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Habits of Holy Men
Prominently displayed on the front of every LDS temple are the words, Holiness to the Lord. The promise of holiness uplifts and enlivens. In a noisy, troubled world, holiness gives peace, purpose, and perspective that cannot be found in any other way. Habits of Holy Men explores what holiness means, why it is so vital, and how it can be attained. Selecting key habits of holiness found in scripture, this book examines each of these transformative habits and explains why they are so necessary in our modern world. The book will both illustrate what it looks like to live these habits and suggest how the reader can fully embrace them. Living a life of holiness invites the kind of spiritual protection that helps us navigate life's most difficult storms. Habits of Holy Men provides sincere readers with an opportunity to ponder and then develop a realistic plan to achieve the kind of personal holiness that will carry them through adversity, give them hope, and lead them to Jesus Christ.
- GenresLdsSpiritualityReligion
96 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2018
13 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 11, 2018
3.5 stars. I recently read Adam Miller’s book, Letters to a Young Mormon, where he is far too prescriptive with very little doctrine I feel that these two authors do the opposite. They are doctrine heavy with very little prescription. Some chapters are just straight doctrine. Some have stories, examples, and soft recommendations. Those chapters are much more engaging and motivating.
Either way, it’s a good, short read that helps you look where you are at and how you might improve.
Either way, it’s a good, short read that helps you look where you are at and how you might improve.
December 23, 2021
I needed a spiritual pallet cleanser after the last book I read that would offer some actually useful insight. I initially bought this book with the intention of making a list of attributes I wanted in my future spouse. When I sat down to read it, I was going into it with the intention of seeing if my previous boyfriend, whom I am still in love with, had any of these qualities or if there were ones he needed to work on. I found instead that he indeed has all of these qualities, but sometimes less "holy" versions of them. However, I was surprised to find that I too could benefit from working on these qualities within myself. This is not just a book for men. Everyone can work on being a little more submissive, meek, humble, etc. I think I could work on being more willing to trust in God's plan.
I have been so angry at him the past month because I felt spiritually guided into my relationship with, we'll call him J. I felt my hopes getting up so high and sincerely believed that this, that he, was my future. So when he unexpectedly ended it, I cursed God, saying how dare you make me feel that way and make me so happy and get my hopes up so high just to tear me down so far. If you knew that was going to happen, why would you let me believe that it wasn't going to? Why would you purposefully let me naively believe that that was it, that I was finally done searching, that I could trust again, that my previous beliefs about men were false, just to reaffirm them again? Why, oh why, have you now left me alone to drown in unbearable despair? Even now, when I pray about him, I can't help but feel at peace and that everything with J is going to work out.
Reading this book helped me to realize that I have been unfairly been casting blame onto Heavenly Father when he could not control the choice that J made because he has agency. Heavenly Father can do everything in his power to bring two people together, but he will never take away agency. J used his agency to hurt me, though not on purpose, and he is probably now learning some lessons about himself and living the consequences of his actions right now. I want so badly to trust that everything is going to be ok, but it's going to take a lot of little miracles to get me to the other side of this. Pray for me, please. As far as this lovely little book is concerned, I loved it and I recommend it to everyone. 5/5 stars.
I have been so angry at him the past month because I felt spiritually guided into my relationship with, we'll call him J. I felt my hopes getting up so high and sincerely believed that this, that he, was my future. So when he unexpectedly ended it, I cursed God, saying how dare you make me feel that way and make me so happy and get my hopes up so high just to tear me down so far. If you knew that was going to happen, why would you let me believe that it wasn't going to? Why would you purposefully let me naively believe that that was it, that I was finally done searching, that I could trust again, that my previous beliefs about men were false, just to reaffirm them again? Why, oh why, have you now left me alone to drown in unbearable despair? Even now, when I pray about him, I can't help but feel at peace and that everything with J is going to work out.
Reading this book helped me to realize that I have been unfairly been casting blame onto Heavenly Father when he could not control the choice that J made because he has agency. Heavenly Father can do everything in his power to bring two people together, but he will never take away agency. J used his agency to hurt me, though not on purpose, and he is probably now learning some lessons about himself and living the consequences of his actions right now. I want so badly to trust that everything is going to be ok, but it's going to take a lot of little miracles to get me to the other side of this. Pray for me, please. As far as this lovely little book is concerned, I loved it and I recommend it to everyone. 5/5 stars.
February 24, 2025
The Protection and Joy of Covenants
These are some aspects I enjoyed from Habits of Holy Men by Don H. Staheli and Lloyd D. Newell. I recommend this book because, just as I learned valuable lessons, its content offers insights that can spiritually strengthen people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
One of the key principles is that a home centered on covenants and presided over by a righteous father becomes a spiritual refuge, much like ancient castles that protected their inhabitants. Keeping commandments is not just about obedience but also about safeguarding and receiving divine protection.
The book also highlights the power of persistence in our spiritual journey and the ability to find joy even amid adversity. As President Russell M. Nelson taught, joy does not depend on circumstances but on our relationship with Christ.
Another profound lesson is that true greatness is measured not by how many serve us but by how many we serve. The Savior exemplified this by saving others through His selfless sacrifice. He calls us to do the same—to give of ourselves and serve with love, knowing that even small acts of kindness have eternal significance.
Finally, the book reminds us that all we have comes from God and that material possessions are temporary. What truly matters is how we use our blessings to fulfill His will. This book is an invitation to live with an eternal perspective, trust in covenants, serve with love, and find joy in the journey of discipleship.
These are some aspects I enjoyed from Habits of Holy Men by Don H. Staheli and Lloyd D. Newell. I recommend this book because, just as I learned valuable lessons, its content offers insights that can spiritually strengthen people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
One of the key principles is that a home centered on covenants and presided over by a righteous father becomes a spiritual refuge, much like ancient castles that protected their inhabitants. Keeping commandments is not just about obedience but also about safeguarding and receiving divine protection.
The book also highlights the power of persistence in our spiritual journey and the ability to find joy even amid adversity. As President Russell M. Nelson taught, joy does not depend on circumstances but on our relationship with Christ.
Another profound lesson is that true greatness is measured not by how many serve us but by how many we serve. The Savior exemplified this by saving others through His selfless sacrifice. He calls us to do the same—to give of ourselves and serve with love, knowing that even small acts of kindness have eternal significance.
Finally, the book reminds us that all we have comes from God and that material possessions are temporary. What truly matters is how we use our blessings to fulfill His will. This book is an invitation to live with an eternal perspective, trust in covenants, serve with love, and find joy in the journey of discipleship.
December 4, 2023
I really liked the concept of this very short book (it’s less than 100 pages). The jist being, holiness doesn’t happen by accident, nor to a short list of the Lord’s favorites. Holiness occurs when a person has divorced himself from the ways of the world and has become aligned with God and his ways. It doesn’t happen overnight.
In his younger years, Benjamin Franklin identified thirteen virtues he considered primo, and made an asserted effort to master them in daily system. He learned early on that concentrating on each of them one at a time was more effective than trying to tackle them all at once. His virtues were:
TEMPERANCE, SILENCE, ORDER, RESOLUTION, FRUGALITY, INDUSTRY, SINCERITY, JUSTICE, MODERATION, CLEANLINESS, TRANQUILLITY , CHASTITY, and HUMILITY.
The authors of Habits of Holy Men identify a shorter list of virtues to master in order to aid a person in becoming more holy, but would absolutely agree with Benjamin Franklin that a person ought to be similarly mindful and proactive about developing them. The authors argue that becoming holy is precisely what was intended by God in sending us to experience a mortal existence, no matter how much we might think it was meant for fun, safety, and security.
The virtues of holiness identified and discussed by the authors are:
1. Putting off the Natural Man
2. Submissiveness
3. Meekness
4. Humbleness
5. Patience
6. Becoming full of love
7. Becoming like a child; and
8. Gratitude
The book helped encourage me to think about the cardinal virtues in a more mindful and deliberate way. Ultimately, I gave it three stars due to the authors playing it so safe. It has a dry Music & The Spoken Word-like vibe. Overly worn cliches such as, have an “attitude of gratitude”, made me feel it might have been rushed to publication too quickly.
In his younger years, Benjamin Franklin identified thirteen virtues he considered primo, and made an asserted effort to master them in daily system. He learned early on that concentrating on each of them one at a time was more effective than trying to tackle them all at once. His virtues were:
TEMPERANCE, SILENCE, ORDER, RESOLUTION, FRUGALITY, INDUSTRY, SINCERITY, JUSTICE, MODERATION, CLEANLINESS, TRANQUILLITY , CHASTITY, and HUMILITY.
The authors of Habits of Holy Men identify a shorter list of virtues to master in order to aid a person in becoming more holy, but would absolutely agree with Benjamin Franklin that a person ought to be similarly mindful and proactive about developing them. The authors argue that becoming holy is precisely what was intended by God in sending us to experience a mortal existence, no matter how much we might think it was meant for fun, safety, and security.
”Turning our hearts to holiness is time we’ll spent. …Taking time for holiness may be the most eternal and essential thing we do in life. … time for holiness is not a distraction from life’s purposes - it is life and the vital reason we are here: to draw closer to God and become more like Him.”
The virtues of holiness identified and discussed by the authors are:
1. Putting off the Natural Man
2. Submissiveness
3. Meekness
4. Humbleness
5. Patience
6. Becoming full of love
7. Becoming like a child; and
8. Gratitude
The book helped encourage me to think about the cardinal virtues in a more mindful and deliberate way. Ultimately, I gave it three stars due to the authors playing it so safe. It has a dry Music & The Spoken Word-like vibe. Overly worn cliches such as, have an “attitude of gratitude”, made me feel it might have been rushed to publication too quickly.
February 4, 2020
Our daily habits are what make us who we are and the author looks at several positive habits and notes how we can make them part of our daily routine. I think the one that impressed me the most was that of being meek and how this actually equates to strength. And by strength, I think of strength of character.
I really enjoyed the way the author illustrated the points he was making with examples that we can relate to that we might see on a regular basis. It's always nice when I can see the application of a principle that is shared in a story.
This wasn't a long book and quite easy to follow.
I would recommend this if you are looking for ways to improve and want some simple ideas, encouragement and the scriptural basis to back it up.
I really enjoyed the way the author illustrated the points he was making with examples that we can relate to that we might see on a regular basis. It's always nice when I can see the application of a principle that is shared in a story.
This wasn't a long book and quite easy to follow.
I would recommend this if you are looking for ways to improve and want some simple ideas, encouragement and the scriptural basis to back it up.
May 13, 2018
This wasn’t a bad book. It just wasn’t a 4 or 5 star book. It had some good anecdotes to highlight examples of holy men’s attributes including Naaman the leper, Neal A. Maxwell, and the author’s father. The attributes of holy men according to the author include: submissive to God’s will, meek, humble, (though the author’s definition of meek and humble are both submissive to God’s will), patient, and full of charity (God’s love). I especially liked the chapter on patience as it was enlightening (probably because I suffer from a lack of patience). It is a worthy, short, read.
June 24, 2018
This is a book that I will probably read many times in my lifetime. It is a short 80+ page book but digs deep into the habits of Holy Men.
1. Be submissive
2.Be meek
3. Be humble
4.Be Patient
5.Be full of love
6. Be as a child
The book really gets you thinking and asks some powerful questions.
Highly recommended.
1. Be submissive
2.Be meek
3. Be humble
4.Be Patient
5.Be full of love
6. Be as a child
The book really gets you thinking and asks some powerful questions.
Highly recommended.
May 28, 2018
This is a quick read but a very thoughtful approach to what it means and takes to become holy. Intended for men, but is actually beneficial to all. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it highly to all in the constant pursuit to become closer to our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
June 17, 2018
Good book with some really good insights scattered throughout. Also covers a lot of very basic principles; I struggled at times to stay interested. Probably depends a lot on the reader-- but I thought it was good overall.
July 14, 2018
Most of the words could be applied to women as well as men. For shouldn't we all become, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, and as a child. What do these mean and how can we develop them?
November 28, 2018
This is a good collection of stories about people who have shown a wonderful example of being good, holy men. These include scriptural stories and even a few experiences of modern prophets, including Neal Maxwell, Spencer Kimball and Dieter Uchtdorf.
October 18, 2020
Top 10
This is the best book that I have read in the last couple years religious wise. The authors are so creative in their ways of breaking scripture down to its simplest terms. 10/10 recommend.
This is the best book that I have read in the last couple years religious wise. The authors are so creative in their ways of breaking scripture down to its simplest terms. 10/10 recommend.
June 25, 2022
Nothing earth shattering or new here. And the telling is far from enlightening. Yet I felt a sense of wisdom about a lot of what I read even if it wasn’t super resonating with me at this time. But it’s something I feel impressed to read again at another time in my life. So four stars.
June 20, 2019
It was fine.
March 23, 2023
would totally recommend this to any member of the church and not just men.
June 13, 2022
Appreciated this more the second time I listened. Must have been In a different place.
December 23, 2024
Some good thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews