passing of his first wife, Virginia. The interesting facets and accomplishments of Brother Perry become apparent as you learn about all that he has done throughout this part of this life. It’s evident that the Lord was preparing him his entire youth and young life to fulfill his duty as an inspiring apostle! It’s interesting that as I was reading about his move to Bountiful, I remembered that he moved to a house near my house and I knew people mentioned in the book that helped when his wife was ill. I’m grateful that there will be another book to continue learning about and from a man of great influence that has helped move the gospel forward.
Drawing Out the Dragons: A Meditation on Art, Destiny and the Power of Choice, by James A. Owen, is a book of inspiration, motivation and destination. It’s about making good choices that will help you achieve with the talents that were given you and not to ever give up and become discouraged. Each of Mr. Owen’s chapter headings has encouraging quotes from famous people and each section contains a quote from the author that parallels the famous quote. For example, in section 1 the author states, “If you really want to do something, no one can stop you. But if you really don’t want to do something, no one can help you.” On the following page Goethe says, “What you can do, dream you can do, begin it; Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
All that was Promised: The St. George Temple and the Unfolding of the Restoration, by Blaine M. Yorgason, Richard A. Schmutz and Douglas D. Alder, is an historical account of the tremendous sacrifices and hard work of the saints as they labored to build this magnificent edifice, the St. George Temple. The St. George area back in the 1800’s was an isolated desert with only a few dwellers living in the area. The building of the temple and the account of the Lord revealing all that was promised through the coming of Elijah, as well as temple worship first practiced there, is documented. There are historical photographs sprinkled throughout.
Eliza: The Life and Faith of Eliza R. Snow, by Karen Lynn Davidson and Jill Mulvay Derr, showcases this revered sister and her talent as one of the most revered poets in the church. Here are just a few of this tremendous sister’s accomplishments found in this beautifully packaged book: she wrote “O My Father”, organized the Young Ladies Retrenchment Society and assembled the Children’s Primary Hymn Book and Children’s Primary Tune Book.
I’m saving the last for the yummiest in the group of books. Six Sisters’ Stuff: Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and So Much More!, by six biological sisters: Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren and Kendra. This book includes some of the most delectable dishes this side of the Rockies. But here’s the best thing about each of these recipes: they’re easy to follow and easy to make. The categories include slow cooker menus, main and side dishes, and breads. This book is actually more than just a cookbook. There are crafts to make and cleaning ideas, healthy snack ideas and instructions of how to build your own 72-hour kit. There are even forty great and fun ideas to do on a road trip with kids. What’s not to love about this book?
