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Teachings of Presidents of the Church
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow
Teachings of the prophet Lorenzo Snow, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1898-1901
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 25, 2013
He was an AMAZING prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Just the amount of missions he went on shows what dedication he had toward his religion. He was also very big on getting and continuing an education. Even until his dying day he was still learning new things or old things in different ways. He is an inspiration to me as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I enjoy reading his words on life and learning.
December 16, 2013
Read this as part of a Church course, one chapter a week, two weeks each month. It's really awesome. I loved the way it was set up, with twenty four chapters, each chapter having a section of history followed by a section of teachings. Needless to say, the history was my favorite part. The lessons were great, too, though.
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January 23, 2014I made a good try, but then there was this one lesson and I just lost interest.
December 28, 2014
I've really enjoyed reading this book this year and discussing it in class. I love the weeks where we read from the manual. I like to call those the "book club weeks".
There is a lot of great information and tons of great stories. One of my favorites was probably the story about how President Snow nearly drowned in Hawaii but someone else was inspired to give him CPR, long before CPR was taught.
It's definitely a worthwhile read. I compiled some of my favorite quotes:
On Education
"Let us continue, brethren and sisters, to work in the name of the Lord our God; gathering wisdom and intelligence day by day, that every circumstance which transpires may minister to our good." p. 37
"The whole idea of Mormonism is improvement - mentally, physically, morally and spiritually. No half-way education suffices for the Latter-day Saint." p. 38
"We have got to obtain knowledge before we obtain permanent happines; we have got to be wide awake in the things of God." p. 38
"A little spiritual knowledge is a great deal better than mere opinions and notions and ideas, or even very elaborate arguments; a little spiritual knowledge is very important and of the highest consideration." p. 40
On the Holy Spirit and Inspiration
"To obtain religion that will save us in the presence of God, we must obtain the Holy Ghost." p. 56
"Stick to the ship of Zion. If boats come to the side, showing beautiful colors and making wonderful promises, do not get off the ship to go to the shore on any other boat; but keep on the ship." p. 67
"It is our right to have the manifestations of the Spirit every day of our lives." p. 75
"We are entirely dependent upon the spirit of inspiration, and if there ever was a time, since Adam occupied the Garden of Eden, when the Spirit of God was more needed than at the present time, I am not aware of it." p. 77
"It is your privilege, every one of you, to have enough of the spirit of revelation to know exactly what is proper for you to do." p. 79
On Self Improvement
"[T]he gospel is designed and calculated in its nature to bestow upon us those things that will bring glory, honor and exaltation, that will bring happiness, peace and glory." p. 90
"He wishes to elevate us in the scale of being and intelligence, and this can only be done through the medium of the everlasting Gospel which is specially prepared for this purpose." p. 124
"Godliness cannot be conferred but must be acquired, a fact of which the religious world seems strangely and lamentably unconscious." p. 212
"Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today." p. 93
On Trials
"Every man and woman who serves the Lord, no matter how faithful they may be, have their dark hours; but if they have lived faithfully, light will burst upon them and relief will be furnished." p. 107
"Trials and tribulations have been the experience of the Latter-day Saints. God so designed that it should be." p. 110
"You and I cannot be made perfect except through suffering: Jesus could not." p. 111
"There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation." p. 111
"All that is required of us to make us perfectly safe under all circumstances of trouble or persecution, is to do the will of God." p. 113
"Every trial a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that indeividual is nearer to God." p. 114
"I know that your lives have not been all sunshine; you have doubtless passed through many a trial, and perhaps you have come up through much tribulation; but by continued integrity you will soon emerge from the shadows into the glorious sunshine of the celestial world." p. 115
On Character
"[T]he most valuable consideration, and that which will be of the most service when we return to the spirit world, will be that of having established a proper and well defined character as faithful and consistent Latter-day Saints in this state of probation." p. 119
"Our character, as Latter-day Saints, should be preserved inviolate, at whatever cost or sacrifice. Character, approved of God is worth securing, even at the expense of a life-time of constant self-denial." p. 124
On The Temple
"The prospects that God has opened up to our view are wonderful and grand; the imagination cannot conceive of them. Come into the Temples and we will show you." p. 137
"Those who enter the Temple with a pure heart and a contrite spirit will not come out of it without receiving peculiar blessings, although these in some, or possibly many, instances might be different from what some might expect... The Lord knows what is best for every individual, and will adapt His gifts for the production of the greatest good to those who receive them." p. 144
On Failure
"Inasmuch as we act ... in the interest of God, and have our eye single to His glory, there can be no failure." p. 150
On Tithing
"A part of a tithing is no tithing at all, no more than immersing only half a person's body is baptism." p. 161
"Poverty exists among the Latter-day Saints, and always will exist until we at least obey the law of tithing. I believe truly if the Latter-day Saints will conform with this law we can claim deliverance from every evil that may come upon us." p. 163
On The Church
"Mormonism, a nickname for the real religion of the Latter-day Saints, does not profess to be a new thing, except to this generation. It proclaims istelf as the original plan of salvation, instituted in the heavens before the world was, and revealed from God to man in different ages." p. 240
"This Church will stand, because it is upon a firm basis. It is not from man; it is not from the study of the New Testament or the Old Testament; it is not the result of the learning that we received in colleges nor seminaries, but it has come directly from the Lord." p. 242
"We have received too much knowledge to be thwarted in our purposes. Those who desire to persecute and overthrow Mormonism, let them go on and do their work." p. 243
On Joseph Smith
"There never was a man that possessed a higher degree of integrity and more devotedness to the interest of mankind than the Prophet Joseph Smith." p. 269
On Jesus Christ
"We testify to the whole world that we know, by divine revelation, even through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that he revealed himself to Joseph Smith as personally as he did to his apostles anciently, after he arose from the tomb, and that he made known unto him the heavenly truths by which alone mankind can be saved." p. 281
There is a lot of great information and tons of great stories. One of my favorites was probably the story about how President Snow nearly drowned in Hawaii but someone else was inspired to give him CPR, long before CPR was taught.
It's definitely a worthwhile read. I compiled some of my favorite quotes:
On Education
"Let us continue, brethren and sisters, to work in the name of the Lord our God; gathering wisdom and intelligence day by day, that every circumstance which transpires may minister to our good." p. 37
"The whole idea of Mormonism is improvement - mentally, physically, morally and spiritually. No half-way education suffices for the Latter-day Saint." p. 38
"We have got to obtain knowledge before we obtain permanent happines; we have got to be wide awake in the things of God." p. 38
"A little spiritual knowledge is a great deal better than mere opinions and notions and ideas, or even very elaborate arguments; a little spiritual knowledge is very important and of the highest consideration." p. 40
On the Holy Spirit and Inspiration
"To obtain religion that will save us in the presence of God, we must obtain the Holy Ghost." p. 56
"Stick to the ship of Zion. If boats come to the side, showing beautiful colors and making wonderful promises, do not get off the ship to go to the shore on any other boat; but keep on the ship." p. 67
"It is our right to have the manifestations of the Spirit every day of our lives." p. 75
"We are entirely dependent upon the spirit of inspiration, and if there ever was a time, since Adam occupied the Garden of Eden, when the Spirit of God was more needed than at the present time, I am not aware of it." p. 77
"It is your privilege, every one of you, to have enough of the spirit of revelation to know exactly what is proper for you to do." p. 79
On Self Improvement
"[T]he gospel is designed and calculated in its nature to bestow upon us those things that will bring glory, honor and exaltation, that will bring happiness, peace and glory." p. 90
"He wishes to elevate us in the scale of being and intelligence, and this can only be done through the medium of the everlasting Gospel which is specially prepared for this purpose." p. 124
"Godliness cannot be conferred but must be acquired, a fact of which the religious world seems strangely and lamentably unconscious." p. 212
"Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today." p. 93
On Trials
"Every man and woman who serves the Lord, no matter how faithful they may be, have their dark hours; but if they have lived faithfully, light will burst upon them and relief will be furnished." p. 107
"Trials and tribulations have been the experience of the Latter-day Saints. God so designed that it should be." p. 110
"You and I cannot be made perfect except through suffering: Jesus could not." p. 111
"There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation." p. 111
"All that is required of us to make us perfectly safe under all circumstances of trouble or persecution, is to do the will of God." p. 113
"Every trial a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that indeividual is nearer to God." p. 114
"I know that your lives have not been all sunshine; you have doubtless passed through many a trial, and perhaps you have come up through much tribulation; but by continued integrity you will soon emerge from the shadows into the glorious sunshine of the celestial world." p. 115
On Character
"[T]he most valuable consideration, and that which will be of the most service when we return to the spirit world, will be that of having established a proper and well defined character as faithful and consistent Latter-day Saints in this state of probation." p. 119
"Our character, as Latter-day Saints, should be preserved inviolate, at whatever cost or sacrifice. Character, approved of God is worth securing, even at the expense of a life-time of constant self-denial." p. 124
On The Temple
"The prospects that God has opened up to our view are wonderful and grand; the imagination cannot conceive of them. Come into the Temples and we will show you." p. 137
"Those who enter the Temple with a pure heart and a contrite spirit will not come out of it without receiving peculiar blessings, although these in some, or possibly many, instances might be different from what some might expect... The Lord knows what is best for every individual, and will adapt His gifts for the production of the greatest good to those who receive them." p. 144
On Failure
"Inasmuch as we act ... in the interest of God, and have our eye single to His glory, there can be no failure." p. 150
On Tithing
"A part of a tithing is no tithing at all, no more than immersing only half a person's body is baptism." p. 161
"Poverty exists among the Latter-day Saints, and always will exist until we at least obey the law of tithing. I believe truly if the Latter-day Saints will conform with this law we can claim deliverance from every evil that may come upon us." p. 163
On The Church
"Mormonism, a nickname for the real religion of the Latter-day Saints, does not profess to be a new thing, except to this generation. It proclaims istelf as the original plan of salvation, instituted in the heavens before the world was, and revealed from God to man in different ages." p. 240
"This Church will stand, because it is upon a firm basis. It is not from man; it is not from the study of the New Testament or the Old Testament; it is not the result of the learning that we received in colleges nor seminaries, but it has come directly from the Lord." p. 242
"We have received too much knowledge to be thwarted in our purposes. Those who desire to persecute and overthrow Mormonism, let them go on and do their work." p. 243
On Joseph Smith
"There never was a man that possessed a higher degree of integrity and more devotedness to the interest of mankind than the Prophet Joseph Smith." p. 269
On Jesus Christ
"We testify to the whole world that we know, by divine revelation, even through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that he revealed himself to Joseph Smith as personally as he did to his apostles anciently, after he arose from the tomb, and that he made known unto him the heavenly truths by which alone mankind can be saved." p. 281
April 4, 2020
A very good and edifying book that compiles some of the teachings and testimony of President Lorenzo Snow, organized by chapter topically. My favorite chapters included his teachings on learning by faith, the Holy Ghost, our potential to become like Heavenly Father, becoming better gradually one day at a time, being submissive to Heavenly Father's will, tithing, Priesthood, service, and his testimony of Jesus Christ and of the Prophet Joseph Smith. To me, President Snow's teachings do a wonderful job at striking a balance between God's high expectations and rigorous requirements for us with the love, hope and promise of his support, encouragement, and divine help through every step of our mortal journey. Another theme that stood out to me from his teachings was the need to live so as to enjoy the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost throughout every day of our lives. I know that Lorenzo Snow was a prophet of God and that he taught the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
October 19, 2020
The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have established the Teachings of Presidents of the Church series to help you deepen your understanding of the restored gospel and draw closer to the Lord through the teachings of latter-day prophets. As the Church adds volumes to this series, you will build a collection of gospel reference books for your home. The volumes in this series are designed to be used for personal study and for Sunday instruction. They can also help you prepare other lessons or talks and answer questions about Church doctrine.
This book features the teachings of President Lorenzo Snow, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from September 13, 1898, to October 10, 1901.
This book features the teachings of President Lorenzo Snow, who served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from September 13, 1898, to October 10, 1901.
May 27, 2017
I enjoy the stories from the lives of prolific men such as Lorenzo Snow. My favorite story is when he was drowned when his boat capsized near a Hawaiian island. Then his companions breathed life into him by following the spiritual impression to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The American Heart Association website asserts that "Peter Safar and James Elam invented mouth-to-mouth resuscitation" in 1956. However, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation had been used much earlier. It remains difficult to say how widely it was taught and practiced in the mid-19th century.
January 29, 2018
Another excellent study guide in this series. On to the next one.
January 1, 2023
Great material on a variety of the teachings of Lorenzo Snow.
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July 7, 2023Subject themed quotations.
April 24, 2025
pay your tithing
July 3, 2024
Full of truths and gems. I spent more time reading and pondering with this prophet’s teachings and am the better for it. He was a prophet of the Most High God.
July 1, 2013
Reading the Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1898 to 1901, has had a very profound effect upon me. A very kindly, goodly man, his teachings were both forceful and sublime. He has an ability to probe a matter, a doctrine (an eternal truth) deeply to get at its very essence, and then to explain it in a way that is plain for all to see and understand. The underlying thrust of all his teachings seems to be the importance of building up Zion, the Kingdom of God on the earth, and moving it forward with all our energy and might. And in the process, we grow and progress and gain eternal knowledge, each individually, and become more like the Savior; thus, we work out our own salvation. Particular chapters which deeply affected me were: 6 - Becoming Perfect before the Lord: "A Little Better Day by Day"; 7 - Faithfulness in Times of Trial: "From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine"; 8 - "Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart"; 11 - "I Seek Not Mine Own Will, but the Will of the Father"; 14 - "With God All Things Are Possible"; and 19 - Missionary Work: "To Reach Every Human Heart". This is a book I will re-read again and again, and treasure.
December 31, 2013
The true stories & experiences shared in this series about the lives of the prophets has truly drawn me closer to God. Their goodness shouldn't, I suppose, but always surprises me. Their generous hearts, forgiving nature, and kindnesses shown throughout their lives has inspired me with each reading to be be better. My goal has been to keep up with the scheduled lessons and finish each book each year whatever my calling or circumstances in that point of my life. I've done it and they have blessed my life with a reminder of the kinder, gentler, more loving characteristics I hope to develop throughout my life. I love these books and have come to truly love these men who I don't doubt were called of God as prophets in their time to bless the world with their goodness and humility and draw our society closer and closer to our Heavenly Father and truth.
Want to read
August 18, 2020The last chapter tells the impact of president Snows visit to the Holy Land. He was very humbled by being in the land where Jesus lived and taught, and he reflects on the life of Christ, and what Jesus did for us.
I'm listening to another book, where two women have gone on a trip to the Holy Lands with a tour. One of the women feels the whole trip was a waste, because the tour guide takes them to so many places, leaving them exhausted at the end of the day. They have little time to reflect on the things they came to experience. They decide to not go with the tour group, and to experience the thing that brought them to the Holy Lands.
I'm listening to another book, where two women have gone on a trip to the Holy Lands with a tour. One of the women feels the whole trip was a waste, because the tour guide takes them to so many places, leaving them exhausted at the end of the day. They have little time to reflect on the things they came to experience. They decide to not go with the tour group, and to experience the thing that brought them to the Holy Lands.
December 8, 2013
I came to know the prophet Lorenzo Snow more than I ever have. I learned what a devoted servant of the Lord that he was. His talks to the church in conference through his years of service were the basis of a lot of these chapters in this book. I was impressed at the deep thinking and profound doctrine he taught. This was a good experience to study the teachings of this great man. My husband and I read a couple of chapters a month during this year as a preparation for the classes at church where we would discuss these chapters. We read the chapters aloud each Monday night and discussed them. It was a rewarding experience.
January 10, 2014
I love the teachings of this man! I love his intellectual approach to the gospel, and I was especially touched by his conversion story. He was a well-educated man and was considering the gospel, but one day he received a spiritual witness of the truth of the gospel. He knew he knew it, and rather than second-guessing himself with logical doubts, he stayed true to the witness and knowledge he had received. I haven't finished yet, and am setting it aside for now so I can focus on this year's Sundayschool text: Teachings of the President Joseph Fielding Smith. Note to self: I'm on chapter 15.
October 15, 2014
You know that feeling that there is some deeper meaning in what you're doing right now? Like the universe is trying to tell you something? I read this guy's words and see so much that is hidden and waiting for me to discover. Like he's teaching you about baptism, but underneath he's talking about how you feel empowered when you know you're doing what's right. I feel a kindred spirit with this guy, he's a lifelong learner and wants to be an influence for good. This man was a prophet, and this book is full of great teachings and experiences.
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September 27, 2021I enjoyed reading this book. I really liked some of the stories, especially the miraculous ones. I didn't read every section, but I read a lot of them and felt like I learned a lot of new information about Lorenzo Snow and church history.
The quotation format is sometimes disjointed. I would like it if the chapters flowed better, although the chapter based on the tract he wrote on his mission is excellent.
The quotation format is sometimes disjointed. I would like it if the chapters flowed better, although the chapter based on the tract he wrote on his mission is excellent.
December 15, 2013
I have really enjoyed this year's study on the life and teachings of Lorenzo Snow. There were many things I had not known about him previously to this year (such as his desire for higher learning and commitment to life-long learning) that I appreciated getting to know. I always come away after reading the lessons inspired to try my hardest to follow the Saviour's example!
December 19, 2013
The church has done an excellent job in producing great books that make you want to live your life better. Lorenzo Snow shares a lot of great personal experiences from his life and the teachings he provides are appreciable. These books really are worth the time to read instead of only participating in discussions at church.
October 28, 2013
I am fortunate that I teach from this book. I knew very little about this Prophet of God. I love him! He was filled with power. He healed the sick and even raised a girl from the dead. He was so eloquent in his language. I enjoy reading about him because he presents ideas in such a new light. What an inspiration for me and he had some great one liners.
February 26, 2014
My favorite parts were chapter 6: "Becoming Perfect before the Lord: 'A Little Better Day by Day' ", and chapter 5: "The Grand Destiny of the Faithful." It's not an easy path, but faithful or not, life has hard spots. The difference is between joy and regret. So, I study the teachings of the prophets so that I will be better at doing what they say.
October 6, 2013
Because I am serving in the Primary in my LDS Ward, I was negligent in reading this Relief Society manual. Then when I was facing a dilemma a friend asked if I had read a certain lesson in this manual. I went to the manual and read the lesson she suggested, and it was the exact answer I needed. I decided it was time for me to catch up and read all the lessons. What a blessing!
December 22, 2013
I enjoyed this lesson manual for the Priesthood and Relief Society. I think Lorenzo Snow is a very interesting man. He personally knew Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yet he lived until 1901. He has an interesting way of relating his testimony and experiences. I have read all 24 lessons and been to most of the classes that they were presented.
January 19, 2014
Presents a very clear understanding and explanations of the restored gospel.
Lorenzo Snow was the last President of the Church who knew the Prophet Joseph Smith, was called as an Apostle under his direction, and who was tutored personally by him.
Lorenzo Snow was the last President of the Church who knew the Prophet Joseph Smith, was called as an Apostle under his direction, and who was tutored personally by him.
January 6, 2014
I am so glad we are able to learn from all of our prophets through these manuals! Lorenzo Snow was an amazing man and an incredible example of faith and righteousness. I loved his teachings; they truly came from his heart.
July 13, 2013
I know this is a lesson book, but I couldn't stop reading and so ended up finishing it. This book is filled with gems of wisdom from a Prophet of God. I was uplifted and inspired by the teachings in this manual.
March 23, 2015
Excellent doctrinal treatises on a variety of topics by the 5th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I really enjoyed the time I spent reading it and I look forward to the church lessons based on the various chapters through the rest of this year (2013).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews