Out of the Best Books

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+.

Deseret Book author and artist Kate Lee joins this episode and opens up about how her artwork has helped her connect with the Savior. Her book, Connecting with Christ, features her artwork as well as some contemplative questions for the reader to ponder about how these images of the Savior bring you peace and draw you closer to Him. Lee's artwork is a staple of Latter-day Saint art, and you can find it now at your local Deseret Book store or online at deseretbook.com. In this episode, you'll hear how light plays a key role in her work, and how you can put yourself into the scene. Order Connecting with Christ now or try a free trial of the Deseret Bookshelf+ app today.

In this episode, we're sharing audio from chapter two of Elder David A. Bednar’s book The Rock of Our Redeemer: Facing the Future with Faith, Hope, and Power. This chapter, "The Blessings of Direction and Strength" is less than 10 minutes of audio read by Elder Bednar himself. But in that short time, you’ll hear a promise that every covenant making and keeping member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has available to them remarkable gifts and opportunities all around.  Elder David A. Bednar is a member of the quorom of the twelve apostles. His previous published books include The Spirit of Revelation; One by One; The Parable of the Cheetah; and the bestselling trilogy Increase in Learning; Act in Doctrine; and Power to Become. You can listen to him read the rest of his audiobook The Rock of Our Redeemer on Deseret Bookshelf+ or order it online here!

Deseret Book author Adam Miller joins this episode to explore the question, "Why did Christ come to the earth as a baby?" which is a theme in his new book The Christ Child. Miller explores the attributes of a child that we should aspire to because they are also attributes of the Savior: awe, imagination, and love. This conversation also explores tapping into a new perspective of the scriptural invitation to become like a child. This book will make your Christmas! Order The Christ Child now or try a free trial of the Deseret Bookshelf+ app today.

In this episode, we’re sharing audio from chapter three of Tyler Johnson’s When Church Is Hard. The title of this chapter, “What does it mean to believe?” Is a question that many young adults grapple with in the Church. This excerpt puts some compassionate understanding behind the common need to have absolute answers right now. And then it turns to a truly compelling idea: that doubt doesn’t have to be negative. It is the start of something much more.  Author Tyler Johnson is an oncologist who served as a YSA bishop in northern California. His hours spent counseling and observing young adults led him to conclusions about the reasons so many young adults find it difficult to stay in the Church. You can order When Church Is Hard now or listen to the full audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf+.

In this episode, we're sharing a sneak peak into chapter six from Steven Collis's Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues. This chapter is called "Be open to change" and it's one key habit that takes very little effort. It's an important handbook for anyone wanting to build bridges of understanding, be more Christlike in conversations, and take down fear of offense. Author Steven Collis is a professor of law at the University of Texas. You can order Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues now or listen to the full audiobook on Deseret Bookshelf+.