Out of the Best Books

Steven Harper, author of 'Wrestling with the Restoration: Why This Church Matters', dives into the significance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He discusses the historical migration under Brigham Young, emphasizing humility in understanding sealing and exaltation. Harper explores the evolution of endowment ordinances, revealing their enduring nature. He highlights the urgency of revelation in genealogy work and the continuous restoration of temple teachings, all while urging listeners to connect with their ancestral roots.

Steven Harper, a professor of Church history at Brigham Young University and author of Wrestling with the Restoration, dives into the significance of faith and the Church in contemporary society. He discusses the importance of questioning beliefs, revitalizing faith amidst declining attendance, and the necessity of deep reflection in a fast-paced world. Harper encourages listeners to engage with historical narratives and the Book of Mormon, fostering a richer understanding of their spiritual journey and the unique teachings of their faith.

Steve Young, a first ballot NFL Hall of Famer and author, shares insights from his book, The Law of Love in Action. He discusses the essence of unconditional love as taught by Christ, emphasizing selflessness and serving others without expectation. Personal anecdotes reveal the power of altruism and its transformative effects, highlighting kindness as a vital connection. Through stories, Young illustrates how simple acts of love can lead to profound changes in both giver and receiver, reminding us all that love, indeed, is undefeated.

My Lord He Calls Me: Stories of Faith by Black American Latter-day Saints edited by Alice Faulkner Burch celebrates the stories of Black Latter-day Saints. It's an essay compilation by active Black American members of the Church whose ancestors were brought to the United States from Africa and enslaved. Because it's Black History month, we wanted to hear about their conversion stories, what life is like as a Black Latter-day Saint, and why they choose to remain in the Church. You will be inspired by the faith, testimony, endurance, wisdom, and spiritual strength of these faithful Saints. This episode pulls an essay called "Our Roadtrip to Jesus" and it's written by Haley and Millie Fletcher, two teenage sisters who are living in Utah. Their mother, who is white, encourages and plans a cross-country roadtrip with them so that they can connect to their ancestral roots. Their story promises that by finding out our own stories, we learn to connect with Jesus. If you want to listen to the rest of the essays, download Deseret Bookshelf+ where you can hear the entire audiobook. You can also head to your local Deseret Book or deseretbook.com to order your copy today.

Revelation is crucial to the restored gospel and crucial to our lives today. As Latter-day Saints, we know the heavens are open, but perhaps we all want to know how to hear God better and understand what revelation looks like in our own lives. This podcast episodes features Janiece Johnson who will help us see that revelation is indispensable. She is a church historian and acquisition director at Deseret Book. She specializes in American religious history—specifically Latter-day Saint history and in her new book Revelation: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants, she focuses on revelatory moments in the D&C. You can pick up your copy of Revelation: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants now at your local Deseret Book store, or online at deseretbook.com. You can also read now on the Deseret Bookshelf+ app.

Carrie Skarda and Jacob Hess, co-authors of 'The Practice of Stillness,' share their insights on integrating mindfulness within spiritual practices. They discuss the importance of slowing down to connect with God, contrasting stillness with the distractions of modern life. The conversation dives into the benefits of mindfulness for mental health and relationships, emphasizing how reflective prayer can enhance personal growth. They also explore how reading can shape identity and the role of women in nurturing inner stillness amidst busy lives.

In this episode, we're sharing audio from chapter five of Rosalynde Welch and Adam Miller's new book Seven Visions: Images of Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants called, "Christ in the Bosom of the Father." Adam and Rosalynde put President Nelson's call to seek Christ intentionally at the forefront of this effort. Chapter five focuses on Doctrine and Covenants Section 110, providing perspective as we begin our Come Follow me study of the D&C this year. Learning to hear God's voice is the goal of a lifetime, and in their book, Welch and Miller explore the themes of light in the Doctrine and Covenants and how that leads to knowing God. Their book has an important message: that learning how to hear God's voice should be urgent to us all. You can order Seven Visions: Images of Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants now or check it out on the Deseret Bookshelf Plus app.

Rosalynde Welch, author of *Seven Visions: Images of Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants*, and Adam Miller, co-author of the same work, dive into the urgency of hearing God's voice. They discuss recognizing Christ's presence in our everyday lives and how this understanding shapes our connection with the divine. The duo emphasizes collaborative exploration of scripture for deeper insights and practical approaches to cultivating a Christ-centered worldview. Their insights promise to enrich listeners’ spiritual journeys.

In this episode, we're sharing audio from chapter 2 of Tad R. Callister's book A Case for the Book of Mormon called, "Man-Made or God-Given?" A common criticism of the Book of Mormon is that it's man-made. Brother Callister addresses this common argument and addresses many of the critics theories. Plus he shares a testimony of Emma Smith that you'll be thinking about for days. In this book, author Tad R. Callister presents compelling evidence, both physical and spiritual, for the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. He invites readers on a spiritual journey that promises a witness stronger than any intellectual argument could create. You can order A Case for the Book of Mormon now.

In this episode, we're sharing audio from chapter four of Gerald Lund's To Always Have His Spirit: A Divine Promise for the Latter Days. This is a fresh look at the covenants we take part in every Sunday and how we can strive to take the sacrament from routine to remarkable. Chapter Four is aptly titled, "The Voice of the Lord: Key concepts about personal revelation," and in this excerpt, you'll hear this compelling idea: that understanding the Spirit leads to having Him abide with us. Gerald Lund is an acclaimed author of The Work and the Glory series available at Deseret Book. He has also written several non-fiction books, served as a general authority, and been a lifelong teacher with the Church Educational System. You can order To Always Have His Spirit now or listen to the full audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf+.