Come As You Are

by Samuel Norton

As membership among the youth and rising generation plummets, parents can often be left wondering what they can do to help their children remain faithfully on the covenant path. Come as You Are by Samuel Norton, looks at some of the cultural aspects of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and questions if those aspects of our lives are helping connect our youth and young adults to the Source of Redeeming Love. With the notion of creating "space," readers will understand that the opportunities to connect with Jesus are limitless, if we will give our youth and young adults the tools and the "space" to do so their way.Readers will understand that the "space" needed to connect with our Savior can be encroached upon bythe language we usethe lessons we teachour discomfort with not having the answersand our binary approach to life.Giving the rising generation the opportunity to connect with Jesus Christ isn't about just making sure that they show up at church and attend activities every week. It's about making sure they understand Christ stands willing to welcome them as they are. It's about recognizing that He will perfect them in the process of time. It's about helping them see that everyone can Come as They Are.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Book Club, Spirituality, Church, Audiobook

160 pages, Paperback

Published December 21, 2023

Reviews

[Brooke Alleger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read if you belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and work with young people. The authors led FSY in the UK as COVID restrictions lifted and share how they created an FSY culture that welcomed and supported anyone, anywhere on their journey of faith. Especially including those who have felt ostracized because of being LGBTQ, or feeling their family doesn’t fit the ideal, or who have real questions of whether a church life can be for them at all.

This book depicts the culture of Church life I wish I had as a younger adult and teenager. I love Jesus. I loved Him as a child and teen but really struggled wondering if Church was for me because my faith felt different from what I saw around me and I didn’t find answers to all the questions I had. I wish I’d had leaders like the Nortons then.

This read was healing and faith affirming. There is no all in or all out approach to Jesus. We come as we are. And then we become better versions of ourselves through Him.

[Kadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

All. The. Stars.

A friend recently asked me if I could recommend any one book that every latter-day saint should read what it would be.. I think it would be this one.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author and his wife have spent years in leadership callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the UK and were asked to be session directors for a few years at the London FSY (a week-long church conference for high school aged teens, whose camp counselors are college aged young adults). This book is the culmination of those experiences and learning to craft an environment where young people felt welcomed and called to Christ rather than burdened and shamed by expectations. They also recognize that the realities of living as a member of the church are vastly different for those living outside of Utah/the mountain west and especially for those outside of North America.

Not only is there a lot of practical advice in this book, but Norton also shares a framework of thinking about Christ’s gospel and atonement that leaves room for both God’s incredible and boundless mercy and love and also God’s desire for us to act in righteousness. This is precisely what I believe about God, but it’s always helpful to have someone do the legwork of articulating those beliefs.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who works with the youth, and especially for Bishoprics and Stake Presidencies who are asked to make judgement calls about them.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING. It’s targeted towards the younger generation but I feel like this should be a required read for all local leaders too. Love how his main focus is to help people have a relationship with Christ, not just the church. It’s the church’s job to love its members and let them know they belong, regardless of the amount of faith they know, believe, or just hope. Encourage others to start where they are instead of being all in from the start.
Love his perspective of being a church leader in England and how a one size fits all is not the way. We as church members need to create space for everyone. Just so good.

[Courtney Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air that could fill any Latter-day Saint lungs with hope. Norton’s task here is to provide a vision of how we could put greater focus on Jesus Christ in our faith practice, and in doing so, dramatically decrease the painful effects of unnecessary exclusion based on flimsy high demand, high judgment additions to faith culture. He provides various personal accounts, mostly from those under the age of 30, as qualitative data to demonstrate the massive impact that small changes towards this vision could have. I appreciated these accounts as well as his practical ideas for application. If you’re committed to serving the young people of the faith, especially if you’re a bit removed from the experience of being a young person in the 2020s, this is required reading.

[Terrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of inclusive and welcoming approach I believe in and work for in creating and supporting our faith communities.

[Taniel Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very Niche book for leaders of youth within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But for those within that space, it is a fantastic read that I would highly recommend. I connected so well to so many of his thoughts of how to make give more space for our youth to grow and connect to their savior Jesus Christ in a more authentic way that allows everyone to come as they are.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of Julie Hanks’ content, this was generally in line with her perspective. This was a quick read and an interesting study into what is or will be considered culture vs legacy vs doctrine in the church.
Being a Church of Jesus Christ and the implications of large parts of a Christian religion losing the plot of Christ-like love and inclusion is a difficult thing to grapple with. Whether you’re mostly in or on your way it, it was comforting to read about a leader trying to return to a love of a perfect Savior.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially if you work with youth, get this and read it. Or if you have children. Or if you work with adults. Actually, just read this. The whole thing is beautiful.

[Kelli Dougal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and honestly any Christians could benefit from the ideas this book presents. It’s faith-affirming, healing, and inspiring. It gives me hope that church culture can continue to progress and change. I just kept thinking to myself, yes, THIS is the type of church I want to be a part of . If everyone could understand and implement these principles, the church would be a very different place (in a good way!).

I first discovered the book from the “Faith Matters” podcast and related very strongly to the messages shared, especially since Sam Norton and his wife worked with the FSY conference in England. I worked for the EFY program for 6 summers and overall loved it, but there were always a few things that bugged me and the Nortons were able to address these things in a loving and empathetic way that brought me to tears. I knew I needed to grab a copy of the book and I’ve recommended it to so many people since reading it. It has the potential to positively impact the lives of all the youth and young adults in the church.

I also had the chance to meet Sam Norton at a conference in Utah and had a great discussion with him. I hope he and his wife come out with more books.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a small booklet specifically geared toward members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

If you are not a member of the Church, skip this and I invite you to go read the Book of Mormon instead. It has truly changed my life, along with the Holy Bible which I also believe.
If you are a member of the Church already, I can’t recommend this little booklet enough. It eloquently presents all the feelings of my heart better than I could ever articulate myself.

This is the text I sent my sisters and mom in our group chat today. It can function as my review:


“
You guys. This book. It was life changing.
That sounds like drama drama drama. But I’m being serious. It was so insightful, hopeful, relevant, paradigm shifting.

It talks about
- how we can MAKE SPACE for people in the church… for ALL people, to come as they are and draw closer to Christ.
- the difference between the church (scaffolding for this life) and the gospel (permanent & eternal), while also making a solid case for why we need the church structure and how it blesses us.
- how church culture can inadvertently exclude faithful people who are seeking Jesus, and how to focus on Christ in our ministry so the culture doesn’t create barriers.
- how to help youth find fulfillment in their church participation, by focusing on their relationship with Christ & His gospel instead of “fence laws.”

I can’t even express how relevant it was. I bought the audiobook on Audible for $13 and now I’m going to go purchase some hard copies for myself and the women I minister teach to. It had SO MANY gems. The author presented everything in a non-judgmental, non-shaming way. I feel so empowered and motivated to be more Christlike.
My friends and I read it separately and gathered to discuss it today.

Let me know if any of you read it.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s only 4 hours long. Just a little booklet, really.
“

[Marinda (rindasreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was a single book that I could recommend to youth leaders and parents in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this book is it. Although I think most Christians would enjoy this book and get something out of it, I want to note that much of the text deals with helping youth come unto Christ within the lens of the culture and gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over the past few years, I've struggled the align my growing faith and understanding with the absolute standards of my youth and childhood. I've wondered where the line between obedience and faith exists, and how I can help my children navigate their futures with more love and less judgement. This book helped me to see the holes I was missing in my own understanding, and gave me peace and comfort regarding both my future and the future of my children and loved ones within the Kingdom of God both on Earth and hereafter.

Because, after all, the answer is found in Jesus Christ.

After reading this, I wish I could go back and tell my missionary self some things to confirm what I felt was true then but had a hard time aligning with what was being asked of me. I would have told myself to feel less guilt over not reaching certain goals or numbers and instead asked myself
whether or not I was truly doing everything in my power to help others (of all faiths) to come unto Christ. The beauty of the restored gospel is the fact that we are constantly learning and growing, and along with that comes growing pains and learning to change our understanding as we discover more about God and His Son.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book and it has given me many invitations and insights to ponder. This book is focused on authenticity in The Church of Jesus of Latter-Day Saints. Great lesson on coming as you are to church and not being caught up with “how a member should be”. I’ve had times where I felt like I’m one person at church and another with friends. Samuel Norton invites all to be their truest self even in a church setting. My favorite part was the examples of sharing testimony. It’s okay to not know everything with a surety and to bare witness that you hope to know something to be true one day. I hope to be a better disciple of Christ and accepting where people are in their spiritual journey. I also hope that I can be more vulnerable with everyone I encounter and share ways the Lord has shown me mercy. I would really love to read this book again one day when my children are youth in the church. Excellent read!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone wrote in their review that this is a very niche book for leaders of youth within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I respectfully disagree. While that is obviously a targeted audience, I think we can ALL benefit from reading this thoughtful book. We can all help lead people to God's love and mercy. We can all leave space for people to live out their faith journey in their own way. We can all better extend to others the grace we hope others would give to us, if only they knew more about our story. And we can all do more to help the rising generation, and people of all generations, feel welcome in our pews. And we can do it without abandoning any aspects of our own faith. And while making space for others, I think we will all feel more welcome ourselves. I own the audio version, but decided to buy the book in print to be able to more easily loan it to others. Read it. I hope to read it again.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this book is wonderful. Much of this was already along my lines of thinking and feeling. I walked away with a few amazing insights that were so helpful and timely.

[Alice-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard this author and his wife on the Faith Matters podcast and found what they shared so good, I wanted to read more. This was excellent read for all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[Cami Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It really gave me a lot to think about and inspired me to focus more on bringing people to Christ through inviting them to come as they are and not putting pressure on them.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love his understanding and compassionate approach. His words are relatable and his viewpoint is expansive and refreshing.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely essential read for any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or any Christian) who believes in and yearns for a "big tent" Christianity. I share the authors' vision of what the church can be, and I bow to their plea that we focus more squarely on our one and only true Source.

If you'd like an appetizer, look for the authors' inspiring interview on Faith Matters podcast (April 2024).

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waaaaay too many buzz words for my taste. I think if the author took out all the "making/creating space," "diversity," "inclusive," "authentic," "flattening the path," and "faith journeys" the book would be 3/4 of the original length.

Regarding content: this author has some good suggestions, but I didn't care for how he criticized past practices.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Come As You Are has at its heart an important premise: Parents, teachers and(or) leaders in and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints need to create a space of love and welcome for all to feel welcome at & in the Church. We need to teach the upcoming younger generation how to come to Christ, to connect to Christ and how to connect to & feel the Holy Spirit. They need to know that they can come as they are, start from where they are, be invited in and belong.

I've noticed that our youth today have special gifts as well as needs: they value authenticity; they appreciate when others are real & vulnerable, rather than putting up a bravado of certainty; they need to see what we struggle with and how we are turning to Christ in those times; they are sensitive about including & accepting others and feel the desire also to be accepted. We can treat others with love & acceptance and be real & vulnerable with others on our faith journey, rather than passing judgement where we not only don't have all the information, but it isn't our place to judge, but to encourage.

Not everything in this book necessarily resonated with me, but that's okay. Life is like that. People are like that. We are all shaped by our life's journey and don't have to agree on everything to be able to testify of and stand for truth & righteousness. That said, I feel like the authors could have done a better job expressing how we can help the younger generation feel a sense of belonging, without disaffecting or offending older generations they (the authors) are trying to address.

This book gave me things to think about, things I will continue to consider and hopefully things that will help me in my efforts to understand others as I'm striving to love them as God does.

Thank you to Cedar Fort Publishing for sending me an e-book ARC of this book to read & give an honest review. All thoughts & conclusions in this review are my own.

[Emma Kitsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this book gives me hope that my faith community is slowly moving towards a more inclusive, open-minded and Christ-centred approach. It is really important that we acknowledge our own complicity in the creation of a Church culture and society which is separate from the doctrine of Christ and sometimes gets in the way. It is only through acknowledging this that our community can connect together and move forwards. I really appreciated the various anecdotes, which depicted a range of different faith stories, understandings and approaches, reinforcing that there is no one way to experience a connection with Christ.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Take - loved it! If you lead youth, especially in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (if you can see past the LDS examples, this is wonderful for any church or faith based youth leader) or if you want to have new ways to think about your faith and, more importantly, some traditions that are unintentionally getting in the way of bringing more unity to "the body of Christ" and others around you, this is a wonderful place to start.

Longer Take - Come as You Are is a compassionate and thought-provoking guide for parents, leaders, and teachers within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I would argue any faith-based leader of youth. While the concepts and examples are very Latter-day Saint-centered and come from his experiences as a church member and leader, the point is to help youth follow Jesus and create and grow their relationship with Him, rather than exclusively or heavily on the programs of the church. That could be applied to any Christian parent, leader, teacher, or even an individual on their faith journey. Samuel Norton challenges cultural norms that may inadvertently distance youth from Christ, advocating for a more inclusive and understanding approach. The book emphasizes creating "space" for the rising generation to connect with Jesus Christ on their terms, fostering an environment where questioning and personal growth are welcomed.

About the Author - Samuel Norton is a British member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with extensive experience in youth ministry. He was called as a bishop in London at age 24 and served in a stake presidency for eight years. Norton and his wife, Jen, are seminary teachers and have also served as FSY (For the Strength of Youth) session directors in London. His insights are deeply rooted in his pastoral work and dedication to supporting young people in their spiritual journeys.

Key Themes and Ideas I found Valuable:

1. Creating Space for Individual Faith Journeys, Especially for Youth. Norton emphasizes the importance of allowing youth to explore their faith without fear of judgment, recognizing that personal experiences and questions are vital to spiritual development. In many ways, past traditions, perceived cultural norms, outdated "rules," or other attitudes can make youth feel not good enough, not ready, or simply out of place. Welcoming all where they are now, and who they are now, allows them to find their own path to Christ and then to grow into the faith and covenants at their own pace. Love replaces rules, and allows youth to feel included, and to include others.

2. Challenging Cultural Norms. The book critiques certain cultural aspects within the Church. Many of these are more about tradition than gospel and may hinder youth from feeling accepted. The author urges a shift towards practices prioritizing Christ's teachings over tradition.

3. Embracing Questions and Uncertainty. Acknowledging that not all questions have immediate answers, Norton encourages leaders and parents to support youth in their inquiries, fostering an environment of trust and openness. So often, church culture can be filled with others testifying that they "know beyond a shadow of a doubt," or "I know this," or statements about the "only truth," and more. While those are well-intentioned, they may make youth or friends who have questions feel out of place and not good enough. By teaching youth that questions are wonderful and that questions are where faith lives, they can embrace their own learning and build a relationship with Christ rather than compare their journey to others around them.

4. Moving Beyond Binary Thinking. The author calls for a departure from black-and-white perspectives, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of faith and individual circumstances. Our Father in Heaven has, is, and will give his all for all of us to return home to Him. Each individual is in a different place, has a different past, has experienced different traumas, has different questions, worries about different things, and so much more. Embracing those differences is what allows us to become one. Unity is not a place of sameness, but a place of acceptance.

Personally, I loved their conversations on podcasts and also this book.

[Charise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much.

Favs:

“All of them” ❤️

Come as you are is shorthand for Come unto Christ as you are.
Parable of Sower, additional interpretation could be seeds represent us-His children. We are planted in all manner of places…also parable of the wheat and tares. All who come as they are unto Him with their wheat and tares, their wounds accrued throughout mortal experiences, can and will be a success in the end. He alone will cast off their weakness(tares).
The Savior knows the circumstances of our planting, he knows our tares and personalizes His healing. He invites us to come as we are and to act in faith. True nature is concerned and inclusive [heavenly parents] and [their] Son.
By welcoming and not judging or condemning, through trust and not ultimatum, with them all safety gathered in, we set about connecting them to Him.
A culture of high expectations, when not connecting young people to Him, can present challenges to those who choose not to…
We have nothing to fear in trusting the rising generation. We do not need locally created fear or pressure to enforce expectations, even inadvertently. But helping them to find clear answers to prayers and hear the voice of God in their lives would be a powerfully sustaining and space creating experience.
Too often we inadvertently connect people to the connectors and not to the source: Jesus Christ.

-We can help the rising generation understand that there are no arbitrary hurdles to come into Christ and to exercise faith in Him.
-We can celebrate differences in how our young people practice their faith and hear His voice because we can trust that God has a different path for each of His children.
-By creating more space for uncertainty, particularly in how we describe matters of faith, we can more quickly build an inviting and inclusive space for all.

Grow comfortable with saying “I don’t know.” (Nephi, I don’t know the meaning of all things…) Expansive, less certain. Give space. Alma 32: faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things-
Start with choosing to believe
Pres Hinckley “I wish to give you my testimony of the basic truths of this work. I confess that I do not know everything, but of some things I am certain”
Accepting we don’t know something creates space for hope and trust in God. From there we can act in faith.
I hope, I believe, I pray, I search, I ponder, I wonder…space creating openers to testimony sharing ✨
Intentionally own what is said and express authenticity. Encouraging youth to be their authentic selves and speak truths they know, those they believe, and those they are still learning to love, is a path to a more sustainable faith in their Savior.

How do we help have hope in Christ’s mercy? How do we help draw to God and choose to believe in His goodness? We can start by remembering that faith thrives in environments absent of certainty. We don’t have the answers to how it all works, but we can trust in the Fathers true nature and stated intent to bring us home to Him. By acknowledging him and admitting that we don’t have all the answers right now (“I don’t know”) we not only start in a more humble place, we signal to ourselves that we are open to receiving more as a part of His ongoing restoration. When we admit to not knowing something and still feel the desire to search ponder and pray, we leave mysteries open-ended which in turn enable more faith in God, more hope, and more charity towards ourselves and others. By creating space where we are comfortable with uncertainty, we can become more compassionate to others.

When habits and expectations are exported…the saviors healing disappears from the narrative, church can get hard. And when church gets hard, faith gets hard. Excitingly, changes are coming. We are undoubtedly becoming more Christ-centered. These changes are happening from the top, but like always they take time to filter down. The name-Church of Jesus Christ is one. Pres Nelson said Jesus Christ is the source. By refocusing our young people on Jesus Christ and their personal connection to Him, they will undoubtedly find a less encumbered and more sustaining path to Him. But it’s not just about being connected to Him, it’s about being connected to Him as their personal Healer.

References to Jesus as healer in conference: 1850-1990s (100-200), 2000–now (mid 800s) a 500% increase.
Elder Holland “come as you are, but don’t plan to stay as you are.”

Connecting them to Him: to do this well at a local level
First-we can redefine success in the gospel.
Second-we can connect to the beauty of individual weakness
Third-continue to remove stigma around repentance
Fourth-help them find connection in their best efforts at worthiness.

The covenant path to Christ is personal-may look different for each person. This can make it 100% inclusive.
The rising generation do not have to be flawless to be worthy or to connect with God. Their worthiness comes from their love of God, their desire to return to Him and their best efforts…only God forgives and heals us from wounds and weakness. He looks on the heart and o my God knows what He finds there.

Having faith in God, even great faith, is NOT incompatible with having questions and lots of them. The key is to encourage them to ask with open sincere heart that can cope without immediate answers or absolute certainty. Tree of life-Levi’s tasting and experiencing, and Nephi’s searching and investigating are both valid and not mutually exclusive.

God knows who they are and how they struggle. He will consecrate their struggles. He will lead them to the tree.

Remember, being perfected (ultimately healed, restored, and made whole) in Christ is the distant end-game, the ultimate destination, a long time from now. Helping reassure our young people that they don’t have to get there with an unnatural and unsustainable urgency, that in the church they will find the eternal supports of the kingdom of God that will bind them to Him is an exciting opportunity for us all.

In order to reassure our young people that faith in Christ is something to cherish, it needs to feel authentic, personal, and fortifying.

Come as you are, #proudofmyfaith

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space, a better space for everyone” (Dr. George Dei). After listening to these authors on the Faith Matters podcast, I quickly ordered this book. I loved the compassionate message of creating a more inclusive and loving (less cultural and judgmental) church community. Norton explored the idea of “flattening the path leading to the Savior” with chapters on creating space for: 1-diversity of circumstances, 2-diverse person connections, 3-uncertainty, 4-diversity of families, 5-Christ the healer, 6-Kingdom of God, and 7-diversity of faith. I really appreciated the experiences and perspectives shared that helped expand my understanding and heart. My book is well-marked and left me with many insights to ponder. Highly recommend. **Also, I loved the smiling drawing of "Jesus as a Young Adult" at the beginning of the book.

A sampling of some favorite quotes and thoughts:

-“Upfront arbitrary norms (defined perhaps as expectations that have no grounding in eternal doctrine or universal truth, and which aren’t practiced across all cultures and times) often become hurdles and hindrances—even if their parents and grandparents saw them as helps.” p. 7

-“’Come as you are,’ a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, ‘Don’t plan to stay as you are.’ We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be.” (Elder Holland) p. 9

-Comment from a youth after attending their FSY session: “I have always felt that I would one day have to leave this Church that I love so much. This week I feel I want to stay and help create this kind of space for as many people as possible.” p. 11

-“The realization that there is divine design to the diversity of our circumstances helps to replace feelings of comparison with compassion and feelings of loss with love.” p. 17

-“But, as our Creator, He alone owns the celestial definitions of desire, faith, humility, sincerity, sorrow, and repentance. Only He can look into our hearts and understand what resides there.” p. 19

-Experience of man struggling in his testimony and church experience, reaching out in simple prayer during sacrament meeting for help and receiving an outpouring of the Spirit – “I just felt loved. Held in that moment, I remembered why I loved God and why I loved being a member of His Church. Something inside me reconnected…I knew I wanted to choose Him again as I began to feel made whole.” p. 24-25

-“Be it the will of parents, teachers, leaders, peers, a sense of duty, habit, routine, or even prophets, connecting our young people to things other than Christ will not have the power to build and sustain faith in God over time.” p. 38

-Other possible space-creating, and authentic, openers to testimony sharing: I hope, I believe, I pray, I search, I ponder, I wonder. p. 51

-“The impact of seeing the ‘sinner’ as the ‘wounded’ is profound and meaningful in the here and now…If we hear instead that the individual is deeply wounded, our heart is drawn out in compassion, and our inclination is to succor and heal…Recognizing the universality of our woundedness and the universal love of God invites community and mutual concern.” (Terryl and Fiona Givens – “All Things New”) p. 80

-“Two ways to achieve spiritual understanding, Lehi’s ‘tasting’ or ‘experiencing’ and Nephi’s ‘searching’ or ‘investigating.’ They’re both valid and not mutually exclusive.” p. 116

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of insights, we are all loved no matter where we are on our journey.

We are given insight to the fact that the Savior loves everyone. That no matter what imperfections we have we are all asked to 'Come Unto Me'.

There are many things that could help in teaching youth and young adults. But as a wise friend taught me years ago the “High Priests” [Elders] are just old deacons. That we may look old on the outside but we are all young on the inside. So this is more than just for the youth, it really is for everyone, even the old.

When interacting with others we need to remember that we don’t judge others. Just because they have different sins than I do does not make them worse. All sin is sin and we need to 'Come Unto Him' to be perfected. We need to help love, friend and lift others as we all slowly become like Him.

I learned a lot that will help me on my journey.

[Andrew Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once heard that the church is not a Palace for perfect people but a hospital for sinners. Often in our attempt to separate ourselves from the world we push aside those who need the church the most. We want to come unto Christ but we must come as we are. We must alow others to come as they are as well.

This book is aimed at parents and youth leaders to help them create a safe place for youth to come as they are. However the principles can be applied to each of us. Are we creating a safe place for investigators, inactive members and others to come unto Christ.

I found the book very Engaging and thought provoking. I feel anyone can benefit by reading it

I received an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) from the publisher, however the opinions expressed here are my own.

[Ann Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing view on how to help those who feel they do not conform to the ideal of a true Christian or do not know how to become involved.
The writer takes us through various scenarios, some of which he has experienced as an adult and shows the reader insights and a simple, yet effective way to help others to feel part of Church life and feel of God's love for them, particularly teenagers and young adults.
"Come as You Are" is definitely the right title for this book by Samuel Norton as it helps the reader to understand how others feel.
I received an ARC copy of this book but all the comments are my own.

[Joshua Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was thinking of recommending this book only for memebers of the Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints but I believe the intent of the book would help members of other Christian faiths as well. Why? In as much as all next generation Christian youth need to be shown the source from which they can draw hope, answers, and happiness in Jesus Christ. The author does an incredible job of using his lay clergy role and past experiences working with youth to draw out solutions to the "faith crisis" that plagues many congregations. I am grateful I came across this book. It has been very impactful in my life....

[Matthew Stocking]

This book is a must read for anyone involved with the youth of today. We are losing too many of them because of our misguided “culture.” we don’t intend to make them feel unwelcome, but we unintentionally do when we see those who don’t dress like we do or who have tattoos, etc. Christ’ invitation is to come to Him as we are and He will help us get to where we need to be. This book highlights some of the ways we unintentionally make the youth feel unwelcome and how we can change that.
I received an advance copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.