Boys Who Became Prophets

by Lynda Cory Robison

Brief childhood biographies of fifteen prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to Howard W. Hunter and Gordon B. Hinckley.

Genres: Church, Lds, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Biography, History

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Danzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved learning about the prophets. I knew some of the facts, but most of them I didn't. Amazing book!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. We've read it several times and it's definitely a family favorite. The stories in it are so powerful and beautiful. They are easy to recall and share with others. I love that the author shared her research with the rest of us. I highly recommend this book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when it was first released and was excited to read it to my kids. It’s not the most well written of books (I would have liked more depth and cohesion in some of the chapters), but my kids loved it. Definitely a worthwhile read.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great young kid or tween age book as an overview of the prophets. Obviously this is older, so it doesn't include Monson or Nelson. But a great reminder that all these prophets were once normal, (not so) typical kids.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

My old copy, printed in 1982 only goes up through Spencer W Kimball. Also the authors last name has changed, I’m not sure why.
Great stories. The kind that you can share easily and quickly with grandchildren and others who might benefit and be inspired.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about 12 of our prophets as little boys. It was fun reading about their lives before becoming a prophet.

[Elizabeth Ricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read an earlier version of this book--one published in 1982. These are nice stories of the early lives of prophets.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vignettes of the boyhoods of fifteen latter-day prophets, written for children, who struggle to understand that these much-older men could ever have been like them.

[LaSchelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reminder that the prophets were indeed boys at one time. Each story shows a little more into who these men were that were eventually called to be prophets. Many of them had a sense of humor, were taught hard work, but each through their own experiences came to know and love the Lord. Each chose to serve the Lord.

There are some great inspiration quotes or stories that can motive us to action.

I bought it because I've always loved reading biographies and was interested in learning more about the prophets. I thought it would be a great opportunity to read it to my nephews so that we could learn together who these prophets really were. I also want them to know that they were just boys like my nephews. Daniel reminded me yesterday that I still owe him the last few prophets as we didn't read each day of our vacation as I had intended.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this book out from the digital library because I had been asked to give a thought to a group of young men as part of their Scout camp. In the preface, the author states that she wrote the book to bitterest very young children in the lives of the Presidents of the Church. It definitely would accomplish that purpose. As a lifelong student of the Presidents of the Church, there wasn't much in this book I didn't already know. But it is a quick read, even for an elementary or pre-teen audience. It was written originally in 1992, updated in 1998 to include chapters on Presidents Hunter and Hinckley. Sometimes not all of the information is historically accurate or complete, but it is just meant to be an introduction to these great men for children. It serves that purpose well.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my kids before bed. It peaked their interest because it tells the childhood stories of men who became great spiritual leaders. They were able to identify with the prophets by seeing glimpses of themselves how they are and how they might become. My son has been very much influenced by the book. Before dinner, he turned his dish upside down and knelt at his chair for prayer trying to emulate one of the traditions that one of the prophets had observed in his house growing up.

The illustrations at the start of each chapter were exciting for the kids as they tried to guess what adventures the boys who would become prophets were going to get into.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for one of the boys in my Primary class, remembering that my little brother had this book. Now that I have read it, I am getting it for all of the boys in my class! I enjoyed each of the prophet's stories of their childhood. It's just the right length for youngsters to enjoy a chapter at a time. Now I only wish that she would update it with a chapter on Thomas S. Monson!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memorable childhood book. I grew up hearing stories from this book, and later reading the stories. These unique stories persist in my memory to this day, and have remained as an anchor of faith. I highly recommend for pre-teen children.

[Jo Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this with each of the kids around age 7-8 and referred to it several times for primary talks and sharing time lessons. Captivating insights into the childhoods of each modern-day prophet. A keeper.

[Kari Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my husband taught primary years ago, he gave copies of this book to each of the children in his class. He bought a book for our family. This book tells stories of each of the prophets when they were young. It is a very good book.

[Sheralie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing deserves a 2, Content a 5, and Appropriateness for children a 3, Rounding up to a 4? Buy this book before your children get any older! Enjoy often for an instant FHE lesson, bedtime story or scripture story of the very best of role models.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing isn't great but learning many details from these prophets' youth was fun. The chapters on each prophet, through Gordon B. Hinckley, were short, and would make a good read or quick summary for bedtime or FHE.

[Marilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to prepare for a Sharing Time lesson. There were some good stories about these church leaders when they were boys, but I felt like I only got a taste. The book is really short (under 100 pages) and doesn't go into enough detail. More research needed!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book again but this time it was with my 8 year old. It was fun to read this book every night together. He especially enjoyed reading about all the prophets and learning the stories of when they were younger.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun to book. My boys and I read it a chapter a night. It was a great way to get know what the prophets lives were like as children.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read from this as a child and now read it to my kids. Great insights to the lives of modern prophets in a way that children can understand and relate to.

[Ann Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the stories from prophets about when they were boys! Of course, this book was published when President Hinckley was the prophet so there isn't a story about President Monson.

[Jackie]

The chapters contain snippets of information about each prophet's growing up years.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this aloud with my son. It was good to see him get excited about the many adventures that these boys had and yet recognize that they became great leaders when they grew.

[Delese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was young and now I'm listening to Jeff read this book to our boys at night. It is so fun to hear my boys relate.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for children.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief childhood biographies of fifteen prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to Howard W. Hunter and Gordon B.Hinkley

[Ryan Whitehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my favorite books I read as a kid. Great stories of latter-day prophets as children. I should find a copy of this for my kids.

[Derra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the easy read. Loved hearing about the Prophets when they were young.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my kids for bedtime stories ages 6-12. We all liked it. It is very interesting for the kids to hear stories of the prophets as kids. I will read this again.