Principles and promises: Stepping stones to the kingdom

by Larry H. Peer, Larry H. Reer

118 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve ideas: Larry Peer searches one per chapter, holding each idea up to a kind of scrutiny: definition vs. practice. I find Peer both generous and exacting, which is precisely how I experienced the handful of delightful Comparative Literature classes (undergraduate) I took from him 30+ years ago. A BYU professor, Peer, like many teachers there, were typically called "Brother" by their students. I did not call him "Brother Peer." I called him "Dr. Peer" because he was Mr. Comp. Lit. to me, thorough and challenging in his academic discipline. I related to him as a fledgling academic, not a church member. He was positive and a fine academic coach, in my opinion. So when I saw this 115 page book on religion awhile ago, I was curious: I hadn't known him in an ecclesiastical context (though he served in the LDS Church as a BYU bishop, probably more than once)--would I recognize the author? I am delighted with my reading of Bishop Peer's ideas. They are not intended to convert or to represent the Church. They express his views; they give voice to his enthusiasm for life, as well as both his altruism and his scorn for falsities, sentimentality and lies. I find Dr. Peer and Bishop Peer cut from the same exact cloth, which is, for me, a comfort.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just expected better, and more: better writing, more nuance, better thought, more compassion.