Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

by Boyd K. Packer

Near the end of His mortal ministry, the Savior My peace I give unto you. . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. As a special witness of Jesus Christ, President Boyd K. Packer has spent decades studying the standard works and the teachings of modern prophets. This book Thirty of his addresses, including such classics as Feed My Sheep, The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect, From Such Turn Away, Revelation in a Changing World, and The Saints Securely Dwell Sound advice and comforting counsel with the clarity and power typical of President Packer A wealth of personal experiences and stories, and a few of his original parables.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction

305 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

President Boyd K. Packer, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was set apart to this position on February 3, 2008. Previously, he was Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles beginning June 5, 1994. Prior to becoming Acting President, he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, having been ordained an Apostle on April 9, 1970. He earlier served for almost nine years as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

An educator by profession, his career includes service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the Administrative Council of Brigham Young University.

Reviews

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

These talks Elder Packer has given. Wonderful council from these talks.

[Dlora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. President Packer writes well and is not afraid to tackle subjects that get him in hot water. These are talks I remember him giving that rocked the populace. He offended the clergy when he gave the talk testifying that the LDS church is "The Only True Church." He made historians/academics mad with his talk, "The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater than the Intellect." And he tackled homosexuality ("not a basic presetting of their nature so much as an addiction"), the trinity and becoming Gods ("forsook revelation and relied on reason . . . they tried to stir the three ones together into some mysterious kind of a composite one"), evolution ("Surely no one with reverence for God could believe that His children evolved from slime or from reptiles."), following the Brethren ("Two things characterize [naysayers]: they are always irritated by the word obedience and always they question revelation"), and a host of other touchy subjects. Not all his talks in this collection were as controversial as those, but all of them cause you to think: You cannot please everybody. You cannot dilute the truth. This is not an easy Church to join. Some things that are true are not useful. Satan cannot completely destroy us; not without our own consent. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. Keeping the Word of Wisdom is a key to revelation. But as straight-arrow and uncompromising as Elder Packer is, you yet feel his deep commitment and love for the Savior and his love for all of us: "However anonymous each may be, it is always on the rank and file of humankind that the great moments in history rest." "Face the sunlight of truth in order that the shadows of sin, doubt, and error will be cast behind you." Here is one final quote that I especially like when I am feeling overwhelmed with all the "good things" I should be doing: "Things of the Spirit need not--indeed should not--require our uninterrupted time and attention. Ordinary workaday things occupy most of our attention. And that is as it should be. We are mortal beings living in this physical world."

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairly diverse compilation to talks that Elder Packer has given over the course of his decades of service in the church. Included was everything from his remarks at Bruce R. McConkie's funeral to a firm discourse to church education system employees on the pitfalls of an overly academic approach to religious study. I ended up working through this book relatively quickly and I felt it had a positive influence on me even if I couldn't pin down exactly how. Elder Packer does teach a hard line on many religious matters but his sensitivity shines through also. In a few separate talks he touched on death. It seemed to me that in these instances he implied that these righteous individuals had a spiritual sense that their life was going to end. As that's been an issue in the news of late I took particular note of that, perhaps it is something to remember as I age.

[Gratefulscottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a esy read. A collection of Elder Packers talks, mainly given in the 60-80's. Some I remember hearing, others were new.
His style of speaking tranfers well to reading.
I learned a few new iteams.
The best thing about a book like this is not the profound new ideas on doctrine, they are not there, but the steady, straight forward approach that the Church is true.
It was a fun read (while at my inlaws for the afternoon)
Another confirmation that what I know to be true is just that, true.

[Amy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of talks given by President Packer.
I read this a few pages at a time over a couple of months and really enjoyed taking it in in slow pieces.
Lots of depth at an accessible reading level.
My favorite part was his comparison of someone trying to verbally explain a flavor to someone who had never tasted it being much like trying to explain feeling God's influence in our lives to someone who has never felt it.

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

President Packer is known as the General Authorities General Authority. He is so jam packed it's hard to imagine a more talented man. His writings reflect a profound depth of understanding of gospel principles.

[Keli Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I learned some new things. re-learned some I had forgotten and really enjoyed getting to know Elder Packer!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some articles hit me more powerfully than others, but that is always true. Life journeys change, and so do things that feel particularly relevant. Good stuff.