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Just Hold Me: Embraced By The Savior's Love
What is there about a hug, about being close by one whose affection we crave, that means so much to us? An embrace can erase fear, overcome anger, heal hearts, and foster love. And while we generally think of a hug as being a physical gesture of affection, the author points out that a true embrace encompasses much more. Just Hold Me! offers a unique look at an age-old custom and discusses some of the ways we experience "hugs" in both a physical and spiritual sense. With wonderful insights and practical applications, this little book reminds us that when times are difficult we can turn to the Savior’s embrace.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 21, 2025
3.5 stars
This was going to be three stars until the end. The last chapter was really good. Overall, it was sweet, and nice, and not really earthshattering. I certainly don't feel like I wasted time listening to this, but it isn't one I would tell everyone -- you have to read this.
This was going to be three stars until the end. The last chapter was really good. Overall, it was sweet, and nice, and not really earthshattering. I certainly don't feel like I wasted time listening to this, but it isn't one I would tell everyone -- you have to read this.
November 19, 2023
Beautiful short stories to lift, inspire and bring sweet peace to your soul.
February 4, 2017
This is a few nice thoughts about the Lord's love for us and the importance of seeking His embrace. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"We may become impatient with His seemingly late response to our requests for relief, but we must never doubt that He will surely come, as He has promised. And when we know He is with us, we will soon become aware that He was never actually gone (p. 18)."
"Many of us fear approaching the Savior and seeking His embrace. Dwelling on our failures and feeling guilty and unworthy, we wrongfully assume He would have no interest in us, or we imagine that he might entirely reject us. Having experienced such rejection from others and recalling that we have rejected those who have offended us, we suppose He will do likewise.... His entreaties, however, belie such a notion of divine rejection. 'Come unto me,' He said to 'all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). 'Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you' (Doctrine & Covenants 88:63). How many times and how many ways does He have to offer His embrace before we trust in His sincerity (p. 22)?"
"Time and distance, whether physical or spiritual, pose no obstacle for Him. He only awaits a sign of our repentant willingness, for He will 'force no man to heav'n' (Hymns no. 240). As we seek Him and wait upon Him, His Spirit will fall upon us as though we were literally enfolded in His sweet embrace (p. 29)."
"A warm exchange of intellect or an honest acknowledgment of worth can be fulfilling (p. 51)."
"As a husband, one of my sacred obligations is to minimize, insomuch as possible, the introduction of the vicissitudes of life into my wife's world and to mitigate the consequences of such when they cannot be avoided. This is a covenant obligation; it is my solemn duty, and also my great pleasure, to do all I can to ensure that the dreams of that little girl, grown to womanhood and flowering in motherhood, are fulfilled (p. 61)."
"I am acquainted with an outstanding woman who has never married but who has nevertheless created for herself a life filled with rewarding, sweet, and wholesome relationships. I do not know how many lonely, midnight hours she may have spent lamenting her singleness, but her days are filled with selfless caring and service, through which she has accumulated an army of grateful friends and admirers. I do not know what anguish she may have experienced in her private moments of reflection over never having found a husband, but she constantly testifies of the happiness, warmth, and comfort she has found in the loving arms of the Savior. And so many have demonstrated, a single life, filled with service, kindness, and love for people, can be a rich and fulfilling life (p. 66)."
"[God] should be our focus, as He is our enabler and our reason for being. Regardless of what He asks us to overcome or what He expects us to give, we must be prepared to respond with total commitment to Him. Encircled in the arms of His love, fully surrendering to His embrace, we will be able to serve, sacrifice, and be satisfied (p. 67)."
"It's tough to give a hug when your back is turned (p. 69)."
"Available to all, free of charge, and there for the asking is the loving embrace of our Savior Jesus Christ. To Him we can turn at any time, in any place... the only qualifying factor is our willingness to 'ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ' (Moroni 10:4) (p. 73)."
"'Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love' (Doctrine & Covenants 6:20). And the Lord didn't speak just to Oliver, but to you and me, also (p. 75)."
"We may become impatient with His seemingly late response to our requests for relief, but we must never doubt that He will surely come, as He has promised. And when we know He is with us, we will soon become aware that He was never actually gone (p. 18)."
"Many of us fear approaching the Savior and seeking His embrace. Dwelling on our failures and feeling guilty and unworthy, we wrongfully assume He would have no interest in us, or we imagine that he might entirely reject us. Having experienced such rejection from others and recalling that we have rejected those who have offended us, we suppose He will do likewise.... His entreaties, however, belie such a notion of divine rejection. 'Come unto me,' He said to 'all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28). 'Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you' (Doctrine & Covenants 88:63). How many times and how many ways does He have to offer His embrace before we trust in His sincerity (p. 22)?"
"Time and distance, whether physical or spiritual, pose no obstacle for Him. He only awaits a sign of our repentant willingness, for He will 'force no man to heav'n' (Hymns no. 240). As we seek Him and wait upon Him, His Spirit will fall upon us as though we were literally enfolded in His sweet embrace (p. 29)."
"A warm exchange of intellect or an honest acknowledgment of worth can be fulfilling (p. 51)."
"As a husband, one of my sacred obligations is to minimize, insomuch as possible, the introduction of the vicissitudes of life into my wife's world and to mitigate the consequences of such when they cannot be avoided. This is a covenant obligation; it is my solemn duty, and also my great pleasure, to do all I can to ensure that the dreams of that little girl, grown to womanhood and flowering in motherhood, are fulfilled (p. 61)."
"I am acquainted with an outstanding woman who has never married but who has nevertheless created for herself a life filled with rewarding, sweet, and wholesome relationships. I do not know how many lonely, midnight hours she may have spent lamenting her singleness, but her days are filled with selfless caring and service, through which she has accumulated an army of grateful friends and admirers. I do not know what anguish she may have experienced in her private moments of reflection over never having found a husband, but she constantly testifies of the happiness, warmth, and comfort she has found in the loving arms of the Savior. And so many have demonstrated, a single life, filled with service, kindness, and love for people, can be a rich and fulfilling life (p. 66)."
"[God] should be our focus, as He is our enabler and our reason for being. Regardless of what He asks us to overcome or what He expects us to give, we must be prepared to respond with total commitment to Him. Encircled in the arms of His love, fully surrendering to His embrace, we will be able to serve, sacrifice, and be satisfied (p. 67)."
"It's tough to give a hug when your back is turned (p. 69)."
"Available to all, free of charge, and there for the asking is the loving embrace of our Savior Jesus Christ. To Him we can turn at any time, in any place... the only qualifying factor is our willingness to 'ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ' (Moroni 10:4) (p. 73)."
"'Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love' (Doctrine & Covenants 6:20). And the Lord didn't speak just to Oliver, but to you and me, also (p. 75)."
June 29, 2008
This is a great little book that bears a wonderful testimony about the Savior and how He relates to us on a personal level. It was given to me by the author for my wedding. He used to be my Stake President as well as President Hinckley's personal secretary. I hate to admit that it took me this long to sit down and read it, especially since it can be done in one sitting.
June 24, 2008
This book opened my eyes to the power of the atonement. I didn't realize it could help so effectively in so many different ways in my life. Its really short, but it sparks a firm resolve to come closer to Christ and take advantage of the atonement on a whole new level. I recomend this to everyone, especially those who need to feel some love.
January 15, 2015
The book was not exactly what I was expecting. I guess I thought it would be more about the Savior and his love. In fact the author told some of his own experiences about receiving hugs & of movies that had scenes of different ones hugging. He used these things to remind us that whatever comes our way we can take comfort in the spiritual embrace of Jesus Christ. The book was interesting.
January 17, 2015
The book was not exactly what I was expecting. I guess I thought it would be more about the Savior and his love. In fact the author told some of his own experiences about receiving hugs & of movies that had scenes of different ones hugging. He used these things to remind us that whatever comes our way we can take comfort in the spiritual embrace of Jesus Christ. The book was interesting
January 25, 2009
What is there about a hug that is so comforting? It can erase fear, dispel anger, heal hearts, and foster love. I am one of those hug type person, I got that from my mom. You learn alot in this book.
March 11, 2009
This is a very short book on all the ways we can be embraced by the Savior and others, and how we can also embrace. Physical hugs aren't the only way to accomplish a loving embrace, as we can have the safe effect with our eyes, our attention, and our sensitivity.
February 15, 2008
I really enjoyed this book
July 23, 2008
This was a very inspiring book. A quick read. I spent about an hour this afternoon reading it. Helps you to know that your Savior loves you.
August 25, 2008
Short, easy to read,
September 17, 2008
Easy read.
February 6, 2009
some cheesy, some very good
August 11, 2009
Great little book. There were many things in the book that I wanted to write down so I wouldn't forget how it touched my heart.
December 30, 2009
Beautifully written,inspirational book...wish it was longer :-)
March 8, 2012
Great, easy read. Reminds us of the love that our Savior has for us and the need that we have to be loved and to be embraced, not just physically, but emotionally as well.
September 9, 2014
It felt a little theatrical especially for how short it was. A lot of the examples forced the hug theme. It didn't really do much for me but I wonder if a longer version would help.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews