Here We Stand

by Joseph Fielding McConkie

Book by McConkie, Joseph Fielding

Genres: Religion, Lds

213 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1995

About the author

Joseph Fielding McConkie received a Doctorate of Education from Brigham Young University in 1973, following which he became the director of the LDS Institute of Religion at the University of Washington in Seattle. Four years later he joined the faculty at BYU where he is now a Professor of Ancient Scripture. He is the author or co-author of 25 books, the most recent being a 1200 page work titled Revelations of the Restoration. His scholarly interests center in scripture and doctrine. Other experiences include being an LDS Chaplain in Vietnam, a mission president in Scotland, and a Stake President at BYU.

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Reviews

[Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that I would highly recommend for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those on missions or preparing to serve missions should make time to read this book! It helps to establish the importance of the truthfulness of Joseph Smith, as a prophet of God, and as the one called to bring forth The Book of Mormon and the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this the last dispensation of the fullness of times.

The First Vision in the Sacred Grove, and the subsequent restoration of priesthood authority, to act in God’s name, and to administer in the eternal ordinances of salvation are all part of the holy ground upon which we stand, and of what we should be testifying of in our sharing of the Gospel with others. We stand independent of all other faiths, as we stand on the testimony of a living God, of His Son, and of living prophets and ongoing revelation. We stand on the reality that the heavens are open, and that God is the same yesterday, today and forever; that the same organization that existed in Christ’s primitive Church, exists today, and it is operated by the same authority; Christ’s priesthood authority!

This book (by McConkie) helps to establish the fact that The Book of Mormon helps to confirm the validity and reality of the truths found in the Bible, more so than any other book or teacher on the subject ever could.

Those who are honest in their desires to know more of the reality of revelation and living prophets in these times will benefit from reading this book and sincerely applying the invitation from ancient scripture to ask of God, and to receive revelation for themselves, for God has promised that he will manifest all truth to us, by the power of the Holy Ghost, if we will but ask in faith, and in the sincerity of heart.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect less from one of my favorite LDS authors. This book is centered on the importance of Joseph Smith's First Vision and the need to get and leverage that testimony in all our gospel conversations and missionary activities. He also makes it clear that members need to do a better job honoring that testimony and not hiding it or being ashamed of it. A lot of time is spent on clarifying that the Bible (with all its good) will not bring conversion to the restored gospel like the Book of Mormon does and is supposed to do if properly utilized. We don't bring people into the church by using the Bible to prove our doctrines and principles. We bring people to conversion through bearing testimony of Joseph Smith, the First Vision and the Book of Mormon. By doing so, we will be given more power at the very moment needed in our conversations and preaching than by using the Bible as our base. Brother McConkie fills this book with scriptures, personal stories and church history stories to back up his clear and bold (to some people) statements which, to me, make perfect sense.

[Jacqueholst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here We Stand is very interesting. The author strongly presents The Doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He has no grays no excuses. This is what we believe. These are the differences between us and all others. No excuses, no apologies. Here We Stand!
Reading it I realized it was exactly where I should be standing. With my God, with my Lord and Saviour. Without apology. If you are a curious non member this book will answer every question honestly. If you are fortunate enough to be a member of The Lords church in these Later Days you might also enjoy reading it just to see everything in one place and thoroughly explained with a bit of history added in one place. Here we Stand!!

[Avid reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be Joseph McConkie's boldest book. His style of teaching is so fundamental and yet so enlightening.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a short review just doesn't do a book justice. Sometimes you just need to read the book to get the point of it.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what the back of the book says:

"The message of the Restoration centers on the idea that it is not common ground that we seek in sharing the gospel. There is nothing common about our message. The way we answer questions about our faith ought to be by finding the quickest and most direct route to the Sacred Grove. That is our ground. It is where the heavens are opened and the God of heaven speaks. Its is where testimonies are born and the greatest truths of heaven are unveiled. It is of this sacred ground that we say, here we stand."

Wow. This is such a different approach to sharing the gospel than I learned on my mission. But it is the method now employed by missionaries and taught in Preach my Gospel. And it is awesome!

This book changed my perspective and my life.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel privileged to have lived in the "Bible Belt" for just over 25 years. Our daughters were naturally drawn to Evangelical Christian friends as they shared the values we hold dear. However, it was often a challenge to deal with the misrepresentations and misunderstandings others had of our faith. At a "Know Your Religion" series lecture, Joseph Fielding McConkie aptly addressed the issues we faced. "Here We Stand" is the full treatment of what was presented in that lecture. I gained a greater appreciation for how other faiths saw the Bible and learned how to respectfully share my own understanding of gospel truth. This was a life changing read for me.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading about the Church and sharing the gospel. Every member of the Church should read this book to have a better sense of just how special our message is and that we need to find the shortest path to the Sacred Grove when teaching others about the restored gospel. Thought provoking and very readable. It is one of my new "go to" books in my church library alomg with Tad Callister's Infinite Atonement and Robert Millet's, Men of Valor.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on my mission while in Brazil. One of the best reads a missionary can have in my opinion. I woke up early at 5:30 AM just to read it outside of my other gospel study. He teaches a perspective of confidence and passion that was incredibly catching to me. One of, if not my favorite religion book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brother McConkie explains the reason we should speak up for what the Church has to offer everyone. We shouldn't apologize for what we know to be true. The LDS church is not like other churches and we should stand up for what is different, not apologize for it.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a hard read for me.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly affected my faith in a positive way; it made me examine and strengthen my testimony. I highly recommend it.

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty nice book. Every one should be able to write a comparable book as this on "where he/she stands"