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Walking on Water and Other Classic Messages
For several years, bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox has been a favorite presenter at BYU Education Week, Time Out for Women events, and adult religion classes. His popular talks on CD represent some of his most inspiring and profound work and have generated countless requests for printed transcripts of these classic addresses. Now these timeless talks have been transcribed, edited by the author, and compiled into a single volume.Included in this volume are the classic talks Walking on Water; The Jesus We Need to Know; Of Lions, Dragons, and Turkish Delight; The Fourth Watch; Seeing as God Sees; When All Eternity Shook; Your Faith Becometh Unshaken; and Taking the Temple with You.Brother Wilcox's familiar, erudite style shines through in every chapter, bringing new light and life to familiar scripture stories and doctrines. Readers of Walking on Water will find what it means to be "King Noah-blind" (and how to avoid it), what the connection is between lions, dragons, and Turkish delight, and just what kind of God we worship. Readers will also find out how to deal with faith-shaking experiences in their lives, how to respond to requests from the Lord that seem impossible to accomplish, and how to strengthen their testimonies, brick by brick. Walking on Water truly has something for everyone, whether a new convert to the gospel, wondering where to go next, or a gospel scholar, looking for new insights into timeless themes.,
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2006
35 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
S. Michael Wilcox
53 books143 followersS. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 30, 2022
I really appreciated this book. I learned a lot about the Savior Jesus Christ and I enjoyed reading S. Michael Wilcox’s insights about C. S. Lewis.
Here are some thoughts and quotes I want to remember:
Reflections on my personal walking on water moments- those very hard things to overcome like resisting temptation, overcoming bad habits, conquering fear, consecrating, forgiving, maintaining faith, etc.
God tends to call us when the nets are full.
Jesus wanted to know, according to the flesh, these six experiences: pains, afflictions, temptations of every kind, sicknesses, infirmities, and death. These words portray, we might say, life at its most challenging. The Savior knew life at its very best—laughter, joy, love, friendship—but he also knew life at the level of affliction, pain, sickness, and infirmity.
Jesus multiplies what little we have, what is insufficient for our needs, raising us to sufficiency and beyond. He understand those insufficiencies, and knows how to make weaknesses strengths.
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of the gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. . . Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” - C. S. Lewis
Sometimes we go to the Savior and we want to get healed or helped in some little thing that is troubling us. We feel the pinch of our conscience. Something in our lives no longer fits comfortably. We scratch and peel and throw that bad habit at the Lord’s feet and say, “Is that enough?” We know in our hearts it is not. We continue to peel off layers and lay them down. But the whole dragon skin has got to come off.
“The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth , or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.’” - C. S. Lewis
Lewis created Aslan for the purpose of touching the love already in us. And you do love that Lion as you read about him. With each new book, love and appreciation increase. You love Asian, and thus Christ, for his dignity, his wisdom, his pure goodness, his gentleness. Perhaps most of all you love him because he wants us to receive his love, to know him, and to share his happiness.
“Never fear. There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’” -C. S. Lewis
We understand that not all the sounds going into our ears are negative. It is just that there is so much sound. We have a need in our lives for time to meditate, to reflect, to ponder. The Spirit rarely shouts. We must invite it. It is not in the habit of intruding when we are not listening or attentive to its whisper. Sometimes sheer busyness crowds it out. I repeat, the sounds we invite into our lives are not always negative, but the accumulated amount can effectively remove solitude from our lives. We don’t experience quiet enough—time to form deep friendships, family relations, relations with the Spirit, with God.
Lewis felt that we were not supposed to feel too much at home on earth. Our home, our happiness, and our joy were to be found somewhere else. But materialism dulls the longing of our hearts. Remember, that we are made for another country. To be overly comfortable in this one may not be a good sign. It is not just having money or things that Lewis warned us about, but the dreaming, exhilarating, serious feeling of success that was also captivation—the proud intoxication of material competence.
“The standard of permanent Christianity must be kept clear in our minds and it is against that standard that we must test all contemporary thought. In fact, we must at all costs not move with the times. We serve One who said ‘Heaven and Earth shall move with the times,but my words shall not move with the times.’” - C. S. Lewis
“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn’t. In this trial He makes us occupy the dock, the witness box, and the bench all at once.“ - C. S. Lewis
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I can see it, but by it I see everything else.” -C. S. Lewis
When you feel somewhat desperate, when it seems like your prayers aren’t answered and the winds still blow, take comfort in the knowledge that he is on the hillside watching. Remember, you might not know that he’s watching as you struggle in the boat, but he is on the hillside watching, and he will come. But he generally comes in the fourth watch—after we have done all we can do.
There is one area of our lives where the Lord is wiling and anxious to come to us in the first watch. … That area would be in forgiveness. The Savior is anxious and eager to come to us when we cry to him for forgiveness, even in the first watch.
In the New Testament the Lord then reminds us of one of his titles: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end”. … What is he the end of? We learn a marvelous truth. He answers us: I am the end of death, I am the end of crying, I am the end of sorrow, I am the end of pain. … What is he the beginning of? he will answer: I am the beginning of peace, I am the beginning of forgiveness, I am the beginning of life and happiness and glory. I am the beginning of all joys.
God always sees the beauty underneath the surface.
God sees the importance of the smallest acts; he does not underestimate their value. These are what I call “mite moments” in all of our lives. We are on both the receiving and the giving end of these moments.
The Spirit helps us immeasurably in this endeavor [to empathize with others]. The Holy Ghost is the great empathizer and he can share his perspective with us.
God, like the shepherd, still joys in the ninety and nine, but there is an intensity of joy for the one. There’s a constant joy in the ninety and nine. God feels both types of joy, both the constant and the intense.
In my years teaching I have found that many Latter-day Saints believe that faith is built on a foundation of emotion and feelings, and that can certainly be part of it. But I really love the words substance, assurance, and evidence. There is a concreteness about them that faith-shaking experiences or people can’t remove.
Jacob is telling us that revelation is a key in the formation of unshakable faith. … Searching the prophets leads to revelatory experiences, which leads to the creation of unshakable faith.
If we are true to our covenants, our outgoings from the temple carry a protective shield to cover, not only us, but our families—all those we love.
Our loving Father in Heaven and Savior have given us a sacred triangle of home, stake and temple, within whose boundaries we can make our stand and not fear.
I believe part of the adversary’s plan in the latter days is to see that we have no time left for feasting.
Here are some thoughts and quotes I want to remember:
Reflections on my personal walking on water moments- those very hard things to overcome like resisting temptation, overcoming bad habits, conquering fear, consecrating, forgiving, maintaining faith, etc.
God tends to call us when the nets are full.
Jesus wanted to know, according to the flesh, these six experiences: pains, afflictions, temptations of every kind, sicknesses, infirmities, and death. These words portray, we might say, life at its most challenging. The Savior knew life at its very best—laughter, joy, love, friendship—but he also knew life at the level of affliction, pain, sickness, and infirmity.
Jesus multiplies what little we have, what is insufficient for our needs, raising us to sufficiency and beyond. He understand those insufficiencies, and knows how to make weaknesses strengths.
“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of the gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. . . Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” - C. S. Lewis
Sometimes we go to the Savior and we want to get healed or helped in some little thing that is troubling us. We feel the pinch of our conscience. Something in our lives no longer fits comfortably. We scratch and peel and throw that bad habit at the Lord’s feet and say, “Is that enough?” We know in our hearts it is not. We continue to peel off layers and lay them down. But the whole dragon skin has got to come off.
“The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth , or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.’” - C. S. Lewis
Lewis created Aslan for the purpose of touching the love already in us. And you do love that Lion as you read about him. With each new book, love and appreciation increase. You love Asian, and thus Christ, for his dignity, his wisdom, his pure goodness, his gentleness. Perhaps most of all you love him because he wants us to receive his love, to know him, and to share his happiness.
“Never fear. There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’” -C. S. Lewis
We understand that not all the sounds going into our ears are negative. It is just that there is so much sound. We have a need in our lives for time to meditate, to reflect, to ponder. The Spirit rarely shouts. We must invite it. It is not in the habit of intruding when we are not listening or attentive to its whisper. Sometimes sheer busyness crowds it out. I repeat, the sounds we invite into our lives are not always negative, but the accumulated amount can effectively remove solitude from our lives. We don’t experience quiet enough—time to form deep friendships, family relations, relations with the Spirit, with God.
Lewis felt that we were not supposed to feel too much at home on earth. Our home, our happiness, and our joy were to be found somewhere else. But materialism dulls the longing of our hearts. Remember, that we are made for another country. To be overly comfortable in this one may not be a good sign. It is not just having money or things that Lewis warned us about, but the dreaming, exhilarating, serious feeling of success that was also captivation—the proud intoxication of material competence.
“The standard of permanent Christianity must be kept clear in our minds and it is against that standard that we must test all contemporary thought. In fact, we must at all costs not move with the times. We serve One who said ‘Heaven and Earth shall move with the times,but my words shall not move with the times.’” - C. S. Lewis
“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn’t. In this trial He makes us occupy the dock, the witness box, and the bench all at once.“ - C. S. Lewis
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I can see it, but by it I see everything else.” -C. S. Lewis
When you feel somewhat desperate, when it seems like your prayers aren’t answered and the winds still blow, take comfort in the knowledge that he is on the hillside watching. Remember, you might not know that he’s watching as you struggle in the boat, but he is on the hillside watching, and he will come. But he generally comes in the fourth watch—after we have done all we can do.
There is one area of our lives where the Lord is wiling and anxious to come to us in the first watch. … That area would be in forgiveness. The Savior is anxious and eager to come to us when we cry to him for forgiveness, even in the first watch.
In the New Testament the Lord then reminds us of one of his titles: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end”. … What is he the end of? We learn a marvelous truth. He answers us: I am the end of death, I am the end of crying, I am the end of sorrow, I am the end of pain. … What is he the beginning of? he will answer: I am the beginning of peace, I am the beginning of forgiveness, I am the beginning of life and happiness and glory. I am the beginning of all joys.
God always sees the beauty underneath the surface.
God sees the importance of the smallest acts; he does not underestimate their value. These are what I call “mite moments” in all of our lives. We are on both the receiving and the giving end of these moments.
The Spirit helps us immeasurably in this endeavor [to empathize with others]. The Holy Ghost is the great empathizer and he can share his perspective with us.
God, like the shepherd, still joys in the ninety and nine, but there is an intensity of joy for the one. There’s a constant joy in the ninety and nine. God feels both types of joy, both the constant and the intense.
In my years teaching I have found that many Latter-day Saints believe that faith is built on a foundation of emotion and feelings, and that can certainly be part of it. But I really love the words substance, assurance, and evidence. There is a concreteness about them that faith-shaking experiences or people can’t remove.
Jacob is telling us that revelation is a key in the formation of unshakable faith. … Searching the prophets leads to revelatory experiences, which leads to the creation of unshakable faith.
If we are true to our covenants, our outgoings from the temple carry a protective shield to cover, not only us, but our families—all those we love.
Our loving Father in Heaven and Savior have given us a sacred triangle of home, stake and temple, within whose boundaries we can make our stand and not fear.
I believe part of the adversary’s plan in the latter days is to see that we have no time left for feasting.
July 9, 2012
Life-changing for me (especially the first selection "Walking on Water").
June 29, 2017
"Walking on Water" is an outstanding compilation of talks given by Michael Wilcox. I was genuinely surprised by the incredible ideas presented in this book and I will never look at Gospel principles in quite the same way again. It has given me so much to ponder. Outstanding!!! I highly recommend this book!
July 23, 2017
G
This is a collection of Michael Wilcox's speeches he gives. There are some repeat messages in some of the talks. They are funny, inspirational, and I learned a lot from the scriptures. I did, however, skip the chapter on C.S. Lewis. It was a bit cumbersome and boring.
This is a collection of Michael Wilcox's speeches he gives. There are some repeat messages in some of the talks. They are funny, inspirational, and I learned a lot from the scriptures. I did, however, skip the chapter on C.S. Lewis. It was a bit cumbersome and boring.
July 25, 2018
A lot of great insight in this book. I took institute from Michael Wilcox in college and enjoyed his teaching style. I especially loved the chapter on CS Lewis and his Christianity views. I’ll be reading some of his books next!
May 12, 2019
This took me a long time to read because I would just read bits and pieces on Sunday. I love the way he explains the gospel. Love it! So simple and yet so profound and applicable to daily life. It definitely strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ.
February 16, 2021
Walking on Water and Other Classic Messages has become one of my favorite books. I read it twice and will probably read it again. S. Michael Wilcox brings wonderful messages to light. “The Fourth Watch” and “Walking on Water” are two of my favorite chapters. This work is well worth a read.
June 9, 2017
This was so inspiring! This was a collection of his writings and I loved each chapter.i
April 16, 2018
I took a good long time to slowly read and try to absorb this book.
There was so much insight I really can't say how much a loved it!
There was so much insight I really can't say how much a loved it!
March 22, 2019
An excellent read.
October 27, 2023
EXCELLENT and worth reading more than once
October 21, 2025
What a WONDERFUL book by one of my most favorite authors. The copy I read is a library book. It is one I need to buy and read it again and again and again. 🥰
April 8, 2023
There were so many stories that brought wonderful insights I would never have thought of on my own. It is a beautiful, uplifting, and instructional book.
March 2, 2017
Another impressive book by Michael Wilcox.
August 23, 2014
I heard Michael Wilcox speak at "Time Out For Women" back in 2003, and I was very touched by his message. What a great speaker! (I also liked his sense of humor and the way he didn't take himself too seriously.) Since then, I've read a few of his books and have grown to appreciate him even more. This book is a written collection of some of his most well-known speeches, and they are gems. I think I needed this wisdom and spiritual boost right now, because it certainly touched my spirit in a very powerful way. I will read this book (especially certain sections) again, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
November 5, 2016
This book was absolutely beautiful. While I enjoy an occasional religious book, I've never had one capture my attention the way that this one did. It doesn't matter if you're LDS, anyone looking for a connection with God will be edified by the talks this book presents.
My husband suggested that I read this book while I was severely struggling with anxiety. Honestly, it is one of the only things that helped me start to feel better. This book is so full of hope and inspiring messages. Truly, I feel closer to God for having read this. I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially to my friends and family. It has made me stronger as a person.
My husband suggested that I read this book while I was severely struggling with anxiety. Honestly, it is one of the only things that helped me start to feel better. This book is so full of hope and inspiring messages. Truly, I feel closer to God for having read this. I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially to my friends and family. It has made me stronger as a person.
March 28, 2016
Just what I needed these past few weeks. Wilcox, (not to be confused with Brad Wilcox, who is also excellent) compiles some of his gospel talks and essays. He's quite popular on the Education Week/Time Out for Women/Women's Conference circuit, and with good reason. He's good at getting to the heart of the gospel without oversimplifying. It's clear he's studied the scriptures extensively and loves them. My favorite chapters were "Your Faith Becometh Unshaken," "Walking on Water," and a lengthy talk on the writings of CS Lewis. I'm sure I'll be recommending it to friends and family.
February 10, 2012
This book is a collections of transcriptions of some of Michael Wilcox's more profound and inspiring talks. I loved the book, especially when Wilcox gives insights into the infinite love of our Savior Jesus Christ for each of his children. A brilliant scholar and religious theologian, Wilcox weaves his personal experiences and insights from Scripture and great literature into a masterpiece. I look forward to listening to the cd of these book.
June 15, 2011
Wilcox always has something interesting to say and a fresh viewpoint. He does some heavy leaning on the philosophy of C S Lewis and it is great food for thought. He is probably a better speaker than a writer but still produces credible stuff. Sometimes I get jaded on simple novels and need a little something that is not so easily read to get my thinking on track
October 9, 2013
S. Michael Wilcox is so insightful and has such a gift for helping me liken the scriptures to myself. A friend lent me this book and I may need to buy it so I can re-read it again and again!
Update 10/8/2013: Just re-read this book. (I wish I could note that here on GoodReads.) Still as amazing and uplifting as it was the first time I read it. Very powerful.
Update 10/8/2013: Just re-read this book. (I wish I could note that here on GoodReads.) Still as amazing and uplifting as it was the first time I read it. Very powerful.
November 9, 2012
Michael Wilcox has become a favorite author beginning with Fire in the Bones. His teachings are real and practical to me. I remember them and apply them and am better because of them. His examples are straight forward and enlightening as well as both scriptoral and personal. I have gained much insight because of this learned man. And I think I love CS Lewis as much as anybody.
March 11, 2013
S. Michael Wilcox has the amazing ability to make basically any story some sort of allegory about the gospel. This book is a collection of 9 separate talks on a variety of subjects. I think that everyone should read "The Fourth Watch God" which gives scriptural insight into the Lord's timing. Definitely a book I will reread in the future.
April 7, 2014
One of my favorite Eduction Week speakers. Michael Wilcox has the gift of insight. His well thought out explanations and vivid descriptions of scenes from scripture passages that often get overlooked have a way of clarifying what may have seemed muddled or obscure. Particularly powerful for me in this book is The Fourth Watch, and Walking on Water.
February 20, 2012
Another great book by S. Michael Wilcox. I love his imagery of certain scripture stories/passages that relate to me and my life. His "fourth watch" is probably my favorite and has helped me understand why some of my prayers haven't been answered just yet.
August 12, 2012
The author of this book covers so well the different topics that Christ taught. He brings it down to today and how we can apply the teachings to our lives each day. It was really uplifting and I learned a lot.
December 16, 2014
The first half was the classic style of the man I adore: focused on Christ and understanding the New Testament. I loved it. Then his style turned less all-encompassing and focused on parts of Mormonism that often irk me. But he's still a beautiful thinker and writer. I miss him in my life.
December 24, 2014
I adore Michael Wilcox's teaching and writing style, so I loved this book. I gave it four stars instead of five because he uses the same stories in several of his books, so not everything was new. Excellent shot in the arm when you need some encouragement and renewed hope.
March 26, 2015
A great, uplifting book. I especially liked the parts about C.S. Lewis, of whom I am a big fan, and the temple.
Wilcox shares some great stories and has some very helpful interpretations of the scriptures.
Page Turner: 7/10
Honest: 9/10
Intelligent: 8/10
Uplifting: 9/10
Wilcox shares some great stories and has some very helpful interpretations of the scriptures.
Page Turner: 7/10
Honest: 9/10
Intelligent: 8/10
Uplifting: 9/10
November 15, 2015
I have ilistened to these talks more than once, but in reading them my understanding has increased. Michael Wilcox achieves a perfect blend of scripture with experience with wisdom of the ages--the best thinking of the mortals. So readable.
April 27, 2016
Loved this book and love the author! A lot of things I needed to hear at that moment are in this book. His stories he used in his talks are here and I love his view of the Savior. It's how I view him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews