The Smallest Part

by Neal A. Maxwell

How much do our beliefs influence our behavior and attitudes toward others? That's the question Neal A. Maxwell probes in The Smallest Part, as he concludes that every Christian must be aware of the implications of his beliefs without making these a condition of his association with his fellowmen.Part 1 of the book deals with what the author calls "Some Strategic Matters"—truth, morality, and causality, and discusses the fact that how an individual views such fundamentals determines so much else, particularly his behavior toward others.Part 2 presents observations and challenges on how the Christian can magnify his stewardship and commitment by helping others, managing his time and tasks more effectively, and learning to communicate better with others. The author points out how these outward expressions of one's work are in reality "expressions of our inner beliefs."All who are called to lead—executives, teachers, parents, communicators, managers, and others—will find helpful insight in The Smallest Part, which takes its title from the poignant words of Ammon in the Book of Mormon as he gloried in God's goodness to "Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

Genres: Lds, Religion, Church, Nonfiction

83 pages, Hardbound

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Neal A. Maxwell was well known as an Apostle, author, administrator, and educator. A graduate of the University of Utah, he was the Commissioner of Education for the Church Educational System for six years. He also held a variety of administrative and teaching positions at the University of Utah, including that of executive vice-president.

In 1974 Elder Maxwell was called as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. From 1976 to 1981 he served as member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and in 1981 was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Maxwell has written numerous books on Latter-day Saint themes, including "If Thou Endure It Well"; "Lord, Increase Our Faith"; "That Ye May Believe"; and "Not My Will, But Thine". He and his wife, Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, had four children.

Elder Maxwell died July 21, 2004.

Reviews

[Björn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very grateful for his little treatise by a man who intrigues me, Neal A. Maxwell. Maxwell was an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a reputation for his erudite and eloquent discourses. He died in the 1990’s after a long experience of cancer, and his writings from that period are some of his most poignant and well known. This book was published long before that in 1973, the year before he was called to be an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Maxwell’s training was in political science, and his professional life was spent mostly in Academia. This book is a fascinating window into the ideas of a man about to be called as an Apostle. I've found much to admire in Maxwell’s writings through the years, and appreciate his clear vision, commitment to discipleship, and profound spiritual witness already so evident here.

The text begins with Maxwell’s beliefs regarding Truth, Morality and Causality, by which he means what we are to do, as Christians, about the Truth we have received and the Morality we have internalized. He considers these “strategic” discussions as they inform the specific “tactics” that we deploy in how we practically manage our lives. These “tactics” make up the second part of the book which deals briefly and sequentially with consecrated time management, leadership, principles for councils, “helping” (I think he means service, or in modern parlance, “ministering”) and interpersonal communication. The initial doctrinal discussion is profound and well worth the read. The tactical discussion with regards to time management and leadership contains invaluable pearls from a consecrated disciple. The discussions regarding “helping” and communication were a little cursory and harder to follow, but still reasonably peppered with Maxwell’s sincerity and wisdom.

Overall, a gem of a book with much to spark reflection and personal growth. A.

[Spencer Willardson]

This was a good, short book. The first part explores some big doctrinal ideas about the importance of life and our time on earth. The second part of the book is a practical look at ways we use our time and build relationships. I like the mix. It is quite a bit different than his later work, but there is a definite and unmistakable Elder Maxwell hiding within those differences.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.2018. Good book

[Reed Wolfley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A microscope look into some of the thoughts NAM had about time management, morality and the path of discipleship. Well worth it for a quick read.

[Serity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elder Maxwell has such a fascinating way of looking at things. This book was an interesting hodgepodge of ideas.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concepts and teachings quite a bit but only gave it 4 stars because sometimes it took a lot of brain power.

[Tom Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest little books I have ever read. I had to stop what I was doing to write down quotes 12 times. It's a short, sweet, awesome little book.

[Joshua Guest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently I had rated this book 3 stars at an unspecific time. I don't believe I had actually read it though. There are some books by Neal A. Maxwell that I simply don't understand. But this one is clear and useful. I love this insight on truth he gives:

"Something can be both true and unimportant. Therefore, just as there are, in Jesus' words, 'the weightier matters of the law,' there are 'weightier' truths! We must not only distinguish between fact and fancy, but know which facts are worthy of fealty.

"The gospel of Jesus calls our attention to the reality that there is an aristocracy among truths; some truths are simply and everlastingly more significant than others! In this hierarchy of truths are some which illuminate both history and the future and would which give to men a realistic view of themselves--a view that makes all the difference in the world.

"In this context, one can see how being 'learned' (by simply indiscriminately stockpiling a stockpile of truths) is not necessarily the same thing as being wise, for wisdom is the distillation of data--not merely its collection and storage."

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This got 4 stars, based on the fact that of the parts I enjoyed, I thought they were fabulous, although the spot I didn't like wasn't awful, just felt out of place and not quite in tune with the rest. All in all some really interesting stuff. Not at all what I expected from Neal A. Maxwell, but I really enjoyed the first half. I thought it was really thought provoking. The section on communication was a bit weird for me. Not bad, just weird. Then the ending was good as well. Not a long book, though it was a slower read for me. Worth the time though.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seriously hated to give Elder Maxwell anything less than 5 stars, but I struggled with this book. It didn't feel like there was anything really cohesive to tie the book together. There were a couple of things I got out of it that I found beneficial, but overall, I didn't find it to be his best book.

[Tory S. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, full of concentrated wisdom. I will have to re-read it a few times before I feel any mastery of it. Maxwell elucidates several strategic and tactical suggestions, from ethics to time-management.

[Timber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked most of this book. I skimmed a few irrelevant-to-me parts.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book written before Neal Maxwell became so well known. A hidden gem.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A two part book. The first part, a doctrinal dissertation on truth, was interesting. The second part, some sort of practical advice on communication and service, was not at all interesting.