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To My Friends: Messages of Counsel and Comfort
"If you need a burden lifted, I want you to imagine I am in a personal, private, closed-door chat with you. I want to help you if I can." With those words, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland invites every reader of his latest book to become a friend, to receive instruction and encouragement, counsel and comfort.
Elder Holland addresses these powerful messages "to my friends who love the Lord," "to my friends who want to change," "to my friends who face opposition," and more. Each chapter begins with a beautifully designed quotation to help convey the message in an artistic way, making the book a lovely gift for friends to share. Throughout, Elder Holland's powerful witness of the Savior shines through, for, as he writes, "I am grateful for the greatest friend any of us could ever have, in time or eternity, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Elder Holland addresses these powerful messages "to my friends who love the Lord," "to my friends who want to change," "to my friends who face opposition," and more. Each chapter begins with a beautifully designed quotation to help convey the message in an artistic way, making the book a lovely gift for friends to share. Throughout, Elder Holland's powerful witness of the Savior shines through, for, as he writes, "I am grateful for the greatest friend any of us could ever have, in time or eternity, the Lord Jesus Christ."
264 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2014
67 people are currently reading
677 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey R. Holland
44 books331 followersElder Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 23 June 1994. At the time of this call, Elder Holland was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he had been called on 1 April 1989. A native of St. George, Utah, he has spent most of his professional life in Church education. He received his bachelor and master degrees from Brigham Young University and a master degree and Ph.D. from Yale University.
From 1980 until his call as a General Authority in 1989, Elder Holland served as president of Brigham Young University. He is a former Church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
Elder Holland is the author of several books, one of which he co-authored with his wife, Patricia. They were married in 1963 and are the parents of three children and the grandparents of 12 grandchildren.
From 1980 until his call as a General Authority in 1989, Elder Holland served as president of Brigham Young University. He is a former Church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
Elder Holland is the author of several books, one of which he co-authored with his wife, Patricia. They were married in 1963 and are the parents of three children and the grandparents of 12 grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
March 12, 2015
I love the words of Elder Holland and this book is fantastic!! This book is a compilation of 21 talks he has given through the years. Each one addresses a different topic. I went through first and read the ones that I felt I needed to hear. Each time I would finish, I thought that was the best talk of his I'd ever read, until I finished reading the next one. Then I read the rest--the ones I didn't feel as strong of a connection to, and found that I needed all that comfort and counsel, too!
Some of these were familiar to me as I had heard them before. I liked that there were some I hadn't heard yet because they were given at devotionals and other meetings.
This is a beautiful book which will make a great gift for anyone. Each chapter starts with a quote. I love all of these talks and it's too hard to pin down my favorite one. One of the chapters includes a talk he gave with his wife, Patricia T. Holland, at BYU Women's Conference on April 28, 1994, entitled, "Considering Covenants: Women, Men, Perspective, Promises."
This is a book I will read again and again. They do indeed bring comfort and give wonderful counsel. I felt uplifted, inspired and hopeful at the end of each chapter. This is a book that everyone will benefit from reading!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Some of these were familiar to me as I had heard them before. I liked that there were some I hadn't heard yet because they were given at devotionals and other meetings.
This is a beautiful book which will make a great gift for anyone. Each chapter starts with a quote. I love all of these talks and it's too hard to pin down my favorite one. One of the chapters includes a talk he gave with his wife, Patricia T. Holland, at BYU Women's Conference on April 28, 1994, entitled, "Considering Covenants: Women, Men, Perspective, Promises."
This is a book I will read again and again. They do indeed bring comfort and give wonderful counsel. I felt uplifted, inspired and hopeful at the end of each chapter. This is a book that everyone will benefit from reading!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
May 13, 2019
I loved this book so much. This is a collection of talks given by Elder Holland over many years. They are organized within this collection to meet a specific need or condition of the heart. I think I felt the need of every one of these appeals to have more faith, more hope, more charity, more forgiveness of myself and for others. I could hear Elder Holland’s voice as I read each talk and have thought deeply about the truths shared. I have underlined so many passages. I will study this collection again and strive very hard to live these truths in my life.
February 24, 2015
Jeffrey R. Holland is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This book is a collection of 21 talks he has given over the years in General Conference, devotionals, and firesides. It is another in what appears to be a growing collection of books full of talks by apostles.
The book is small enough to carry around with you, and nice, thick paper was used. It was probably intended to be the sort of book you might give as a gift. Each talk begins with a full-page quote decoration, similar to what is currently popular on social media sites. There is no introduction, but there is an index.
Many subjects are covered, from grace to opposition to chastity to mental illness. Many of Elder Holland’s most loved talks are here, such as “Remember Lot’s Wife,” “The First Great Commandment,” “Like a Broken Vessel,” and “None Were With Him.” However, one of his most famous talks, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments” is not included.
Most of these talks are available online (although the versions in the book have some minor changes), but this book is a convenient collection. It is likely not meant to be read from cover to cover in one sitting, but it is nice to be able to sit down and enjoy one talk at a time, perhaps even chosen at random.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes that I picked out as I read it:
“I testify from the bottom of my heart, with the intensity of my soul, to all who can hear my voice that those apostolic keys have been restored to the earth, and they are found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To those who have not yet joined with us in this great final cause of Christ, we say, ‘Please come.’ To those who were once with us but have retreated, preferring to pick and choose a few cultural hors d’oeuvres from the smorgasbord of the Restoration and leave the rest of the feast, I say that I fear you face a lot of long nights and empty nets. The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand. I include in that call to fixed faithfulness every returned missionary who ever stood in a baptismal font and with arm to the square said, ‘Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ.’ That commission was to have changed your convert forever, but it was surely supposed to have changed you forever as well. To the youth of the Church rising up to missions and temples and marriage, we say: ‘Love God and remain clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have a monumental work to do. Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life.’” (pages 6-7)
“Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt – and certainly not to feel envious – when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.” (page 29)
“At the zenith of His mortal ministry, Jesus said, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ To make certain they understood exactly what kind of love that was, He said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ and ‘whosoever… shall break one of [the] least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be… the least in the kingdom of heaven.’ Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. So if love is to be our watchword, as it must be, then by the word of Him who is love personified, we must forsake transgression and any hint of advocacy for it in others. Jesus clearly understood what many in our modern culture seem to forget: that there is a crucial difference between the commandment to forgive sin (which He had an infinite capacity to do) and the warning against condoning it (which He never ever did even once).” (page 118)
“There’s a lot to worry about in life. But it’s always been that way. Don’t think you’ve been singled out for some particular burden at a uniquely troublesome time in the history of the world. It’s always been a troubling time in the history of the world. This is a fallen world. This is not the celestial kingdom; this is the telestial kingdom. It’s mortal, and it’s filled with thorns and thistles and noxious weeds at local, national, and international levels, at home and abroad, in private and in public.” (page 174)
“Whatever your struggle – mental or emotional or physical or otherwise – do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are ‘like a broken vessel,’ as the Psalmist says, we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind.” (page 192)
I would definitely recommend this book to those who think Elder Holland gives the best General Conference talks (as seen in a recent Internet meme), but anyone who could use a little bit of encouragement or counsel in their day-to-day life from an apostle could find something here. I felt inspired and uplifted as I read it, and it is a welcome addition to my family’s library.
The book is small enough to carry around with you, and nice, thick paper was used. It was probably intended to be the sort of book you might give as a gift. Each talk begins with a full-page quote decoration, similar to what is currently popular on social media sites. There is no introduction, but there is an index.
Many subjects are covered, from grace to opposition to chastity to mental illness. Many of Elder Holland’s most loved talks are here, such as “Remember Lot’s Wife,” “The First Great Commandment,” “Like a Broken Vessel,” and “None Were With Him.” However, one of his most famous talks, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments” is not included.
Most of these talks are available online (although the versions in the book have some minor changes), but this book is a convenient collection. It is likely not meant to be read from cover to cover in one sitting, but it is nice to be able to sit down and enjoy one talk at a time, perhaps even chosen at random.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes that I picked out as I read it:
“I testify from the bottom of my heart, with the intensity of my soul, to all who can hear my voice that those apostolic keys have been restored to the earth, and they are found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To those who have not yet joined with us in this great final cause of Christ, we say, ‘Please come.’ To those who were once with us but have retreated, preferring to pick and choose a few cultural hors d’oeuvres from the smorgasbord of the Restoration and leave the rest of the feast, I say that I fear you face a lot of long nights and empty nets. The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand. I include in that call to fixed faithfulness every returned missionary who ever stood in a baptismal font and with arm to the square said, ‘Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ.’ That commission was to have changed your convert forever, but it was surely supposed to have changed you forever as well. To the youth of the Church rising up to missions and temples and marriage, we say: ‘Love God and remain clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have a monumental work to do. Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life.’” (pages 6-7)
“Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt – and certainly not to feel envious – when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.” (page 29)
“At the zenith of His mortal ministry, Jesus said, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ To make certain they understood exactly what kind of love that was, He said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ and ‘whosoever… shall break one of [the] least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be… the least in the kingdom of heaven.’ Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. So if love is to be our watchword, as it must be, then by the word of Him who is love personified, we must forsake transgression and any hint of advocacy for it in others. Jesus clearly understood what many in our modern culture seem to forget: that there is a crucial difference between the commandment to forgive sin (which He had an infinite capacity to do) and the warning against condoning it (which He never ever did even once).” (page 118)
“There’s a lot to worry about in life. But it’s always been that way. Don’t think you’ve been singled out for some particular burden at a uniquely troublesome time in the history of the world. It’s always been a troubling time in the history of the world. This is a fallen world. This is not the celestial kingdom; this is the telestial kingdom. It’s mortal, and it’s filled with thorns and thistles and noxious weeds at local, national, and international levels, at home and abroad, in private and in public.” (page 174)
“Whatever your struggle – mental or emotional or physical or otherwise – do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it! Trust in God. Hold on in His love. Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are ‘like a broken vessel,’ as the Psalmist says, we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter. Broken minds can be healed just the way broken bones and broken hearts are healed. While God is at work making those repairs, the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental, and kind.” (page 192)
I would definitely recommend this book to those who think Elder Holland gives the best General Conference talks (as seen in a recent Internet meme), but anyone who could use a little bit of encouragement or counsel in their day-to-day life from an apostle could find something here. I felt inspired and uplifted as I read it, and it is a welcome addition to my family’s library.
December 6, 2020
Some beautiful and inspirational thoughts though very much focused on people in the church in the United States. I appreciated his focus on God as being loving and ever present.
March 6, 2015
It's fun for me to read a book where I can hear the voice of the writer in my head. That adds to the whole idea of sitting down in a room and having chat with Elder Holland.
Elder Holland is a speaker that I enjoy listening to. I love to listen to him speak and then read his talks. He has a talent of reaching my heart and mind.
This book has 21 chapters that range in topics. He writes them to his friends who want to move forward, of other faiths, who seek and share love, who would be clean, who feel alone. There are a few of the chapter topics.
You can sit down and read this book at once, or take each chapter individually and savor it over a period of time. This book has a beautiful presentation. At the beginning of each chapter color graphics can be found. They add a nice touch.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
Elder Holland is a speaker that I enjoy listening to. I love to listen to him speak and then read his talks. He has a talent of reaching my heart and mind.
This book has 21 chapters that range in topics. He writes them to his friends who want to move forward, of other faiths, who seek and share love, who would be clean, who feel alone. There are a few of the chapter topics.
You can sit down and read this book at once, or take each chapter individually and savor it over a period of time. This book has a beautiful presentation. At the beginning of each chapter color graphics can be found. They add a nice touch.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 31, 2014
This book is a direct answer to many recent prayers. I feel a renewal of hope and peace, along with the comfort of knowing that sometimes "be still" is the best course of action. I love that the messages are tailored to anyone, but are written to individuals.
February 15, 2015
I LOVE Elder Holland and these selections are some of my favorite talks. He is so inspiring!!! I especially loved the talks I hadn't heard in general conference such as lessons from liberty jail and living after the manner of happiness. This book is VERY inspiring!
November 18, 2015
I took my sweet time with this and savored it through the year. I love the way Elder Holland teaches, it always feels so personal and loving.
February 5, 2024
My first time attempting church literature and I’m obsessed. I feel like this book could help a lot of people and I wish it was talked about more.
March 25, 2015
This book came right when I needed it. I knew the material wasn't new, but the messages within were still truly heartfelt and touching. Elder Holland has always been a favorite apostle of mine to listen to at General Conference and during the year. I even have a picture of a quote of his on my phone. This book not only has beautiful messages, it is beautiful to look at. Most of the chapters had me in tears, knowing the truth and power of the words I was reading. Each chapter has a message with a lovely quote that I can imagine Elder Holland speaking himself. I had many favorites, but this one struck me the most.
"The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours (real or imagined) fall away in the abundance of the final reward." (page 26)
5 out of 5 stars. This book is something your whole family can read and treasure together. Maybe not all of the messages will apply to everyone, but I promise you it is worth the read.
I received a hardback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
"The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours (real or imagined) fall away in the abundance of the final reward." (page 26)
5 out of 5 stars. This book is something your whole family can read and treasure together. Maybe not all of the messages will apply to everyone, but I promise you it is worth the read.
I received a hardback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2015
What a wonderful book! I just wanted to savor every word of the great counsel Elder Holland had to offer in each chapter. Reading this book daily gave my spiritual life a big boost. I just felt uplifted and that I could handle anything with the principles that he taught in this book. I didn't want it to end, but I couldn't read it fast enough at the same time. Jeffrey Holland is a deep thinker, a compassionate soul, a wonderful teacher, and humble person. I love his writings and hope to live by them forever. I am thankful for his taking time to share with the world his teachings of the gospel and the Savior. I could feel his love for Jesus Christ through the spirit of this book, and the things he taught.
January 1, 2015
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I picked it up without looking into it much because it was Elder Holland, and I felt I should get it. However, it is mostly copies of different conference talks. I love that it is all in one place, because I can always use a pick-me-up from Elder Holland. But just know in advance what this one is. There are a few 'extras' in here that I had not read/heard before. Of course, Elder Holland is always inspiring. Such a powerful speaker/teacher.
March 9, 2015
Lovely compilation of sermons and talks from General Conference and other venues. More coherent than many compilations, with different audiences but similar values throughout. Elder Holland's voice and personality come through clearly.
He is very cautious in scriptural interpretation - almost to a fault he begs the reader's indulgence when offering a personal interpretation or colloquial reading. That's okay - better to be careful than to have someone take it as God's One True Reading!
He is very cautious in scriptural interpretation - almost to a fault he begs the reader's indulgence when offering a personal interpretation or colloquial reading. That's okay - better to be careful than to have someone take it as God's One True Reading!
January 24, 2015
This compilation is powerful, because Elder Holland's words are inspired and truthful. I feel lifted and encouraged after having read this, and recommend it to all.
I had heard or read many of the addresses before, but not all. And reading them together gave me a new understanding of the principles he teaches.
I had heard or read many of the addresses before, but not all. And reading them together gave me a new understanding of the principles he teaches.
April 1, 2016
"If you need a burden lifted, I want you to imagine I am in a personal, private, closed-door chat with you. I want to help you if I can." With those words, Elder Holland invites ever reader of his latest book to become a friend, to receive instruction and encouragement, counsel and comfort.
Read
July 31, 2015love his words of advice and comfort
January 5, 2016
This book was an expanded version of many of his world class speeches, articles, talks, etc. If you ever wished he had just a bit more time, this book is your wish come true.
May 21, 2015
This is a wonderful book! It's a compilation of some of Elder Holland's classic talks. I particularly love the way it's organized and how the focus and theme of the book is that these words are for his friends. You can feel that in each talk - a great love for those he is talking to in very specific ways. This book is for his friends who...love the Lord, want to change, long to believe, seek to build Zion, wish to be true disciples of Christ, face temptation, suffer, seek happiness, feel alone, stand as witnesses (to name a few).
For some reason the four talks that seemed to be most important to me now were to his friends who seek to build Zion ( Israel, Israel, God is Calling ), who seek and share love ( How Do I Love Thee? ), who seek happiness ( Living After the Manner of Happiness ), and for whom I am so grateful ( Because of Your Faith ).
Here are a few other quotes I love:
"A friend may well be the masterpiece of creation (Ralph Waldo Emerson)."
"After an encounter with the living Son of the living God nothing is ever again to be as it was before (p. 0)."
"'Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn't it obvious then and isn't it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples--and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task....It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world (p. 5).'"
"We all have need to repent, and we all have the obligation to forgive. True friends, magnanimous friends, genuine Latter-day Saint friends will help each other do that (p. 24)."
"We are not diminished when someone else is added upon (p. 29)."
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don't have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines (p. 31)."
"So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven't made them, make them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time. Please listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don't delay. It's getting late (p. 33)."
"You can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life--in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced (p. 40)."
"It has always been a wonderful testimony to me of the Prophet Joseph's greatness and the greatness of all of our prophets, including and especially the Savior of the world in His magnificence, and in the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable and forgiving--that they could even talk that way, let alone live that way. But they could, and they did. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. Indeed, they knew that the real test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are not going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we're made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is (p. 49)."
"I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited (p. 57)."
"So be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we (p. 59)."
"Forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe (p. 61)."
"I believe that second only to your membership in the Church, your "membership in marriage" is the most important association you will have in time and eternity (p. 63)."
"The first element of divine love--pure love--taught by these two prophets is its kindness, its selfless quality, its lack of ego and vanity and consuming self-centeredness. 'Charity suffereth long, and is kind, [charity] envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own (p. 65).'"
"Love is a fragile things, and some elements in life can try to break it. Much damage can be done if we are not in tender hands, caring hands. To give ourselves totally to another person as we do in marriage is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith, faith all of us must be willing to exercise. If we do it right, we end up sharing everything--all our hopes, all our fears, all our dreams, all our weaknesses--with another person (p. 66)."
"Of course such Christlike staying power in romance and marriage requires more than any of us really have. It requires something more, an endowment from heaven. Remember Mormon's promise--that such love, the love we each yearn for and cling to, is 'bestowed' upon 'true followers of...Christ.' You want capability and safety in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus; be genuine, committed word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance because it does. Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way 'never faileth (p. 73).'"
"You never 'check your religion at the door.' Not ever (p. 101)."
"There is a sheepfold, and we are all supposed to be in it, to say nothing of the safety and blessings that come to us for being there. This Church can never 'dumb down' its doctrine in response to social goodwill or political expediency or any other reason. It is only the high ground of revealed truth that gives us any footing on which to lift another who may feel troubled or forsaken. Our compassion and our love--fundamental characteristics and requirements of our Christianity--must never be interpreted as compromising the commandments (p. 104)."
"If we do not take gospel blessings to our communities and our countries, the simple fact of the matter is we will never have enough policemen...to enforce moral behavior even if it were enforceable. And it isn't (p. 108)."
"If we do right and talk right and reach out generously with our words and our deeds, then when the Savior cuts short His work in righteousness, says time is no more in this last, great dispensation, and then comes in His glory, He will find us--you and me and all of us--doing our best, trying to live the gospel, trying to improve our lives and our Church and our society the best way we can. When He comes, I so want to be caught living the gospel. I want to be surprised right in the act of spreading the faith and doing something good. I want the Savior to say to me: 'Jeffrey'--because He knows all of our names--'I recognize you not by your title but by your life, the way you are trying to live and the standards you are trying to defend. I see the integrity of your heart. I know you have tried to make things better first and foremost by being better yourself, and then by declaring my word and defending my gospel to others in the most compassionate way you could. I know you weren't always successful, with your own sins or the circumstances of others, but I believe you honestly tried. I believe in your heart you truly loved me (p. 109).'"
"Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them (p. 112)."
"Pure Christlke love flowing from true righteousness can change the world (p. 118)."
"Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve (p. 148)."
"'We are not going back. We are not going home. The future holds everything for us (p. 152, Sister Holland).'"
"Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come.' Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever (p. 153)."
"In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you (p. 156)."
"Not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with--here, now, every day (p. 162)."
"God knows what you need. He wants you to pray about what you need, and He wants you to work for it. But mostly He wants you to believe He can and will provide (p. 172)."
"Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and remember that the troubles of this day are enough. Don't worry about yesterday, and don't worry about tomorrow (p. 178)."
"'Is every Christian expected to bear witness? A man content to bear no witness to the truth is not in the kingdom of heaven. One who believes must bear witness. One who sees the truth, must live witnessing to it. Is our life, then, a witnessing to the truth? Do we carry ourselves in bank, on farm, in house or shop, in study or chamber or workshop, as the Lord would, or as the Lord would not? Are we careful to be true?....The soul that loves the truth and tries to be true will know when to speak and when to be silent; but the true man [or woman] will never look as if he did not care. We are not bound to say all we think, but we are bound not even to look what we do not think (p. 179, George MacDonald).'"
"I testify that the victory is already recorded. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. This is the true and living Church. Those are facts. It doesn't matter whether you or I agree or don't agree--that is simply the truth. And now we're called to align our lives with those great, grand principles of this dispensation....Be true and faithful. Live your religion. Stand straight and firm (p. 184)."
"'That love [Heavenly Father's love] never changes...It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there (p. 189, President Thomas S. Monson).'"
"What a promise! Live my way, live my truth, live my life--live in this manner that I am showing you and teaching you--and whatsoever you ask will be given, whatsoever you seek you will find, including happiness (p. 199)."
"'Happiness if found only along that well beaten [gospel] track, narrow as it is,...[and] straight [as it is], which leads to eternal life (p. 199, President David O. McKay).'"
"'Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be (p. 200, Abraham Lincoln).'"
"God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: 'Whosoever treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived'--and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you (p. 217)."
"My testimony is that nothing in this universe is more important to Him than your hopes and happiness (p. 222)."
"Our covenants are our protection. Our strength will be in the Lord (p. 234)."
"To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help enrich, to protect, and to guard the home--which is society's basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife....We have grown strong as a people because our mothers and our women have [made us so]. That ennobling quality must not be lost (p. 243)."
For some reason the four talks that seemed to be most important to me now were to his friends who seek to build Zion ( Israel, Israel, God is Calling ), who seek and share love ( How Do I Love Thee? ), who seek happiness ( Living After the Manner of Happiness ), and for whom I am so grateful ( Because of Your Faith ).
Here are a few other quotes I love:
"A friend may well be the masterpiece of creation (Ralph Waldo Emerson)."
"After an encounter with the living Son of the living God nothing is ever again to be as it was before (p. 0)."
"'Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn't it obvious then and isn't it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples--and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task....It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world (p. 5).'"
"We all have need to repent, and we all have the obligation to forgive. True friends, magnanimous friends, genuine Latter-day Saint friends will help each other do that (p. 24)."
"We are not diminished when someone else is added upon (p. 29)."
"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don't have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines (p. 31)."
"So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven't made them, make them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time. Please listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don't delay. It's getting late (p. 33)."
"You can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experiences with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life--in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced (p. 40)."
"It has always been a wonderful testimony to me of the Prophet Joseph's greatness and the greatness of all of our prophets, including and especially the Savior of the world in His magnificence, and in the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable and forgiving--that they could even talk that way, let alone live that way. But they could, and they did. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. Indeed, they knew that the real test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are not going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we're made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is (p. 49)."
"I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited (p. 57)."
"So be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we (p. 59)."
"Forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe (p. 61)."
"I believe that second only to your membership in the Church, your "membership in marriage" is the most important association you will have in time and eternity (p. 63)."
"The first element of divine love--pure love--taught by these two prophets is its kindness, its selfless quality, its lack of ego and vanity and consuming self-centeredness. 'Charity suffereth long, and is kind, [charity] envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own (p. 65).'"
"Love is a fragile things, and some elements in life can try to break it. Much damage can be done if we are not in tender hands, caring hands. To give ourselves totally to another person as we do in marriage is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith, faith all of us must be willing to exercise. If we do it right, we end up sharing everything--all our hopes, all our fears, all our dreams, all our weaknesses--with another person (p. 66)."
"Of course such Christlike staying power in romance and marriage requires more than any of us really have. It requires something more, an endowment from heaven. Remember Mormon's promise--that such love, the love we each yearn for and cling to, is 'bestowed' upon 'true followers of...Christ.' You want capability and safety in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus; be genuine, committed word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance because it does. Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way 'never faileth (p. 73).'"
"You never 'check your religion at the door.' Not ever (p. 101)."
"There is a sheepfold, and we are all supposed to be in it, to say nothing of the safety and blessings that come to us for being there. This Church can never 'dumb down' its doctrine in response to social goodwill or political expediency or any other reason. It is only the high ground of revealed truth that gives us any footing on which to lift another who may feel troubled or forsaken. Our compassion and our love--fundamental characteristics and requirements of our Christianity--must never be interpreted as compromising the commandments (p. 104)."
"If we do not take gospel blessings to our communities and our countries, the simple fact of the matter is we will never have enough policemen...to enforce moral behavior even if it were enforceable. And it isn't (p. 108)."
"If we do right and talk right and reach out generously with our words and our deeds, then when the Savior cuts short His work in righteousness, says time is no more in this last, great dispensation, and then comes in His glory, He will find us--you and me and all of us--doing our best, trying to live the gospel, trying to improve our lives and our Church and our society the best way we can. When He comes, I so want to be caught living the gospel. I want to be surprised right in the act of spreading the faith and doing something good. I want the Savior to say to me: 'Jeffrey'--because He knows all of our names--'I recognize you not by your title but by your life, the way you are trying to live and the standards you are trying to defend. I see the integrity of your heart. I know you have tried to make things better first and foremost by being better yourself, and then by declaring my word and defending my gospel to others in the most compassionate way you could. I know you weren't always successful, with your own sins or the circumstances of others, but I believe you honestly tried. I believe in your heart you truly loved me (p. 109).'"
"Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them (p. 112)."
"Pure Christlke love flowing from true righteousness can change the world (p. 118)."
"Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve (p. 148)."
"'We are not going back. We are not going home. The future holds everything for us (p. 152, Sister Holland).'"
"Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come.' Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever (p. 153)."
"In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you (p. 156)."
"Not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with--here, now, every day (p. 162)."
"God knows what you need. He wants you to pray about what you need, and He wants you to work for it. But mostly He wants you to believe He can and will provide (p. 172)."
"Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and remember that the troubles of this day are enough. Don't worry about yesterday, and don't worry about tomorrow (p. 178)."
"'Is every Christian expected to bear witness? A man content to bear no witness to the truth is not in the kingdom of heaven. One who believes must bear witness. One who sees the truth, must live witnessing to it. Is our life, then, a witnessing to the truth? Do we carry ourselves in bank, on farm, in house or shop, in study or chamber or workshop, as the Lord would, or as the Lord would not? Are we careful to be true?....The soul that loves the truth and tries to be true will know when to speak and when to be silent; but the true man [or woman] will never look as if he did not care. We are not bound to say all we think, but we are bound not even to look what we do not think (p. 179, George MacDonald).'"
"I testify that the victory is already recorded. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. This is the true and living Church. Those are facts. It doesn't matter whether you or I agree or don't agree--that is simply the truth. And now we're called to align our lives with those great, grand principles of this dispensation....Be true and faithful. Live your religion. Stand straight and firm (p. 184)."
"'That love [Heavenly Father's love] never changes...It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there (p. 189, President Thomas S. Monson).'"
"What a promise! Live my way, live my truth, live my life--live in this manner that I am showing you and teaching you--and whatsoever you ask will be given, whatsoever you seek you will find, including happiness (p. 199)."
"'Happiness if found only along that well beaten [gospel] track, narrow as it is,...[and] straight [as it is], which leads to eternal life (p. 199, President David O. McKay).'"
"'Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their minds to be (p. 200, Abraham Lincoln).'"
"God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: 'Whosoever treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived'--and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you (p. 217)."
"My testimony is that nothing in this universe is more important to Him than your hopes and happiness (p. 222)."
"Our covenants are our protection. Our strength will be in the Lord (p. 234)."
"To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help enrich, to protect, and to guard the home--which is society's basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife....We have grown strong as a people because our mothers and our women have [made us so]. That ennobling quality must not be lost (p. 243)."
October 24, 2015
Love Elder Holland! Such a powerful teacher!
November 30, 2019
Elder Holland, a contemporary apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ranks very highly on a list of those I most admire. His life has been spent as an academic and a full-time witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This book of essays, all addresses he has given in general conferences, Institute of Religion presentations, Church Educational System firesides and devotionals, BYU devotionals, BYU Women's Conference, and a national meeting of Christian evangelical leaders.
Here are some favorite quotes...
On facing opposition: "It has always been a wonderful testimony to me of the Prophet Joseph's greatness and the greatness of all of our prophets, including and especially the Savior of the world in His magnificence, that in the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable and forgiving - that they could even talk that way, let alone live that way. But they could, and they did. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew that we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. Indeed, they knew that the rest test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are not going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we're made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is." p 49
"Remaining true to our Christian principles is the only way we can have divine influence to help us. The Spirit has a near-impossible task to get through to a heart that is filled with hate or anger or vengeance or self-pity. Those are all antithetical to the Spirit of the Lord. On the other hand, the Spirit finds instant access to a heart striving to be charitable and forgiving, long-suffering and kind - principles of true discipleship." p 50
On seeking and sharing love: "Bear up and be strong. Be hopeful and believing. Some things in life we have no control over. These have to be endured. Some disappointments have to be lived with in love and marriage. These are not things anyone wants in life but sometimes they come. And when they come, we have to bear them, we have to believe, we have to hope for an end to such sorrows and difficulty, we have to endure until things come right in the end." p 71
On seeking to build Zion: "When He comes, I so want to be caught living the gospel. I want to be surprised right in the act of spreading the faith and doing something good." p 109
To those who want to move forward: "To yearn to go back to a world that cannot be lived in now; to be perennially dissatisfied with present circumstances and have only dismal views of the future; to miss the here-and-now-and-tomorrow because we are so trapped in the there-and-then-and-yesterday - these are... sins..." p 147
On standing as a witness of Christ: "We keep moving and we keep climbing and we keep trying and we keep believing." p 181
To those who have made covenants within the Church: "We should give gratitude from the depths of our soul for 'a plan of happiness' that provides for escape from every personal mistake we have ever made and every dumb thing we have ever done." p225
This book of essays, all addresses he has given in general conferences, Institute of Religion presentations, Church Educational System firesides and devotionals, BYU devotionals, BYU Women's Conference, and a national meeting of Christian evangelical leaders.
Here are some favorite quotes...
On facing opposition: "It has always been a wonderful testimony to me of the Prophet Joseph's greatness and the greatness of all of our prophets, including and especially the Savior of the world in His magnificence, that in the midst of such distress and difficulty they could remain calm and patient, charitable and forgiving - that they could even talk that way, let alone live that way. But they could, and they did. They remembered their covenants, they disciplined themselves, and they knew that we must live the gospel at all times, not just when it is convenient and not just when things are going well. Indeed, they knew that the rest test of our faith and our Christian discipleship is when things are not going smoothly. That is when we get to see what we're made of and how strong our commitment to the gospel really is." p 49
"Remaining true to our Christian principles is the only way we can have divine influence to help us. The Spirit has a near-impossible task to get through to a heart that is filled with hate or anger or vengeance or self-pity. Those are all antithetical to the Spirit of the Lord. On the other hand, the Spirit finds instant access to a heart striving to be charitable and forgiving, long-suffering and kind - principles of true discipleship." p 50
On seeking and sharing love: "Bear up and be strong. Be hopeful and believing. Some things in life we have no control over. These have to be endured. Some disappointments have to be lived with in love and marriage. These are not things anyone wants in life but sometimes they come. And when they come, we have to bear them, we have to believe, we have to hope for an end to such sorrows and difficulty, we have to endure until things come right in the end." p 71
On seeking to build Zion: "When He comes, I so want to be caught living the gospel. I want to be surprised right in the act of spreading the faith and doing something good." p 109
To those who want to move forward: "To yearn to go back to a world that cannot be lived in now; to be perennially dissatisfied with present circumstances and have only dismal views of the future; to miss the here-and-now-and-tomorrow because we are so trapped in the there-and-then-and-yesterday - these are... sins..." p 147
On standing as a witness of Christ: "We keep moving and we keep climbing and we keep trying and we keep believing." p 181
To those who have made covenants within the Church: "We should give gratitude from the depths of our soul for 'a plan of happiness' that provides for escape from every personal mistake we have ever made and every dumb thing we have ever done." p225
January 26, 2018
It'd be easy to say that this is "just" a collection of Elder Holland's notable talks (not all of them, but a fair number). Sometimes, it's nice to have a set of great talks by a great leader and teacher in one place. Elder Holland has a way of being encouraging and comforting while also pointing out some things you could be doing better - not just that, but you want to try to do better. It's not a guilt-trip or anything like that. That's one of the goals I have for my own gospel teaching - I don't want to just go on a laundry list of "do this, don't do that." I'd like to be able to inspire people to improve while also celebrating the good they've already accomplished. This book - and Elder Holland's teaching in general - is a fantastic example of that.
October 23, 2018
Beautiful inspiring words to comfort and direct us in these latter days.
"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and...look for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a stare of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness..., to stay afloat on top of it." ~Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it." ~Joseph Smith
"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and...look for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a stare of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness..., to stay afloat on top of it." ~Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it." ~Joseph Smith
March 10, 2018
This absolutely wonderful book includes chapters adapted from some of Elder Holland's talks in LDS General Conference and others adapted from devotionals at BYU, BYU-Idaho, and in other venues. Elder Holland has such a way with words and ideas, and I had to restrain myself to read only one chapter at a time so that I could appreciate each chapter more fully and so the book would not end too soon. Comforting, inspiring, hopeful, Christ-centered--all good things. Highly recommended.
November 28, 2020
As always, Elder Holland does not disappoint. His profound apostolic message reaches the hearts of everyone this book touches. He speaks of subjects that effect everyone. And while, not every chapter spoke to me as much as others in this stage of my life, I know for a fact that those chapters will speak to me in other stages in my life when other trials may appear. This is a book of life-long reading, throughout the many trials that this world may throw at each one of us.
June 27, 2021
I Usually do not like books that are just a collection of previous talks given. This one felt different to me though. I am not sure why. Is it the personal nature of Jeffrey R Holland, Is it the fact that talks were chosen from various places, not just General Conference, so I hadn't heard some of them, or maybe it was the ways they were grouped together. Whatever the case, I really liked reading this book. My daughter gave it to me as a present, so I own it. I am so glad.
October 20, 2017
So many excellent points made about all the good things life can offer when we choose to follow the Savior and do everything we can to choose to live like him. Elder Holland literally touches on every possible concern and question regarding the joys and sorrows of life and gives wonderful advice that can make a difference if we choose to believe and act. Everyone should read this. Loved it.
March 17, 2024
This book was a compilation of President Holland best talks. He is so expressive in his writing. Oh, how I wish that I could write like President Holland. The best part about this book are his insights into the realm of struggle. I also really appreciated an example he used in the book about happiness, and how to obtain it.
August 12, 2017
Although this was "just" a collection of talks that can be found other places, I loved the way they were assembled and presented. They were fantastic talks, too. Reading these talks back to back, I felt like the author was a friend and understood me. Recommended.
September 10, 2017
Elder Holland is one of my favorite speakers and this book gave me a chance to revisit many of my favorite talks and discover a few new ones. His voice is one of compassion that inspires without being cliche, comforts with humor, and corrects with mercy.
June 30, 2018
When I got this book to read I didn't realize that it was a whole bunch of his Elder Holland's talks compiled into a book. I had read/heard a good portion of them before, but I love Elder Holland's talks and enjoyed reading them.
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