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Hope
Twenty-one General Authorities share their insights on a subject of critical importance in these trying and uncertain days. The subject is that of hope and the unparalleled role it plays in our ability to successfully negotiate life's path.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
Ezra Taft Benson
129 books71 followersThe thirteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1985 until his death and was United States Secretary of Agriculture for both of the administrations of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
On October 7, 1943, both Benson and Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) became members of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling two vacancies created by the deaths of apostles that summer. Because Kimball was the older of the two, he was given seniority over Benson in the Quorum. Succession to the presidency of the church is by chronological order of ordination to apostleship, allowing Spencer W. Kimball to become president of the church years earlier than Benson. Upon Spencer W. Kimball's death in 1985, Benson became the president of the church.
Benson suffered poor health in the last years of his life from the effects of blood clots in the brain, strokes, and heart attacks, and was rarely seen publicly. He was hospitalized in 1992 and 1993 with pneumonia.
Benson died of congestive heart failure in his Salt Lake City apartment at the age of 94. Funeral services were held June 4, 1994 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle under the direction of Gordon B. Hinckley. He was buried near his birthplace in Whitney, Idaho, at the Whitney City Cemetery.
On October 7, 1943, both Benson and Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) became members of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling two vacancies created by the deaths of apostles that summer. Because Kimball was the older of the two, he was given seniority over Benson in the Quorum. Succession to the presidency of the church is by chronological order of ordination to apostleship, allowing Spencer W. Kimball to become president of the church years earlier than Benson. Upon Spencer W. Kimball's death in 1985, Benson became the president of the church.
Benson suffered poor health in the last years of his life from the effects of blood clots in the brain, strokes, and heart attacks, and was rarely seen publicly. He was hospitalized in 1992 and 1993 with pneumonia.
Benson died of congestive heart failure in his Salt Lake City apartment at the age of 94. Funeral services were held June 4, 1994 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle under the direction of Gordon B. Hinckley. He was buried near his birthplace in Whitney, Idaho, at the Whitney City Cemetery.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 3, 2009
This is a group of essays written by General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latte-day Saints. Although each center on the topic of hope, they approach the subject in different ways. Pres. Benson urges us to not despair or fear as we go though life. He shares a dozen ways that we can lift our spirits. They include repentance, prayer, service, work, fasting, receiving a blessing, music, and being around good friends. This was probably one of my favorite essays.
Pres. Faust speaks about the refiner's fire and how as we place our hope, faith, and trust in Jesus Christ we can go through those trials of life with success.
Elder Groberg teaches that the signs of true hope include, "Calmness, optimism, or all those things that are the opposite of downheartedness or being disturbed. You can almost measure the level of hope you have in the Savior by the depth and frequency of depression and discouragement you allow yourself to sink into. Just as discouragement and depression feed on themselves...so does hope regenerate itself. Can't you...hear the Savior saying, "You can do it, you can make it, you are worth something. I laid down my life for you. I love you. I redeemed you. I paid for you because I know you can make it. You can come home. Trust me. Follow me." Sometimes He speaks directly to our hearts and sometimes He uses others as His agents. But there is always hope in Him."
This is a great book where I received a lot of comfort and inspiration. It's a book that I can see rereading in the future.
Pres. Faust speaks about the refiner's fire and how as we place our hope, faith, and trust in Jesus Christ we can go through those trials of life with success.
Elder Groberg teaches that the signs of true hope include, "Calmness, optimism, or all those things that are the opposite of downheartedness or being disturbed. You can almost measure the level of hope you have in the Savior by the depth and frequency of depression and discouragement you allow yourself to sink into. Just as discouragement and depression feed on themselves...so does hope regenerate itself. Can't you...hear the Savior saying, "You can do it, you can make it, you are worth something. I laid down my life for you. I love you. I redeemed you. I paid for you because I know you can make it. You can come home. Trust me. Follow me." Sometimes He speaks directly to our hearts and sometimes He uses others as His agents. But there is always hope in Him."
This is a great book where I received a lot of comfort and inspiration. It's a book that I can see rereading in the future.
June 30, 2015
Good but I was disappointed because there were no references as to where these discourses were given.
October 28, 2019
Even though it was written by Mormons, this is one of the best books I have ever read on depression and hope. The last half of the book had more doctrinal errors than the first half, but even then there weren't very many. The biggest error that gets brought up is the preexistence of souls. But like when reading works on the Stoics (which I love), there are gems encroached in some pagan/heretical language. Hardly anyone worships Zeus anymore, but their works live on and bless people to this day. I view this book the same way. As an orthodox Christian I obviously disagree with the book at times, but it is very practical and helpful. It quotes orthodox Christians, famous people, poems, scientific studies, etc. It is definitely among my top five books on depression that I have ever read. If you can look past that it was compiled by Mormons, I think you would be encouraged and benefited.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews