John Bytheway does it again with his timely and relevant book When It Doesn’t Make Sense. With stories and insights that are relatable to all ages, this book is a must-have for anyone who has had gospel questions or wondered why life isn’t “fair.” Beginning with the story of Job, Bytheway points out that the Lord never explained to Job why he went through what he did. Although God loves us and is aware of us, we don’t always get answers to questions like “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or “How could a loving God let this happen?” As Bytheway says in his book: these answers come slowly, but knowing God loves us is a good place to start getting answers.
While all gospel questions could never be answered in a single book, the author does cover many topics that I—and many others close to me—have wondered about. From polygamy to personal trials, John Bytheway uses scriptures and experiences to teach gospel truths on every page. It is refreshing to read questions that other people have had and know you aren’t alone in wondering. Each chapter contains stories of people who didn’t have it easy, but were committed to the Lord and overcame their less important “secondary questions” to focus on what really matters. These “primary questions” include: “Is there a God who is our Father”? And “Is Jesus Christ the Savior of the world?” The author points out that we will find peace and joy from focusing our effort on the primary questions, not trying to answer the unending secondary questions that will come our way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting read.
John Bytheway served a mission to the Philippines and later graduated from Brigham Young University. He has a master’s degree in religious education and is a part-time instructor at the BYU Salt Lake Center. John is the author of many best-selling books, audio talks, and DVDs, including Born This Happy Morning, Golden Answers, Moroni’s Guide to Surviving Turbulent Times, and How Do I Know If I Know? He and his wife, Kimberly, have six children.
When It Doesn’t Make Sense by John Bytheway, published by Deseret Book, 128 pages, soft cover $12.99.
Lauren is from Utah and has been an avid reader her whole life. She graduated from BYU in History and currently teaches elementary school and works at a rare bookstore. She is also a docent at the Church History Museum. Her passions include traveling, spending time with family, learning about history, and of course, reading.
