Living With Enthusiasm

by L. Tom Perry

Beloved L. Tom Perry inspires all on how to Live with Enthusiasm in this grab, hardcover book.

Genres: Lds, Religion, Church, Inspirational, Self Help

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Lowell Tom Perry is a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), having become a member of that body in 1974.

Perry was born to Leslie Thomas Perry and his wife Elsie Nora Sonne. Perry, Utah is named for the Perry's ancestor, Gustavus Adolphus Perry and his family, who were among the first settlers at that place.

From the time of Perry's birth until he was eighteen his father was bishop of their Logan ward. From 1942-1944 Perry served as a missionary in the Northern States Mission, headquartered in Chicago. Just after returning from his mission he joined the United States military, specifically the marines. He was among the United States troops sent to occupy Japan after the war. While in Nagasaki, Perry coordinated a group of marines to help rebuild a local Protestant church.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so fun "getting to know" Elder Perry. This book was so uplifting and made me want to "change my attitude"

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about Elder Perry's great talent to live with enthusiasm! :)

I just read this book again. I love it and am grateful for Elder Perry's teachings and example and enthusiasm. What a wonderful talent and inspiration. He did everything in his life with joy and enthusiasm. Each word of his talks is full of clear and hopeful testimony of the Lord's plan of happiness.

I love the story about Elder Perry making friends with the New York commuters, by changing up the routine on the train platform. And his example of drinking milk while participating in work functions. He is a special example of living the gospel and loving others!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: 'Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm....Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm (p. vii).'"

"'Enthusiasm signifies 'God in us.'' They joy we feel through having the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives should translate into great enthusiasm (p. viii)."

"Joseph refused to become discouraged or depressed. If he had to be a prisoner, he would be the best prisoner in all the prison. His enthusiasm found favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. He became chief among all the prisoners....Once again, he had made the best out of a bad situation (p. 3)."

"Before you feel sorry for me, you should realize that in spite of my lack of talent, I was enthusiastic. I learned from a very early age what an asset my enthusiasm could be. At the dinner table, I complimented my mother so enthusiastically that she consistently gave me the biggest piece of pie. At school, I would raise my hand enthusiastically before my teacher even finished asking the question; fortunately, she would never call on me. As with Joseph, my enthusiasm often helped me turn disadvantages into advantages (p. 5)."

"We may all strive to develop reverent attitudes so we may 'serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28) (p. 14).'"

"The best way for parents to instill faith is to have faith. Children must see their parents on their knees daily, asking for God's blessings and expressing their gratitude to him. Children need to see their fathers using their priesthood to administer to family members in need of a blessing. They need to see parents reverently worshipping in our sacrament meetings. They need to see parents cheerfully and willingly giving of their time and talents to the building of the Lord's kingdom here on earth. They need to see parents proving their faith by the payment of tithes and offerings. They need to see parents diligently studying and discussing the scriptures to increase their faith and understanding (p. 17)."

"To maintain some semblance of stability in our lives, it is essential that we plan for our future....President Spencer W. Kimball admonished us that we cannot place sufficient oil in our preparedness lamps by simply avoiding evil. We must also be anxiously engaged in a positive program of preparation--a program based on living the gospel. President Kimball said, 'In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living (p. 23).'"

"In the Lord's instructions to his children, we find sublime consistency. What the Lord has declared to be right will always be right. What he has declared to be true will always be true. What he has declared to be sinful will always be sinful....President Benson counseled us concerning searching the scriptures: 'Let us not treat lightly the great things we have received from the hand of the Lord! His word is one of the most valuable gifts He has given us. I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily (p. 31).'"

"As I travel throughout the Church I marvel at all the positive things that are occurring, yet I never feel that we, as a people, are living up to all of our potential. My sense is that we do not always work together, that we are still too much consumed by personal aspirations for the honors of men, and that we show too little interest in the common goal of building the Lord's kingdom (p. 38)."

"There is a strong correlation between the success of nations and their knowledge and obedience to God's commandments (p. 39)."

"'I have listened with great interest to the lesson today. The thought just crossed my mind that the information presented will soon be lost if we do not find application for it.' This brother proposed a course of action. The night before, a good citizen of the community had passed away. His wife was a member of the Church, but he was not. The brother had visited the widow to offer his sympathies. As he left the home, his eyes wandered over their beautiful farm. The alfalfa was ready to cut, and the grain would soon be ready to harvest....The course of action he proposed was for the high priests to help this widow operate her farm until a more permanent solution could be found. The balance of the group meeting was spend organizing to assist her. The principle of the lesson had found immediate application (p. 46)."

"Consider your ways. Are they his ways (p. 47)?"

"In Proverbs we read, 'A friend loveth at all times' (Proverbs 17:17). One of the greatest blessings of mortal life is good friends....President McKay said, 'True friends enrich life. If you would have friends, be one (p. 49).'"

"The great friendships I made with my fellow commuters endured for many, many years. The so-called cold New Yorker was just as friendly and warm as anyone else. All I had to do was break through a thick, inner-city shell to enjoy warm, close friendships (p. 54)."

"How do we develop better friendships?....
1. Be sincere.
2. Become thoroughly acquainted....Show interest in them...
3. Be unselfish.
4. Show brotherly love and concern for them...
5. Graciously let them be of service to you when they offer.
6. Smile and be positive (p. 54)."

"Our prophets have encouraged us to be mindful of our obligations while we are here in the world. President David O. McKay said: 'The responsibility of showing to the world that the gospel of Jesus Christ will solve its problems rests upon the men who make the claim....I believe...that every world problem may be solved by obedience to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ....The solution of the great world problems is here in the Church of Jesus Christ. Ample provision is made not only for the needs of individuals, but also for nation and groups of nations (p. 57).'"

"As we live in the world, may we contribute by making it a better place through our righteous living, our service in causes that are just, and our faith that good will always triumph over evil (p. 62)."

"First, consistently do your best with the talents your Father in Heaven has given you. Second, concentrate on the basics, because they are appropriate in any situation or season of life. Third, worry more about developing sound character than about building reputation (p. 70)."

"'Happy is the man who has work he loves to do. Happy is the man who loves the work he has to do (p. 90).'"

"I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Nephi has asked the Lord for tools instead of a place to find ore to make the tools. I doubt the Lord would have honored Nephi's request. You see, the Lord knew that Nephi could make tools, and it is seldom that the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves (p. 96)."

"The principles of self-reliance is spiritual as well as temporal (p. 100)."

"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: 'Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping the commandments of God.' True happiness comes only when we choose the right (p. 109)."

"Meekly I told the prophet of the Lord that he had overslept. I remember how kind and considerate he was to me during those few minutes we were alone together. Instead of rushing, he took time to have me sit on the bed with him. He patted my shoulder and thanked me for the small service I provided....I will never forget the experience of sitting alongside the prophet of God with his arm around my shoulder. I was just a boy of seven, but I recognized a prophet's voice. The thought never occurred to me to question any of his kind counsel. I drank in every word (p. 124)."

"Sometimes in our enthusiasm for the gospel, we cast our pearls indiscriminately, and we might even be tempted to enhance the luster of the gospel, our pearl of great price, by placing it in a much too attractive setting. This may only detract from the true value of our pearl. Our pearl will stand on its own, with all of its beauty and simplicity. We do not need to enhance it with the bright and flashy things that will bring only antagonism and conflict to the Church. We need to speak less about our accomplishments, and by our actions we need to show which kingdom we seek (p. 131)."

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with Elder Perry's son, the book title does not work, and his son's suggestion to title the book Consider Your Ways was a wise approach. That being said, I still appreciated all that Elder Perry had to teach me in these talks/essays. This book is directed to an LDS audience, but there are basic truths offered that all can benefit from. I mean, he even quotes Will Durrant, John Wooden, Cicero, and Shakespeare, so that's something! Below are some of my favorite passages.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Enthusiasm is a telescope that advances the misty, distant future into the radiant, tangible present." -Unknown

"The climate of our times tends to support the idea that love is like a seasonal monsoon: it comes, it blows fiercely; it goes by. That is too bad, because a child needs the kind of love that is as trustworthy as the rising of the sun. If a child is to grow up to truly join the human race, he needs to know how to keep love alive. A child should learn not to merely love but to be a loving person, to make love his stance in the world, 'Love' may come and go, but a loving person, like the sun itself, never loses his [or her] sustaining warmth." -Reader's Digest

"I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His Word,
Which tells me prayer is always heard,
And will be answered, soon or late.
And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought;
But leave my prayers with him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own,
Assured that He will grant my quest,
Or send some answer far more blest." -Eliza M. Hickok

"The Lord is not telling us that we should not be prosperous. This would be inconsistent with the many records we have of his blessing his people with prosperity. But he is telling us that we should seek prosperity only after we have sought and found Him. Then, because our hearts are right, because we love Him first and foremost, we will choose to invest the riches we obtain in building His kingdom."

"Will Durrant, the noted historian, summarized the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire as follows:
1. The breakdown of the family and rapid increase of divorce.
2. The spiraling rise of taxes and extravagant spending.
3. The mounting craze for pleasure and the brutalization of sports.
4. The decay of religion into many confused forms of worship, leaving the people without a uniform guide."

"Among life's sweetest blessings is fellowship with men and women whose ideals and aspirations are high and noble. Next to a sense of kinship with God comes the helpfulness, encouragement, and inspiration of friends. Friendship is a sacred possession...One of the principle reasons which the Lord had for establishing His Church is to give all persons high and low, rich and poor, strong and feeble an opportunity to associate with their fellowmen in an atmosphere of uplifting, religious fellowship. This association may be found in Priesthood quorums, Auxiliaries, Sacrament meetings. He who neglects these opportunities, who fails to take advantage of them, tho that extent starves his own soul." -David O. McKay

"True friends enrich life. If you would have friends, be one." -David O. McKay

"The mark of a true champion is to always perform near your own level of competency." -John Wooden

"While it may be possible to reach the top of one's profession on sheer ability, it is impossible to stay there without hard work and character. Then, if their ability warranted it, the championships take care of themselves." John Wooden

"We know of no one in life who isn't an Important Person. We know of no man on the street (or in the gutter, for that matter) who isn't a child of God with the same rights and with the same relationship to his Father in heaven as all the rest of us have. We know of no one, young or old, from infants to elderly individuals, whose past or whose potential we would want to appraise as being unimportant. We know of no one we might see in any public place - on subways or buses, or walking in shabby shoes - or any boy selling papers...who doesn't have an inestimable potential, here and hereafter." -Richard L. Evans

"Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge." -Cicero

“The holy scriptures declare eternal values; they are the firm foundation on which we can build a successful mortal experience. We become more self-reliant when we study the holy scriptures, which teach the principles that provide a divine center to our lives here in mortality.”

"Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word." -Shakespeare

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Basics with insight. Perry is a man full of enthusiasm. Sadly, this book is full of insight, but only one chapter on enthusiasm. However, that does not diminish the other chapters life lessons. Like Perry’s son Lee, I think this book would have been more aptly titled “Consider Your Ways.” This book is focused to an LDS perspective (yes, religious), but everything in here can be applied to much of life whatever your beliefs and perspectives. Considering your ways in any aspect can only enhance your life and maybe even bring more enthusiasm into your step.

[David Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Elder Perry

[Jodi Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤

[Fábio Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Practical. Inspired.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit retro, but I love the message coming from the heart of this great man.

[Kendel Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read! There are a great many good thoughts in this book, (the life-changing parts, for me was in the intro and first chapter--I read that years ago and adopted his motto as my own).

"Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm. . . . Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (New York: Wm. H. Wise & Co., 1929), pp. 77, 222)
(in L. Tom Perry, “Living with Enthusiasm,” [Deseret Book Company. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1996]. vii)

“Isn't the Holy Ghost a constant companion you need in your life? Consider what you need to do to receive the full and rich blessings of the Spirit. Commence the inner cleansing—now!”
(L.Tom Perry, Living with Enthusiasm, Deseret Book [Salt Lake City: 1996], p.44-45)

"Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm. . . . Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (New York: Wm. H. Wise & Co., 1929), pp. 77, 222)
(in L. Tom Perry, “Living with Enthusiasm,” [Deseret Book Company. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1996]. vii)

“The friends with whom we choose to associate are major contributors to the formation of our character. We form social habits by association with our friends. Good social habits can be useful and become the bases of wholesome personalities, but bad social habits can lead to antisocial attitudes and behaviors. Gradually, bad social habits tarnish our characters and severely limit our potential as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.”
(L.Tom Perry, Living with Enthusiasm, Deseret Book [Salt Lake City: 1996], p.49)


“Our governments need standards of integrity. Our communities need yardsticks for measuring decency. Our neighborhoods need models of beauty and cleanliness. Our schools need continued encouragement and assistance in maintaining high educational standards. Rather than spend time complaining about the direction in which these institutions are going, we need to exert our influence to point them in the right direction. A small effort by a few can result in so much good for so many.”
(L.Tom Perry, Living with Enthusiasm, Deseret Book [Salt Lake City: 1996], p.61)

[Tamra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I love L. Tom Perry. When I was a teenager I didn't have much interest in the apostles--who they were, or even their names. For Seminary we each had to choose one to give a short report on. I didn't know any of them (truly. And I've been active all my life), so I picked "the pretty guy with glasses" as I called him. I still call him that occasionally, because he's always smiling and happy!

I saw this book at the BYU Bookstore and didn't buy it. I decided to buy it a year later and couldn't find it. Had to do a google search for it and bought it used from someone else. This will probably be a hard book to find, if you want to read it. You're welcome to borrow mine, but you'll have to give it back!

If anyone knows how to live with enthusiasm, it's L. Tom Perry!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his thoughts on enthusiasm and finding joy in life. But the chapter that stood out to me the most was chapter 2 where he wrote about reverence. I really love what he wrote: "I have been thinking about reverence. While I believe that reverence is often exhibited through reverent behaviors, this has not been the focus of my thoughts. I have been more concerned about attitude--an attitude of deepest respect and veneration toward Deity. If we can cultivate reverent attitudes among the members of the Church, reverent behaviors will follow." He continues: "Reverence flows from our admiration and respect for Deity. Those who are truly reverent are those who have paid the price to know the glory of the Father and His Son."

I want to be truly reverent...and to try a little more to live with enthusiasm and joy.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to an audio recording. There were several places where I wished I had a printed copy because there were parts that I especially liked & wanted to copy out or underline.

Side 1: Preface, Living with Enthusiam, "Serve God Acceptably with Reverence..., Consider Your Ways
Side 2: Friendship, Being in the World, Staying Power, Worthy to Enter
Side 3: Worthy to Enter continued, The Joy of Honest Labor, Becoming Self-Reliant, "Therefore I was Taught"
Side 4: "Choose the Right", They Speech Reveals Thee, Heed the Prophet's Voice

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of excellent talks given by Elder Perry. They are simple and uncomplicated and yet contain lots of wonderful counsel. An easy read that left me feeling motivated to change some things.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the recent passing of Elder L Tom Perry I had a desire to read a book by him. I chose this book. What a treat! I am going to reread it and note ideas I want to apply in my life. How he and his wonderful words of continued wise counsel will be missed!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read! It had alot of great insights that I have learned. I would read it again!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of talks by Elder Perry. His experience of how he turned a typical, mundane New Yorker commute into the best part of the day is classic Elder Perry.

[Launna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book and liked it, but had to return it to the library before I finished it.

[Penny Pincock]

Filled with wonderful personal stories, Elder Perry really gets you excited about living with gusto! I have this book on tape and any age can enjoy it.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved looking at the world through Elder Perry's enthusiastic eyes. Always looking on the bright side, loving others, and loving God made Tom into the man he was.