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Fire of Faith: The Memoirs of John H. Groberg
A new major motion picture in theaters June 2019! In The Other Side of Heaven, Elder John H. Groberg told the gripping story of his three-year mission on the tropical islands of Tonga. His story continues with The Fire of Faith , set a decade after his first mission, when Elder Groberg is called back to Tonga—this time with a growing family—to serve as mission president. Filled with Elder Groberg’s experiences, this book highlights the dedication, perseverance, and faithfulness of a people he was called to serve and grew to love.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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295 people want to read
About the author
John H. Groberg
15 books34 followersElder John H. Groberg has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 1976. Prior to his call as a General Authority, he served as a Regional Representative. He is the author of The Other Side of Heaven which is the basis for a movie by the same title.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 5, 2008
I hardly even know what to write. I love this book as much as or more than The Other Side of Heaven." Somehow I feel a connection to Elder Groberg. His love of Idaho Falls and his living by my grandparents in Bountiful. But more than that his faith and humility seems familiar and right. It is very inspiring to me. I know I have a long way to go, but his writings bring me inspiration and encouragement. I feel like I know him more from reading this, and I know "his people" better as well, and love and admire them at least in a particle of the amount that he does. And grow to understand their faith and see the gospel through his eyes. It is just incredible.
February 19, 2012
This is the second book of three by John Groberg that we own. The first, In the Eye of the Storm, was made into a motion picture movie called The Other Side of Heaven. Maybe you've heard of it? It's the story of John's experiences as a young man serving an LDS mission in Tonga during the early 1950s. In that book, he talks about his sweetheart, Jean, and how they have "an agreement." Well, in this book, Fire of Faith: The Memoirs of John H. Groberg, his life story resumes some 12 or 13 years later, after he has returned from his mission, married Jean, and started their family. He is called to take his wife and four young daughters with him to serve as Mission President over the Tongan mission. This is the story of their adventures. At first it is an adjustment for his family, what with the new language and culture. But it's also an adjustment for him as he has to re-learn the language and figure out his responsibilities as the leader. Being Mission President means that he is not only over the missionaries, but is also the church leader for the whole country. There are no stake presidents or regional representatives at this time. He is the one that missionaries and members alike go to for guidance and blessings and leadership.
Tonga is ruled by a king and a queen, and it is a religious nation where the Sabbath day, for example, is observed by law. For the most part people are respectful of one another's religious beliefs. As mission president he has many opportunities to share those beliefs in a spirit of love and respect with the king and queen and other leaders within the nation. While there, his wife announces that she will have another baby, and their first son is born. The son becomes very ill, and the whole nation, including the queen, fasts and prays for his recovery. Eventually Jean takes him to the United States where he can receive treatment at the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. After staying with him for several months, Jean ultimately leaves the little boy, John Enoch, in the care of his two sets of grandparents and returns to Tonga to be with her husband and little girls for the remainder of their mission service. That would be a true test of faith! However, the decision is made through faith, and includes much fasting and prayer on the part of the Groberg family, their families in America, the Tongan people, and the prophets and apostles of the church.
About the same time that their challenges are going on with the health of their son, President Groberg and the other leaders and missionaries of the mission are planning a 50th year Jubilee for the mission in Tonga and the surrounding islands. This is also a Fire of Faith experience, as their faith and prayers are put to the test for inspiration and guidance. During this time he feels prompted to promise the missionaries that if they will work hard and be obedient and combine their faith and prayers, the Lord will bless them with 500 baptisms during the month of November in the year 1968. This is during a time when 100 baptisms a month is something to be excited about. He marvels at the promise he makes, but when all is said and done and the numbers are added up, more than 508 converts were baptized during that month.
These are some examples of the stories of faith that are shared in this book. Like his previous book, each chapter is short, only about 5 pages, and each tells a story of faith that ends with Elder Groberg sharing a moral, or a lesson that he has learned from the experience. It is a book that is full of faith-promoting short stories. It is a joy to read this book. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"I thought of good parents who work hard to leave an inheritance of stocks and bonds or houses or other forms of worldly wealth to their posterity--which beyond a reasonable amount is usually lost and often becomes a stumbling block rather than a stepping-stone for their posterity. I thought of the heritage of faith Tonga passed on to his posterity.
"I wondered: 'Why don't we spend our time and energy leaving a heritage of faith which will last forever? It is just faithfulness! There really is nothing else of value to leave. Brilliance loses its luster, physical strength wanes, earthly beauty fades, worldly riches lose their value. Only faith and love remain. Why don't we realize that and act accordingly?'" --page 110
"It came to me that God is the great composer and the great conductor. He orchestrates our life. If we will practice and learn our various parts, especially the deep ones---the ones that are repeated over and over again, the ones that often seem to have little meaning, the ones that at times seem boring, the ones that hold everything else together--He will make a beautiful symphony of it." --page 290
Tonga is ruled by a king and a queen, and it is a religious nation where the Sabbath day, for example, is observed by law. For the most part people are respectful of one another's religious beliefs. As mission president he has many opportunities to share those beliefs in a spirit of love and respect with the king and queen and other leaders within the nation. While there, his wife announces that she will have another baby, and their first son is born. The son becomes very ill, and the whole nation, including the queen, fasts and prays for his recovery. Eventually Jean takes him to the United States where he can receive treatment at the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. After staying with him for several months, Jean ultimately leaves the little boy, John Enoch, in the care of his two sets of grandparents and returns to Tonga to be with her husband and little girls for the remainder of their mission service. That would be a true test of faith! However, the decision is made through faith, and includes much fasting and prayer on the part of the Groberg family, their families in America, the Tongan people, and the prophets and apostles of the church.
About the same time that their challenges are going on with the health of their son, President Groberg and the other leaders and missionaries of the mission are planning a 50th year Jubilee for the mission in Tonga and the surrounding islands. This is also a Fire of Faith experience, as their faith and prayers are put to the test for inspiration and guidance. During this time he feels prompted to promise the missionaries that if they will work hard and be obedient and combine their faith and prayers, the Lord will bless them with 500 baptisms during the month of November in the year 1968. This is during a time when 100 baptisms a month is something to be excited about. He marvels at the promise he makes, but when all is said and done and the numbers are added up, more than 508 converts were baptized during that month.
These are some examples of the stories of faith that are shared in this book. Like his previous book, each chapter is short, only about 5 pages, and each tells a story of faith that ends with Elder Groberg sharing a moral, or a lesson that he has learned from the experience. It is a book that is full of faith-promoting short stories. It is a joy to read this book. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"I thought of good parents who work hard to leave an inheritance of stocks and bonds or houses or other forms of worldly wealth to their posterity--which beyond a reasonable amount is usually lost and often becomes a stumbling block rather than a stepping-stone for their posterity. I thought of the heritage of faith Tonga passed on to his posterity.
"I wondered: 'Why don't we spend our time and energy leaving a heritage of faith which will last forever? It is just faithfulness! There really is nothing else of value to leave. Brilliance loses its luster, physical strength wanes, earthly beauty fades, worldly riches lose their value. Only faith and love remain. Why don't we realize that and act accordingly?'" --page 110
"It came to me that God is the great composer and the great conductor. He orchestrates our life. If we will practice and learn our various parts, especially the deep ones---the ones that are repeated over and over again, the ones that often seem to have little meaning, the ones that at times seem boring, the ones that hold everything else together--He will make a beautiful symphony of it." --page 290
November 5, 2018
What an amazing, uplifting, powerful book! This is the sequel to "The Other Side of Heaven," which was made into a major motion picture a few years ago. It tells of Elder Groberg returning to the Pacific islands 10 years later with his wife and children in tow, to serve as the mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the people of Tonga and other island nations. We loved (we read it together) the beautiful and powerful stories. The common theme being that God loves all His children and moves whatever mountains, seas and even hearts necessary to accomplish His purposes in our lives.
October 13, 2008
I have such a spiritual experience reading his books. He shares such spritual insights that I feel honored to be reading about these sacred experiences. I feel closer to Heavenly Father, want to try harder....in a good motivational way.
April 7, 2008
I loved this book. I found myself wanting to be better, learn more and have more faith. I am humbled by the faith of the Island Saints and want to be more like them.
November 24, 2008
I love love love John H. Groberg's books! I recently read this book and Elder Groberg's book "In The Eye of The Storm." I really wanted to read his original book from the movie and I'm glad I did, because although the movie was good, it was sort of glamorized from his actual experiences. He has had some amazing experiences, and no movie can replace his spiritual insights. Elder Groberg's books have brought me to tears many times because his stories are so deeply moving. I feel a connection, like maybe he was one of my teachers in the pre-existance! ;) He has given me many insights through his books to help me want to do better as a person, and as a member-missionary, and in viewing love & life & people the way our Heavenly Father does. I'm so thankful that he wrote these books and wish I could tell him that myself. He and Jean have had a truly amazing life.
May 21, 2019
This tells the story of John Groberg’s return to Tonga, this time with his family. I recently heard him tell a little of the story on a podcast, so I gave it a go and wasn’t disappointed. It wasn’t great because it’s necessarily the most well written book in the world, but because it’s a memoire of the miracles he experienced.
It’s really altering to hear the miracles in a person’s life that leads them to believe in God beyond all coincidence. I feel that way with everyone I meet and don’t think it’s just because Groberg was a general authority. Everyone has their miracles, but he saved and shared his. What a gift! I wish more people would do the same.
It’s really altering to hear the miracles in a person’s life that leads them to believe in God beyond all coincidence. I feel that way with everyone I meet and don’t think it’s just because Groberg was a general authority. Everyone has their miracles, but he saved and shared his. What a gift! I wish more people would do the same.
July 18, 2019
I can't say enough good about this book. It was inspiring, perspective-shifting, and eye-opening. I felt uplifted while I was reading it. It will make it hard to complain about church service once you've read about his sacrifices and dedication to the cause. So much to talk about. Highly recommend to anyone wanting an entertaining, spiritually energizing read.
This is part two of Elder Groberg's life--where he served in Tonga and surrounding islands as a mission president, with 5 young children. And later as an area authority. He has a guileless spirit. And he's poetic and unabashed about his love for his wife, his Tongans, and God.
This is part two of Elder Groberg's life--where he served in Tonga and surrounding islands as a mission president, with 5 young children. And later as an area authority. He has a guileless spirit. And he's poetic and unabashed about his love for his wife, his Tongans, and God.
February 21, 2025
Although I helped type this book in the beginning, I wasn't fortunate to complete typing it for him. Again, I'm amazed at his resilience and faith. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did his first one, but it's still uplifting.
May 8, 2010
This is Elder Groberg. Duh. Like I'm not going to love it. He has the best stories! Loved this book about when he was sent back to the Pacific Islands as a mission president and a general authority. Page after page of me saying "Ok, everyone, you HAVE to listen to this story . . . "
April 3, 2008
This account of his experiences are so great! Can't really put into words what he shares...great easy read to pick up and read a chapter at a time.
July 11, 2024
The further story of Elder Groberg as he returns to Tonga as mission president. It just keeps getting better.
May 21, 2019
I Loved to hear of John Groberg's experiences as a mission president, area authority and more. So many insights I marked to read again and again.
April 16, 2020
Enjoyed Elder Groberg's memoirs of the time he spent in Tonga during the 60's as a mission President and then as an area President during the 70's/80's over the Pacific Islands. His individual faith promoting stories of the people and his family were uplifting.
He was extremely instrumental in the church's growth during that time. I loved how the King and Queen of Tonga respected and cared about the Groberg Family.
Learned a few cultural things like when waiting for Pres. Groberg to arrive for a dedication and the plane was several hours late, the community waited to eat til they arrived and once they did at 10 at night then the party started and everyone ate and danced long into the night. They are a very respectful people but most importantly ever so faithful.
I was amazed that there are over 100 islands that make up Tonga. Travel to these islands is done mostly by boat and some days the beautiful blue ocean isn't the tamest.
Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the largest religion in Tonga with over 60% members.
(I started listening to this book in the car right before we were told to stay at home because of COVID19 thus I didn't get very far. I then switched to my kindle the other day and I was glad I did since their are pictures and lots of them.)
He was extremely instrumental in the church's growth during that time. I loved how the King and Queen of Tonga respected and cared about the Groberg Family.
Learned a few cultural things like when waiting for Pres. Groberg to arrive for a dedication and the plane was several hours late, the community waited to eat til they arrived and once they did at 10 at night then the party started and everyone ate and danced long into the night. They are a very respectful people but most importantly ever so faithful.
I was amazed that there are over 100 islands that make up Tonga. Travel to these islands is done mostly by boat and some days the beautiful blue ocean isn't the tamest.
Today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the largest religion in Tonga with over 60% members.
(I started listening to this book in the car right before we were told to stay at home because of COVID19 thus I didn't get very far. I then switched to my kindle the other day and I was glad I did since their are pictures and lots of them.)
February 20, 2022
Loved this sequel to The Other Side of Heaven. The miracles preceded by faith and hard work were so inspiring. Definitely something I’ve talked to pretty much everyone about. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
December 2, 2019
Much more than the movie
The movie is an odd composite of the events in this book. It probably covered only the first 1/3 of the book.
The movie is an odd composite of the events in this book. It probably covered only the first 1/3 of the book.
July 5, 2019
If you were impressed by the movie, "The Other Side of Heaven," "Fire of Faith" presents the rest of the story -- that which followed in Groberg's young life and among his earlier associates and acquaintances in Tonga. Included are multiple stories about the power of faith. The examples of the Polynesian people's explicit and humble faith and of Elder Groberg's tested faith teach that true faith, prayerfully excercised and repeatedly strengthened, is always needed. The romance between Groberg and his sweetheart / wife is intertwined with their experiences as the Mission President in Tonga with their family of five girls under eight-years-old. Their first son is born in Tonga. Eventually they raise eleven children while he serves as a General Authority with responsibility for the "Hawaii-Pacific Islands Area." Much insight is shared about the work of the Church's top leaders as the Church grows from mission branches to multiple stakes and temples in the Pacific Islands. These well-known and inspired Apostolic leaders are people, after all, and get just as wet in an angry sea as anyone else does. The book is an eye-opener to meaningful faith and lasting love and to appreciation for divine intervention.
Reading the book the second time led to greater respect and appreciation of the adult responsibilities, devotion, and sacrifices involved and reconfirmed the power of true, active faith. The book is a love story between John and Jean Groberg related from his perspective. I look forward to seeing the movie version and realize now that the whole book can be portrayed in the movie rather than partial, representative stories.
Reading the book the second time led to greater respect and appreciation of the adult responsibilities, devotion, and sacrifices involved and reconfirmed the power of true, active faith. The book is a love story between John and Jean Groberg related from his perspective. I look forward to seeing the movie version and realize now that the whole book can be portrayed in the movie rather than partial, representative stories.
February 24, 2010
What an aptly named book. My concept of how faith is exercised has undergone a massive reconfiguration from reading this book. John Groberg shares more experiences from his ministries in the Pacific islands, this time as, first a mission president and then as a Regional Representative and an Area Supervisor. Because many of his experiences come from an administrative perspective, they don't feel as intimate as his experinces as a missionary in "The Other Side of Heaven" (a.k.a "The Eye of the Storm") However, His spiritual insights on these experiences are just as poignant. I came away with a stronger understanding that, no matter what calling you are serving in, we all wrestle with the spirit the same way.
On a personal note, this book was extremely meaningful to me. Much of his memoir deals with the organization and experiences of mounting a jubilee celebration in Tonga. As I am currently serving on the executive committee of a large scale church presentation I found his experiences very instructive in how to rely on the Lord when on the Lord's errand.
On a personal note, this book was extremely meaningful to me. Much of his memoir deals with the organization and experiences of mounting a jubilee celebration in Tonga. As I am currently serving on the executive committee of a large scale church presentation I found his experiences very instructive in how to rely on the Lord when on the Lord's errand.
January 3, 2020
Spoiler alert: I'll be comparing this book to the recent 2019 movie adaptation, so if you haven't seen the movie-stop reading NOW.
This is not my first venture into this book, I remember first reading it back in 2005, after reading and rewatching "Other Side of Heaven," and while it IS very uplifting and inspiring, after seeing the recent movie adaptation and re-reading it again, this book did not need to be made into a movie. Unlike its predecessor, "The Other Side of Heaven," John Groberg's continuing story did not have enough plot or adventure to justify a movie, hence why the movie producers and writers felt they had to add so much "drama" to their version.
Here's the book-to-movie comparison: A rebellious son of an anti-Mormon preacher never got buried in the sand up to his neck. That character was actually based on two different young men who joined the church against family wishes. One got beat up by his drunk older brother while the other DID get assigned to serve back in the same village where his anti-Mormon father preached and, coincidentally, that father ended up joining the church. A daughter did NOT get trapped on a floating raft being towed behind a boat and that preacher did not come pray over Elder Groberg's sick baby boy in a crude Tongan hospital. Feki does make a few cameo appearances in this book but they don't reunite like they do in the movie and the little boy who nearly died from the mango tree incident, all grown up, is not in here at all. However, President Monson WAS sitting in a barber shop when he got the impression to call the Grobergs about their sick baby boy. His mad driving skills, on the other hand, are never mentioned by the author in any of his stories.
Not that "Fire of Faith" shouldn't be read. There are many wonderful little anecdotes in here, including at least two or three excerpts that were recently posted online in 2019 Deseret News and LDS Living articles. Here are the ones that will stick with you that would've been nice to see in the movie:
Elder Groberg WAS solicited by a prostitute after his wife took their sick baby back to the States for better medical treatment. He would stroll the wharf in the evenings thinking about her until one night a woman approached him with a tempting offer. The woman was so impressed by his love and dedication to his family, he later got a note begging him to continue his evening walks and that no one would ever bother him again. And he wasn't.
Two more stories of how our actions and examples do not go unnoticed by others: President G was chatting with the owner of a certain village's general store where two of his best Elders just happened to live in a hut across the street. The non-member owner remarked to him that these two Mormons were so dedicated to keeping mission rules, such as being out the door by 9am every morning, that everyone, including this store owner, set their clocks and watches by them. They ALWAYS stepped out their door at that exact time EVERY DAY. Thanks to their actions, many doors were opened in that area and church membership grew.
Another similar story the author shares in his book was from a nonmember Tongan who was also a very important political figure. At this time, only native Tongans were allowed to proselyte but thanks to the actions and examples of a small group of young single adults in far off Plymouth, England while this man was visiting the country, he would drive by and notice how this group of young people always kept the grounds of their humble little meetinghouse so clean and neat he stopped one day and asked them who they were. It left such an impression on him, he granted President Groberg consent to allow visas for foreign born Mormons to come preach in their country. Again, with the added help of more Elders and Sisters, God's kingdom continued to grow and flourish in this very special country.
You just never know who might be watching you.
Yes, his first son (after five rambunctious and active little girls were born) was born with a serious congenital heart defect which required a separation from the rest of the family. But there was another important event that the movie never even mentioned, a large Golden Jubilee the spirit whispered to Elder G he needed to organize in celebration of the 100 year 1968 anniversary commemorating the very first year missionaries from Utah came to Tonga to preach the gospel. This celebratory event took almost one year to plan and many miracles fell into place so all the local leaders, even the non-member King and Queen of Tonga (the Queen later joined the church) took part in the week long celebration of feasts, meetings and cultural performances. A mission-wide fast was held so that 500 baptisms could take place that month just before the event. Less active members returned to the fold, hearts were softened so God's kingdom could grow. All the people of Tonga were greatly benefited and were blessed. It is an inspiring story.
His wife Jean is a wonderful example to us also, as Elder Groberg continually points out how she NEVER complained at all she had to do in taking care of a large family (much like "Insights From a Prophet's Life" another book I highly recommend reading) while he was away both during his three year stint as mission president in Tonga and later when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Seventy over that area of the world. He would be absent for weeks at a time, living out of a suitcase. Once he forgot his passport and only Providence bringing old friends into his path during that trip who could influence authorities and pull a few strings made that important trip possible so he could attend his meetings and go about the Lord's work.
Even when we sometimes mess up, God has our backs!
These are just a few of the wonderful stories the author shares from his memoir sequel. It is worth reading and appropriate for all who are old enough to understand. There is nothing offensive at all in this book. Read it, and watch the movie too!
This is not my first venture into this book, I remember first reading it back in 2005, after reading and rewatching "Other Side of Heaven," and while it IS very uplifting and inspiring, after seeing the recent movie adaptation and re-reading it again, this book did not need to be made into a movie. Unlike its predecessor, "The Other Side of Heaven," John Groberg's continuing story did not have enough plot or adventure to justify a movie, hence why the movie producers and writers felt they had to add so much "drama" to their version.
Here's the book-to-movie comparison: A rebellious son of an anti-Mormon preacher never got buried in the sand up to his neck. That character was actually based on two different young men who joined the church against family wishes. One got beat up by his drunk older brother while the other DID get assigned to serve back in the same village where his anti-Mormon father preached and, coincidentally, that father ended up joining the church. A daughter did NOT get trapped on a floating raft being towed behind a boat and that preacher did not come pray over Elder Groberg's sick baby boy in a crude Tongan hospital. Feki does make a few cameo appearances in this book but they don't reunite like they do in the movie and the little boy who nearly died from the mango tree incident, all grown up, is not in here at all. However, President Monson WAS sitting in a barber shop when he got the impression to call the Grobergs about their sick baby boy. His mad driving skills, on the other hand, are never mentioned by the author in any of his stories.
Not that "Fire of Faith" shouldn't be read. There are many wonderful little anecdotes in here, including at least two or three excerpts that were recently posted online in 2019 Deseret News and LDS Living articles. Here are the ones that will stick with you that would've been nice to see in the movie:
Elder Groberg WAS solicited by a prostitute after his wife took their sick baby back to the States for better medical treatment. He would stroll the wharf in the evenings thinking about her until one night a woman approached him with a tempting offer. The woman was so impressed by his love and dedication to his family, he later got a note begging him to continue his evening walks and that no one would ever bother him again. And he wasn't.
Two more stories of how our actions and examples do not go unnoticed by others: President G was chatting with the owner of a certain village's general store where two of his best Elders just happened to live in a hut across the street. The non-member owner remarked to him that these two Mormons were so dedicated to keeping mission rules, such as being out the door by 9am every morning, that everyone, including this store owner, set their clocks and watches by them. They ALWAYS stepped out their door at that exact time EVERY DAY. Thanks to their actions, many doors were opened in that area and church membership grew.
Another similar story the author shares in his book was from a nonmember Tongan who was also a very important political figure. At this time, only native Tongans were allowed to proselyte but thanks to the actions and examples of a small group of young single adults in far off Plymouth, England while this man was visiting the country, he would drive by and notice how this group of young people always kept the grounds of their humble little meetinghouse so clean and neat he stopped one day and asked them who they were. It left such an impression on him, he granted President Groberg consent to allow visas for foreign born Mormons to come preach in their country. Again, with the added help of more Elders and Sisters, God's kingdom continued to grow and flourish in this very special country.
You just never know who might be watching you.
Yes, his first son (after five rambunctious and active little girls were born) was born with a serious congenital heart defect which required a separation from the rest of the family. But there was another important event that the movie never even mentioned, a large Golden Jubilee the spirit whispered to Elder G he needed to organize in celebration of the 100 year 1968 anniversary commemorating the very first year missionaries from Utah came to Tonga to preach the gospel. This celebratory event took almost one year to plan and many miracles fell into place so all the local leaders, even the non-member King and Queen of Tonga (the Queen later joined the church) took part in the week long celebration of feasts, meetings and cultural performances. A mission-wide fast was held so that 500 baptisms could take place that month just before the event. Less active members returned to the fold, hearts were softened so God's kingdom could grow. All the people of Tonga were greatly benefited and were blessed. It is an inspiring story.
His wife Jean is a wonderful example to us also, as Elder Groberg continually points out how she NEVER complained at all she had to do in taking care of a large family (much like "Insights From a Prophet's Life" another book I highly recommend reading) while he was away both during his three year stint as mission president in Tonga and later when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Seventy over that area of the world. He would be absent for weeks at a time, living out of a suitcase. Once he forgot his passport and only Providence bringing old friends into his path during that trip who could influence authorities and pull a few strings made that important trip possible so he could attend his meetings and go about the Lord's work.
Even when we sometimes mess up, God has our backs!
These are just a few of the wonderful stories the author shares from his memoir sequel. It is worth reading and appropriate for all who are old enough to understand. There is nothing offensive at all in this book. Read it, and watch the movie too!
August 28, 2010
This book follows Elder Groberg as a very young Mission President and as a General Authority in the South Pacific. Elder Groberg has such a wonderful way of telling stories and is such a tender hearted man! It was so neat to here of his interactions with the Tongans and other islander people as well as with the General Authorities. Reading about an experience Elder Groberg had with President Hinkley made me laugh out load and then minutes later I was shedding tears from the overwhelming spirit I felt while reading the book. Jeff likes this book better than The Other Side of Heaven because it shows more examples of how to be a leader in Christ's kingdom. This book is definitely worth buying a copy!
April 7, 2011
This was a wedding gift 4 1/2 years ago, and I feel bad it took us so long to read it! Brandon and I read it together, and it was so good. It really made me think about what I am willing to sacrifice, and also how I "sacrifice" (do I murmur and act the martyr all the while, or do I cheerfully do all God asks me to trusting in His wisdom?) The examples of faith and sacrifice both on the part of the Grobergs and the people they work with are so inspiring, and I hope to keep them in mind when difficult things come my way. Also, very entertaining in the "story" aspect of it.
January 1, 2014
This book is about a man who has children. He has a wife Jean and 4 little girls. The book has several stories about what happened when he was called to be a mission president back to Tonga where he first served an lds mission. It is an adventurous and fun book to read. I would recommend age 13 and up to get some of the stuff in the book. If you like biographies you will like this. It lifts you up and raises your spirits in all the stories. It just seems like you connect with him with all his stories and you just have fun.
September 9, 2019
I couldn't' talk any of my kids into going and seeing the movie with me so I figured I might as well read the book and I'm glad I did! It really started back 18 years ago when my friend, who happened to be Elder Groberg's daughter suggested the first book in our book club because of the upcoming movie and I've been hooked on their story every since. It's been several weeks since I read it and I'm still finding myself recalling his example in several of the stories and it makes me want to be a better version of myself!
October 1, 2007
I learned a lot from this book and found myself thinking about it all day and wanting to get back to it. The chapter "I know, I know" really pulled at my heart. I think Elder Groberg is a great storyteller, although occasionally he gives details which make you think he is leading the story in one direction, and then those details end up not being really important. However, it is a great book to get us thinking about serving others and having real faith.
November 2, 2007
Not quite a page turner, but I enjoyed picking it up in the evening and reading a quick chapter or two. I loved the little nuggets of wisdom Brother Groberg would impart in each chapter. He is so strong spiritually but yet didn't see himself that way. He admired the faithfulness of devotion of others showing that we can always improve ourselves and be more faithful. If only I could daily view life the way he does, I'd be much better of.
April 13, 2009
For me this will hopefully be a life changing book. It helped me see the reality of miracles and the power of prayer. It inspires me to want to live a better life and wean myself from the things of this world that slow down that progression. Many of the stories are locked in my brain forever. Almost every chapter made me cry. I plan on refering to it often to inspire greater faith in me (following scripture study first, of course).
January 3, 2012
I LOVED this and The Other Side of Heaven. I've seen The Other Side of Heaven movie and loved it, but the books are so much better! I was inspired to love more and serve more and challenged to get out of my comfort zone. When Matt and I were engaged, our bishop recommended that we read these books because they teach so much about loving. It is so true! The Tongan people are amazing and I learned so much from them and from Elder Groberg's and his family's experiences.
July 17, 2019
I finished the audiobook of this book TWICE last week. If you are in the mood for a tremendously inspiring missionary account of people with GREAT faith, this is it. The fact that I lived in Tonga as a little girl probably added significantly to my enjoyment of the book. A collection of powerful, faith-promoting, true stories is always a draw for me! To top it all off, I then ran into John & Jean Groberg on Thursday at a movie promotion - WOW!
July 24, 2019
I was drawn to this book because of the experiences of my in-laws while they served in that area.
The movie was well done, but the book includes so many more experiences involving the faith of
the Tongan people. I also enjoyed the insight shared by Elder Groberg. There is no pretense that
this book is fine literature; it rather the straight forward telling of his experiences and their effect
on his faith.
The movie was well done, but the book includes so many more experiences involving the faith of
the Tongan people. I also enjoyed the insight shared by Elder Groberg. There is no pretense that
this book is fine literature; it rather the straight forward telling of his experiences and their effect
on his faith.
August 1, 2019
In this case, I saw the movie first. It left me thinking how could the book be better, but as is most often the case, the book IS better! More personal insights can only be shared on the written page. A movie must "show" things while a book allows you to feel things. I definitely recommend reading this follow-up volume to "The Other side of Heaven" to get the complete story of this amazing husband,father, missionary, and friend.!
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