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Selected Writings
Articles, papers and speeches on gospel topics from a popular LDS speaker and a talented writer. This collection, many never before published, explores such subjects as the Atonement, the doctrine of grace, marriage, self-esteem and many more.
M. Catherine Thomas received a Ph.D. in early Christian history, was an assistant professor for several years and is a popular speaker.
285 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 28, 2009
I love Catherine Thomas--what a mind! The first half of the book is a collection of lectures given or papers written as a professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU. The topics vary dramatically but maintain a common thread of "spiritual lightening" . In her words: It is spiritually lightening to realize that in most cases the actual details of the elements of our lives matter less than what we choose to become in the midst of them...that we came down to a fallen world to experience deliverance from it...Events have a way of conspiring to draw our distracted minds to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who may whisper through our distress a truth that we have resisted but must now humbly face." That quote was taken from the second half of the book, which is a republication of her book Spiritual Lightening.
What I love most about her writing is that she adheres strictly to scripture for supporting her ideas. That, in turn, deepens my understanding of passages of scripture I have read many times but never fully understood all that they implied. It's the kind of book I never want to stop reading and rereading.
What I love most about her writing is that she adheres strictly to scripture for supporting her ideas. That, in turn, deepens my understanding of passages of scripture I have read many times but never fully understood all that they implied. It's the kind of book I never want to stop reading and rereading.
September 18, 2008
I cannot even tell you everything about this book but it is amazing. It is sometimes a bit deep. Cathering Thomas is my mission president's wife. I'm excited to continue to have her words to teach and inspire me even 10 years later!!! A must read for all LDS people. I would even say it belongs next to Neal A. Maxwell!
December 1, 2008
She's so brilliant! Everybody should read this and learn more about the atonement and principles of the Gospel.
December 28, 2010
This is what I call a "Thinking Book". You have to think to take it all in. You have to think to process the information. You have to think to act upon any new knowledge you take away from it. I loved it. It is selected writings, so it isn't about any specific topic, but a few of the chapters really had an impact on me. The most recent being a chapter titled "Spiritual Twilight and the Contest with Evil" I loved this quote from Brigham Young:
"If you feel evil, keep it to yourselves until you overcome that evil principle. This is what I call resisting the devil, and he flees from me....When you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves - keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character....You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families and neighbors. Make up your minds thoroughly, once for all, that if we have trials, the Lord has suffered them to be brought upon us, and he will give us grace to bear them....But if we have light or intelligence - that which will do good, we will impart it....Let that be the determination of every individual, for spirit begets spirit - likeness, likeness; feelings beget their likeness....If then we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair!...In all your social communications...let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings - all the evil fruit of the mind, fall from the tree in silence and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbors. But when you have joy and happiness, light and intelligence, truth and virtue, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbors, and it will do them good, and so strengthen the hands of your fellow-beings."
"If you feel evil, keep it to yourselves until you overcome that evil principle. This is what I call resisting the devil, and he flees from me....When you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves - keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character....You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families and neighbors. Make up your minds thoroughly, once for all, that if we have trials, the Lord has suffered them to be brought upon us, and he will give us grace to bear them....But if we have light or intelligence - that which will do good, we will impart it....Let that be the determination of every individual, for spirit begets spirit - likeness, likeness; feelings beget their likeness....If then we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair!...In all your social communications...let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings - all the evil fruit of the mind, fall from the tree in silence and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbors. But when you have joy and happiness, light and intelligence, truth and virtue, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbors, and it will do them good, and so strengthen the hands of your fellow-beings."
February 28, 2008
This is my favorite religious book to date. It went out of print about 5 years ago and quickly became the most sought after book published in the past 10 years--used copies were selling for over $250! I know this because I wanted to buy more copies of the book!
Catherine Thomas has insights to DEEP doctrine that are simply stunning. This is the type of book that you mark up and keep by your bed and re-read often. Each chapter gives me more insights than I can even take in during a single sitting! A must read in my opinion. Oh, and deseret book FINALLY rereleased it in december 2007, and made it in paperback, so now it's just $19.95!
Catherine Thomas has insights to DEEP doctrine that are simply stunning. This is the type of book that you mark up and keep by your bed and re-read often. Each chapter gives me more insights than I can even take in during a single sitting! A must read in my opinion. Oh, and deseret book FINALLY rereleased it in december 2007, and made it in paperback, so now it's just $19.95!
June 26, 2008
M. Catherine Thomas is one of the most insightful latter-day Saint gospel scholars I have ever read. Her application of the atonement to life's challenges have been life changing for me. She is on my list of people I would most like to go to lunch with.
October 8, 2010
Hmm...well, it had its moments. I found myself finding huge holes in her doctrinal arguments, but the second half of the book (where she gets into more practical application), I felt a bit more inspired.
December 2, 2011
A very enlightening read: this is the kind of book that makes you ponder who you really are and what is really important in life. I have read some of the chapters several times, marked them up, and will probably read them again.
January 31, 2013
When my friend gave me this book for my birthday she said it was really deep. She was correct. I loved it! I love gospel learning, especially the kind that makes me really think, and the kind that makes me want to change.
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January 15, 2010Phenomenal book! Not a light read. I read a chapter of it a day during my personal study so I could digest it and understand it better. Highly recommended!
January 10, 2009
One of the best books in mapping out LDS doctrine. Deep and inspirational, this book feeds the curious and spiritually hungry soul.
December 2, 2008
This is a wonderful book with some great insights!
April 19, 2009
Wonderful and uplifting book. I gained a lot of understanding. I just wish it was my own copy I was reading so I could mark it up. I'll definitely be buying this book sometime.
March 29, 2010
So far, really really good.
June 15, 2010
One of the best gospel study books I have read. The second section in particular is amazing.
March 22, 2011
My daughter liked this book and gave it to me. Is there a six-star rating as this book is excellent and very insightful.
November 22, 2013
For a little note about the first chapter see http://sweetreligiouswords.blogspot.c...
September 2, 2015
I wish I could give this book ten stars because that is what I think it deserves. Absolutely incredible!
February 21, 2008
It takes an alert mind and lots of pondering to digest this book. It is excellent!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews