Of One Heart - Look Back at Sodom

by Neal A. Maxwell

Book by Neal A. Maxwell

Genres: Religion, Lds

106 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Of One Heart" portion of this book has been reprinted as "The Enoch Letters." I loved this book. I loved how Elder Maxwell used imaginary characters to demonstrate how the truths of the gospel are eternal.

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format for the first booklet in this series was of an author writing to an unanswering friend. The genre works well for this type of work - similar to the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. The second book is written in a genre of a found manuscript and also worked for the message.

As with all of Neal A. Maxwell's works, the language is beautiful and complex ideas are expressed in wonderfully pointed one-liners. Both of these books deal with the theme of personal righteousness and the competing pressures to give in to selfishness over selflessness. It is an important lesson always and I was grateful for the reminder to start this new year.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've often wondered how Enoch got an entire wicked city to repent and turn to righteousness. Granted, it took him a whole lot of years. I enjoyed seeing how perspectives changed over time. And the reality is that for some people, it will be too late.

[Timber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 2nd time reading these two books together. They're an easy read--uncommon for Maxwell! He takes the real events of the City of Enoch and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and puts them in a fictional setting, drawing on scriptural accounts to pull everything together. I enjoyed it--especially the Enoch letters. I love how Maxwell has such an awesome ability to show how to live more Christlike by telling how amazing it is, not by preaching or condemning. :)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a hard to find book but, worth the hunt.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody in the world should read this book. There is nothing quite like it.