Why I Believe

by Kieth Merrill, Danny Ainge, Noland D. Archibald

In this powerful inspirational book, Steve Young, Gladys Knight, Jane Clayson, Stephen R. Covey, Bill Marriott, Richard Eyre, and Richard Paul Evans join with other prominent Latter day Saints, to share with the world a brief look at why they believe. The paths to testimony have been as diverse as the life experiences of these sports, business, professional, religious, and entertainment figures. Each gives an inside, personal perspective on the faith that has shaped their view of the world.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Inspirational, Church, Biography

359 pages

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Kieth Merrill is an American filmmaker. He won an Oscar for his documentary "The Great American Cowboy" (1973). He has also made feature films for the LDS chuch, including "Legacy" (1990) and "The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd" (2000).

"The Evolution of Thomas Hall" is his debut novel.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this years ago and recall enjoying it.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of testimonies of God and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by various well-known members such as Gladys Knight, Mitt Romney, Danny Ainge, Steve Young, etc. and includes short biographies of the writers. It was interesting to see the church through different perspectives. Of all of the writings, my favorite was from Kieth Merrill who produced the movie Legacy. At one point he says, "I believe because I refuse to trust in the finite minds of men." A line that I love after a semester of pompous professors who are openly opposed to and critical of anyone associated with organized religion.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so glad to read Joe J. Christensen's testimony. He was my first husband, Bob Barner, and my Institute Director in Pullman, Washington, at Washington State University. After Bob was killed, I married John Thompson and we taught at Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho, when Joe was president.
F. Enzio Busche was baptized in Germany by my brother-in-law, Robert Thompson, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I met him and his wife after they moved to the U.S.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has testimonies from many different members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, explaining why they believe in the Gospel of Christ. Some are longer and some are shorter, and they share lots of interesting, personal experiences. At the end of each testimony, a picture is shown and a small biography is given of each person.

[Adrian Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of testimony from famous Latter Day Saints. Seems that faith is based on either a) witness of the Holy Ghost, b) church's focus on service, or c) doctrine of eternal families. There were a few outliers but most of the essays fell into one of those categories.

[Sophy Jubb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Highly repetitive. Stephen Covey’s testimony is the best written, the most succinct, and the clearest. Therefore it is also the most memorable and engaging. Once you’ve read that you know what all the others will say.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

is it why or why not?

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Testimonies of 53 well-known members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their stories are diverse, but they all arrive at the same place. Definitely inspiring.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about different "conversion stories" into the LDS church. This articulated and reminded me of many of the reasons I love being a member of the church. Everyone's experience is quite different. It was uplifting light reading for me while I worked out on the treadmill or eliptical machine each morning : )!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it is interesting to learn different individual's responses to the title statement, the greastest effect on me was to cause me to give my own response of why I believe and a reaffirmation of my own testimony.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of conversion stories especially for LDS memebers.
Some stories very heart felt.
Others sounded like a "press" release but if you wonder what draws or keeps people in a particular faith this is a good book.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved hearing why other prominent LDS believe the way they do.

[Joan]

Recognized the title, and sure enough it was in among my books... read so many years ago. Now need to put it out to read again.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some wonderful testimonies and experiences of more well knon members of the church.

[Amy Hardison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful, enjoyable, inspiring read. This is a compilation of high-profile Latter-day Saints and why the believe. I really enjoyed it.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading for those who believe, or would like to believe, this book includes accounts by all kinds of LDS people, coaches, beauty pageant winners, authors, business figures, politicians.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eclectic look at who believes what, along with their reasons for doing so.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read about famous and semi famous people's own accounts of why they believe.