It is Better to Look Up: Life Experiences from the Pulpit

by Various

Through the years, the General Authorities and general officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have shared accounts of poignant personal experiences in their general conference addresses. In this collection, more than fifty inspiring true stories told in general conference talks have been gathered into a single volume.
Similar in style and format to President Thomas S. Monson's book Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Hand in Our Lives, the book features beautiful full-color photography to illustrate each story. A perfect resource for individuals and families, the collection includes such classics as Lift Where You Stand, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf; Run to Higher Ground,by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin; You Stupid Cow! by Elder Mervyn B. Arnold; and A Heave Load,by Elder David A. Bednar. Draw from more than three decades of general conference talks, these true accounts of life-changing experiences will touch hearts and strengthen testimonies with examples of gospel principles in action.

Contributors to this volume include past and present members of the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Quorum of the Seventy, presiding bishopric, general Relief Society presidency, general Young Women Presidency, and general Primary presidency.

Genres: Nonfiction, Inspirational, Lds, Religion, Christian

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2014

About the author

Various is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).

If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.

Reviews

[Ryceejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could rate each story in this compilation individually. A select few would be five stars, a vast majority would be pleasant/just ok, and a surprising number would be “strongly disliked.” I’ve started on my Deseret Book library again, this time with critical eyes. I can see with new clarity the damaging messages that continue to be spread by passing along some of these well-known stories. It is still a good reference book to have on hand if you are asked to give a talk, if you are familiar with the content of the stories in this compilation.

[Nicole Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a couple of pages each night!

[Jacob Roberts]

I don’t really know how to rate religious books right now. So I won’t.

[Jared Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of excellent faith promoting true stories.

Highly recommend to any who need to fill their spiritual gas tanks.

Solid 5 stars

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at a good time for me. I enjoyed reading the stories! Some of them I recognized and some were new to me but they are all inspiring with timely messages (and there's some humor, too!). They range from 1-4 pages in length so they don't take long to read.

I love the thick pages and the photos are beautiful. It's a great book to keep on display so it will be easy to pick up and read when you have a few minutes. There's an index at the back which is helpful if you need to find a particular topic or author and is a great resource for lessons and/or Family Home Evening. This is a book that everyone will enjoy!

I received a copy of this to review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has personal experiences that have been shared in General Conference. It was perfect as a daily devotional book. I read one each morning and one each evening - a great way to start and finish my days.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, inspiring stores from General Conference talks. Very pleasant Sunday reading.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many beautiful messages. I will treasure this collection. A wonderful resource.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very uplifting stories.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories I have heard or read before, others I have not. Enlightening,beautiful, uplifting stories.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember hearing many of these stories from conference talks in different periods of my life. The collection brought some nice associations.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, inspirational book. I loved the short stories and the messages that went along with them. It was a nice book to just read a couple of stories at night.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice assortment of inspiring experiences shared in General Conference talks.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things we love best about a talk is the personal stories that are added.

This book has 56 "personal life experiences shared from the pulpit."

You will read such classics as:
* Lift Where You Stand, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
* Run to Higher Ground,by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
* You Stupid Cow! by Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
* A Favorite Hymn, by President Boyd K. Packer
* We Can't Afford It, by Elder Robert D. Hales
* A Heavy Load, by Elder David A. Bednar
* And MORE

Each story will warm your heart and bring love to your spirit.
You will be uplifted and encouraged to continue enduring to the end.

BEAUTIFULLY illustrated!

This book is similar in style to President Monson's book Consider the Blessings.

This would be a PERFECT Christmas Gift!
SO AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger and just beginning to read the 'Ensign' my favorite part was the reader's submissions bearing testimony of something that had happened to them. I feel like this book is much the same, just from church leaders; 'life experiences' which relay gospel principles. Each of the 56 stories are short with beautiful pictures illustrating them, it is very reader friendly. I agree with an earlier critique that an added date or talk title would have helped make this a better reference book. My favorite stories were: 'He Can Carry Us Home' and 'We Don't Have to Run Alone.' I remembered some of these stories when they were originally shared and it helped me anticipate the upcoming conference.

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing collection of memorable stories shared from the pulpit brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my soul as I read them. Some stories were so touching that I would stop whatever my family was doing and insist they listen while I read it to them! What I really loved about this collection of stories is that each one illustrates an important gospel principle. Each one teaches a lesson in a way that is easily understood. People crave personal connections with each other and these stories give us that personal connection. Like President Monson stated, "It is better to look up!" and these stories help us to do just that. I highly recommend this book, it brought joy to my soul!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains parts from different General Conference talks. I remembered a lot of the talks, but not all of them. Elder Dallin H. Oaks shared an experience that I had never heard about and it was very interesting. I loved reading the wisdom and insights from theses LDS church leaders. There were also some beautiful pictures included in the book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's Better to Look Up" is a compilation of life stories told within General Conference addresses by various people through the years that are to teach, uplift, and edify. Each story is introduced with a beautiful picture and a scripture verse to complement. This is a wonderful book that I would give to anyone, whether a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or not.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little book to read. It is a compilation of inspiring stories-- each only a page or so. A few were ones I had already heard (from General Conference or other addresses) but many were new to me. I would love to own this book and use it as a FHE resource with older kids/ teenagers. I think it would make a perfect lesson to share one story and then discuss it further.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. I'm so glad I bought and read it. So many stories and examples that have been given in General Conference by the General Authorities. How can you go wrong with a book contributed by the Twelve Apostles and other G.A.s and Presidencies of Church organization. Very uplifting

[Tenille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! These are parts of great talks that teach us a lesson. Many of these I remembered hearing, Many I didn't. I only wish the dates of when they were said were printed on each page… but loved it. Great pictures too!!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful group of real life stories to help us in our everyday lives. It's also full of great pictures. It's a quick and easy read or one that is easily meted out over a longer period of time. Many stories that would be good discussion starters for a lesson.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is Better to Look Up" is a beautiful collection of inspiring stories from General Conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The photographs are stunning. I highly recommend this book should you need a spiritual boost.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is so inspiring and uplifting. I enjoyed each and every one of the talks talks that were included in this compilation.

[Gaylynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful inspirational true life stories.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and uplifting stories. I just wish they would have added the name of the actual talk and the year it was given.

[Whitney Redfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Each story is inspirational, enlightening, and encouraging. I felt the Spirit's presence increase in my life as I read. What a wonderful feeling.

[Diena Riding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. The format of this book was perfect.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. See http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2015... for more!