The Things That Matter Most

by Lowell L. Bennion

The author explains several values and demonstrates their validity in a lucid and stimulating style.

Genres: Lds, Religion, Nonfiction

63 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Lowell Lindsay Bennion was an American educator and counselor. Early in his career, Bennion focused much of his efforts on fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), but he sought to benefit all people in his reach.

Reviews

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem by Bennion. There is a kind of potent distillation in his writings that helps the mind and soul to focus on fundamental principles and inspires the power to live more deliberately. This is a provocative exercise in simplification of how we think so that we can also live more simply and directly. In our age of distraction and complexification, his words seem more needed than ever.

[David Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book which can be read in one or two sittings. The content seems pretty self evident to me as I imagine it would to most people in their middle or later years, but the prose has a pleasing balance and rhythm to it which makes it an enjoyable read. I would describe it as a combination of the wisdom of scripture and more secular knowledge about the good life as described by Aristotle in ancient Greece among others with a smattering of Bennion's own life experiences added for good measure.

I wish more people, including many of our political and religious leaders, could more thoroughly internalize these principles because I believe the country and the world would become a much better place as a result. I find it particularly disconcerting that so many US politicians wear their religion on their sleeve yet have so little concept of the responsibilities that go along with the religious rights they are always publicly clamoring for. But this book offers its readers some peace in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds our troubled country as we anticipate the era of Donald Trump.

[Cannon Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lowell really kept it a buck!
"I would like to go to another fireside someday and get the group in a circle and start at one end and say, "Each of you, because you are a Latter-day Saint, tell us one thing that you do not do." And I would love to hear answers like this: "I don't smoke; I don't drink; I don't swear." But I would also like to hear the circle continue by saying, "Because I am a Latter-day Saint I don't cheat. I don't plagiarize. I don't think of a girl as a means to my own selfish gratification. I don't hurt, if I can, any human being."

More especially would I like to turn to the same group and start at the other end and hear someone say, "Because I'm a Latter-day Saint I go to church, I pay tithing, and I keep the Sabbath day holy." And then I would love to hear somebody say, "Because I am a Latter-day Saint I am kind to my neighbor. I am patient with my husband. I pay my bills. I speak the truth. I hunger and thirst after knowledge. I am going to learn something about the laws of the universe and the nature of human nature so that I might help God bring to pass the immortality and godlike life of man."

"Because I'm a Latter-day Saint I believe in living in simplicity, not in idle luxury, and in using my time and means to remove suffering in this world. Because I'm a Latter-day Saint I will be chaste. Because I'm a Latter-day Saint I love criticism. I will not be defeated by my past failures, for I believe in repentance and forgiveness."

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, classic book by Lowell Bennion that focuses on spiritual as well as more temporal values with a mix of theological and philosophical perspectives. His pyramid of values start with baseline values such as health and economic security and go up to more abstract needs like creativity, faith, and love. These various points that he focuses on are all very powerful and important. At times, Bennion’s discussion on these various values can seem biased toward a middle-class, white, male perspective. But still, his ideas offer a compelling baseline to unpack our own individual pyramid of values.

[Carlee Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good and concise touchstone for zooming out on the things of substance, though not perfect. Returning to it again seven years after my initial reading, I notice certain sentences that have influenced and inspired me for the better, and feel immense gratitude.

[David Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy and enjoyable book. It's about very basic but important life principles to live by. Always a good reminder of these principles.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and gets you thinking. Honestly it's one that you probably need to read multiple times to truly understand the depth and breadth of this seemingly simple book.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short essays detailing the ten most important values, according to Bennion. Good stuff.

[Caleb Stott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short. Placed on my shelves along side the Stoics.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good.

[Phillip Lecheminant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A potent and valuable reminder that life is best lived in the pursuit of meaningful and enriching values.

[Evan Clinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Shirleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowell Bennion, one of my most admired people, who made "the betterment of mankind his profession", writes an essay about the 10 values that he lives by - faith, creativity, freedom, love, integrity, human relationships, learning, aesthetic feeling, sensuous satisfactions, economic sufficiency and health. After reading this book, it made me pause to think about the values that motivate my own life.

Quote from the book:
A gerontologist, Dr. Victor Kassell, upon hearing that I (Lowell Bennion) taught university students, said to me: Teach these students to use their minds while they are young. The saddest patients (senior citizens) I have are not the poor or the sick but those who did not learn to exercise their minds when they were young."

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

What gives your life personal meaning? The stock answers will not do here! Bennion gently opens the eyes of the reader and encourages a very individual and honest look into the fundamentals of what makes us tick and gets us excited. And that's how I've left reading this text--which I've read several times now--namely; excited!

"Not only is the glory of God intelligence, it is the glory of man. And man does not fulfill his nature unless he gets excited about ideas, about learning; unless he talks ideas, not just the weather and people, but ideas." I just love that. "Read, read, read, and think, think, think, and be creative in that role." And finally, "If you have love and integrity, I'm not afraid of what you might do creatively." Agreed and agreed!

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on keeping focused on what matters the most in life. Quotes I liked:
Man is an infinitesimal bit of nothingness standing on the brink of eternity

We become the value we live by

The lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul and then walks grinning at the funeral

Stimulate minds by reading, asking, listening

Love is alter-ego centered unselfish concern, unconditional not depending a merit or worthiness

A good marriage increases our freedom to love, create, share increase in goods and interest, a poor marriage filled with bickering prevents the development of creative togetherness, inhibits and frustrats marriage partners.

A creative person does his own thing does not imitate but initiates

Life is too dear to waste on passing pleasures and material abundance

[Benjamin Romney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a Bennion Boy. My life was touched by Lowell Bennion as I worked and lived at the Bennion Boy's Ranch near Victor Idaho. My life has been blessed by that time, experience, and friendship. This book helps a person sort priorities.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, I enjoyed his perspective on some of the different things he valued, many of which I have heard before. I liked the section on freedom, He has a pretty cool view of what freedom really is.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise, tale of how one discovers what matters most. kept my attention, I think there were some things I found indecent.

[Sharman Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and mind-enriching essays from one of the great progressive Mormon thinkers (and doers!). Brent and I are thoroughly enjoying this book as our current nightly devotional reading.

[TJB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man who lived what he believed.