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I Will Lead You Along: The Life of Henry B. Eyring
Henry Bennion Eyring was born on May 31, 1933, in Princeton, New Jersey, bearing the first name of his father, who was fast building a reputation as a brilliant scientist, and the family name of his mother, who didn't care for the name "Henry" and insisted that he be called Hal.
In 1970, Hal received an impression to make a daily record of his activities. Years of journals form the backbone of this personal biography, a candid look at his walk through life with his beloved companion, Kathy. "The journal shows how a good-but-imperfect man works each day to win divine approval," write the authors, and this window into his past provides unforgettable insights about the man the Lord has shaped him to become.
Readers will love these richly designed pages, filled with photographs, sketches from the pen of President Eyring himself, and scores of entries straight from his journals woven into an engaging depiction of his life's journey.
President Henry B. Eyring's professional, academic, and personal experiences have all combined to make him uniquely qualified for his responsibilities as a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life story vividly demonstrates the power of the Lord and the example set by one who strives to follow His commands.
640 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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July 10, 2022
I set a new goal to read the biographies of current general leaders of my church, to better understand their personalities and human abilities and challenges. This was the first book completed toward that goal, and I found it well written and interesting. In addition to better understanding a brilliant man who has intentionally sought humility and connection, I also enjoyed "seeing" behind-the-scenes of historical events in my church, including the shaping of some of the church culture of my youth.
A few favorite quotes I want to remember
:
"Henry saw in the imperfections of even the best Church members reason to hope that he could be a contributor in the Lord’s kingdom. It was a vision of God’s ability to work through imperfect men and women that would later give Hal hope in his ministry. Henry articulated the theory this way: I like contradictions. I like a little bit of a mess, and I am glad when one of the brethren says something that I think is little bit foolish, because I think if the Lord can stand him, maybe he can stand me. So that’s it, and I think that maybe there’s a certain stumbling block that some of us have: we expect other people to be a kind of perfection that we don’t even attempt to approach ourselves."
"A few weeks before his passing, Elder Maxwell invited Hal to his home for a final interview. Neal offered counsel for Hal’s future service, delivering a message at once complimentary, gentle, and trenchant. Neal said, “Hal, you have a great mind and a gift for perceiving risks. But if you’re going to reach your full potential to contribute in the kingdom, you’re going to have to become as good at seeing possibilities as you are at seeing pitfalls. We need you to be a problem solver, not just a problem spotter.”
"Resolving these issues, Hal found, required not only sharp analytical skills but also inspired judgment. For example, there were delicate balances to be struck between the general need for uniformity in the Church and specific instances warranting exceptions. Likewise, the Quorum frequently grappled with questions of fairness, where the principle of general accountability seemed at odds with individual mercy. And, in many decisions, there was the critical matter of timing—moving in an inspired direction at the right pace, neither too quickly nor too slowly."
"The change in Hal’s speaking style was evolutionary, a gradual shift that had been occurring for years and was merely accelerated by his call to the Quorum of the Twelve. But it was a real achievement for a former professor trained at the most elite business schools."
"By contrast, his experiences in speaking as a special witness of the Savior taught him that revelation depended on childlike willingness to be guided, with no personal agenda and no desire to impress through either novel ideas or flowery phrasing"
"The gift of seeing divine potential blessed Hal in serving other members of the ward. Newcomers were often surprised to see people in church who didn’t seem to belong there. Some of those misfits, such as a long-haired young man passing the sacrament, appeared to have the bishop’s approval"
“Your goal in giving counsel,” he taught, “is to increase the likelihood that the listener will seek counsel directly from the Lord. That will mean giving less advice than either the listener or you might like at the time.”
"he learned to see any weakness in his children as the product of a mistaken perception of reality made by an inherently good person. In helping them see those misperceptions, he worked not from their apparent personal weaknesses but from their potential strengths. He sensed that the weaknesses were rooted largely in fear and self-doubt, and so he took every opportunity to build faith and self-confidence."
'he had been praying for success in teaching the boys, but not for the boys themselves.
"I learned all I could about them. I prayed for them individually and by name. I prayed for their parents, whom I came to know. As I look back now, I realize that the Spirit answered my prayers by increasing my love for those two boys and my desire to reach them."
A few favorite quotes I want to remember
:
"Henry saw in the imperfections of even the best Church members reason to hope that he could be a contributor in the Lord’s kingdom. It was a vision of God’s ability to work through imperfect men and women that would later give Hal hope in his ministry. Henry articulated the theory this way: I like contradictions. I like a little bit of a mess, and I am glad when one of the brethren says something that I think is little bit foolish, because I think if the Lord can stand him, maybe he can stand me. So that’s it, and I think that maybe there’s a certain stumbling block that some of us have: we expect other people to be a kind of perfection that we don’t even attempt to approach ourselves."
"A few weeks before his passing, Elder Maxwell invited Hal to his home for a final interview. Neal offered counsel for Hal’s future service, delivering a message at once complimentary, gentle, and trenchant. Neal said, “Hal, you have a great mind and a gift for perceiving risks. But if you’re going to reach your full potential to contribute in the kingdom, you’re going to have to become as good at seeing possibilities as you are at seeing pitfalls. We need you to be a problem solver, not just a problem spotter.”
"Resolving these issues, Hal found, required not only sharp analytical skills but also inspired judgment. For example, there were delicate balances to be struck between the general need for uniformity in the Church and specific instances warranting exceptions. Likewise, the Quorum frequently grappled with questions of fairness, where the principle of general accountability seemed at odds with individual mercy. And, in many decisions, there was the critical matter of timing—moving in an inspired direction at the right pace, neither too quickly nor too slowly."
"The change in Hal’s speaking style was evolutionary, a gradual shift that had been occurring for years and was merely accelerated by his call to the Quorum of the Twelve. But it was a real achievement for a former professor trained at the most elite business schools."
"By contrast, his experiences in speaking as a special witness of the Savior taught him that revelation depended on childlike willingness to be guided, with no personal agenda and no desire to impress through either novel ideas or flowery phrasing"
"The gift of seeing divine potential blessed Hal in serving other members of the ward. Newcomers were often surprised to see people in church who didn’t seem to belong there. Some of those misfits, such as a long-haired young man passing the sacrament, appeared to have the bishop’s approval"
“Your goal in giving counsel,” he taught, “is to increase the likelihood that the listener will seek counsel directly from the Lord. That will mean giving less advice than either the listener or you might like at the time.”
"he learned to see any weakness in his children as the product of a mistaken perception of reality made by an inherently good person. In helping them see those misperceptions, he worked not from their apparent personal weaknesses but from their potential strengths. He sensed that the weaknesses were rooted largely in fear and self-doubt, and so he took every opportunity to build faith and self-confidence."
'he had been praying for success in teaching the boys, but not for the boys themselves.
"I learned all I could about them. I prayed for them individually and by name. I prayed for their parents, whom I came to know. As I look back now, I realize that the Spirit answered my prayers by increasing my love for those two boys and my desire to reach them."
November 25, 2013
When this book arrived I thought, That is a huge book! I wasn't sure I'd be able to fit in the time to read it all, but the story of President Eyring's life was so engrossing to me I just kept reading (even when I should have been sleeping or doing dishes). I especially loved every word written about his sweetheart, Kathy. It was beautiful and inspiring to have insight into their marriage and parenting. I cried when I read the last chapter.
President Henry B. Eyring is amazing, a spiritual giant, but you can feel as you read his book that he is truly caring, humble, and loving.
President Henry B. Eyring is amazing, a spiritual giant, but you can feel as you read his book that he is truly caring, humble, and loving.
December 3, 2013
I knew as soon as I opened to the introduction of I Will Lead You Along: The Life of Henry B. Eyring I knew I was going to like it. It opens with one of my favorite scriptures, Doctrine & Covenants 78:17-18, from which the title of this book is taken.
I was impressed by his introspective nature, and reading about how he so often pondered on what he perceived as his weaknesses and what he could do to improve himself, I find myself pondering on similar topics and looking at how might improve myself and be more fit and more worthy to serve. For me, this was one of those books that I toted around with me and read in every spare moment. There more I read, the more I wanted to read and found myself more and more engrossed as I got deeper into his story.
I have always felt the best measure of a book is if it leaves you changed for the better, and it makes you think and reflect on your life in some way. This book definitely did all that for me.
Of all the biographies I have read of LDS leaders (and there have been quite a few), I think this one is my favorite. There is just something about Hal Eyring and his life that just drew me in and made me want to spend more time with him. I am sure now I will be listening even more closely to his next conference talks.
I was impressed by his introspective nature, and reading about how he so often pondered on what he perceived as his weaknesses and what he could do to improve himself, I find myself pondering on similar topics and looking at how might improve myself and be more fit and more worthy to serve. For me, this was one of those books that I toted around with me and read in every spare moment. There more I read, the more I wanted to read and found myself more and more engrossed as I got deeper into his story.
I have always felt the best measure of a book is if it leaves you changed for the better, and it makes you think and reflect on your life in some way. This book definitely did all that for me.
Of all the biographies I have read of LDS leaders (and there have been quite a few), I think this one is my favorite. There is just something about Hal Eyring and his life that just drew me in and made me want to spend more time with him. I am sure now I will be listening even more closely to his next conference talks.
December 11, 2018
I have thought and thought about this book so many times while reading it and afterwards. Because President Eyring has been a prolific journalist, it is just filled with experiences that otherwise would probably have been forgotten. Because of his introspective writing style and because the author writes so well, President Eyring comes across as a real person-talented, obedient, faithful- but human. I felt inspired to be better and do better. I also have started writing in my journal again. :)
May 16, 2024
I loved making my way through this one and learning about President Eyring. I wrote down many quotes and ideas/habits I'd like to apply to my own life. He is a great man I've learned much from. I also enjoyed learning more about Kathleen since I never knew much about her at all before her passing.
December 13, 2013
I've always enjoyed listening to Pres. Eyring's talks in general conference so I was excited to learn more about who he is and what his life has been like. First of all, I didn't realize he grew up as "Hal" since his mother didn't like the name Henry. It was a family name and she and her husband argued over it until she compromised and said he could be christened Henry but they would call him Hal.
He's well known for keeping journals and there are a lot of journal entries included. He also enjoys drawing so some of his drawings are included and there are also lots of photos. This book is quite thick and seems overwhelming at first, but the layout is great and so many interesting stories are included that it's easy to get lost in it.
I enjoyed learning how he met his wife (their tennis date made me laugh), how faithful he was in his callings and how he was able to balance his busy schedule with his home life. His wife, Kathy, was very supportive. He is a kind, compassionate, faithful man who tries to do his best and learns from his mistakes. After reading about his life, I feel inspired to be just that much better myself. This is a book I highly recommend!
Mel's Shelves
He's well known for keeping journals and there are a lot of journal entries included. He also enjoys drawing so some of his drawings are included and there are also lots of photos. This book is quite thick and seems overwhelming at first, but the layout is great and so many interesting stories are included that it's easy to get lost in it.
I enjoyed learning how he met his wife (their tennis date made me laugh), how faithful he was in his callings and how he was able to balance his busy schedule with his home life. His wife, Kathy, was very supportive. He is a kind, compassionate, faithful man who tries to do his best and learns from his mistakes. After reading about his life, I feel inspired to be just that much better myself. This is a book I highly recommend!
Mel's Shelves
September 5, 2022
There was so much that was inspiring in this biography. Henry B. Eyring is truly a humble, kind man who always strives to do what is right. His extensive academic background, fascination with business, and his self doubt surprised me. But it his constant striving to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, to admit when he gets things wrong, and to never give up improving his communication with Heavenly Father that most impressed me. It drives away my own discouragement with error and helps me hope for my own improvement. I am sad to finish it.
February 18, 2015
An absolute treasure. This is one of the most inspirational books that I have read. I couldn't put it down, and I can't stop talking about it. I am filled with gratitude that this came into my life and that I was receptive to the lessons I have to learn. Now comes the application.
January 1, 2025
Great book about a great man. Relatable— showing shortcomings and mistakes and the influence of the Lord in his life. This has given me a greater desire to seek to connect with Heaven and listen more closely— and to turn outward rather than to focus on myself every waking moment of my life. Thick book, but goes fast.
November 10, 2021
I think the reason I love read biographies of our living Apostles and Prophets is because they always inspire me to do a little better. It helps me see them as normal people who struggle, who have weaknesses and who have learned to turn to the Lord in all things.
I’ve learned a lot from the Life of President Eyring and have talked about it and quoted it to several family and friends in the last week. It is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
As a side note, it is quite a long book. However, it definitely worth reading the whole thing.
I’ve learned a lot from the Life of President Eyring and have talked about it and quoted it to several family and friends in the last week. It is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
As a side note, it is quite a long book. However, it definitely worth reading the whole thing.
September 14, 2025
Enjoyed getting to know one of my heroes
September 20, 2021
I found a lot of the anecdotes in this book inspirational. The inclusion of selections from Henry B Eyring's journal also provided more insight to how he has led his life. Ultimately, i give this 3 stars however because there were long sections that read like Wikipedia articles or simply dragged out a topic too long, such as university administrative matters or the biography of another person Eyring worked with. That said, this book laid out a really good example of someone practicing self-awareness and insight to develop as leader.
July 9, 2024
Appropriately titled, well-written, and engaging. Seemingly a good man, with good intentions, open to divine intervention, who married well, and continues to serve despite the tolls of life.
February 12, 2015
What a beautiful example of a devoted life of a faithful servant. I loved reading about how "Hal" came to become the man he is today. I appreciated all the journal entries, personal drawings, family pictures, and conference quotes that were scattered throughout this book. He is one of my favorite speakers and I am grateful to have a compilation of so many favorite quotes. The first thing that stood out to me after finishing this book was his constant self-evaluation and striving to work on his weaknesses. His journal entries were full of things he needed to work on and how he was going to do better. This desire was fulfilled as you see the progress that was born of humility. The second thing that stood out to me was his ability to balance such a busy life. He always worked hard at his calling and work, but trusted God would fill in the gaps as long as he put Him first. I was impressed that he would make sure to fit in time with his family after a long day, and then go right back to work (until late in the evening) after they were in bed. Consecrating your life to God isn't easy, but what a beautiful example of being strengthened and enabled. Such an inspiring life.
January 10, 2014
I love biographies of the modern apostles, and I loved this book. One of the lessons it teaches is that you never really "arrive" -- as a Harvard MBA and then Ph.D., as a tenured professor at Stanford, as president of Rick's College, then church Commissioner of Education, as a member of the Seventy, then the Twelve, then the First Presidency -- Pres. Eyring has been constantly learning, growing, being humbled and corrected by the Lord or his servants, striving to overcome weaknesses, and always working very hard.
You never get it all figured out in this life, and it doesn't generally get easier, but there are incredible blessings along the way. With many quotes from his personal journal, this book is inspiring, moving, and strengthened my conviction that we are led in the Church by prophets of God.
You never get it all figured out in this life, and it doesn't generally get easier, but there are incredible blessings along the way. With many quotes from his personal journal, this book is inspiring, moving, and strengthened my conviction that we are led in the Church by prophets of God.
July 14, 2014
One of my favorite bios ever. I loved how this book focuses on using experiences to teach principles, not just to tell interesting anecdotes. Little sound bites from journal entries provided some great mini sermons and describe Pres. Eyring and his associates as very real people. I personally get a lot of encouragement from that. I marked this one up a lot, there were a lot of sections I want to be able to refer back to in the future.
September 17, 2020
I read this book in 2014 as noted. I just finished listening to it in audio. I love this book and the man it portrays. President Eyring is an example of studying life, and humbly improving. He loves the Lord and hears His voice. He is an educator which is close to my heart. I sustain him as a living prophet. One of the best biographies out there!
May 1, 2014
A marvelous man with a marvelous story. Every man can see stages of his own life in the life of Hal Eyring, and I certainly felt inspired to work a little harder to fulfill my potential.
June 28, 2014
So inspirational to me! Whenever I wasn't feeling spiritual I would start reading and could feel the spirit and it inspired me to be better.
July 23, 2016
A first-rate biography that provided many completely new insights into this remarkable man.
August 21, 2014
This is the story of the life of Henry B. Eyring. It's an inspiring read about a remarkable person. I found many sweet stories and examples and insights while learning from a humble example of someone who has purposefully sought the Lord’s guidance in his life. This book is full of quotes from Elder Eyring’s journals over the years and portions of his talks.
We learn about his life growing up in New Jersey, moving to Utah as a youth, studying physics at the University of Utah, serving in the Air Force in New Mexico, studying at Harvard Business School, meeting Kathleen, teaching at Stanford, raising his family, keeping a journal, leading at Ricks College, organizing clean-up efforts after the Teton Dam broke, drawing postcards and creating wood carvings, serving as the assistant and then Commissioner of Church Education, learning from Elder Boyd K. Packer and other General Authorities (including his uncle, President Spencer W. Kimball), serving as a member of the Presiding Bishopric, Seventy, Quorum of the Twelve and now as a counselor in the First Presidency. It is wonderful to see how Elder Eyring and his family are lead and prepared through all of these experiences, always ready to learn and serve the Lord. I am inspired by his example and found many lessons and ways that these principles need to apply in my life.
I loved the sweet stories of family, from getting to know Elder Eyring’s parents and brothers to his wife and their six children. One story in particular that I loved was him recounting how when it was his turn to share a scripture in school he would always choose the same one – 1 Corinthians 13:1-2. It was neat to see the way he recorded and responded to promptings and impressions from the Lord, and then even with his demanding schedule professional and Church responsibilities, his family was such an important priority. His love for them is obvious and sweet.
Here are a few other quotes I liked from the book:
"Ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; and ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along" (D&C 78:17-18) (page vii).
"He who tells me of my faults is my teacher; he who tells me of my virtues does me harm" (Chinese proverb quoted by Mildred Eyring, p. 14).
"In this Church you don't have to believe anything that isn't true...learn everything you can, and whatever is true is part of the gospel. The Lord is actually running the universe. I'm convinced that he inspired the Prophet Joseph Smith" (Henry Eyring to his son Henry B. Eyring, p. 26).
"Though Hal's earliest testimony came from his mother and father, it was a subtly different variety from theirs. Whereas they often expressed their faith in terms of reason, he more typically spoke of feelings. In fact, his parents' greatest contribution to his testimony came not from their words or reasoning but from the way he felt when he observed them living the gospel" (p. 31).
"Baptism is not a way into the Church; it is not a way to join the Church that loves families; its not a way to join the Church of nice people. It is the thing one seeks when one has a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and enough understanding of the broken law to say, 'I need the blessings of baptism. I need to be cleansed" (p. 33).
"Someday, when you know who you are, you will be sorry you didn't use your time better" (an impression he received during his transition to Utah when he was thirteen and burying himself in his studies and basketball, p. 40).
"I can't remember the gifts my dad wrapped and helped put under the tree, but I remember the chalkboard and his quiet voice and even his not-so-quiet voice as he built up my mathematics and me" (Hal about his dad, p. 49)
"When you walk down the street, when you're in the shower, when you don't have to be thinking about anything else, isn't this what you think about?....Hal, I think you better get out of physics. You ought to find something you love so much that when you don't have to think about anything, that's what you think about" (p. 50).
"Physics taught me to understand the changes occurring in the world at large. But the things I learned as a groundskeeper and a janitor were worth more in working with the Brethren. Among those is the expectation that you know your duty thoroughly, you do more than you're asked, and you do it in a way that doesn't stand out. President Monson is the supreme example of that" (p. 53).
"Numbers, Hal would come to believe, could shape inspired feelings, but they shouldn't be allowed to trump them" (p. 80).
"Through nine years of higher education, he found that Heavenly Father cares about all types of learning, and He can help all of His children learn" (p. 84).
"One of the things that impressed me most about him was that he loved the Lord. And he loved Him enough to show this love by great service at the expense of worldly honors. He didn't seek the honors of men as he sought the love of the Lord" (Kathleen Johnson Eyring, p. 99).
"Hal determined that, when given the opportunity, he would try to lead by establishing high expectations rather than tight management systems. He realized that this would require an associated state of mind and heart. He would have to consider himself no wiser or more well-intentioned than his subordinates. He would need to see his job as building them up. The earliest beneficiaries of this enlightened view of leadership would be the 'Redheads'" (p. 117).
"'I'm not giving you these experiences just for yourself. Write them down'....I was doing it for you to read someday, because you and your brothers and sisters would be the most important people I would ever serve. And I knew that I was to make a record of how God watched over you and helped me be your father" (p. 129).
"I knew each was an individual, and therefore the Lord would have given them specific gifts for each to use in His service....Every person is different and has a different contribution to make. No one is destined to fail. As you seek revelation to see gifts God sees in those you lead in the priesthood--particularly the young--you will be blessed to lift their sights to the service they can perform" (p. 132).
"There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone" (p. 152).
"Don't use your human judgment to eliminate opportunities presented to you: pray about them all with an open mind...Do the tasks you are assigned in the Church and your profession as well as you can; they are preparation" (impressions after praying for career direction, p. 163).
"I walked to my office fasting this morning. I had many, many needs for guidance, and so my prayers were fervent. Some answers came so clearly, by a burning in the bosom, that I wrote them down afterwards. But no answer came to my request to know how to handle Ricks College's over-staffing. And the reason for the silence was given: I've not done enough work yet" (p. 226).
"I had never seen such frankness without rancor before, but neither had I seen people listen to each other as carefully. In a few minutes, what had seemed to me widely divergent views began to move--I thought so rapidly as to be miraculous--toward a consensus" (Hals' observations of one of his first Church Board of Education meetings, p. 242).
"Take the step and God opens the way" (Hal's journal recounting a step he took to follow President Benson's counsel to be debt-free, p. 255).
"Hal Eyring went to Rexburg not because he was uniquely needed in Rexburg, but because he uniquely needed Rexburg to prepare him for the future" (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 275).
"He has consistently chosen to serve the Lord, even when some outside the Church may have wondered at this service. He's consistently loved the Lord and wanted to do whatever he was asked to do, either in an official capacity or whatever else the prophets or those who are in authority over him have suggested should be done. And I am grateful beyond my words to express for the tremendous influence that he's had in my life for good" (Kathleen Eyring, p. 276).
“Malik spoke with certainty of a time when the Savior will return in glory to this earth. He described a place—a university—where the resurrected Lord would join with the students and the faculty and all who labor there. The Master will feel perfectly at home there….We know something of what a place must be like for the glorified Savior to feel perfectly at home. Of one thing we can be sure: those who labor there and all associated with it will have long before consecrated it to Him and to His kingdom” (p. 413).
“Every innovation, every change, will be measured against the test of the heart: How would this proposed change build testimony and true conversion to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in the heart of the student? True conversion comes by gaining sufficient faith to live the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ” (p. 421).
“Hal’s style of public speaking evolved. He felt a growing desire to represent the Savior and to speak so as to be easily translated to a global audience. In general, he tried to be simpler and softer in what he said. To this end, living with three spiritually sensitive females proved highly beneficial. Interacting with them helped Hal recall the soft, plain-spoken style of the great mentors in this life, beginning with his mother, Mildred” (p. 440).
“His experiences in speaking as a special witness of the Savior taught him that revelation depended on childlike willingness to be guided, with no personal agenda and no desire to impress through either novel ideas or flowery phrasing” (p. 441).
“Hal ended his tribute to President Hinckley with a passage from Shaespeare’s Henry V, which he had been reading in honor of the prophet. The passage is a prayer offered by Henry V, the young Prince Hal now grown into a surprisingly valiant, faithful king. In King Henry’s prayer before the pivotal Battle of Agincourt, Hal Eyring found a metaphor for preaching the gospel against apparently overwhelming odds, as President Hinckley had so often challenged him and the Church at large to do.
O God of battles! Steel my soliders’ hearts;
Possess them not with fear; take from them now
The sense of reckoning, if th’ opposed numbers
Pluck their hearts from them!” (p. 465).
“As I was preparing this talk, I thought that this [sending your last child off to school] must be how our Father in Heaven feels as He sends us down to earth. As wonderful and exciting as all the knowledge in the world is, if we don’t learn how to come back home to our Father in Heaven, who loves us and waits literally with open arms to greet us, then all the knowledge of the world we gain won’t mean much” (Kathleen Eyring, p. 488).
“After dinner we watched the movie ‘Forever Young,’ with Mel Gibson. The romantic ending is of young love reunited. The music at the end of the film, as it was in the beginning, was Billie Holiday singing, ‘The Very Thought of You.’ We, Kathleen in tennis shoes and I without shoes, danced on the basement carpet until the last note” (p. 493).
“Kathy’s memory loss…required Hal to re-win her hand daily and sometimes hourly. Even when she recognized his role as her guide and caregiver, she sometimes resented it. In the struggle to help Kathy make decisions and participate in essential activities, Hal kept foremost the goal of preserving their love. She made it easier by maintaining the calm, childlike demeanor that had characterized her life” (p. 496).
“I give you my personal witness that God is perfectly faithful. He will be perfectly faith to you. He is close and He is kind. He knows the road ahead. He knows us and our capacity. When He asks us to make promises, He provides a way to lift us up to the capacity to keep them. I leave you my blessing and my promise that you will have the power to be always faithful, that you will then go with God, and that you may know that your path is approved by Him. Vaya con Dios, mis amigos” (p. 499).
We learn about his life growing up in New Jersey, moving to Utah as a youth, studying physics at the University of Utah, serving in the Air Force in New Mexico, studying at Harvard Business School, meeting Kathleen, teaching at Stanford, raising his family, keeping a journal, leading at Ricks College, organizing clean-up efforts after the Teton Dam broke, drawing postcards and creating wood carvings, serving as the assistant and then Commissioner of Church Education, learning from Elder Boyd K. Packer and other General Authorities (including his uncle, President Spencer W. Kimball), serving as a member of the Presiding Bishopric, Seventy, Quorum of the Twelve and now as a counselor in the First Presidency. It is wonderful to see how Elder Eyring and his family are lead and prepared through all of these experiences, always ready to learn and serve the Lord. I am inspired by his example and found many lessons and ways that these principles need to apply in my life.
I loved the sweet stories of family, from getting to know Elder Eyring’s parents and brothers to his wife and their six children. One story in particular that I loved was him recounting how when it was his turn to share a scripture in school he would always choose the same one – 1 Corinthians 13:1-2. It was neat to see the way he recorded and responded to promptings and impressions from the Lord, and then even with his demanding schedule professional and Church responsibilities, his family was such an important priority. His love for them is obvious and sweet.
Here are a few other quotes I liked from the book:
"Ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; and ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along" (D&C 78:17-18) (page vii).
"He who tells me of my faults is my teacher; he who tells me of my virtues does me harm" (Chinese proverb quoted by Mildred Eyring, p. 14).
"In this Church you don't have to believe anything that isn't true...learn everything you can, and whatever is true is part of the gospel. The Lord is actually running the universe. I'm convinced that he inspired the Prophet Joseph Smith" (Henry Eyring to his son Henry B. Eyring, p. 26).
"Though Hal's earliest testimony came from his mother and father, it was a subtly different variety from theirs. Whereas they often expressed their faith in terms of reason, he more typically spoke of feelings. In fact, his parents' greatest contribution to his testimony came not from their words or reasoning but from the way he felt when he observed them living the gospel" (p. 31).
"Baptism is not a way into the Church; it is not a way to join the Church that loves families; its not a way to join the Church of nice people. It is the thing one seeks when one has a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and enough understanding of the broken law to say, 'I need the blessings of baptism. I need to be cleansed" (p. 33).
"Someday, when you know who you are, you will be sorry you didn't use your time better" (an impression he received during his transition to Utah when he was thirteen and burying himself in his studies and basketball, p. 40).
"I can't remember the gifts my dad wrapped and helped put under the tree, but I remember the chalkboard and his quiet voice and even his not-so-quiet voice as he built up my mathematics and me" (Hal about his dad, p. 49)
"When you walk down the street, when you're in the shower, when you don't have to be thinking about anything else, isn't this what you think about?....Hal, I think you better get out of physics. You ought to find something you love so much that when you don't have to think about anything, that's what you think about" (p. 50).
"Physics taught me to understand the changes occurring in the world at large. But the things I learned as a groundskeeper and a janitor were worth more in working with the Brethren. Among those is the expectation that you know your duty thoroughly, you do more than you're asked, and you do it in a way that doesn't stand out. President Monson is the supreme example of that" (p. 53).
"Numbers, Hal would come to believe, could shape inspired feelings, but they shouldn't be allowed to trump them" (p. 80).
"Through nine years of higher education, he found that Heavenly Father cares about all types of learning, and He can help all of His children learn" (p. 84).
"One of the things that impressed me most about him was that he loved the Lord. And he loved Him enough to show this love by great service at the expense of worldly honors. He didn't seek the honors of men as he sought the love of the Lord" (Kathleen Johnson Eyring, p. 99).
"Hal determined that, when given the opportunity, he would try to lead by establishing high expectations rather than tight management systems. He realized that this would require an associated state of mind and heart. He would have to consider himself no wiser or more well-intentioned than his subordinates. He would need to see his job as building them up. The earliest beneficiaries of this enlightened view of leadership would be the 'Redheads'" (p. 117).
"'I'm not giving you these experiences just for yourself. Write them down'....I was doing it for you to read someday, because you and your brothers and sisters would be the most important people I would ever serve. And I knew that I was to make a record of how God watched over you and helped me be your father" (p. 129).
"I knew each was an individual, and therefore the Lord would have given them specific gifts for each to use in His service....Every person is different and has a different contribution to make. No one is destined to fail. As you seek revelation to see gifts God sees in those you lead in the priesthood--particularly the young--you will be blessed to lift their sights to the service they can perform" (p. 132).
"There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone" (p. 152).
"Don't use your human judgment to eliminate opportunities presented to you: pray about them all with an open mind...Do the tasks you are assigned in the Church and your profession as well as you can; they are preparation" (impressions after praying for career direction, p. 163).
"I walked to my office fasting this morning. I had many, many needs for guidance, and so my prayers were fervent. Some answers came so clearly, by a burning in the bosom, that I wrote them down afterwards. But no answer came to my request to know how to handle Ricks College's over-staffing. And the reason for the silence was given: I've not done enough work yet" (p. 226).
"I had never seen such frankness without rancor before, but neither had I seen people listen to each other as carefully. In a few minutes, what had seemed to me widely divergent views began to move--I thought so rapidly as to be miraculous--toward a consensus" (Hals' observations of one of his first Church Board of Education meetings, p. 242).
"Take the step and God opens the way" (Hal's journal recounting a step he took to follow President Benson's counsel to be debt-free, p. 255).
"Hal Eyring went to Rexburg not because he was uniquely needed in Rexburg, but because he uniquely needed Rexburg to prepare him for the future" (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 275).
"He has consistently chosen to serve the Lord, even when some outside the Church may have wondered at this service. He's consistently loved the Lord and wanted to do whatever he was asked to do, either in an official capacity or whatever else the prophets or those who are in authority over him have suggested should be done. And I am grateful beyond my words to express for the tremendous influence that he's had in my life for good" (Kathleen Eyring, p. 276).
“Malik spoke with certainty of a time when the Savior will return in glory to this earth. He described a place—a university—where the resurrected Lord would join with the students and the faculty and all who labor there. The Master will feel perfectly at home there….We know something of what a place must be like for the glorified Savior to feel perfectly at home. Of one thing we can be sure: those who labor there and all associated with it will have long before consecrated it to Him and to His kingdom” (p. 413).
“Every innovation, every change, will be measured against the test of the heart: How would this proposed change build testimony and true conversion to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in the heart of the student? True conversion comes by gaining sufficient faith to live the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ” (p. 421).
“Hal’s style of public speaking evolved. He felt a growing desire to represent the Savior and to speak so as to be easily translated to a global audience. In general, he tried to be simpler and softer in what he said. To this end, living with three spiritually sensitive females proved highly beneficial. Interacting with them helped Hal recall the soft, plain-spoken style of the great mentors in this life, beginning with his mother, Mildred” (p. 440).
“His experiences in speaking as a special witness of the Savior taught him that revelation depended on childlike willingness to be guided, with no personal agenda and no desire to impress through either novel ideas or flowery phrasing” (p. 441).
“Hal ended his tribute to President Hinckley with a passage from Shaespeare’s Henry V, which he had been reading in honor of the prophet. The passage is a prayer offered by Henry V, the young Prince Hal now grown into a surprisingly valiant, faithful king. In King Henry’s prayer before the pivotal Battle of Agincourt, Hal Eyring found a metaphor for preaching the gospel against apparently overwhelming odds, as President Hinckley had so often challenged him and the Church at large to do.
O God of battles! Steel my soliders’ hearts;
Possess them not with fear; take from them now
The sense of reckoning, if th’ opposed numbers
Pluck their hearts from them!” (p. 465).
“As I was preparing this talk, I thought that this [sending your last child off to school] must be how our Father in Heaven feels as He sends us down to earth. As wonderful and exciting as all the knowledge in the world is, if we don’t learn how to come back home to our Father in Heaven, who loves us and waits literally with open arms to greet us, then all the knowledge of the world we gain won’t mean much” (Kathleen Eyring, p. 488).
“After dinner we watched the movie ‘Forever Young,’ with Mel Gibson. The romantic ending is of young love reunited. The music at the end of the film, as it was in the beginning, was Billie Holiday singing, ‘The Very Thought of You.’ We, Kathleen in tennis shoes and I without shoes, danced on the basement carpet until the last note” (p. 493).
“Kathy’s memory loss…required Hal to re-win her hand daily and sometimes hourly. Even when she recognized his role as her guide and caregiver, she sometimes resented it. In the struggle to help Kathy make decisions and participate in essential activities, Hal kept foremost the goal of preserving their love. She made it easier by maintaining the calm, childlike demeanor that had characterized her life” (p. 496).
“I give you my personal witness that God is perfectly faithful. He will be perfectly faith to you. He is close and He is kind. He knows the road ahead. He knows us and our capacity. When He asks us to make promises, He provides a way to lift us up to the capacity to keep them. I leave you my blessing and my promise that you will have the power to be always faithful, that you will then go with God, and that you may know that your path is approved by Him. Vaya con Dios, mis amigos” (p. 499).
September 17, 2021
This book title is very apt. It is full of examples of how Elder (Hal) Eyring received and chose to follow subtle spiritual promptings that blessed his life and the lives of countless others in his service. He learned "line by line and precept upon precept," but over time hearing the Lord and receiving revelation became an everyday, natural part of life.
Some nuggets:
- The Lord uses many seemingly unorthodox people to accomplish His purposes. At 10 years old living in a rough part of NJ, Hal was being bullied by a group of kids when a tough gang-member stood up to them and told them Hal was his friend. The group left him alone thereafter. 30 years after high school, a man wrote to Hal and thanked him for always saying hi to him and smiling in the hall when Hal was the popular athlete and the man was a "non-entity." That small act of kindness made a difference for this man. (ch. 2)
- The Lord cares about all types of learning and He can help all people learn. (See the talk, "Education for Real Life") He (the Lord) has prepared opportunities for individuals to learn the things they'll need to know for the service that they'll give. Put spiritual things first in life and you'll be motivated to work hard. When we put God first, He will provide miracles. Go to Him in prayer, promise to put His kingdom first, and He will add blessings on your head, even enough and to spare. (ch. 4)
- If we had the dimmest memory of heaven, we would want to live and be there. (ch. 6)
- Assume people's behavior is rational from their point of view. Work not from apparent personal weaknesses of others (esp. our children), but from potential strengths. Weaknesses are usually rooted in fear and self-doubt, and must be overcome with faith and self-confidence through work and a vision of potential. Each person is given spiritual gifts to use in the service of others. Pray to know how to help your children develop their gifts to be able to serve God and others. (ch. 7)
- Scripture study works best when children know that you (the parent) love the scriptures and that you also love them. One goal is to fall in love with the scriptures and to feast upon their words. (ch. 7)
- Hal's journal recorded both what he taught his children and what he learned from them. (ch. 9)
- All decisions should be ratified by divine confirmation. (ch. 9)
- As president of Rick's College, Hal once asked Rex E. Lee (pres. of BYU) how he received revelation. After some discussion, he learned that clarity and agreement (about a new university program, for example) only came after a thorough study (sometimes a repeated study). Gather data, conduct interviews, counsel together, and do all you can do. Then the Lord will give the revelation. In short, if you want to get revelation, "do your homework." (ch. 11)
- In D&C sections 7-8, it declares that study is a precursor to revelation. Struggle and work is necessary. (ch. 11)
- Learn kindness under fatigue. (ch. 12)
- Too much "gruffness" or being too tense will spoil a date night. (ch. 12)
- Kindness under pressure is a key attribute, because no other kindness will make a difference since life is mostly pressure. (ch. 12)
- As you study your personal weaknesses, you can be blessed with life-changing insights. (ch. 12)
- When everything is important to an anxious chief executive, for example, that pride can be a great stumbling block to getting things done and to feeling personal peace. There won't be peace when one seeks the praise of men over doing God's will and serving others. (ch. 12)
- Part of meekness is recognizing your own inadequacies so that the Lord can provide His power. (ch. 12)
- Oftentimes, what may seem to be intrusions in a workday become timesavers and sources of inspiration. (ch. 12)
- "Anger, even from a (sports) game, is bad stuff." Anger can cause one to lose one's spiritual inclinations. (ch. 12)
- In 1973, in the face of a recession, an oil embargo, and Watergate, Pres. Harold B. Lee spoke to Ricks' College and prophesied that the United States would never fall and encouraged optimism. (ch. 13)
Some nuggets:
- The Lord uses many seemingly unorthodox people to accomplish His purposes. At 10 years old living in a rough part of NJ, Hal was being bullied by a group of kids when a tough gang-member stood up to them and told them Hal was his friend. The group left him alone thereafter. 30 years after high school, a man wrote to Hal and thanked him for always saying hi to him and smiling in the hall when Hal was the popular athlete and the man was a "non-entity." That small act of kindness made a difference for this man. (ch. 2)
- The Lord cares about all types of learning and He can help all people learn. (See the talk, "Education for Real Life") He (the Lord) has prepared opportunities for individuals to learn the things they'll need to know for the service that they'll give. Put spiritual things first in life and you'll be motivated to work hard. When we put God first, He will provide miracles. Go to Him in prayer, promise to put His kingdom first, and He will add blessings on your head, even enough and to spare. (ch. 4)
- If we had the dimmest memory of heaven, we would want to live and be there. (ch. 6)
- Assume people's behavior is rational from their point of view. Work not from apparent personal weaknesses of others (esp. our children), but from potential strengths. Weaknesses are usually rooted in fear and self-doubt, and must be overcome with faith and self-confidence through work and a vision of potential. Each person is given spiritual gifts to use in the service of others. Pray to know how to help your children develop their gifts to be able to serve God and others. (ch. 7)
- Scripture study works best when children know that you (the parent) love the scriptures and that you also love them. One goal is to fall in love with the scriptures and to feast upon their words. (ch. 7)
- Hal's journal recorded both what he taught his children and what he learned from them. (ch. 9)
- All decisions should be ratified by divine confirmation. (ch. 9)
- As president of Rick's College, Hal once asked Rex E. Lee (pres. of BYU) how he received revelation. After some discussion, he learned that clarity and agreement (about a new university program, for example) only came after a thorough study (sometimes a repeated study). Gather data, conduct interviews, counsel together, and do all you can do. Then the Lord will give the revelation. In short, if you want to get revelation, "do your homework." (ch. 11)
- In D&C sections 7-8, it declares that study is a precursor to revelation. Struggle and work is necessary. (ch. 11)
- Learn kindness under fatigue. (ch. 12)
- Too much "gruffness" or being too tense will spoil a date night. (ch. 12)
- Kindness under pressure is a key attribute, because no other kindness will make a difference since life is mostly pressure. (ch. 12)
- As you study your personal weaknesses, you can be blessed with life-changing insights. (ch. 12)
- When everything is important to an anxious chief executive, for example, that pride can be a great stumbling block to getting things done and to feeling personal peace. There won't be peace when one seeks the praise of men over doing God's will and serving others. (ch. 12)
- Part of meekness is recognizing your own inadequacies so that the Lord can provide His power. (ch. 12)
- Oftentimes, what may seem to be intrusions in a workday become timesavers and sources of inspiration. (ch. 12)
- "Anger, even from a (sports) game, is bad stuff." Anger can cause one to lose one's spiritual inclinations. (ch. 12)
- In 1973, in the face of a recession, an oil embargo, and Watergate, Pres. Harold B. Lee spoke to Ricks' College and prophesied that the United States would never fall and encouraged optimism. (ch. 13)
August 17, 2019
What a remarkable human being Henry B. Eyring is! I stand in awe of all he stands for. I have always admired his integrity and emotional connections in whatever he is teaching us in his conference talks. He has inspired me to action many time in his teachings. It is because of him that I changed the tone and content of my journal writing to one of a more thankful and sharing writing than I otherwise would have done. This life story of President Eyring is laced with his journal entries. I loved that! I gained even more respect for this giant educator and church leader as I read this book. His dedication to doing what is right in his personal and family life as well as his teaching, professional and church leadership is inspiring. One of the things I will take away from reading this book is his closeness to the Lord in every aspect of his life. He wants to do what the Savior would hve him do to fulfill his mission here on the earth. His reliance on prayer has touched me, and I want to be more prayerful in my day to day life as well. I can't stop thinking about all the things I learned from this book, and I finished it a week ago. I just keep being influenced by those great experiences and examples he lived and shared with all of us. I am so grateful for his wonderful example of Christlike living.
November 13, 2021
I was so inspired by learning about the life of Henry B. Eyring. I appreciated that there was so much from his personal journal and everyday experiences in this book. The themes of this book from my perspective were the importance of journal writing, how to listen to the spirit and receive revelation, obedience, and to not waste your time. Very inspiring life.
April 22, 2019
Absolutely loved this book. I listened to it, but I hear that the book has great layout. I loved all the detail and the flow of the bio. What an incredible family. I loved the insight to his relationships with church leadership. There we’re so many beautiful lessons that answered some heart-questions I have at the moment. So so good. I love biographies and need to read more!
November 20, 2018
Inspirational! This one will stay with me a long time.
May 29, 2019
This book came into my life at just the right time. Especially over this last week, I received much revelation while reading and pondering over the lessons learned by President Eyring.
May 13, 2022
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting how he progress into a great leader like the phrase line upon line. The author bent over backwards not to over emphase President Eyring great mind. But it was not difficult to recognize it.
July 17, 2024
Remarkable and inspiring man. I love hearing his teachings, so it was great to learn more about his background. Didn’t give it 5 because it was really long.
July 6, 2018
This book was so interesting. I learned so much about this man and his family. The amazing things he’s accomplished and his experiences were so amazing to me. I loved learning about his critical thinking and writing skills. Definitely worth the read.
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