I started reading the book, and found it is indeed a gem from page 1 - - "true gospel without a mention of Christ." In his remarkable breakthrough book, the "Power of Everyday Missionaries", Clayton M. Christensen also demonstrated how we can avoid so many mistakes when sharing the gospel, and this book aksi shows how we can apply the principles that save lives in order to save souls and relationships.
D - anonSeptember 3, 2018
Yes, this is so good. But it's good on another level that you didn't anticipate; at least I don't think so. When I read the block headed by "On the supreme task of listening...." it brought to mind my previous three Home Teachers, most especially the last one. Two of them I let it be known I didn't want them any more. #1 would steam into the house, give the canned message, and be gone in 15 minutes to his dinner appointment. #2 brought the Benson BOM message I've heard and read a hundred times, and wasn't interested in our health, activities, or whatever. #3, the last one, came in with the Benson BOM message too, then the next time wanted to start with a series of three "lessons" on the pruning of the Olive Tree branches; Jacob. He threatened to tell the bishop that we didn't need or want that, and that he was in our home as priesthood authority, not as a friend - horrors!
So... yes, (1) preoccupied with their own... unable to listen. (2) Obviously didn't focus on what we might want. Focused on own authority. (3) We have lots of experience, love a good two way discussion. Those ones - in our home or in church - pontificate as if they know everything, and there is nothing they can learn by discussion which includes listening.
Jeff LindsaySeptember 3, 2018
Great comments, thank you. I'm grateful this was helpful to some readers! Thank you for sharing your experiences. And Charlie, I fully agree that we need to learn from the many "best books" that are out there. In the real of business and psychology, I've read far too many that are of little value or harmful, and it's hard to know where to find the gems. I hope this one will count as a truly valuable "best book" for those who read it and carefully consider how to apply its teachings.
ThoughtfulSeptember 1, 2018
I'm not kidding, stumbling across your article was an answer to seeking for personal revelation in ministering to family who have left the Church and have turned to attacking it. I immediately bought the Audible version and also found some quick summaries because my need was urgent. "I'm sorry" was a great way to start. Repeating three words was completed inspired. The "brilliant insight [is that] they have some basic humanity that needs to be respected". Of course! So I had the interaction with them and both sides were filled with love, not contempt, animosity, defensiveness. Oh, bless you, Jeff. I always read your articles but this one... this one answered the call.
SuzanneAugust 31, 2018
This morning I poured my heart out to the Lord for His help to do exactly what this article is about. Thank you so much....I have purchased the book and feel it has answers to what I have been pestering the Lord about since last conference. It seems to have a “Covey” edge to it. Great article and great insights....thank you!
CharlieBrown2292August 31, 2018
The book is as much "gospel" as any Christ-related one, because, as the Prophet Joseph Smith stated:" “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118)."
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Charles DefranchiSeptember 6, 2018
I started reading the book, and found it is indeed a gem from page 1 - - "true gospel without a mention of Christ." In his remarkable breakthrough book, the "Power of Everyday Missionaries", Clayton M. Christensen also demonstrated how we can avoid so many mistakes when sharing the gospel, and this book aksi shows how we can apply the principles that save lives in order to save souls and relationships.
D - anonSeptember 3, 2018
Yes, this is so good. But it's good on another level that you didn't anticipate; at least I don't think so. When I read the block headed by "On the supreme task of listening...." it brought to mind my previous three Home Teachers, most especially the last one. Two of them I let it be known I didn't want them any more. #1 would steam into the house, give the canned message, and be gone in 15 minutes to his dinner appointment. #2 brought the Benson BOM message I've heard and read a hundred times, and wasn't interested in our health, activities, or whatever. #3, the last one, came in with the Benson BOM message too, then the next time wanted to start with a series of three "lessons" on the pruning of the Olive Tree branches; Jacob. He threatened to tell the bishop that we didn't need or want that, and that he was in our home as priesthood authority, not as a friend - horrors! So... yes, (1) preoccupied with their own... unable to listen. (2) Obviously didn't focus on what we might want. Focused on own authority. (3) We have lots of experience, love a good two way discussion. Those ones - in our home or in church - pontificate as if they know everything, and there is nothing they can learn by discussion which includes listening.
Jeff LindsaySeptember 3, 2018
Great comments, thank you. I'm grateful this was helpful to some readers! Thank you for sharing your experiences. And Charlie, I fully agree that we need to learn from the many "best books" that are out there. In the real of business and psychology, I've read far too many that are of little value or harmful, and it's hard to know where to find the gems. I hope this one will count as a truly valuable "best book" for those who read it and carefully consider how to apply its teachings.
ThoughtfulSeptember 1, 2018
I'm not kidding, stumbling across your article was an answer to seeking for personal revelation in ministering to family who have left the Church and have turned to attacking it. I immediately bought the Audible version and also found some quick summaries because my need was urgent. "I'm sorry" was a great way to start. Repeating three words was completed inspired. The "brilliant insight [is that] they have some basic humanity that needs to be respected". Of course! So I had the interaction with them and both sides were filled with love, not contempt, animosity, defensiveness. Oh, bless you, Jeff. I always read your articles but this one... this one answered the call.
SuzanneAugust 31, 2018
This morning I poured my heart out to the Lord for His help to do exactly what this article is about. Thank you so much....I have purchased the book and feel it has answers to what I have been pestering the Lord about since last conference. It seems to have a “Covey” edge to it. Great article and great insights....thank you!
CharlieBrown2292August 31, 2018
The book is as much "gospel" as any Christ-related one, because, as the Prophet Joseph Smith stated:" “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118)."
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