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The Things of the Soul
Nephi had the responsibility for compiling the records of his people. He kept the history of the people upon the large plates, and of the other smaller plates he "Upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures… . For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. "Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." (2 Nephi 4:15-16.) I have tried, when given the opportunity, to teach the things of the soul. This book records some of those teachings.
246 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Boyd K. Packer
50 books44 followersPresident Boyd K. Packer, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was set apart to this position on February 3, 2008. Previously, he was Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles beginning June 5, 1994. Prior to becoming Acting President, he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, having been ordained an Apostle on April 9, 1970. He earlier served for almost nine years as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
An educator by profession, his career includes service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the Administrative Council of Brigham Young University.
An educator by profession, his career includes service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the Administrative Council of Brigham Young University.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 2, 2020
President Packer teaches some important principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ and "things of the soul." I love the scripture in 2 Nephi this title is based on: "'Upon these things I write the things of my soul... Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard' (2 Nephi 4:15-16)." President Packer talks about the things of his soul. His love for the scriptures and ordinances and power of the gospel are evident throughout. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"This record, the small plates of Nephi, was kept by the prophets rather than by the kings. This account of their ministry became the foundation for what is now the Book of Mormon (p. 5)."
"'For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved' (1 Nephi 6:4, p. 6)."
"In a world that at best is unsteady, I thank God for the constant flow of revelation to the Church. I am deeply grateful that we have a prophet authorized to receive revelation from God... And of course each of us, if we will live for it, may be the recipient of spiritual communications for his or her own personal guidance (p. 10)."
"We have the scriptures. We got them from somewhere... 'Handle them; read them; test them. See for yourself (p. 11).'"
"The scriptures did not come so much from Joseph Smith as they did through him. He was a conduit through which the revelations were given. He was otherwise an ordinary man, as were the prophets in ancient times and as are the prophets in our day (p. 13)."
"Many possess a testimony that transcends the knowledge to be gained in academic and scientific fields (p. 15)."
"Revelation continues in the Church: the prophet receiving it for the Church; the president for his stake, his mission, or his quorum; the bishop for his ward; the father for his family; the individual for himself (p. 16)."
"'Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God' (D&C 88:68, p. 16)."
"It's a marvelous thing to be able to go before the Lord, to present a simple question, and to get a direct, positive, unmistakable answer (p. 20)."
"With each call in the Church there come, it seems to me, three things: First, something by way of preparation, not infrequently a spiritual prompting... Usually the next thing... is a trial... the third thing... is that with the setting apart comes an endowment of power and inspiration, a sustaining power that will secure the success of anyone called (p. 22)."
"The subject 'Jesus Christ' in the Topical Guide takes eighteen pages of small print just to list the references. It is the most comprehensive compilation of scriptural information on the mission and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that has ever been assembled in the history of the world (p. 28)."
"It is not necessary, in order to be a prophet, to be the best educated among all the people of the world (p. 36)."
"With regard to Joseph Smith as a teacher, I suggest that teaching is not confined to a classroom (p. 38)."
"I took occasion to extract from the Book of Mormon the work know and its derivatives, such as knew, knowledge, known, and so on. Interestingly enough, the phrase 'I know' appears in the Book of Mormon no less than 101 times--virtually all of them testimony oriented, the prophets declaring a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We might compare that with the ordinary procedure of today. A graduate student in college... is urged to carefully frame his findings; probably rightly so, unless he has earned some sense of authority (p. 39)."
"A teacher can fail unless he knows his students (p. 40)."
"'No being can thoroughly know himself without understanding more or less of the things of God; neither can any being learn and understand the things of God, without knowing himself: he must know himself or he can never know God (Brigham Young, p. 41).'"
"On the twenty-seventh day of June in 1844, the enemies of the Prophet supposed that after six o'clock in the evening Joseph Smith and his teachings were dead forever (p. 42)."
"Throughout sacred writ is the constant invitation to 'ask and ye shall receive,' to 'seek and ye shall find,' to 'knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' We can know whether Joseph Smith was a prophet and a teacher (p. 43)."
"The ones we admire most are those who have lived very ordinary lives untouched by wealth or prominence, having made a success of those things which matter most--faith and family (p. 45)."
"Whatever happens in the world, whatever trials you face, you need not fear the future (p. 47)."
"Once a person has even the outline of the plan, he knows which way to go (p. 48)."
"The plan is not based on chance, nor on accident. It is based on purpose, on agency, on choice. It accords with laws which were in force long before the plan was ever laid down. All of it has order; all of it was planned for us. The beauty and precision of the universe, the endless variety of plant and animal life, all testify of a plan, and of a Creator (p. 50)."
"If you 'buy into' the philosophies of men, you may have your testimony repossessed (p. 52)."
"Spiritual knowledge is described in a different language than is secular knowledge (p. 52)."
"Procedures, programs, and administrative policies, even some patterns of organization are subject to change... But the principles, the doctrines, never change (p. 65)."
"Understand and know the gospel... We must see that the generations that follow us learn the gospel (p. 68)."
"If there is any best way for a young member of the Church to gain an in-depth knowledge of the gospel, it is to serve a mission (p. 69)."
"Do you have the humility to ask for forgiveness (p. 77)?"
"What is faith? How can I increase it in myself? How does one repent? How are we to seek forgiveness (p. 77)?"
"It was an experience to hear President Joseph Fielding Smith pray. Even when he was past ninety he would pray that he would 'keep his covenants and obligations and endure to the end (p. 81).'"
"The laws of God are ordained to make us happy (p. 83)."
"Some choose to reject the scriptures... and forsake their covenants. But they cannot choose to avoid the consequences (p. 85)."
"A testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, comes in a delicate, refined spiritual communication. It is described in the scriptures as light... Ordinarily a testimony comes when we seek for it with a sincere heart and real intent (p. 89)."
"A testimony is profoundly personal, and occurs in response to very private prayers and pleadings (p. 90)."
"Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings (p. 91)."
"Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit (p. 92)."
"Music can set an atmosphere of worship which invites that spirit of revelation, of testimony (p. 93)."
"No one can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal revelation (p. 94)."
"'Father, let thy light divine shine on us, we pray,
Touch our eyes that we may see; teach us to obey (p. 96).'"
"The test came after they had followed the rod of iron, after they had partaken of the fruit (p. 98)."
"We must never allow ourselves to be ashamed of the gospel because someone doesn't agree with us (p. 103)."
"The commandment to multiply and replenish the earth has never been rescinded (p. 105)."
"When lawfully used, the power of procreation will bless and it will sanctify (p. 109)."
"Nowhere is the generosity and kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance (p. 115)."
"Sometimes, even after confession and penalties, the most difficult part of repentance is to forgive oneself (p. 116)."
"The position that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth is fundamental (p. 122)."
"The gospel might be likened to the keyboard of a piano... How shortsighted it is... to choose a single key and endlessly tap out the monotony of a single note, or even two or three notes, when the full keyboard of limitless melody and harmony can be played (p. 123)."
"Give them a cause, the greatest on earth (p. 137)."
"'A small circle of sisters sends their own hearts and thoughts to all the sisters and begs the Lord to help us go forward (p. 141).'"
"Service in the Relief Society magnifies and sanctifies each individual sister... When you devote yourself to the Relief Society and organize it and operate it and participate in it, you sustain the cause that will bless every woman who comes within its influence. You are organized... after the pattern of and under the authority of the priesthood (p. 142)."
"'No other woman's organization in all the earth has had such a birth (First Presidency, p. 145).'"
"Oh, how powerful the tender, tempering teachings and the disarming wisdom of our sisters can be (p. 146)."
"The President of the Church is the only person on earth who has the right to exercise all the keys in their fulness (p. 150)."
"We must receive authority from someone who has it... it must be known in the Church that he has the authority (p. 156)."
"'In the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest' (D&C 84:20, p. 160)."
"'I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves (Joseph Smith, p. 161).'"
"The priesthood existed before the Lord appeared with others in the Kirtland Temple and restored the keys of the sealing authority (p. 168)."
"Revelation continues (p. 169)."
"Only a woman can bestow upon man that supernal title of father (p. 172)."
"Temples are the single most tangible, impressive evidence of our knowledge and our faith in the resurrection, and of our certain knowledge that there is life beyond death (p. 179)."
"Ordinance: The ceremony by which things are put in proper order (p. 186)."
"There are keys that have not been given to Presidents of the Church because they are reserved for higher power and authority (p. 190)."
"The keys to seal and bind on earth and have it bound in heaven represent the consummate gift from our God (p. 191)."
"Ordinances are not tentative but permanent (p. 192)."
"Be careful not to take the ordinances and covenants of the gospel lightly, nor to maintain them carelessly. It will take increased courage to keep your covenants. The world has moved away from those high standards (p. 193)."
"Beware of those who mock the prophets (p. 194)."
"Be faithful to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel. Qualify for those sacred ordinances step by step. Honor the covenants connected with them, and you will be happy. Then your lives will be in order (p. 195)."
"There was an architect in that first company, William Weeks, who had designed the Nauvoo temple. But the hopeless desolation was too much for him. In the spring of 1848 Brother Weeks left, saying, 'They will never build the temple without me.' Truman O. Angell, a carpenter, was appointed to replace him. He said: 'If the President and my brethren feel to sustain a poor worm of the dust like me to be Architect of the Church... May the Lord help me so to do (p. 198).'"
"The manner of construction was unknown in America then (p. 199)."
"'Every foundation stone that is laid for a temple, and every temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for His Holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods and those who reside in their presence (George Q. Cannon, p. 205).'"
"The Lord dictated to them what we know as the third and fourth chapters of Malachi (p. 208)."
"You can do a great deal to create in your home an atmosphere of peace and homeyness and reverence and tranquility and security (p. 227)."
"The highest calling that can come to you in mortality is to preside over a home as a husband and a father (p. 227)."
"Treat her as your sweetheart, your loving companion, the mother of your children. In this marriage relationship comes the greatest of exaltation and the greatest experiences of life (p. 228)."
"A man who holds the priesthood does not have an advantage over a woman in qualifying for exaltation (p. 231)."
"The most devastating effect of the war was on the family. It lingers to this generation (p. 233)."
"'Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels (First Presidency, p. 234).'"
"If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase (p. 235)."
"This record, the small plates of Nephi, was kept by the prophets rather than by the kings. This account of their ministry became the foundation for what is now the Book of Mormon (p. 5)."
"'For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved' (1 Nephi 6:4, p. 6)."
"In a world that at best is unsteady, I thank God for the constant flow of revelation to the Church. I am deeply grateful that we have a prophet authorized to receive revelation from God... And of course each of us, if we will live for it, may be the recipient of spiritual communications for his or her own personal guidance (p. 10)."
"We have the scriptures. We got them from somewhere... 'Handle them; read them; test them. See for yourself (p. 11).'"
"The scriptures did not come so much from Joseph Smith as they did through him. He was a conduit through which the revelations were given. He was otherwise an ordinary man, as were the prophets in ancient times and as are the prophets in our day (p. 13)."
"Many possess a testimony that transcends the knowledge to be gained in academic and scientific fields (p. 15)."
"Revelation continues in the Church: the prophet receiving it for the Church; the president for his stake, his mission, or his quorum; the bishop for his ward; the father for his family; the individual for himself (p. 16)."
"'Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God' (D&C 88:68, p. 16)."
"It's a marvelous thing to be able to go before the Lord, to present a simple question, and to get a direct, positive, unmistakable answer (p. 20)."
"With each call in the Church there come, it seems to me, three things: First, something by way of preparation, not infrequently a spiritual prompting... Usually the next thing... is a trial... the third thing... is that with the setting apart comes an endowment of power and inspiration, a sustaining power that will secure the success of anyone called (p. 22)."
"The subject 'Jesus Christ' in the Topical Guide takes eighteen pages of small print just to list the references. It is the most comprehensive compilation of scriptural information on the mission and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that has ever been assembled in the history of the world (p. 28)."
"It is not necessary, in order to be a prophet, to be the best educated among all the people of the world (p. 36)."
"With regard to Joseph Smith as a teacher, I suggest that teaching is not confined to a classroom (p. 38)."
"I took occasion to extract from the Book of Mormon the work know and its derivatives, such as knew, knowledge, known, and so on. Interestingly enough, the phrase 'I know' appears in the Book of Mormon no less than 101 times--virtually all of them testimony oriented, the prophets declaring a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We might compare that with the ordinary procedure of today. A graduate student in college... is urged to carefully frame his findings; probably rightly so, unless he has earned some sense of authority (p. 39)."
"A teacher can fail unless he knows his students (p. 40)."
"'No being can thoroughly know himself without understanding more or less of the things of God; neither can any being learn and understand the things of God, without knowing himself: he must know himself or he can never know God (Brigham Young, p. 41).'"
"On the twenty-seventh day of June in 1844, the enemies of the Prophet supposed that after six o'clock in the evening Joseph Smith and his teachings were dead forever (p. 42)."
"Throughout sacred writ is the constant invitation to 'ask and ye shall receive,' to 'seek and ye shall find,' to 'knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' We can know whether Joseph Smith was a prophet and a teacher (p. 43)."
"The ones we admire most are those who have lived very ordinary lives untouched by wealth or prominence, having made a success of those things which matter most--faith and family (p. 45)."
"Whatever happens in the world, whatever trials you face, you need not fear the future (p. 47)."
"Once a person has even the outline of the plan, he knows which way to go (p. 48)."
"The plan is not based on chance, nor on accident. It is based on purpose, on agency, on choice. It accords with laws which were in force long before the plan was ever laid down. All of it has order; all of it was planned for us. The beauty and precision of the universe, the endless variety of plant and animal life, all testify of a plan, and of a Creator (p. 50)."
"If you 'buy into' the philosophies of men, you may have your testimony repossessed (p. 52)."
"Spiritual knowledge is described in a different language than is secular knowledge (p. 52)."
"Procedures, programs, and administrative policies, even some patterns of organization are subject to change... But the principles, the doctrines, never change (p. 65)."
"Understand and know the gospel... We must see that the generations that follow us learn the gospel (p. 68)."
"If there is any best way for a young member of the Church to gain an in-depth knowledge of the gospel, it is to serve a mission (p. 69)."
"Do you have the humility to ask for forgiveness (p. 77)?"
"What is faith? How can I increase it in myself? How does one repent? How are we to seek forgiveness (p. 77)?"
"It was an experience to hear President Joseph Fielding Smith pray. Even when he was past ninety he would pray that he would 'keep his covenants and obligations and endure to the end (p. 81).'"
"The laws of God are ordained to make us happy (p. 83)."
"Some choose to reject the scriptures... and forsake their covenants. But they cannot choose to avoid the consequences (p. 85)."
"A testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, comes in a delicate, refined spiritual communication. It is described in the scriptures as light... Ordinarily a testimony comes when we seek for it with a sincere heart and real intent (p. 89)."
"A testimony is profoundly personal, and occurs in response to very private prayers and pleadings (p. 90)."
"Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings (p. 91)."
"Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit (p. 92)."
"Music can set an atmosphere of worship which invites that spirit of revelation, of testimony (p. 93)."
"No one can survive in the world of today, much less in what it soon will become, without personal revelation (p. 94)."
"'Father, let thy light divine shine on us, we pray,
Touch our eyes that we may see; teach us to obey (p. 96).'"
"The test came after they had followed the rod of iron, after they had partaken of the fruit (p. 98)."
"We must never allow ourselves to be ashamed of the gospel because someone doesn't agree with us (p. 103)."
"The commandment to multiply and replenish the earth has never been rescinded (p. 105)."
"When lawfully used, the power of procreation will bless and it will sanctify (p. 109)."
"Nowhere is the generosity and kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance (p. 115)."
"Sometimes, even after confession and penalties, the most difficult part of repentance is to forgive oneself (p. 116)."
"The position that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth is fundamental (p. 122)."
"The gospel might be likened to the keyboard of a piano... How shortsighted it is... to choose a single key and endlessly tap out the monotony of a single note, or even two or three notes, when the full keyboard of limitless melody and harmony can be played (p. 123)."
"Give them a cause, the greatest on earth (p. 137)."
"'A small circle of sisters sends their own hearts and thoughts to all the sisters and begs the Lord to help us go forward (p. 141).'"
"Service in the Relief Society magnifies and sanctifies each individual sister... When you devote yourself to the Relief Society and organize it and operate it and participate in it, you sustain the cause that will bless every woman who comes within its influence. You are organized... after the pattern of and under the authority of the priesthood (p. 142)."
"'No other woman's organization in all the earth has had such a birth (First Presidency, p. 145).'"
"Oh, how powerful the tender, tempering teachings and the disarming wisdom of our sisters can be (p. 146)."
"The President of the Church is the only person on earth who has the right to exercise all the keys in their fulness (p. 150)."
"We must receive authority from someone who has it... it must be known in the Church that he has the authority (p. 156)."
"'In the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest' (D&C 84:20, p. 160)."
"'I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves (Joseph Smith, p. 161).'"
"The priesthood existed before the Lord appeared with others in the Kirtland Temple and restored the keys of the sealing authority (p. 168)."
"Revelation continues (p. 169)."
"Only a woman can bestow upon man that supernal title of father (p. 172)."
"Temples are the single most tangible, impressive evidence of our knowledge and our faith in the resurrection, and of our certain knowledge that there is life beyond death (p. 179)."
"Ordinance: The ceremony by which things are put in proper order (p. 186)."
"There are keys that have not been given to Presidents of the Church because they are reserved for higher power and authority (p. 190)."
"The keys to seal and bind on earth and have it bound in heaven represent the consummate gift from our God (p. 191)."
"Ordinances are not tentative but permanent (p. 192)."
"Be careful not to take the ordinances and covenants of the gospel lightly, nor to maintain them carelessly. It will take increased courage to keep your covenants. The world has moved away from those high standards (p. 193)."
"Beware of those who mock the prophets (p. 194)."
"Be faithful to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel. Qualify for those sacred ordinances step by step. Honor the covenants connected with them, and you will be happy. Then your lives will be in order (p. 195)."
"There was an architect in that first company, William Weeks, who had designed the Nauvoo temple. But the hopeless desolation was too much for him. In the spring of 1848 Brother Weeks left, saying, 'They will never build the temple without me.' Truman O. Angell, a carpenter, was appointed to replace him. He said: 'If the President and my brethren feel to sustain a poor worm of the dust like me to be Architect of the Church... May the Lord help me so to do (p. 198).'"
"The manner of construction was unknown in America then (p. 199)."
"'Every foundation stone that is laid for a temple, and every temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for His Holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods and those who reside in their presence (George Q. Cannon, p. 205).'"
"The Lord dictated to them what we know as the third and fourth chapters of Malachi (p. 208)."
"You can do a great deal to create in your home an atmosphere of peace and homeyness and reverence and tranquility and security (p. 227)."
"The highest calling that can come to you in mortality is to preside over a home as a husband and a father (p. 227)."
"Treat her as your sweetheart, your loving companion, the mother of your children. In this marriage relationship comes the greatest of exaltation and the greatest experiences of life (p. 228)."
"A man who holds the priesthood does not have an advantage over a woman in qualifying for exaltation (p. 231)."
"The most devastating effect of the war was on the family. It lingers to this generation (p. 233)."
"'Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels (First Presidency, p. 234).'"
"If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase (p. 235)."
December 1, 2019
Very enjoyable and thought-provoking.
November 17, 2012
I keep giving President Packer's books five stars but I guess I have to because I find myself moved by his ideas. Right now, I find myself with an emotional swelling in my chest thinking about the last two talks of his I just read about building a home and husband-wife relationships. I think the feelings come because the truths he is talking about transcend what is written and reach into my heart and mind. However, I am impressed with his writing too. He knows his scriptures and is extremely insightful. He is not afraid to speak hard truths that go against the norm--and collect harsh criticism. His quotes are well chosen. His use of metaphor and apperception is exceptional. He likes poetry, often doggerel, and most of his talks have one or two. He tells stories. His sense of humor is delightful and it peeks out now and then in between hard truth-telling and deep reverence for spiritual things. Reading his books, which are a collection of his talks over many years (he doesn't keep a journal!) will ground you well in gospel doctrine and challenge your thinking and comfortable beliefs.
July 23, 2016
I thought I would just skim this book and glean from only certain chapters, but the wisdom and teaching of Boyd K. Packer continually touches my heart and I learn deeply from him. His experiences are so meaningful and hopefully change me for the better.
September 10, 2010
An excellent book! It is a compilation of various talks the author has given, and presents an opportunity to get to know this great man and witness of the Savior. I highly recommend it.
May 21, 2012
I need to read books like this much more often. Great, interesting insights. Elder Packer is one of my favorite apostles.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews