The Decision that Changed My Life: Inspiring True Stories from Latter-day Saints

by Ganel-Lyn Condie

Whether making life-changing choices or considering seemingly small day-to-day decisions, to choose oftentimes means to take a step into the unknown.

In The Decision That Changed My Life, author Ganel-Lyn Condie explores some of the life-altering choices made by sixteen notable and everyday Latter-day Saints and the chain of events that followed those decisions that affected other people’s lives. From the broad impact of Janice Kapp Perry’s course-changing decision to pursue music to the significance of Chris Carter’s converting to the gospel as a young boy, each story demonstrates the potential ripple effects of our decisions. While following the promptings of the Spirit without a full understanding of the outcome requires great faith, sometimes making that one decision has the power to change our lives—and the world.

Among others, these stories

T.C. Christensen—his decision concerning The Cokeville MiracleSusan Easton Black—her decision to marry George DurrantEd and Patricia Pinegar—their decision to start planning, prioritizing, and changing their livesBrad Wilcox—his reflection on his children’s changes in the mission fieldTy Mansfield—his decision concerning same-sex attraction

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each day we each make decisions--but do we know how far-reaching some of those decisions will be. This book beautifully shares the lives and decisions of some incredibly courageous people and the choices they have made. This book will inspire and uplift you as you journey towards some decisions you might have to make in your future--are you up to the task? LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. EACH STORY!
A phenomenal, must-read book!

[NaDell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf for a little while and put it in my 12 nonfiction books to read this year (I'm reading more than that along the way, but those ones are the ones I'm making sure I read -currently starting book 9/12, so I think I'll be able to finish, but I'm saving the biggest books for last.)
Ganel-Lyn Condie didn't disappoint with this collection of stories of big decisions in 16 people's lives that turned the direction of their lives and faith and made them better people.
I'd heard of most of the people, but hadn't learned about their backgrounds before. This book was like a snippet of each person's autobiography. I really enjoyed it and it made me relate each of their situations to my life and how I can also be a better person.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compilation of LDS members’ moments in life where they made choices or several choices which lead to an overall better circumstance or perspective in their lives.
Some interesting stories include, one man’s film about Nepal, the authors story about choosing not to explore singing opportunities as a child that would have caused her to compromise her values, and a engagement of an older couple after their previous spouses had passed.
Overall a good read, inspirational and insightful with real stories and perspectives.

[Linda Toone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book of true stories! I found the book at a used bookstore, and was happy to see that it was less than a year old. Many of the people in the book were familiar names to me, but their stories weren't. It was inspiring! I also loved that after each person's story of the decision that changed his or her life, there was a "ripple effect" story of someone else whose life had been changed because of that decision. I'm a new Ganel-Lyn Condie fan, and am now reading her latest book.

[Summer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Many of the female accounts in this book include a pet peeve of mine: when you do something irrational or illogical, claim it was the Spirit/an overwhelming feeling/voice of God that made you do it. I’ve seen people in my life do that when making choices that were not good for them, their children, their financial goals etc. and I believe it’s an excuse to do what you want to do.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Inspiring life-changing stories from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Some of these were sooo good! I loved the love story at the very end; I read that one through twice. Great stuff! And it's only 1.99 on Kindle!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Dail Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the small chapters from many people.

[Kaitlyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of making faith-based and faith-informed decisions.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so great! I loved the way that it is written. There is a chapter about a person and the thing that really changed the direction of their life. And then the next chapter is a ripple effect, someone who personally knows the first person talks about how the first person directly effected their life. I LOVED that! I think a lot of times we effect others lives and we never even know that we did, let alone how we did.

Some of the stories are about notable people, but some were about people that I have never heard of before and each of the stories touched my heart in some way or another. One of them that did was one of the survivors from the Cokeville bombing of 1985. Her story was amazing, and it brought me to tears. And I really loved reading about T.C. Christensen and his movies...and I really enjoyed reading about the author's life in this one too. So many great stories!

Make sure to grab your copy of this great book, you won't want to miss all of the great stories in it!