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Eternity Is Now
From Elder John H. Groberg, General Authority Emeritus and the inspiration for Disney's The Other Side of Heaven, comes this stellar reminder that since right now is a part of forever, we are living in eternity at this very moment. From gaining strength through adversity to finding joy both now and forever, this book is loaded with eye-opening spiritual insights garnered over a lifetime of serving the Lord—as a Seventy, a mission president, a temple president, and more. Come and find direction through these incredible personal experiences and teachings that will help you make the most of eternity—now.
144 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2016
About the author
John H. Groberg
15 books34 followersElder John H. Groberg has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 1976. Prior to his call as a General Authority, he served as a Regional Representative. He is the author of The Other Side of Heaven which is the basis for a movie by the same title.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 9, 2019
Sometimes I pick up a book at the time in my life when I completely speaks to me in every way. That was this book. Just what I needed.
May 8, 2019
Seventeen short chapters, 131 pages, published in 2016, referenced in a few Deseret News and LDS Living online articles you may have come across recently (2018, 2019) written by and for members of the church. This nonfiction book is intended for all of us to better prepare ourselves for the blessings of eternity. It isn't as far away as you think-it is NOW.
The wonderful stories Elder Groberg weaves into his narrative is the main reason everyone needs to read this book at least once.
The ones that stood out to me most were: The stories on p. 17, p. 40 and p. 117.
Page 17 story tells how Elder (now Bishop) Groberg was meeting with a sixteen year old girl and her temple divorced father who were troubled about staying true to their own covenants after the mother chose to leave. The daughter was especially worried she would have to make a choice who to be with for eternity-mom or dad? He explained that if they continued to be faithful and keep their own baptism covenants, living worthy of God's promised blessing of an eternal family of her own for the daughter, she wouldn't have to make that choice while if the father also continued to be true to his temple covenants, he too would be blessed with an eternal family in the next life. Even if we do not fully understand how it will happen, those who are victims of divorce will not be shortchanged in the eternities by a loving Father. The lesson of this story-sometimes we have to search deeper to find strength as given to us by God so we might be better prepared to live with him for eternity.
The story on Page 40 is heartbreaking and really stands out about a faithful LDS family in South America who, despite doing everything right, endured trials that would make Job apologize. The father's truck was stolen, along with all the tools of his trade and the family nearly starved as he struggled to find work, their youngest son was born with several handicaps requiring constant care from his loving family. Then, while the father was out of town working, evil men broke into the home they had scraped and saved to buy, held them at knifepoint, raped the oldest daughter, stole everything of value in the home and got away without ever being caught. Brother Groberg came over quickly where this faithful, humble, wife and mother looked into Brother Groberg's eyes and asked the question all of us would probably ask, "How much more, Elder Groberg?" With a prayer in his heart, he counseled the family to continue to remain faithful, remember the Lord loves them and would bless them. The mother promised to continue to trust in God. He gave each of them a priesthood blessing. Many months later, even after the truck got stolen AGAIN, the father reported that he knew it would be okay. The rest of the family felt the same. The victims of the heinous crime were healing and they were pulling together as a family to remain strong in the gospel.
The lesson-not only should we accept blessings from God but grasp them, hold onto them, believe in them, trusting in the Savior that no matter what happens, we shall not shrink from whatever trials the adversary throws at us.
Finally, page 117 tells a story Elder Groberg heard secondhand from a member who, as a young boy, joined the church with the rest of his faithful family in the Pacific Islands circa early 1900's. One year, their island was plagued by a contagious disease. Because one of the young daughters had contracted this disease, those in the family who faithfully came to church that Sunday were asked by the Branch President to leave, right in the middle of the sacrament, in front of the entire congregation. Humiliated, the family trudged home where they gathered in the main room of their hut for a family counsel. The father spoke not a word for thirty minutes as he struggled with his inner feelings of anger and despair. Finally, with tears streaming down his cheeks, he declared they would continue to be members of this new religion for he loved his family and wanted them to continue progressing in their goal to one day be sealed in the nearest temple-Hawaii. Because of their faith, they were able to do so and the young son grew up to have a family of his own continuing to follow the example set by a wise father, the lesson taught that day, stayed with him the rest of his life.
Yes, many of these same principles-praying for help, going to church, attending the temple and serving in the church can be found in many other LDS inspirational books, but the way these eternal blessings are presented here by the author makes this a special read.
The wonderful stories Elder Groberg weaves into his narrative is the main reason everyone needs to read this book at least once.
The ones that stood out to me most were: The stories on p. 17, p. 40 and p. 117.
Page 17 story tells how Elder (now Bishop) Groberg was meeting with a sixteen year old girl and her temple divorced father who were troubled about staying true to their own covenants after the mother chose to leave. The daughter was especially worried she would have to make a choice who to be with for eternity-mom or dad? He explained that if they continued to be faithful and keep their own baptism covenants, living worthy of God's promised blessing of an eternal family of her own for the daughter, she wouldn't have to make that choice while if the father also continued to be true to his temple covenants, he too would be blessed with an eternal family in the next life. Even if we do not fully understand how it will happen, those who are victims of divorce will not be shortchanged in the eternities by a loving Father. The lesson of this story-sometimes we have to search deeper to find strength as given to us by God so we might be better prepared to live with him for eternity.
The story on Page 40 is heartbreaking and really stands out about a faithful LDS family in South America who, despite doing everything right, endured trials that would make Job apologize. The father's truck was stolen, along with all the tools of his trade and the family nearly starved as he struggled to find work, their youngest son was born with several handicaps requiring constant care from his loving family. Then, while the father was out of town working, evil men broke into the home they had scraped and saved to buy, held them at knifepoint, raped the oldest daughter, stole everything of value in the home and got away without ever being caught. Brother Groberg came over quickly where this faithful, humble, wife and mother looked into Brother Groberg's eyes and asked the question all of us would probably ask, "How much more, Elder Groberg?" With a prayer in his heart, he counseled the family to continue to remain faithful, remember the Lord loves them and would bless them. The mother promised to continue to trust in God. He gave each of them a priesthood blessing. Many months later, even after the truck got stolen AGAIN, the father reported that he knew it would be okay. The rest of the family felt the same. The victims of the heinous crime were healing and they were pulling together as a family to remain strong in the gospel.
The lesson-not only should we accept blessings from God but grasp them, hold onto them, believe in them, trusting in the Savior that no matter what happens, we shall not shrink from whatever trials the adversary throws at us.
Finally, page 117 tells a story Elder Groberg heard secondhand from a member who, as a young boy, joined the church with the rest of his faithful family in the Pacific Islands circa early 1900's. One year, their island was plagued by a contagious disease. Because one of the young daughters had contracted this disease, those in the family who faithfully came to church that Sunday were asked by the Branch President to leave, right in the middle of the sacrament, in front of the entire congregation. Humiliated, the family trudged home where they gathered in the main room of their hut for a family counsel. The father spoke not a word for thirty minutes as he struggled with his inner feelings of anger and despair. Finally, with tears streaming down his cheeks, he declared they would continue to be members of this new religion for he loved his family and wanted them to continue progressing in their goal to one day be sealed in the nearest temple-Hawaii. Because of their faith, they were able to do so and the young son grew up to have a family of his own continuing to follow the example set by a wise father, the lesson taught that day, stayed with him the rest of his life.
Yes, many of these same principles-praying for help, going to church, attending the temple and serving in the church can be found in many other LDS inspirational books, but the way these eternal blessings are presented here by the author makes this a special read.
November 13, 2019
Awfully “meh”.
July 30, 2019
I love the sensitivity to the Spirit that Elder Groberg experiences in his life and brings to each of his books. This was no different. He tells us that this life is really just a part of the eternal existence of all of us and God too. How we use the time given us here is part of our outcome eternally. How to look at the here and now with an eternal perspective. Good stuff!
November 13, 2016
Loved it!
January 12, 2017
Was an exceptional audiobook will have to purchase.
January 4, 2018
Filled with a lot of great insights on many gospel topics with several entertaining personal stories mixed in.
February 12, 2019
Loved it!!
August 15, 2019
Gets you thinking about how eternity is not just some far off event in the future, but that we are living in it right now.
January 29, 2022
It was fine. Definitely in line with his last few books where he's run out of really dramatic stories and is now just sharing like 90% dry doctrine and the rest is a basically high level summaries of conversations he's had with various Church members around the world.
Definitely very little new ground here for faithful members but he remains as always a fascinating and good man.
Definitely very little new ground here for faithful members but he remains as always a fascinating and good man.
June 15, 2023
A bit repetitive, but really lovely.
It felt like I was reading a bunch of different conference talks. My favorite parts were reading the stories that went with each principal the author was teaching. Some were absolutely heartbreaking, but all illustrated his lessons really well. Thinking back on what I read in this book, those stories and examples of faith are what stand out.
It felt like I was reading a bunch of different conference talks. My favorite parts were reading the stories that went with each principal the author was teaching. Some were absolutely heartbreaking, but all illustrated his lessons really well. Thinking back on what I read in this book, those stories and examples of faith are what stand out.
September 17, 2020
This is a great collection of stories about people who have done what they need to in order to become more close to God. This book is full of the Spirit and is a wonderful voice in the ears and hearts of everyone who experiences this work.
June 21, 2020
If our goal is eternal life, then why not live that way now. Elder Groberg shares stories from his life and tells us ways to live now as if we had eternal life already.
June 23, 2023
What good news
June 26, 2023
Very enjoyable! Elder Groberg has so many wonderful stories that he weaves into this book.
May 13, 2024
Another wonderful book full of personal stories and insights from Elder Groberg.
June 5, 2024
A great book helping you see how the life you live here on earth determines where you go in the Eternities.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews