The Birth that We Call Death

by Paul H. Dunn

For those bereaved, and for each of us as we ponder our own eventual passing, the authors offer understanding, comfort, and peace. Here is calm reassurance embodied in dozens of quotations from people who, trusting in God, see death as a friend. Here are positive expressions from prophets ancient and modern. For faith teaches us that death, like every other part of God's plan, will be seen as kind and right when viewed, as we will one day view it, from the eternal perspective.

Genres: Church, Religion, Inspirational

72 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Born in Provo, Utah to Joshua Harold Dunn and Geneve Roberts, Dunn was baptized a member of the LDS Church at the age of eight. Dunn earned a bachelor's degree from Chapman College in 1953 and a master's and a doctorate degree in educational administration from the University of Southern California.

Dunn began his long career of full-time service in the LDS Church in 1952 as a seminary teacher for the Church Educational System in Los Angeles. On April 6, 1964, church president David O. McKay asked Dunn to join the First Council of the Seventy and to become a general authority of the LDS Church. While in this position, Dunn was the president of the church's New England Mission from 1968 to 1971.

In 1976, Dunn became a member of the newly constituted First Quorum of the Seventy. He remained as a member of this quorum until he received general authority emeritus status on October 1, 1989. Additionally, Dunn served as one of the seven Presidents of the Seventy from 1976 to 1980. Dunn wrote over 50 books during his time as a general authority.

Dunn married Jeanne Alice Cheverton on February 27, 1946; they were the parents of three daughters. Dunn was named Utah’s Father of the Year in 1972. He died of cardiac arrest in Salt Lake City while recovering from back surgery in 1998.

Reviews

[Rebecca Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Mother, Joyce H. Henderson, passed away in July of 2014. My 4 sisters and I distrubuted her things among ourselves and her 24 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. I picked this book from her collection.

I enjoyed this book. It only took a few hours to read. I have read many books on "life after death" so this will be wonderful to add to my collection ow, it has my Mom's name in it.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than I thought it was going to be. Alot of insights I gained from it. It helped me see more than just losing a loved one. There are things I need to work on with myself. I need Heavenly Father's help in doing so. My loved one has gone on to the other side and learning so much, I'm sure, and there are still thngs on this earth that I need to do and should do yet in order to gain more knowledge about my Heavenly Father and the Gospel. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know my pain and discouragements along with opposition I am experiencing because they have been through it themselves. I need to go to them in humility for help with overcoming discouragement and opposition. It's not just about losing my husband but about other things too.

[Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quoting from the flyleaf, "The authors ... reaffirm and reemphasize the gospel's concepts on life and death. Outlining the plan of salvation, they show that death is as indispensable to our eternal development as mortal life itself. ... As well as the authors firm convictions, here is the calm reassurance embodied in quotations from dozens of other good men [including] the prophets both ancient and modern." My reading, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was routine and took little more than an hour. The book could be a godsend for someone searching for understanding and a booster shot for their faith.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. I know there’s not a lot of material on specifics as to our life after death. I found this book to be a very quick - but also fairly vague book. Probably my least favorite of the many books we were given to read after my father in law passed away.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A calming, comforting book that helps one understand how we can approach death not so much as tragedy but rather as a step in our progression towards eternal life. This small volume can be a comfort for someone who is grieving.

[Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The actual narrative by the authors is so-so, but the quotes they incorporated got to the heart of what I was looking for.

[David Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book many times and it does a wonderful job of discussing a difficult topic. It has a calming effect and will help you understand things in a softer and loving way.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote so many quotes down from this book that I will draw strength from. It was very encouraging.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very helpful ways to view death. I plan on sharing this book.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insight.
Very easy read.
Love the last chapter!

[Scott Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very beautiful and comforting thoughts which help in a time of need.

[VeNicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, fast read with great collection of hopeful thoughts infused from many well-respected and well-educated visionaries throughout history in reflection on the immortality of the soul. Highly recommended for someone who's just lost loved ones. But I can't mention that without also saying A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis is exceptionally highly recommended also! The combination of the two would be the perfect gift, I'd think, at a time of loss. They've been helpful for me, at least. One thought from the book I loved: "Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." ~Rabindranath Tagore

[CarolAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading my books on the shelves of my personal library when I came upon this little book given to me by a friend when my father passed away. I really didn't care to read it but I'm really glad I did. It had remarkable insights for me on death. I have known what happens after death but this little book puts it into great words. It has wonderful quotes from church leaders, statesmen, philosophers, poets, play writes and authors.
"Death? Translated into that Heavenly tongue, that word means life." Henry Ward Beecher.
"Death is the most beautiful adventure in life." Charles Frohman.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildly interesting treatise on the concepts that we hold of death. The main idea, that it is really a birth of sorts, has stayed with me. Other than that, the book was long on emotion and short on doctrine or the kind of substance I usually look for in the non-fiction books I read.

[McKell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how positive this book was. Full of quotes tied together with author input. I really liked the analogy of life with a train. Very uplifting read, but only gets 4 stars because it is mostly quotes!

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was great. the book is from an LDS perspective but includes so much from wisdom and knowledge from philosophers and sages. death truly isn't the end. it's just the end of one stage of our eternal life.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a good book. Gave some good perspectives and thoughts.

[Stacey M · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little too religious for me. Was given to me by my dad after my brother passed, but it had way too much religion in it and not enough spirituality.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been very comforting to read at the loss of a loved one and when preparing a funeral address.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too preachy for me. There are a few interesting quotes about death from famous people.

[Kcastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps put death in perscpective. I read this right after Dennis died.

[Tony Derricott · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of good quotes intermingled with the flow. I would consider having the book on my shelf as a reference for some of those quotes. Otherwise I didn't really get much out of the flow.

[Bubble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book alot. it is a great help to those who have lost someone, and are struggling to overcome.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book for providing comfort and insights.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with some beautiful and very hopeful thoughts. Great book for someone who has lost a loved one.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps 3.5 stars. It didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know, but was a great, albeit very brief, reminder.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is one of the most comforting books and a real help for those who grieve.

[Ryan Haueter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short book but comforting information

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, easy read. Helpful if you are hurting from a loss and need some comfort.

[K.L. Lantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this brief but thorough collection of quotes and thoughts about death as a transition to something brighter. Knowledge truly is a boon to those who grieve.