Before You Get To Heaven: 8 Mighty Changes God Wants For You

by D. Kelly Ogden

Some people would call this a "self-help" kind of book. The author prefers to identify it, in a sense, as a "Divine-help" book. The secret of change, he says, can never be completely found in the positive-mental-attitude approach. The fact is, if your relationship with Heavenly Father is good, you feel fine about yourself. So how do we enter into and strengthen that relationship? In Before You Get to Heaven, author D. Kelly Ogden focuses on eight areas of the gospel where we can enjoy a "mighty" scripture study, prayer, faith, repentance, spirituality, obedience, humility, and love. By incorporating those eight mighty changes into our lives, we will discover the power to change from who we are into who we want – and need – to be. "Right here and now, before we get to heaven, we all need to learn how to achieve mighty scripture study and mighty prayer, to exercise mighty faith and mighty repentance. We all must learn how to obtain and keep the Spirit, how to be exactly obedient, how to get rid of pride, and how to get the love of God in us," writes Ogden. "Studying and desiring to live all these things will produce mighty changes in us, which changes will likewise influence the lives of many others of Heavenly Father’s children. The Father and the Savior have provided the necessary instruction and have shown us the way, now it’s our choice – to learn it, love it, and live it." This book will help us understand how to receive God’s help to make the mighty changes that will prepare us for heaven and even bring a touch of heaven into our lives today

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds, Inspirational

184 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Hilaree · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 because of content

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter on pride sure makes you stop and think.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do know that Bro. D. Kelly Ogden was a teenager and young man in Albuquerque. He was a delightful person to know and was very very smart about many topics. He taught school at Brigham Young University and in Jerusalem, but not about this book. I've enjoyed this book very very much

Some people would call this a "personal improvement" or "self help" kind of book. The author prefers to identify it, in a sense, as a "Divine-help" book. The secret of change, he says, can never be completely found in this approach. The fact is, if your relationship with Heavenly Father is good, you feel fine about yourself. So how do we enter into and strengthen that relationship? In "Before You Get to Heaven," author D. Kelly Ogden focuses on eight areas of the gospel where we can enjoy a "mighty" change: scripture study, prayer, faith, repentance, spirituality, obedience, humility, and love. By incorporating those eight mighty changes into our lives, we will discover the power to change from who we are into who we want and need to be.

"Right here and now, before we get to heaven, we all need to learn how to achieve mighty scripture study and mighty prayer, to exercise mighty faith and mighty repentance. We all must learn how to obtain and keep the Spirit, how to be exactly obedient, how to get rid of pride, and how to get the love of God in us," writes Ogden. "Studying and desiring to live all these things will produce mighty changes in us, which changes will likewise influence the lives of many others of Heavenly Father's children. The Father and the Savior have provided the necessary instruction and have shown us the way, now it's our choice to learn it, love it, and live it."

This book will help us understand how to receive God's help to make the mighty changes that will prepare us for heaven and even bring a touch of heaven into our lives today. Outstanding book. I really enjoyed it so very much. Highly recommend.

[Tawny · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a spiritual mirror that will show you what you've achieved and what you're still lacking, this book will do the trick. Favorite lines:
1. "The temperature necessary to refine us is different for each person. Our refinement is customized for each of us by a perfect and omniscient Father" (15).
2. "When Satan reminds you of your past, just remind him of his future" (65).
3. "There is no room for God in a man who is full of himself" (126).
4. "Comparison is the root of all feelings of inferiority" (128).

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I will keep it by my bedside. It cuts to the chase and gets down to the heart of the matter real quick. These are characteristics that when I don't work on them I get further from God, and when I do work on them I get closer to God. This book helps me remember what is really important and helps motivate me to work on building these in my life. I recommend this book to anyone desiring to get closer to God and striving to get to heaven.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is a short read, it has some really key points that keep coming to mind weeks after I've read it. Some of the most memorable "changes" that I've thought about are--having the spirit, being strictly obedient, getting rid of pride, and having Christ-like love. I could see myself using this as a reference for future lessons/talks.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gift to me. (should I take the hint?) It would not have been the type of book I'd normally buy, but what a great book! It's short and very insightful. It's scriptural based. It's also very well written. A definite 5 star.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading D. Kelly Ogden. He has a strong scriptural and doctrinal base and yet writes like someone who it would be fun to talk with, not trying to show off his knowledge or intimidate. His writing promotes hope and optimism.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book - I learned so much from Bro. Ogden's thoughts in this book. I especially was impressed with the chapter on Pride and My Choice - but all of them had great information and thought provoking life changing suggestions. Highly recommend this book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this one amazing.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Scott Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written how to guide for this life. I will continue to use it as a reference manual. His experiences and knowledge are solid examples.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book.. just his study guides alone make it a 5 star book

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the book fairly quickly but wanted to go through all the scriptures in the 3 appendices so that took some time.

[Daniel Haroldsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible book. lots of insightful quotes and encouragment. highly recomend it to anybody.

[Bettyjo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fine lds book, but this one wasn't really my thing.

[Rebecca M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book after hearing the author speak. Enjoyed the author sharing his personal scripture study guide on several topics at the end of the book.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Ogden is a wonderful person. I enjoyed this book but not as much as his other books.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this inspiring book about the changes we all need to make before we die. Ogden is an excellent writer and has some profound things to say--and to think about.