What do you think?
Rate this book
My God Hath Been My Support: Seven Keys to Understanding and Enduring Personal Trials
Nephi, that great hero of the Book of Mormon, is often viewed as a pinnacle of steadfastly faithful, profoundly spiritual, and unwaveringly obedient. But the beautiful passage of scripture often referred to as Nephi’s Psalm reveals that, like all of us, Nephi faced his own inner struggles in this mortal existence. His heartfelt introspection demonstrates that amid the trials of life, discouragement can burden us all—but it can also be overcome. In My God Hath Been My Seven Keys to Understanding and Enduring Personal Trials , author David T. Morgan looks to the words of Nephi’s Psalm to offer an inspiring message of hope and a loving call to action. Featuring tools and ideas on how to overcome adversity, increase feelings of self-worth, and endure the ups and downs of mortality, this scripture-based roadmap to a more fulfilling life is a joyous invitation to learn from Nephi how to transform sorrow into joy.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
11 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 9, 2018
I love reading fiction, especially clean romance and clean young adult titles. I’d spend all my time reading just those kinds of books but I know I should branch out and read other good books. So this year I have set a goal that at least 10% of what I read be personal development and self-improvement books. So one in every ten titles will be something non-fiction and likely LDS related.
My God Hath Been My Support is one of those books. I was actually surprised at how much I ended up loving this book. There are a few beliefs I have head throughout my life that he challenged and his words ultimately helped me to see the folly in my way of thinking. This book was very motivational for me and I found it very easy to relate to the way he taught and presented things. Obviously, this is a book targetted at an LDS/Mormon audience. If you are part of that targetted audience I recommend you read this book.
This is a short book and a fast read but it’s packed full of great stuff!
My God Hath Been My Support is one of those books. I was actually surprised at how much I ended up loving this book. There are a few beliefs I have head throughout my life that he challenged and his words ultimately helped me to see the folly in my way of thinking. This book was very motivational for me and I found it very easy to relate to the way he taught and presented things. Obviously, this is a book targetted at an LDS/Mormon audience. If you are part of that targetted audience I recommend you read this book.
This is a short book and a fast read but it’s packed full of great stuff!
November 22, 2021
Great insights from Nephi's Psalm that can help us remember to rely on the Lord. He will support us in our trials and help us grow as we trust Him, seek to understand His love, pray, forgive, forsake sin, be humble, seek to know and do His will, keep covenants, and follow the Spirit.
Some great quotes:
"I am convinced the Lord intended for us to go through those challenges for our learning and spiritual growth (p. ii)."
"Struggling through life is not only common but also one of the core purposes of our mortal existence... All these experiences will help us gain a greater appreciation of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we begin to understand the reasons behind our challenges and reach out to the Savior for support, we will experience a greater measure of peace and solace (p. ii)."
"Low self-esteem is a very common occurrence among individuals. How can we increase the amount of respect we have for ourselves?... If you look up self-esteem in the Topical Guide to the scriptures, you will not find any scripture references... you will be referred to other topics... 'Man, a Spirit Child of Heavenly Father; Man, Potential to Become like Heavenly Father; Worth of Souls.' Man's definition of self-esteem seems to be about having respect for our own selves and our own abilities... Yet from a spiritual perspective, the concept of becoming greater or more confident is not about what we can do on our own but is about partnership with God and gaining strength through Him (p. iii)."
"Confidence increases in the presence of God as one becomes more obedient and pure in heart (p. iv)."
"Lois Lane cannot fly. She has no ability to do so. She does not have the same superhero pedigree as Superman. She is a regular mortal... However, when she partners with the superhero, she is able to temporarily partake of his powers. As long as she holds on to him, she can fly. As soon as she lets go, she returns to her own mortal abilities (p. iv)."
"When we are obedient to His commandments and partner with Him, we are able to do amazing things. We are able to reach beyond our natural capacities (p. iv)."
"If you truly seek for direction in how to improve your life, the Holy Ghost will provide individualized and ideal feedback regarding potential paths of change. Following the promptings of the Holy Ghost will improve your quality of life and lead to greater happiness and peace. It will also help you be more confident as you deal with challenges and will give you an increased depth of understanding of Heavenly Father's plan for you (p. v)."
"This man's trial was... in place so that Jesus could heal him; it had nothing to do with any sinful or neglectful behavior on the part of the man or his parents (p. 2)."
"Prophets have taught we will be blessed if we keep the commandments... being 'blessed' does not always mean... things go smoothly (p. 2)."
"Some of the best people you know have experienced serious setbacks in life despite their ongoing efforts to do what is right (p. 3)."
"Nephi, the son of Lehi, was highly blessed by the Lord. As a young man, he received a witness of the truth. He lived very comfortably in Jerusalem. Had he remained there, he would have likely continued to live very comfortably for the rest of his days. All of that changed with his father's calling to become a prophet of God... Nephi had to leave his comfort and wealth and flee into the wilderness with his family as fugitives... (p. 5)."
"The only individuals who actually know all our weaknesses and frailties are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ... yet their acceptance of us is complete (p. 7)."
"The spiritual truths that Nephi used to overcome his challenges are readily available to all of us. Just as Nephi partnered with God to manage his difficulties, you can do the same (p. 8)."
"We will have struggles and challenges regardless of the positive attitude we try to have in our lives... 'I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support.' (2 Ne. 4:19-20). Trusting in God is essential in this life. Many believe in God and believe He has all power. Some fail to make the transition to understanding how this applies to their personal situation (p. 11)."
"'Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions' (1 Ne. 18:16). This does not describe his attitude before being tied up or after the experience was over but during the actual trial (p. 12)."
"Climber: 'I appreciate your offer of help, but I think I'll be fine on my own...'
Expert: 'Are you sure? I know this mountain and can guarantee your safety. Many have died without appropriate guidance. How will you avoid the pitfalls and challenges?'...
Heavenly Father: 'Your journey through life is going to be treacherous. There are many challenges and difficulties to face... Please allow me to help you with decisions. I'll even give you suggestions and warnings to keep you safe from danger. If you are willing, I'll walk this dangerous path with you and keep you safe.'
Mortal: 'No thanks; I'm sure I'll be fine on my own. Besides, I tend to find commandments restrictive. I'd rather make my own choices without help and not have to be told what to do.' (p. 13)"
"He was able to manage life's difficulties with greater ease having trusted in God... 'The submission of God's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 14)."
"The Savior gave to God the Father the only thing He really could have given. He completely submitted His will to the will of the Father. The results were glorious. As He is our perfect example, it follows that we should also learn to submit and learn to keep the commandments of God, trusting this will result in great benefits. We will experience blessings and happiness as we do this (p. 14)."
"'I know in whom I have trusted' (2 Ne. 4:19)... Nephi knew his Father in Heaven. He knew His character, he knew His commandments, and he trusted in His ability to preserve him regardless of the challenges he faced. Remember, your Heavenly Father knows you (p. 16)."
"I have to think it breaks His heart a little bit each time we forget Him in our daily lives, when His whole existence is exclusively focused on us (p. 16)."
"There is really only one set of individuals in your life whom you can trust completely... Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. Everyone else, regardless of their good intentions or their love for you, will probably let you down at some point (p. 16)."
"Another strategy Nephi appeared to use to deal with difficulties was to deepen his understanding of God's love for him and strive to fill his heart with similar feelings (p. 19)."
"He didn't want us to simply love one another; He wanted us to love one another with the same quality and intensity as He had shown. Such a commandment could only be given after the demonstration and example was provided (p. 20)."
"Godly love is primary... the Savior loved us first. He doesn't wait to love those who chose to love Him. He makes the initial step and extends His love to everyone (p. 20)."
"Godly love is universal. The love of our Savior is identical to the love of our Heavenly Father... We are all children of our Father in Heaven. He loves all of us. He does not discriminate based on gender, race, or any sort of individual difference. While He is able to give greater blessings to those who keep His commandments, He is able to love whomever He wants. God loves those who love Him. He is able to love those who do not love Him. He even offers love to those who hate Him. He loves those who do not acknowledge Him and those who question whether He exists at all (p. 21)."
"Godly love is long-suffering. Our Savior loves us deeply, despite our flaws and shortcomings. His love continues even when we find it difficult to follow His commandments (p. 21)."
"Is our love secondary? Do we wait for others to love us before we love them? Do we withhold affection until we stand to benefit from showing it? Loving others is a risky proposition, for it involves exposing ourselves to potential hurt (p. 21)."
"To shake hands with the left hand, the warrior had to remove his shield. Thus, it was a sign of trust to do a left-handed handshake and potentially leave oneself defenseless. At times, we may withhold our deepest love from others because we are afraid of getting hurt. We keep our emotional shields firmly in place and reach out cautiously with our other hand. However, we must put down our shields and reach out to others, regardless of whether they reach out to us, if we are to love as the Savior loves (p. 22)."
"Is our love too conditional? Do we withhold love from those who have wronged us? Do we have negative feelings toward those who are socially unacceptable (p. 22)?"
"Part of Him desired to 'shrink' and perhaps temporarily retreat from His responsibility to bear that tremendous load. What sustained Him through this great difficulty? Why did He continue?... He continued because He loves us. No sense of duty could have overcome the strain. No feeling of obligation or requirement could have helped Him push past the difficulty. It was His absolute love for each of His brothers and sisters that provided the strength... He endured the merciless torture of crucifixion, amidst the jeers and taunts of those He loved and was dying to save (p. 24)."
"We can ask God to fill us with the type of love that Jesus has for us... we need to make room for such love in our hearts... God will not forcibly remove such feelings to replace them with loving ones... The bad can be removed only as we seek to replace it with good. You will develop a greater capacity for love as you eliminate feelings of hate and anger (p. 24)."
"Am I comfortable saying 'I love you' to those I am closest to?... How do I feel when I consider the Savior's love for me (p. 27)?"
"'Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him...' Nephi recognized the incredible privilege of prayer. He used this privilege to cope with his struggles and gain insight into the reasons for his suffering (p. 29)."
"Years ago, a friend told me he didn't think he needed to pray. He stated Heavenly Father knows our thoughts anyway and therefore telling them to Him is redundant. I recall thinking he was probably wrong about the need for prayer but didn't necessarily disagree with his logic. I later learned there is much more to prayer than just communicating our thoughts to Father in Heaven. Prayer is a process that trains us in humility and accountability as well (p. 29)."
"He wanted Adam to be responsible and confess what had happened... This is one of the purposes of prayer. We don't pray because He needs to know things about our life. We pray to God to tell Him about what we have done, how we feel, and what we desire of Him. We humble ourselves and make requests in faith. The act of prayer increases spiritual strength. It builds meekness. It helps us appreciate our true position before God. It teaches us we are absolutely dependent upon His mercy and grace for everything we have and need (p. 30)."
"As part of our preparation to receive such blessings, He commands we ask for them first (p. 31)."
"Many of you have probably given a talk in sacrament meeting. In anticipation of this you likely researched your topic, prepared an outline, and carefully considered what you would say to the congregation. You may have even gone through several drafts before finally arriving at the final version of your talk... Do we employ such preparation before we pray? Do we give careful thought beforehand to what we want to say to our Father in Heaven? Do we research the recent events in our life to see what is most important to discuss with Him? This is not to suggest that each of our prayers needs to be a like a formal talk. But if we spend a good amount of time preparing to speak to fellow members of the Church, perhaps we should give more than casual consideration as we prepare to speak to our Heavenly Father. More intentional preparation before we pray will improve the quality and sincerity of our prayers (p. 32)."
"Prayer is a personal and intimate experience and should be done with sincerity (p. 33)."
"Preparing ourselves to pray can guard against casual or insincere communication with God (p. 34)."
"Pray about a toy? Really? It seemed so inconsequential! Surely God has better things to do with His time in a world where wars rage and Satan's power increases daily. But that is the misconception. Our Father in Heaven doesn't have higher priorities than the care and nurture of His children (p. 34)."
"Prayer will increase the quality of our relationship with Heavenly Father, just as regular and sincere communication with another human being will improve a relationship (p. 35)."
"'Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences (Richard G. Scott, p. 36).'"
"What can I do to make my prayers more sincere?... How can I improve my relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer (p. 37)?"
"Should he forgive his brothers (p. 40)?"
"Whereas Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, Satan is the father of contention (p. 40)."
"'And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive the all that they had done (1 Ne. 7:21, p. 41).'"
"We are required to forgive everyone. Why does the Lord ask us to forgive? Why does He require us to let go of our anger?... Holding on to grudges and refusing to forgive is usually much more punishing to oneself than it is to the offender (p. 42)."
"Forgiveness is for our benefit (p. 43)."
"Forgiving other people does not absolve them of their misdeeds (p. 43)."
"Our forgiveness has plenty to do with our standing before God and the final state of our souls (p. 43)."
"Our Father in Heaven is a very, very forgiving individual. We come to Him again and again with problems, missteps, and sins. He consistently forgives and welcomes us back (p. 45)."
"Working through life day by day has brought a wealth of experience that I will cherish forever... Our Father in Heaven wants us to develop His characteristics through our faith and works. He will not simply give us those celestial traits but will provide us with opportunities to learn and grow (p. 46)."
"The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, 'Reach out; be selfless. Look for opportunities to serve those around you (p. 46).'"
"One of the crowning traits of our Savior Jesus Christ is His capacity to freely forgive... If we seek greater comfort and solace in life, we should seriously consider increasing our capacity to forgive others (p. 47)."
"What have I felt when I have been forgiven by the Savior (p. 48)?"
"We often associate this account with the importance of forgiveness and mercy. Yet it is equally important to recognize another principle taught by the Master; that of forsaking sin (p. 50)."
"When Nephi pleads to be made to 'shake at the appearance of sin,' what is he asking for? I believe he wants his nature to be changed. He wants to become the type of person who sees sin with abhorrence rather than with desire (p. 51)."
"After being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and feeling the humbling influence of the Spirit of the Lord, the king was willing to give away all of his sins to achieve forgiveness and spiritual change (p. 52)."
"'And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him' (Omni 1:26, p. 53)."
"If we want spiritual progression, we can't hold back in the repentance process. Committing to partial change while intentionally holding on to some sins can lead to ongoing spiritual separation from God (p. 54)."
"We must be obedient to commandments to forsake and leave our sins behind (p. 55)."
"'You must ask God for help' (C.S. Lewis, p. 57)."
"The price to become a changed person who shakes at the appearance of sin is twofold. We must forsake our sins by abandoning the attitude that wickedness is sometimes happiness. This leads to repentance with full purpose of heart. Then we must partner with the Savior, keeping our covenants with sincere diligence (p. 58)."
"Learn to forsake sin and choose righteousness through developing a partnership with the Savior (p. 58)."
"What are we willing to sacrifice to have a stronger relationship with God (p. 61)?"
"Nephi asked for two things. He requested the gates of hell be shut before him. He also wanted the gates of righteousness to open for him. Yet after each request he indicated what he will do in order to qualify for these blessings. He pledged that his heart would be broken and his spirit contrite (p. 61)."
"'The Savior's perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit (Bruce D. Porter, p. 62).'"
"Being humble is essential in the process of personal change... Humility is the antidote to pride... We must change our lives to achieve a broken heart and contrite spirit (p. 63)."
"In His eternal wisdom, Heavenly Father knows the tremendous growth that comes from the righteous endurance of suffering (p. 66)."
"The Savior will help us change and reach our true heavenly potential as we recognize our weaknesses and humbly turn to Him (p. 66)."
"Learning to recognize the voice of the Holy Ghost in one's life is a very subtle and extended process (p. 70)."
"What is the process of aligning our wills to the will of our Heavenly Father (p. 73)?"
"Being willing to take upon us the name of Christ is a manifestation of our desire to leave behind the things of this world and seek for the things of heaven (p. 73)."
"We can begin to understand His will by developing a relationship with Him (p. 74)."
"Always remember the Savior (p. 76)."
"The blessing to those who faithfully abide by the three sacramental promises is to 'always have His Spirit to be with them' (p. 76)."
"If we truly understood the great privilege it is to have the Holy Ghost with us, we would avoid any behavior that would cause Him to leave (p. 77)."
"We should... thoughtfully prepare to participate in the sacrament each week. We will notice a change in our thoughts and behaviors (p. 77)."
"God loves us and He keeps His promises (p. 80)."
"'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not' (D&C 6:34, p. 81)."
Some great quotes:
"I am convinced the Lord intended for us to go through those challenges for our learning and spiritual growth (p. ii)."
"Struggling through life is not only common but also one of the core purposes of our mortal existence... All these experiences will help us gain a greater appreciation of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we begin to understand the reasons behind our challenges and reach out to the Savior for support, we will experience a greater measure of peace and solace (p. ii)."
"Low self-esteem is a very common occurrence among individuals. How can we increase the amount of respect we have for ourselves?... If you look up self-esteem in the Topical Guide to the scriptures, you will not find any scripture references... you will be referred to other topics... 'Man, a Spirit Child of Heavenly Father; Man, Potential to Become like Heavenly Father; Worth of Souls.' Man's definition of self-esteem seems to be about having respect for our own selves and our own abilities... Yet from a spiritual perspective, the concept of becoming greater or more confident is not about what we can do on our own but is about partnership with God and gaining strength through Him (p. iii)."
"Confidence increases in the presence of God as one becomes more obedient and pure in heart (p. iv)."
"Lois Lane cannot fly. She has no ability to do so. She does not have the same superhero pedigree as Superman. She is a regular mortal... However, when she partners with the superhero, she is able to temporarily partake of his powers. As long as she holds on to him, she can fly. As soon as she lets go, she returns to her own mortal abilities (p. iv)."
"When we are obedient to His commandments and partner with Him, we are able to do amazing things. We are able to reach beyond our natural capacities (p. iv)."
"If you truly seek for direction in how to improve your life, the Holy Ghost will provide individualized and ideal feedback regarding potential paths of change. Following the promptings of the Holy Ghost will improve your quality of life and lead to greater happiness and peace. It will also help you be more confident as you deal with challenges and will give you an increased depth of understanding of Heavenly Father's plan for you (p. v)."
"This man's trial was... in place so that Jesus could heal him; it had nothing to do with any sinful or neglectful behavior on the part of the man or his parents (p. 2)."
"Prophets have taught we will be blessed if we keep the commandments... being 'blessed' does not always mean... things go smoothly (p. 2)."
"Some of the best people you know have experienced serious setbacks in life despite their ongoing efforts to do what is right (p. 3)."
"Nephi, the son of Lehi, was highly blessed by the Lord. As a young man, he received a witness of the truth. He lived very comfortably in Jerusalem. Had he remained there, he would have likely continued to live very comfortably for the rest of his days. All of that changed with his father's calling to become a prophet of God... Nephi had to leave his comfort and wealth and flee into the wilderness with his family as fugitives... (p. 5)."
"The only individuals who actually know all our weaknesses and frailties are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ... yet their acceptance of us is complete (p. 7)."
"The spiritual truths that Nephi used to overcome his challenges are readily available to all of us. Just as Nephi partnered with God to manage his difficulties, you can do the same (p. 8)."
"We will have struggles and challenges regardless of the positive attitude we try to have in our lives... 'I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support.' (2 Ne. 4:19-20). Trusting in God is essential in this life. Many believe in God and believe He has all power. Some fail to make the transition to understanding how this applies to their personal situation (p. 11)."
"'Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions' (1 Ne. 18:16). This does not describe his attitude before being tied up or after the experience was over but during the actual trial (p. 12)."
"Climber: 'I appreciate your offer of help, but I think I'll be fine on my own...'
Expert: 'Are you sure? I know this mountain and can guarantee your safety. Many have died without appropriate guidance. How will you avoid the pitfalls and challenges?'...
Heavenly Father: 'Your journey through life is going to be treacherous. There are many challenges and difficulties to face... Please allow me to help you with decisions. I'll even give you suggestions and warnings to keep you safe from danger. If you are willing, I'll walk this dangerous path with you and keep you safe.'
Mortal: 'No thanks; I'm sure I'll be fine on my own. Besides, I tend to find commandments restrictive. I'd rather make my own choices without help and not have to be told what to do.' (p. 13)"
"He was able to manage life's difficulties with greater ease having trusted in God... 'The submission of God's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar' (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 14)."
"The Savior gave to God the Father the only thing He really could have given. He completely submitted His will to the will of the Father. The results were glorious. As He is our perfect example, it follows that we should also learn to submit and learn to keep the commandments of God, trusting this will result in great benefits. We will experience blessings and happiness as we do this (p. 14)."
"'I know in whom I have trusted' (2 Ne. 4:19)... Nephi knew his Father in Heaven. He knew His character, he knew His commandments, and he trusted in His ability to preserve him regardless of the challenges he faced. Remember, your Heavenly Father knows you (p. 16)."
"I have to think it breaks His heart a little bit each time we forget Him in our daily lives, when His whole existence is exclusively focused on us (p. 16)."
"There is really only one set of individuals in your life whom you can trust completely... Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. Everyone else, regardless of their good intentions or their love for you, will probably let you down at some point (p. 16)."
"Another strategy Nephi appeared to use to deal with difficulties was to deepen his understanding of God's love for him and strive to fill his heart with similar feelings (p. 19)."
"He didn't want us to simply love one another; He wanted us to love one another with the same quality and intensity as He had shown. Such a commandment could only be given after the demonstration and example was provided (p. 20)."
"Godly love is primary... the Savior loved us first. He doesn't wait to love those who chose to love Him. He makes the initial step and extends His love to everyone (p. 20)."
"Godly love is universal. The love of our Savior is identical to the love of our Heavenly Father... We are all children of our Father in Heaven. He loves all of us. He does not discriminate based on gender, race, or any sort of individual difference. While He is able to give greater blessings to those who keep His commandments, He is able to love whomever He wants. God loves those who love Him. He is able to love those who do not love Him. He even offers love to those who hate Him. He loves those who do not acknowledge Him and those who question whether He exists at all (p. 21)."
"Godly love is long-suffering. Our Savior loves us deeply, despite our flaws and shortcomings. His love continues even when we find it difficult to follow His commandments (p. 21)."
"Is our love secondary? Do we wait for others to love us before we love them? Do we withhold affection until we stand to benefit from showing it? Loving others is a risky proposition, for it involves exposing ourselves to potential hurt (p. 21)."
"To shake hands with the left hand, the warrior had to remove his shield. Thus, it was a sign of trust to do a left-handed handshake and potentially leave oneself defenseless. At times, we may withhold our deepest love from others because we are afraid of getting hurt. We keep our emotional shields firmly in place and reach out cautiously with our other hand. However, we must put down our shields and reach out to others, regardless of whether they reach out to us, if we are to love as the Savior loves (p. 22)."
"Is our love too conditional? Do we withhold love from those who have wronged us? Do we have negative feelings toward those who are socially unacceptable (p. 22)?"
"Part of Him desired to 'shrink' and perhaps temporarily retreat from His responsibility to bear that tremendous load. What sustained Him through this great difficulty? Why did He continue?... He continued because He loves us. No sense of duty could have overcome the strain. No feeling of obligation or requirement could have helped Him push past the difficulty. It was His absolute love for each of His brothers and sisters that provided the strength... He endured the merciless torture of crucifixion, amidst the jeers and taunts of those He loved and was dying to save (p. 24)."
"We can ask God to fill us with the type of love that Jesus has for us... we need to make room for such love in our hearts... God will not forcibly remove such feelings to replace them with loving ones... The bad can be removed only as we seek to replace it with good. You will develop a greater capacity for love as you eliminate feelings of hate and anger (p. 24)."
"Am I comfortable saying 'I love you' to those I am closest to?... How do I feel when I consider the Savior's love for me (p. 27)?"
"'Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him...' Nephi recognized the incredible privilege of prayer. He used this privilege to cope with his struggles and gain insight into the reasons for his suffering (p. 29)."
"Years ago, a friend told me he didn't think he needed to pray. He stated Heavenly Father knows our thoughts anyway and therefore telling them to Him is redundant. I recall thinking he was probably wrong about the need for prayer but didn't necessarily disagree with his logic. I later learned there is much more to prayer than just communicating our thoughts to Father in Heaven. Prayer is a process that trains us in humility and accountability as well (p. 29)."
"He wanted Adam to be responsible and confess what had happened... This is one of the purposes of prayer. We don't pray because He needs to know things about our life. We pray to God to tell Him about what we have done, how we feel, and what we desire of Him. We humble ourselves and make requests in faith. The act of prayer increases spiritual strength. It builds meekness. It helps us appreciate our true position before God. It teaches us we are absolutely dependent upon His mercy and grace for everything we have and need (p. 30)."
"As part of our preparation to receive such blessings, He commands we ask for them first (p. 31)."
"Many of you have probably given a talk in sacrament meeting. In anticipation of this you likely researched your topic, prepared an outline, and carefully considered what you would say to the congregation. You may have even gone through several drafts before finally arriving at the final version of your talk... Do we employ such preparation before we pray? Do we give careful thought beforehand to what we want to say to our Father in Heaven? Do we research the recent events in our life to see what is most important to discuss with Him? This is not to suggest that each of our prayers needs to be a like a formal talk. But if we spend a good amount of time preparing to speak to fellow members of the Church, perhaps we should give more than casual consideration as we prepare to speak to our Heavenly Father. More intentional preparation before we pray will improve the quality and sincerity of our prayers (p. 32)."
"Prayer is a personal and intimate experience and should be done with sincerity (p. 33)."
"Preparing ourselves to pray can guard against casual or insincere communication with God (p. 34)."
"Pray about a toy? Really? It seemed so inconsequential! Surely God has better things to do with His time in a world where wars rage and Satan's power increases daily. But that is the misconception. Our Father in Heaven doesn't have higher priorities than the care and nurture of His children (p. 34)."
"Prayer will increase the quality of our relationship with Heavenly Father, just as regular and sincere communication with another human being will improve a relationship (p. 35)."
"'Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences (Richard G. Scott, p. 36).'"
"What can I do to make my prayers more sincere?... How can I improve my relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer (p. 37)?"
"Should he forgive his brothers (p. 40)?"
"Whereas Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, Satan is the father of contention (p. 40)."
"'And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive the all that they had done (1 Ne. 7:21, p. 41).'"
"We are required to forgive everyone. Why does the Lord ask us to forgive? Why does He require us to let go of our anger?... Holding on to grudges and refusing to forgive is usually much more punishing to oneself than it is to the offender (p. 42)."
"Forgiveness is for our benefit (p. 43)."
"Forgiving other people does not absolve them of their misdeeds (p. 43)."
"Our forgiveness has plenty to do with our standing before God and the final state of our souls (p. 43)."
"Our Father in Heaven is a very, very forgiving individual. We come to Him again and again with problems, missteps, and sins. He consistently forgives and welcomes us back (p. 45)."
"Working through life day by day has brought a wealth of experience that I will cherish forever... Our Father in Heaven wants us to develop His characteristics through our faith and works. He will not simply give us those celestial traits but will provide us with opportunities to learn and grow (p. 46)."
"The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, 'Reach out; be selfless. Look for opportunities to serve those around you (p. 46).'"
"One of the crowning traits of our Savior Jesus Christ is His capacity to freely forgive... If we seek greater comfort and solace in life, we should seriously consider increasing our capacity to forgive others (p. 47)."
"What have I felt when I have been forgiven by the Savior (p. 48)?"
"We often associate this account with the importance of forgiveness and mercy. Yet it is equally important to recognize another principle taught by the Master; that of forsaking sin (p. 50)."
"When Nephi pleads to be made to 'shake at the appearance of sin,' what is he asking for? I believe he wants his nature to be changed. He wants to become the type of person who sees sin with abhorrence rather than with desire (p. 51)."
"After being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and feeling the humbling influence of the Spirit of the Lord, the king was willing to give away all of his sins to achieve forgiveness and spiritual change (p. 52)."
"'And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him' (Omni 1:26, p. 53)."
"If we want spiritual progression, we can't hold back in the repentance process. Committing to partial change while intentionally holding on to some sins can lead to ongoing spiritual separation from God (p. 54)."
"We must be obedient to commandments to forsake and leave our sins behind (p. 55)."
"'You must ask God for help' (C.S. Lewis, p. 57)."
"The price to become a changed person who shakes at the appearance of sin is twofold. We must forsake our sins by abandoning the attitude that wickedness is sometimes happiness. This leads to repentance with full purpose of heart. Then we must partner with the Savior, keeping our covenants with sincere diligence (p. 58)."
"Learn to forsake sin and choose righteousness through developing a partnership with the Savior (p. 58)."
"What are we willing to sacrifice to have a stronger relationship with God (p. 61)?"
"Nephi asked for two things. He requested the gates of hell be shut before him. He also wanted the gates of righteousness to open for him. Yet after each request he indicated what he will do in order to qualify for these blessings. He pledged that his heart would be broken and his spirit contrite (p. 61)."
"'The Savior's perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit (Bruce D. Porter, p. 62).'"
"Being humble is essential in the process of personal change... Humility is the antidote to pride... We must change our lives to achieve a broken heart and contrite spirit (p. 63)."
"In His eternal wisdom, Heavenly Father knows the tremendous growth that comes from the righteous endurance of suffering (p. 66)."
"The Savior will help us change and reach our true heavenly potential as we recognize our weaknesses and humbly turn to Him (p. 66)."
"Learning to recognize the voice of the Holy Ghost in one's life is a very subtle and extended process (p. 70)."
"What is the process of aligning our wills to the will of our Heavenly Father (p. 73)?"
"Being willing to take upon us the name of Christ is a manifestation of our desire to leave behind the things of this world and seek for the things of heaven (p. 73)."
"We can begin to understand His will by developing a relationship with Him (p. 74)."
"Always remember the Savior (p. 76)."
"The blessing to those who faithfully abide by the three sacramental promises is to 'always have His Spirit to be with them' (p. 76)."
"If we truly understood the great privilege it is to have the Holy Ghost with us, we would avoid any behavior that would cause Him to leave (p. 77)."
"We should... thoughtfully prepare to participate in the sacrament each week. We will notice a change in our thoughts and behaviors (p. 77)."
"God loves us and He keeps His promises (p. 80)."
"'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not' (D&C 6:34, p. 81)."
January 18, 2018
The author begins his preface and then introduction sharing a personal story, a little bit about this family, and his dealings with self esteem with being a psychologist. He states that the principal chapters in this book each contain key concepts related to how we can develop greater spiritual strength. At the end of each chapter the key concept is reiterated and questions for self reflection are also included.
"If you truly seek for direction in how to improve your life, the Holy Ghost will provide individualized and ideal feedback regarding the potential paths of change. Following the promptings of the Holy Ghost will improve your quality of life and lead to greater happiness and peace. It will also help you be more confident as you deal with challenges and will give you an increased depth of understanding of Heavenly Father's plan for you."
The author shares 7 key concepts to understanding and enduring personal trials, including answering questions like, "What does it mean to truly love someone?", "What are the purposes of prayer?" "Why are we required to forgive all people?".
I found this book very easy to read, had clear examples and scriptural support, personal stories and examples. With it only having 10 chapters, this would be an easy book to read with a family member or to use as a daily or weekly scripture study and journal. I really liked it!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
"If you truly seek for direction in how to improve your life, the Holy Ghost will provide individualized and ideal feedback regarding the potential paths of change. Following the promptings of the Holy Ghost will improve your quality of life and lead to greater happiness and peace. It will also help you be more confident as you deal with challenges and will give you an increased depth of understanding of Heavenly Father's plan for you."
The author shares 7 key concepts to understanding and enduring personal trials, including answering questions like, "What does it mean to truly love someone?", "What are the purposes of prayer?" "Why are we required to forgive all people?".
I found this book very easy to read, had clear examples and scriptural support, personal stories and examples. With it only having 10 chapters, this would be an easy book to read with a family member or to use as a daily or weekly scripture study and journal. I really liked it!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
January 15, 2018
This uplifting, inspiring "quick read" book is directed at an L.D. S. audience.
The author, a psychologist, lists and develops several important concepts to entice us to live closer to Our Heavenly Father's Spirit and peace and joy in our own lives.
He instructs us how to grow closer to God, how to love others more perfectly, how to pray more meaningfully, live our lives without guile, make correct choices, recognize and be wi8lling to overcome personal weaknesses, plus more!
At the end of each chapter, he lists the concept and thought questions to aid in accomplishing these goals.
This author's writing never drags and occasionally slips in humorous statements. It is totally captivating to the reader.
I give this literary work a Five Stwars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no suggestion for a positive review. This is my honest review.
The author, a psychologist, lists and develops several important concepts to entice us to live closer to Our Heavenly Father's Spirit and peace and joy in our own lives.
He instructs us how to grow closer to God, how to love others more perfectly, how to pray more meaningfully, live our lives without guile, make correct choices, recognize and be wi8lling to overcome personal weaknesses, plus more!
At the end of each chapter, he lists the concept and thought questions to aid in accomplishing these goals.
This author's writing never drags and occasionally slips in humorous statements. It is totally captivating to the reader.
I give this literary work a Five Stwars rating.
*This book was gifted me with no suggestion for a positive review. This is my honest review.
April 2, 2018
This book has inspired me to embrace my challenges and find joy in everyday living. Dr. Morgan uses his expertise as a psychologist and his passion for the Book of Mormon to teach and guide his reader through trials that inevitably come as a result of living in this world. He reminds us that trials are for our benefit and experience in a loving, uplifting way. Now when I read about Nephi, I have a new set of ideas to apply those scriptures to my life. This book is very readable and the short length encouraged me to apply what I learned right away.
May 15, 2018
So insightful! The author has a lot of wisdom in dealing with personal challenges. His insights come from both his professional and gospel experiences in life. I appreciate the usage of the "Psalm of Nephi" from the Book of Mormon. Nephi is probably my favorite prophet and his example in overcoming challenges and remaining Christlike is unsurpassed. Morgan hones in on this and gives several reasons why Nephi's example should be followed. I appreciated the personal stories and the C.S. Lewis references as well as the self-examination questions at the end of each chapter.
August 4, 2018
This book was a very short book, but it was packed with great insight and questions and doctrine of the gospel with scriptures, as well as quotes from Apostles of God.
I appreciated the set up of the book and thought that the questions at the end of each chapter really made me as the reader think a little bit more about what I read and helped me to apply what I learned to my own life.
I appreciated the set up of the book and thought that the questions at the end of each chapter really made me as the reader think a little bit more about what I read and helped me to apply what I learned to my own life.
May 9, 2019
This is a short and sweet reminder that we need to keep our hearts focused on the Savior in order to keep the world's voices from taking over our mind, or even worse, our heart. It is geared toward an LDS audience but does offer good advice to anyone who is working to move towards a more God-centered approach to dealing with their personal struggles.
May 14, 2019
One of the better church talk book not by a General Authority! He talk the truth from psychology and the truth of the gospel and mixes them so nicely!
December 8, 2019
Amazing book filled with wisdom, motivation, and action
Loved this book, it dives into the core of how God loves us, cares for us, and the hope that we would have in Him.
Loved this book, it dives into the core of how God loves us, cares for us, and the hope that we would have in Him.
September 14, 2020
Uplifting
I love that the author gives scripture references to back and support his beliefs, in my opinion it makes this book that much more powerful.
I love that the author gives scripture references to back and support his beliefs, in my opinion it makes this book that much more powerful.
June 7, 2021
I just couldn’t connect with this book. It was too trite and unoriginal. And I really disliked how he connected mental illness to sin. I had a hard time absorbing anything written after that.
December 21, 2023
I liked how this was written! The key concepts made it simple and I also like how the author explained and interpreted some of the scriptures. Not too shabby!
October 3, 2022
Wow! This book is so SO good. The topics discussed and the counsel given is spot on, and so comforting and worthwhile. Really helped change my perspective on the difficulties of life and gave me a lot of hope, as well as focus on the Savior Jesus Christ and the hope that He brings.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews