All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience

by Neal A. Maxwell

In the midst of deep affliction, the Prophet Joseph Smith was told, "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." The world at that moment was shown anew that God is aware of man's sufering, and that pain is not without purpose. Such concepts are not always easy to accept, but, as Elder Maxwell observes, "the hardness is usually not in their complexity, but in the deep demands these doctrines make on us." All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience focuses on some of the "hard doctrines" that members of the Church must grapple with in the latter days. This book will help the Saints prepare for the trials ahead, while assuring them that the power of God's love is constantly available to the faithful.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Church, Inspirational, Spirituality, Faith

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Neal A. Maxwell was well known as an Apostle, author, administrator, and educator. A graduate of the University of Utah, he was the Commissioner of Education for the Church Educational System for six years. He also held a variety of administrative and teaching positions at the University of Utah, including that of executive vice-president.

In 1974 Elder Maxwell was called as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. From 1976 to 1981 he served as member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and in 1981 was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Maxwell has written numerous books on Latter-day Saint themes, including "If Thou Endure It Well"; "Lord, Increase Our Faith"; "That Ye May Believe"; and "Not My Will, But Thine". He and his wife, Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, had four children.

Elder Maxwell died July 21, 2004.

Reviews

[Lauren Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel it's a tender mercy that I was able to download a free copy of this book right as I was going through a miscarriage. I opened it up to read to distract myself as it was all going down, and there could not have been anything more comforting and grounding. The first part of it is all about how God is omniscient, how everything is known to him, and how he makes everything work together for our good. There were so many one sentence sermons. It is profound, and definitely one to ponder, mark up, and read again.

As with anything by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, I suggest reading it in a quite place where you can have some time to read without being interrupted. His words demand, and deserve, your full attention.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a WONDERFUL book! It takes a minute to adjust to Elder Maxwell's writing - he is so smart and there is so much to everything that he says. He shares so many important insights about God, the importance and reason for suffering and trials, the importance of service, love, communication, honesty, correction, prayer, following our leaders and basically becoming a true disciple of Christ.

There were so many important reminders for me in this book. Elder Maxwell teaches so clearly how we must know who God is - He is omniscient, omnipotent and omni-loving. We should see suffering and trials as opportunities to grow. We must be humble and realize our dependence on God. I particularly loved his words about serving and loving those around us and being a humble and genuine communicator with others and with God through prayer. He finishes with an important reminder about the importance of obediently and humbly following our leaders. There are so many wonderful and important reminders in these pages. I'm glad I read it today. It gave me a renewed perspective of what's really important in this life.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"God's omniscience is not solely a function of prolonged and discerning familiarity with us--but of the stunning reality that the past and present and future are part of an "eternal now" with God (p. 8)."

"It never quite strikes home to most of us that to give two hours in church or neighborly service would not even be possible if God did not give us breath itself from moment to moment and did not keep that tiny but marvelous pump, the heart, working from second to second (p. 25)."

"Life is a school in which we enrolled not only voluntarily but rejoicingly; and...the school's Headmaster employs a curriculum...and examinations that would truly test our ability...in his absence, many of the schoolchildren tore up their guiding notebooks and demanded that He stop the examinations since these produced some pain. There is..no way to "CLEP" the examinations of the second estate; one learns by taking the full course (p. 28)!"

"God, as a loving Father, will stretch our souls at times...the soul is like a violin string: it makes music only when it is stretched. God will tutor us by trying us because He loves us, not because of indifference (p. 29)!"

"In keeping the second great commandment, the most significant and basic service we can regularly render unto others will emerge from our most basic roles--as brothers and sisters, as parents, as neighbors, as disciples. What we do vocationally and professionally matters, of course--and sometimes very much. But those of us who try to escape from, or neglect, our basic roles will find that we have only made the effective keeping of the second great commandment even more difficult (p. 55)."

"We...should carry jumper and tow cables not only in our cars, but also in our hearts, by which means we can send the needed boost or charge of encouragement or the added momentum to mortal neighbors (p. 59)."

"Our capacity to grow and to assist each other depends very much upon our being "willing to communicate." Communication includes proper measures of counsel, correction, and commendation. Since we depend upon each other to supply these ingredients in our lives, our insensitivity in communicating can be far more damaging than we realize. When we "pass by" others and "notice them not," a degree of deprivation occurs. One of the ways, therefore, we will be "proved herewith" is our determination as to whether or not we love others enough to give and to receive such vital communications....Are not the people proximate to us our tiny portion of humanity, given to us by God as our social stewardship (p. 75)?"

"As we come to understand and experience God in all His perfected attributes and as we struggle to develop these same attributes in ourselves, we move from appreciation for Him to adoration for Him (p. 132)."

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say it enough, I LOVE Neal A. Maxwell!

This was a powerful little book full of wisdom and insight designed to help all of us to better endure to the end. As you can imagine, it was full of amazing one-liners and deep introspective questions... the kind of writing that Elder Maxwell excels at. He also quoted C.S. Lewis at least 3 times. (I love that it's so obvious how much he likes Lewis's writing).

My favorite chapter was the one discussing service to our fellow man. The main point that I took away from the chapter is that most of us need to rethink our service. We don't hesitate to feed someone when they are hungry or clothe them when they are naked, but Elder Maxwell makes the point that more often than not, what people really need is simply to feel that they belong. He states "So often what people need so much is to be sheltered from the storms of life in the sanctuary of belonging." Thinking back on my own life, I can remember people bringing me food or giving me blessings at different times, but the people who helped me and strengthened me the most, are the ones who made me feel like I belonged. They were the people who made me feel like I was welcome to be myself and that they would enjoy my company. Not because I was entertaining or doing anything for them, but just because they liked me for me. Don't get me wrong, there are clearly many who need food and clothes and shelter... but I wouldn't be surprised if there were many more that would shout for joy if they just had one true friend.

Lastly, I want to share this line from the end of the book that really got me. "When we are safely beyond the narrowness of this mortal passage, we will come upon a scene of such expansiveness that solar systems will seem like backyards and galaxies like neighborhoods."

I wish I could spend just one hour with this incredible man of God!

[Jamie Eskelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this insightful and beautifully written book, Neal A. Maxwell (served as an apostle in the LDS church) shares his thoughts on the omniscience of God, His love for us, prayer, service and many other gospel principles. It's a short book (only 133 pages) but is not an easy read. The ideas and concepts are challenging but wonderful. I loved it. My favorite quote (though I think I could fill up every wall of my house with fabulous quotes from this book)...

"Prayer is a marvelous process that pierces the veil, and, therefore, requires much faith and persistence on our part; this is so precisely because prayer is that point where the agency of man meets the omniscience of God...where time melts as it touches eternity."

[Lindsey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxwell is a master of words. Sometimes that means I have to read everything again because I didn’t quite get it the first time. But everything he says is just spot on for me- especially the first few chapters and the one on service! I’ll be thinking about these concepts for a long time!

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always thought that Elder Maxwell's talks carry an extra bit of power because of how well he uses the English language. This book proves that in every way I can think of, especially knowing what he went through in his final years battling cancer among other trials I'm sure. No matter your feelings towards The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or religion in general, I think everyone could benefit from this book if they are open enough to let in new thoughts and perspectives.

[Brad Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful summary of the concept of difficult truths, God’s nature, challenges of mortality, why we have challenges (designs of god vs circumstance vs our own mistakes), forgiveness, love and following the prophet.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic and wonderful Maxwell, as always. With analogies crafted in alliteration and syntax that is an enjoyment intellectually why your head is spinning with the conclusions doctrinally. I particularly enjoyed his breakdown of why people don’t follow leaders.

[Amanda Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful insights about the omniscience of God and the agency of all men. Loved it and highly recommend!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of amazing and beautiful insights about the pressing issues of our time. This book is not about societal issues, however. It's about personal righteousness and discipleship. Elder Maxwell's insights about the veil, sustaining the General Authorities, prayer, and trials are wise and timeless. Elder Maxwell had a unique and rare intelligence that informed his thoughts on discipleship.

Listening to this as an audiobook was an added bonus; hearing these inspired words in his calming and thoughtful voice makes them resonate more. He's been gone for thirteen years now, but much of what he said is even more is even more relevant today than when he wrote these things.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When we come to be genuinely concerned with pleasing God—more than with pleasing any in the world, even ourselves—then our behavior improves and His blessings can engulf us.” — All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience

[Skye Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book that discusses the meaning of life, and of our experiences. I love that Maxwell’s insights and really appreciated the message.

“Neither is obedience a mindless shifting of our personal responsibility. Instead, it is tying ourselves to a living God who will introduce us—as soon as we are ready—to new and heavier responsibilities involving situations of high adventure. Obedience, therefore, is not evasion; it is an invasion—one that takes us deep into the realm of our possibilities.

What God says He has in store for us will, in literal actuality, require a peculiar people (as mortals measure peculiarity), a people particularly suited for everlasting chores elsewhere. Therefore, it isn't that God seeks to shape us capriciously, just to prove that He is in charge; He is fitting us for special chores for which there are rigorous and nonwaivable specifications. There will be only one recruitment effort among us for any aspirants to such adventure, only one set of standards to be followed, and only one narrow and precise path of development for those so recruited. But when we are safely beyond the narrowness of this mortal passage, we will come upon a scene of such expansiveness that solar systems will seem like backyards and galaxies like neighborhoods! Indeed, as we grow, the universe shrinks—and yet our developed capacity to love our neighbors will find no difficulty in being put to work among God's creations.

As we come to understand and experience God in all His perfected attributes and as we struggle to develop these same attributes in ourselves, we move from appreciation for Him to adoration of Him! Just as the love of God for us is unconditional, one day ours for Him will be likewise. This is what the first commandment is all about. But even then, the adoration and awe we have developed for God will take humble and eternal notice of the vital fact stressed by John—that God loved us first. (1 John 4: 19.) Indeed, while God's great plan of redemption was made feasible by His omniscience and His omnipotence, it was made inevitable because of His perfect love for us!”

[Jeff Birk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elder Maxwell is deep and I didn't even begin to consider listening to this book on any other speed than normal. It was so nice to hear him reading his own book. He has a lot of good info here on overcoming trials and what those trials may be (following the brethren, for example). Too many great one-liners here to list. Plus it would take buying the book and actually reading and underlining it to get the full grasp of the material here. Overall this book gave me a good feeling throughout the entire read. Not a casual listen if you want to get the most out of it.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

—His section on giving correction and praise is excellent!!!

Favorite Quotes:
Without the veil…we would lose that precious insulation which keeps us from a profound and disabling homesickness that would interfere with our mortal probation and maturation.

God’s court is filled with those who have both chosen and overcome, whose company we do not yet deserve.

The soul is like a violin string, it makes music only when it is stretched.

If it’s fair, it’s not a true trial.

One day we will praise God for taking us so near to our limits, just as He did with His Only Begotten in Gethsemane and Calvary.

A humble communicator desires if he has said anything inappropriate, untrue, or unwise, that his words will fall to the ground.

We surely do not want immortality for our errors.

Our pride should not hold us hostage when we have erred…

We should learn from our errors, but we ought to forget them as soon as we can.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxwell, as always, has a rapid-fire delivery and salts his works well with quotations. Working through the linguistic style of delivery was sometimes show, but the experience and thoughts provoked were worth the effort.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome little book full of great insights and things to think about. It is so small, but so dense, you really need to go slowly and ponder about it while you go. And even though it was originally published in the late 70's, it is still applicable today. Definitely one to revisit.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Neal A. Maxwell and the way he writes. He knows so much. I read a little at a time and tried to soak in all he said.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a deep dive into the omniscience of God and other things. Maxwell is an excellent writer, his word choice is always intentional, and he never passes up a good alliteration-the awful arithmetic of the atonement; counsel, correction, and commendation.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neal A. Maxwell has a gift for condensing immense ideas into single phrases, sentences, or short paragraphs that convey layers of meaning -- truly thoughts to ponder at length. I found this almost distracting to my attempts to read and return the book to its lender. It was difficult to read and then attempt to absorb, ponder, evaluate any given section without moving at a snail's pace.

I highly recommend this book; and I recommend reading a chapter or a section of a chapter at a time, giving ample opportunity to process and appreciate the multifaceted truths he is trying to limit to the confines of a page.

My favorite chapter is "Service, the Second Great Commandment." The following paragraphs helped me re-evaluate my idea of service -- first and foremost to my family, and then to everyone I work with, live near, and count as friends:

"Isn't it interesting that of the many ways in which the Lord might have phrased the object of the 'thou shalt' in the second great commandment, He chose the word neighbor – not mankind, not organizations, not people, and not society, but neighbor.

“It has only been in recent times, since people started saying they loved all mankind, that neighbors have suffered so much neglect.

“In keeping the second great commandment, the most significant and basic service we can regularly render unto others will emerge from our most basic roles – as brothers and sisters, as parents, as neighbors, as disciples.”

“As we strive to render significant, though often quiet, service, we should avoid life patterns in which the seeming pressures can make for superficial service and rushed relationships. What C. S. Lewis said of our reception-oriented social gatherings is often true: meeting people in such settings is like reading only the first page of one hundred different books – very unfulfilling! All of us should strive, therefore, to have some friendships that are deep and solid – so solid, for instance, that if they were interrupted, the unfinished conversation could be resumed months later almost in mid-sentence, just as if we had never been apart.”

There follows an extensive listing of ways we can give service – not just the food we take to a door or the hours spent laying sod – but life-changing and love-demonstrating words and actions.

“Jesus loved us enough to sacrifice and suffer for us, more than we can know – and perhaps, ever fully appreciate. There are so many times in life when we recoil from further service to others as they become too demanding. When we see what it is we are getting into, we so often want to get out. . . . Do we not see how it is that God has been longsuffering with us, and that to know Him we must be prepared over time to experience such things ourselves?

“Perfect love is perfectly patient. Loving patience with a disobedient child, long-term service in the sickness of a loved one who needs to be waited upon hand and foot – these are the things that will stretch our souls more than so many other forms of service . . . a gallantry that is Godlike in its regularity and selflessness.

“Yet keeping the second commandment – to love our neighbor as ourselves – requires, more than we know, the development of healthy self-regard. Unless, therefore, we ourselves are improving and growing, our neighbors and associates will tend to suffer at our hands – if only from acts of omission.”

[Liz Busby · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Maxwell book. To be honest, I picked it up because it was free on the Deseret Book Bookshelf+ app. This book was a mixed bag for me. I loved the introduction, then the first few chapters were a bit slow, same with the last few chapters.

In the middle was the chapter “Growth through Counsel, Correction, and Commendation,” which struck me like a bolt of lightning. Elder Maxwell talks about the importance of giving actual counsel to each other at a local level--families and wards, not just general authorities. He acknowledges that it can be easy to cause or take offense when advice is given but lays out an effective case for the necessity of this kind of spiritual advice giving. Then he proceeds to list several ways to make counsel more likely to be received effectively.

I have been feeling this problem in the church lately, that we'll all willing to step up and make church programs run, but we're all terrified to do the actual spiritual work that is required to make church transformational. I worry that one of the reasons church meetings can feel "boring" is because we're so afraid of offending or judging that we don't deal with the tough problems that we are facing and glide over the surface doing nothing.

Anyway, for my money, the book was worth reading just for this chapter, but YMMV. I'm looking for recommendations for my next Maxwell book. What's your favorite?

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly well written book. I listened to it on cd and loved hearing Neil A Maxwell's voice once again. There were times I had to rewind a sentence over and over again just to comprehend all that he says in such a few words. He teaches pure doctrine that illuminates so very brightly through the darkness that mortality can sometimes create.

Some of my most favorite points were:
1:The with holding of key communications can be even more serious than with holding one's material substance. Food and rainment can sometimes be supplied by others. (I loved the 9 important rules of giving and receiving such weighty communications)

2. "If your lips can keep from slips, 5 things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how and when and where." William Edward Norris

3.We must learn to follow the brethren in the small things so we can follow them in the large things. Sometimes however the little things are the big things.

4.Every form of control except self control seems to be increasing and yet obedience rests on self control.

And the 6 typical things that get in the way of following the brethren. What he has to say is easily applied.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book; in each chapter Elder Maxwell tackles a different "hard doctrine." As I read, I felt like he was telling me, though all these principles may be difficult, as you live them you will grow, they will "give thee experience," which experience draws you unto Christ.

My favorite chapters were about suffering & service. When going through trials, it is comforting to read the words of a prophet who tells you that this suffering is part of the plan & that the Lord is aware of you & that there is a way to deal with it. The service chapter was especially touching because it presented service not so much as physical acts, but serving a person's spirit by caring about them & being kind. Reading that chapter quite literally caused me to change my behavior on the spot. And I loved this quote Elder Maxwell shared from N. Eldon Tanner: "The most difficult thing for us seems to be to give of ourselves, to do away with selfishness. If we really love someone, nothing is a hardship."

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elder Maxwell's words were incredibly important to me while he was still with us, and it finally dawned on me a few months ago to start reading his written contributions.

The other day, I had a conversation with my father-in-law about books that you never finish despite having read them many times. The ideas are so complex, the insights too profound to be understood in a tight little package. This is one of those books--a prime synthesis of key aspects of discipleship as understood by Mormon theology.

[Crystalee Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxwell offers deep gems for Christian audiences on each page, and I savor it best with little bites at a time.I read this insightful book thoughtfully over the course of many months. I love the perspective he offers about life, God, and His plans for us. It's a broad look at the eternal scheme of things and how our experiences during mortality affect us. I like this quote on the last page: "...when we are safely beyond the narrowness of this mortal passage, we will come upon a scene of such expansiveness that solar systems will seem like backyards and galaxies like neighborhoods!"

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the abridged book, read by the author. I love listening to Elder Maxwell! This book had a lot of insights into our eternal lives beyond day-to-day happenings. It helps in dealing with challenges. I plan to listen to it multiple times.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me LOTS to think about with a new perspective.
I had to listen to the same parts over and over again to let some things sink in. Maxwell uses words like "Parenthetically" which make me feel smarter just by listening to it!

[Zach Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the chapter on the omniscience of God. Listened to the audiobook and would love to now purchase a hard copy to study and reflect more deeply.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous Elder Maxwell book. I've never been disappointed in any of his books.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beloved apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Elder Neal A. Maxwell. Known for his compassion and his intelligence, Elder Maxwell passed away in 2004 after an eight year battle with leukemia.

At the time of his passing I was in the middle of a self-imposed “hiatus” from Church activity and, although I feel it was something that I, personally, needed to go through in order to shape who I am today, I do not recommend it. It was, in retrospect, both a waste of time and time wasted (not the same thing.) There are so many things I do not know but want to know and so many things I want to learn that I could’ve pursued years ago.

One of those things about which I’ve felt a recent desire to become better acquainted with the lives and teachings of Church leaders, past and present. Elder Maxwell has always been in my peripheral vision but it wasn’t until recently, while in the midst of several exhausting weeks of different trials and challenges, that I decided to read this particular book. It had been sitting for years, unopened, in my Deseret Bookshelf app. I read about two thirds of it and listened to the last third, read by Elder Maxwell himself in that fatherly voice of his, one that exudes both care and concern.

My immediate impression was that Neal A. Maxwell crafts his thoughts with the same quality as Mozart writing a symphony or da Vinci creating the Mona Lisa. This is not an exaggeration. He is one of the most masterful, exquisite writers I’ve ever encountered. But, like any masterful work, appreciating it requires focus and study. This is not a book you can skim or listen to in the background. While I did do some multi-tasking while listening, those tasks had to be fairly mindless in order to pay attention and ponder the messages.

If I had to choose 3 favorite chapters it would be these:

-The Omniscience of an Omnipotent and Omniloving God
-Prayer and Growth
-Follow the Brethren

All of these chapters resonated with me for different reasons. Going into great detail about God’s omniscience helps us to understand that challenges help to shape us to become like Him one day, which should be our ultimate goal. Learning how to pray in a way God can answer has been a recent personal pursuit, so I was happy to learn more on the subject. Following the brethren (leaders) is a strong pep talk of a chapter, but sometimes tough love is the best course, especially when the only agenda behind that pep talk is to help the reader self-reflect and improve.

I learned a lot of things that I need to consider in my own life, especially when things are difficult. I also understand, more than ever, why Neal A. Maxwell was so revered. He KNOWS people, how they tick, how they function, how they act and react. I was amazed at his perception. This book is a treasure.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I love how Neal A Maxwell used language to express complex concepts, this book felt a little dated and somewhat negative in tone. Nevertheless, there are some real gems within this short book.
The book is separated into 8 Chapers:
1. Hard Doctrines and God's Love
2. The Omnisicience of an Omnipotent and Omniloving God
3. The Fellowship of His sufferings
4. Service and the Second Great Commandment
5. Growth Through Counsel, Correction, and Commendation
6. Prayer and Growth
7. Follow the Brethern
8. Our Moment in Time
I hadn't noticed in his talks as much that he leans a bit negative in his observations. When discussing God's love for us, our need to serve others, our need to give friends correction when they stray, our need to pray, and our need to follow the Brethern (leadership) of the church, he points out the traits and actions of those who do not do what is right. For example, he says,
"In the first two great commandments we are adjured to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How very difficult these duties are when people become selfish."
In the chapter on correction, he prefaces his thoughts with the scripture He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding." (Proverbs 15:32) Then he proceeds to give guidelines on giving correction:
-it needs to be out of love
-we should consider the consequences and appropriateness of our words
-there should be a relationship between the importance of the issue and the counsel
-we should use appropriate tone, bodily posture, and facial expression
-timing is crucial
This chapter really struck me because I don't think the advice to give a friend counsel is talked about currently. The direction from church leaders seems to be along the lines of share your light instead. (See "That they may see" by Bonnie H. Cordon, general conference April 2020).
While Elder Maxwell makes fairly clear those who are not righteous, he has some really great advice:
"All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God (42)."
"Prayer is a marvelous process that pierces the veil, and therefore, requires much faith and persistence on our part . . .".
While he does go over unrighteousness and doubt, he does delve deeply into the greatness of God and the power of the gospel. The book is full of ideas and very engaging too.