Paul’s Comments (group member since Aug 10, 2008)

Paul’s comments from the Students of the Restored Gospel group.

I wanted us to have a place to tell stories about our favorite General Authorities and why they mean so much to you.

My favorite living G.A. is President Monson (okay, that was easy). I read "Pathways to Perfection" when I was in high school, and I've always loved his stories and style.

I recently met Dallin H. Oaks (I helped him find an alarm clock at Walmart, where I work part-time). I have this book, somewhere... Since he's the only living Apostle I have met, I'll choose him.

When I was about 7 years old, Elder LeGrand Richards spoke at our Stake Conference. I don't remember the talk, although it was the first Stake Conference talk I ever listened to attentively, and he was a funny, funny guy! I also got to go shake his hand and meet him briefly, and it had a lasting impact.

There are some good books about LDS perspectives in history (as well as Church History itself).

One of the best I've read is called "Behind the Iron Curtain" .

There are many great books about our prophets and leaders. I think this would be a great thread for discussing them.

I read part of a book a few years ago (and had to return it to the library and haven't subsequently checked it out again - maybe I'll do that soon) that was about all the Counselors in the First Presidency . What I read of it - the first 100 or so pages - was excellent.

I stole this idea from another group that I'm a part of that often lists books they got second-hand or through a great deal (and often, they are rare or out-of-print books).


I recently picked up an autographed copy for $.25! (Paul H. Dunn was a big deal when I grew up in the 1970s, so it was meaningful to me...)

I would like this group to become a place to share the Gospel in addition to being a forum to discuss books. I think it is important, though, that we quote the verse and leave interpretation to the readers, please.

I like 2 Nephi 1:7 (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-...), which reads:
Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

Hello, everyone,

I would like this thread to be about what LDS books that we might be reading, about to read, or have recently read. I recently read a decent work of fiction called Sudden Peril by Frank Richardson. The twists and turns in the plot were good, but I felt that, although the conflict was resolved, there was no real result from the conflict in a "big picture" sense.

Here is the book cover:

So what is everyone else reading?

Thanks, Jennie! Readers can click on the book cover below to link to it on Goodreads.

Congratulations, Christy! Sorry it took all of us (except Braden and Stephanie) so long to notice.

I'm not sure we'll do a group read; I'm not that crazy about them, either, although if some people like them, I'm open to having a thread along those lines. I'm more interested in people's comments about what they are currently reading (and therefore like Cindy's and Jennie's comments where they mentioned titles).

I will try to introduce more topics in the next few days (as soon as I get some free time) that I hope will enliven and diversify our discussions. I welcome any suggestions!

Hi, Greg. Thanks for your response - I am planning a few new threads for discussing books and authors, so I'm glad you introduced that topic.

Hi, Jennie, we haven't had a moderator active since spring, so I finally threw my hat in the ring last month but didn't see any response.

Now that I know at least two of you are out there (is there anyone else? Buehler...? Buehler...?), I am happy to take your suggestions and may also introduce some new ideas of my own.

I look forward to it! :-)

Is there anyone still paying attention?

I have volunteered to step into Wendy's position (although I cannot fill her shoes) and become the moderator, but I am going to be away for the next few days. I would love to have suggestions from the group regarding this group and what you like or dislike and your expectations.

Thanks, and happy reading!

In 2012, the manual for Priesthood and Relief Society lessons will be the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church - George Albert Smith.

In light of that, there is an excellent biography by Mary Jane Woodger called "Against the Odds: The Life of George Albert Smith."

Alternatively, since we are studying "The Book of Mormon" in Sunday School in 2012, I suggest Elder Holland's book "Christ and the New Covenant" to help us further appreciate the treasure that we share.

Those two books don't necessarily have to be the December choice; just two recommendations for upcoming months.

I liked it, too. It was a bit predictable - most books of this nature are, though - and, like Nikki said, it was clean, which is quite unusual. I read the last half of it very quickly, which is a strong indicator of how much I'm into a book. I will likely read more by this author.

I listened to this book on tape a few years ago and was intrigued, but the second book was not available at the library as an audio book, and I didn't have time to read the paper version. This may be a good chance for me to re-read the first one and then continue on with the trilogy.

Cartels and Combinations by Mike McPheters looks like a good fiction (based on a true story). If that's too close to current events, Sandra Grey's trilogy of Traitor/Tribunal/Trespass looks good. I've got a copy of "Adam's Story" by Jack Weyland (the sequel to "Charly" and "Sam" about their son) that I've meant to read for a long time.

Any of those would be fine with me, but I'm open to the suggestions of others, too.

I read about the first 50 pages of Rough Stone Rolling a few years ago, but I had a library book that I needed to finish, so I read that instead and never got back to Rough Stone Rolling.

(Sorry - this post is a few months behind)
I listened to this while in the car on a trip to Yellowstone (as much as my wife would let me listen, anyway, since the kids were rambunctious). It was a pretty decent story, but her factual stuff is right-on-the-nose with evidence published by F.A.R.M.S. The story is just to help bring the facts to you in a more delightful way. I could've done with a bit less of the teenage romance (the subsequent books are even more saturated with it, if possible), but it was, overall, a pretty good representation of what the Exodus of Lehi's family was really like.

That said, notice that I DID go on and read the next two books (and have checked out the third from the library), so I clearly liked it.

I got it for my Dad for Father's Day, but he isn't done with it yet.

I enjoyed Elder Holland's talk a great deal. I liked his perspective on how, although Heavenly Father was near to the Savior at the end, it was necessary for the Father to withdraw his presence in order for Jesus to complete his task. I love Elder Holland's combination of such interesting knowledge with his spiritual sensitivity (and I have not done it justice here).