In the midst of deep affliction, the Prophet Joseph Smith was told, "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." The ...
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reviews
Dec 03, 2009
Natalie
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Neal A. Maxwell has a gift for condensing immense ideas into single phrases, sentences, or short paragraphs that convey layers of meaning -- truly thoughts to ponder at length. I found this almost distracting to my attempts to read and return the book to its lender. It was difficult to read and then attempt to absorb, ponder, evaluate any given section without moving at a snail's pace.
I highly recommend this book; and I recommend reading a chapter or a section of a chapter at a time, giv
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Nov 04, 2011
Robert
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"Without the veil, for instance, we would lose that precious insulation which keeps us from a profound and disabling homesickness that would interfere with our mortal probation and maturation." Page 10
"Worshipful acknowledgment of an omniscient God will cause us to cooperate in the stretching of our souls." Page 13
"All of us should strive, therefore, to have some friendships that are deep and solid-so solid, for instance, that if they were interrupt More...
"Worshipful acknowledgment of an omniscient God will cause us to cooperate in the stretching of our souls." Page 13
"All of us should strive, therefore, to have some friendships that are deep and solid-so solid, for instance, that if they were interrupt More...
Sep 20, 2010
Tyler
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Wow! Elder Maxwell is such a fantastic writer! He crafts words and sentences in a wonderful and masterful way. More important than his excellence as a wordsmith, however, are the profound, deep and wondrous insights he gives into our relationship with God, life, adversity and the gospel (which are of course all very interrelated subjects), among other topics. Elder Maxwell has such an insightful perspective that helps us to see things in a totally different way. A very inspiring and enlight
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Apr 03, 2009
Nohreen
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This book is amazing! I'm grateful to a wonderful friend (you know who you are) for having the keen insight to know that I would love & enjoy this book. The wonderful messages in this book about getting a deeper understanding of life's hardships & trials, are just what I needed & craved. They have absolutely filled my personal faith reservoir, from which I will be drawing a lot, most especially in the next few months. I'm grateful for this book & for the many lessons Elder Maxwell so beautfu
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May 15, 2009
Shae
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This is a pithy book that I picked up and put down over several months. It has a lot of good ideas that take a long time to sink in (translation: I only absorbed about 5% of it). I read it because it was quoted in another book I was reading and honestly I got more out that book because the author sifted and interpreted for me. I think this book requires a lot of spiritual maturity which means it's worth coming back to when I grow up.
Apr 19, 2010
Kelli
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Although life has many challenges, if we can believe that our trials will benefit us, we can bear our difficulties well....and even eventually appreciate them. I especially learned from the chapter titled "The Fellowship of His Sufferings". The author mentions Victor Frankl's experiences in a concentration camp (and I highly recommend his book documenting this ordeal, "Man's Search for Meaning"). Frankl discovered through this horrific trial that the one thing he could not
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Mar 01, 2010
Tia
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Incredible how a book that has sat on my bookshelf for so long, unread, could be so profoundly important to me at this moment in my life right now! Thank you, Tom, for cleaning out the books and moving this to a place where it caught my attention. I have learned so much about myself and God and Jesus Christ from this book. I am amazed at how ready I was for the specific information in this book right now. Just another reminder that I am blessed, watched over and that I am known intimately by
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Sep 02, 2011
Zinger
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Neal A. Maxwell is a masterful ninja of the English language. He can express deep, deep concepts so articulately and beautifully. This book is about trails and suffering which he wrote shortly after being diagnosed with leukemia. A book that can lift anyone up with greater hope and purpose as they understand and keep a proper perspective on our trials and challenges in life.
Aug 14, 2009
Marianne
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Everyone should read this book! Way better than any "self-help" book I have read because it helps me put my life into better perspective and understand God's role in my life. It talks a lot about trials and is very helpful in understanding the meaning of trials in life. Loved this book and I heard it is going out of print so get a copy today!
Jan 14, 2011
Michael
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This is a great, thought-provoking book from one of my favorite apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Maxwell passed away in 2004, but not before recording a CD reading of his own book, which is how I "read" this one )during my commute).
Lots of good stuff in this dense little book. Recommended.
Lots of good stuff in this dense little book. Recommended.
Aug 22, 2010
Genevieve
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Can a book earn 6 stars? I may be rating this book so highly because it answered some doctrinal questions I have long wrestled with like the purpose of suffering and the purpose of prayer. I thought many parts of this book were soothing, like the Balm of Gilead. Other parts were just plain enlightening. Good stuff!
Aug 23, 2009
Heather
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Neal A. Maxwell is the first prophet I really bonded with. His words always connected and moved me and I was always inspired by his insights. I was sad when he passed, but his words have given me so much comfort. I reached for this book when I was really struggling with being angry about where my life was going and all the things I could not control. Basically I was not happy with where my life was, and I didn't know how to deal with it. The first chapter suprised me because I was expecting the
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Feb 26, 2009
Susanna
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Loved the first two-thirds of the book but the rest seemed unrelated. Maxwell is inspiring but his analogies can sometimes be off-putting (comparing trials to thermostats?) but I also finished with the desire to do a little better, readjust my perspective, and serve more. That's always a good thing.
Jun 08, 2011
Ruth
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Maxwell surely knows about trials. It takes me many sentences to say what it takes Maxwell one sentence to say. His personal experience with trials gives hope to me when I struggle. I take this book out and I am comforted and able to keep going. I am so grateful for Maxwell. I miss him.
Jan 17, 2010
Jared
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Insight on strengthening testimony in the Father and in Christ and what we can do to become better Christian disciples (typical Maxwell theme). Some chapters hit home better than others. Some chapters were quite repetitive while others were well-written. Chapters on prayer and following the brethren were most insightful.
Dec 20, 2009
Jasmyn
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This was a wonderful book. I actually listened to it as a book on CD and it was read by Elder Maxwell, which made it that much better. I definitely need to listen to/read this one again, though. There is so much, it's hard to take it all in in one go.
It gives a wonderful perspective on life and the trials that are custom-made for our individual lives. It was great and made me ponder a lot on different principles of the gospel.
It gives a wonderful perspective on life and the trials that are custom-made for our individual lives. It was great and made me ponder a lot on different principles of the gospel.
Jan 20, 2010
Stephanie
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This is a book that I will read over and over again to truly internalize the concepts taught and discussed. I love Elder Maxwell's writing and the topics discussed are so needed today by everyone. This book answers the hard questions of life.
Feb 19, 2010
Jerhi
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Amazing book putting forth some of the perceived harder doctrines to follow, providing examples of why they are so important and the benefits and blessings when they are followed.
Read this book, keep it close and read it often.
Read this book, keep it close and read it often.
Apr 16, 2009
Abbie
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What a great little book. I love love love how Elder Maxwell speaks/writes - so poetic and lovely and encouraging. I loved the chapters on service, prayer, and communication (I learned a lot from the communication chapter - very interesting).
Apr 14, 2010
KaraLyn
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This book was excellent. Of course, I listened to the author himself on CD which, I am convinced, made it even better. In fact, I listened to it 3 or 4 times. I love the way Elder Maxwell teaches - the language he uses. I used to think he was hard to understand, but not after this. His words are full of meaning - I love the metaphors he uses. I now want to get the book since the CD was abridged. I highly recommend it.
Jan 25, 2010
Glenna
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I read this and marked it up and then bought a copy for my family members....it's so personally instructive, encouraging, and allows for hope of being a better person, child of God. I revisit it often.
Jan 16, 2012
Jerri
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Elder Maxwell's writings are full of wisdom and deep insight. I love his use of words although I sometimes have to re-read them to get their full meaning. He inspires me to want to try harder.
Feb 17, 2011
Jennifer
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I think this is possibly the best book I've ever read. Almost every paragraph seemed divinely inspired and eloquently written. If I could have given it six stars I would have.
Jan 21, 2010
Daynia
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I will be reading this again and will encourage others to read it. It was thought provoking and offered an opportunity for an inward glance at myself, my beliefs and my progress.
Dec 11, 2008
Laura
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Everything we suffer has a purpose...it helps us become better people and be able to better connect with others. None of the pain and trials we go through are wasted.
Oct 31, 2011
Rae
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Working my way through all of Elder Maxwell's books. This one is a definite favorite. Very timely and pithy doctrine. I especially loved the last "wrap-up" chapter.
Dec 03, 2008
Danya
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I love Maxwell. He spoke and wrote at a deeper level than most which causes me to also go beyond my normal range of thinking. A man of great wisdom.
Mar 26, 2009
Judie
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This is a good one to read when you are struggling with life's challenges. He has such a way with words, and it puts things into perspective.
Dec 01, 2008
Tammy
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Such a great read. He is such an authentic speaker that expands on core principles. My understanding of my own life and others really increased.
Apr 19, 2011
Becky
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Profound and typical Maxwell. Read with a highlighter in hand! Very uplifting. Borrowed from a friend and bought my own copy after I was done.
