The Soft Reply

by Barlow L. Packer

Brand new book.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

99 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1997

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book focused on having healthier, more Christlike communication. I recommend it...it’s a good one to read and re-read. It contains simple truths that are easy to forget in the say-anything world we live in.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for anyone who struggles with losing their temper, anyone who is a chronic "yeller," anyone who loses control in frustrating situations (basically, everybody). Even though a lot of these ideas are common sense, there are some that I hadn't thought about before that I found to be VERY helpful. The ideas are especially useful for me as a mother who subscribes to the idea that yelling at your children is not helpful (in almost any situation) but who occasionally finds her actions not measuring up to that belief. I would recommend this book to anyone who is married, anyone with kids, anyone who would like to improve a particular relationship with another human being!

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember how I came across this little gem of a book, but it was on my bookshelf and I needed something to read on a trip so I grabbed it. It's quite short, but since most books are unnecessarily long that is not a problem for me.

It is filled with personal stories, scriptures, and excellent insight on how to be more of a peace-maker and use language to calm and uplift rather than to escalate and tear down. More people living by the advice in this book would make for a much better world. The chapters are concise and very applicable to life. I plan to reread it in the future and I've already started working towards incorporating some of the ideas into my life.

[Isabell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book alright. As the full title suggests, it offers ideas for Christlike communication. The author writes about his own experiences and observations, interspersing his anecdotes with quotes and scriptures. The author comes across as a genuinely kind person, and I felt like what he said came from a good place, and that I'd like to learn from him. He isn't out to judge or make anyone feel guilty, he merely wants to share some thoughts and ideas about how we can get rid of any form of verbal abuse, mean-spirited sarcasm, yelling, profanity, temper tantrums, and the like, in our relationships with our family, friends, colleagues, strangers, etc.

The examples he uses are a bit hard for me to relate to, seeing that most of them are andro-centric. This is not a book by a psychologist, so some of his advice has to be taken with a grain of salt. There are obviously situations in which anger is not misplaced. I wish there would have been a bit more in the hands-on department, other than the not very groundbreaking bite your tongue! count until 10! leave the room!

Still. I did take some new insights from this. I especially enjoyed the chapter on material possessions getting in the way of people.

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book has given me resolve to live a "softer" life, one of less judgment of others, more tolerance, more patience, more love. It has given me a desire to live more as the Savior would. There are so many great examples, quotes, and stories of how to overcome our weaknesses in relationships of all kinds, to treat others as we want to be treated. It is particularly helpful in suggestions to overcome anger and to be our best selves. I will share a couple of quotes as examples:

"The tongue is the most dangerous, destructive, and deadly weapon available to man. We never gain anything or improve our character by trying to tear down another."--N. Eldon Tanner

"So in the give and take of the world, we jostle and are jostled. Let us take extra care to avoid both giving and taking offense. Let us be loving, kind, and forgiving. . . .grounded, rooted, established, settled."--Neal A. Maxwell

I am grateful for this book for teaching me and reminding me of a more peaceful, thoughtful life.

[Karlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by my mission president. Had some very good thoughts.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read with wonderful principles within. I love the fact each chapter is short and had a great piece of wisdom for improving relationships. Worth reading again and again.

[Bailey Armour Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It changed my life.