However Long & Hard the Road

by Jeffrey R. Holland

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Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Church, Christian, Spirituality

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 23 June 1994. At the time of this call, Elder Holland was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he had been called on 1 April 1989. A native of St. George, Utah, he has spent most of his professional life in Church education. He received his bachelor and master degrees from Brigham Young University and a master degree and Ph.D. from Yale University.
From 1980 until his call as a General Authority in 1989, Elder Holland served as president of Brigham Young University. He is a former Church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
Elder Holland is the author of several books, one of which he co-authored with his wife, Patricia. They were married in 1963 and are the parents of three children and the grandparents of 12 grandchildren.

Reviews

[Lowell]

Chapter 3 is titled "The Inconvenient Messiah", and by itself is one of the greatest things I have ever read. The fact that virtually everything in this book maintains that same quality is astounding.

All of these can be found in an extended format on the BYU Speeches website, with MP3 files available of when each sermon was presented. Reading these fantastic; listening to Elder Holland's vocal delivery elevates it to an even higher level.

[Molly]

“Sometimes the only thing we can do is endure.” Good reminder to find joy in the journey!!

[Vivienne]

President Holland's talks are always so good, and his writing is full of passion and wisdom as well.

[Tiffany Dominguez]

WOW. Elder Holland has always been one of my favorite speakers. He puts so much emotion and conviction in his words. This book reflects some serious wisdom and understanding into why the journey of life is such hard work! Absolutely loved it. Life changing.

[Megan]

I've been reading this book on Sundays when I've taken a spiritual break from my secular books. Elder Holland is always enjoyable. This is a good book for anyone going through hard times or challenges, which we will all face at some point if we aren't in them right now.
One of my most favorite chapters was about the Inconvenient Messiah. I liked re-thinking the temptations that Satan put before Christ when Christ was doing his 40 day fast. It was a whole new way of thinking about that event, with applications to our lives.
Not exactly an audible book, but a Deseret Bookshelf audio book read by Marvin Payne and his wife.

[Morgan Lyons]

I am decidedly against what seems to be the trend of indiscriminately giving 5 stars to any book written by a prominent LDS author, and I have even been known to withhold a star or two from an Elder Holland classic, but not this one. I actually think chapter 3, The Inconvenient Messiah, merits 5 stars all by itself, and the fact that it's supplemented by nine other inspiring addresses just solidifies this book's perfect rating in my mind. Elder Holland is an absolute master in the English Language, and he's at his best here. This is a book I would read again and again.

[Darci Gardner]

Jeffrey R. Holland always has a way of sharing what I really need to hear. This book is no exception. Every time I re-read this I get something new out of it. It isn't boring. It doesn't feel like you are reading some boring church talk or general conference talk. This book is excellent.

[Bryce]

Excellent read. I obviously took my time with this one, reading a page or two here and there. No matter how much or little I read though, I always left thinking a little deeper and I felt like I got a lot from this smaller book by Elder Holland.

[Donna]

Jeffrey Holland is one of my all-time favorite speakers and writers. Whenever I'm feeling a little down trodden or pressed in by worldly cares, he seems to lift me right out of that and reminds me of what is truly the most important thing.

[Lisa]

This slender collection of some of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talks, I believe all before he was called to be an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is wonderful, seeing as all of Elder Holland's talks are wonderful. I believe a lot of these talks were given when Elder Holland was president of Brigham Young University and Church Commissioner of Education. My only complaint is that the first couple of talks cite no sources at all and later ones don't have sources as complete as one finds in Elder Holland's talks as an Apostle. Nevertheless, there are some great talks here--the one that he and Sister Holland gave at BYU about marriage combines humor and good advice. His talks about Peter and Alma have made it into my personal scripture commentaries. There isn't a dud in the bunch. If I had to choose favorites, they would be "The Inconvenient Messiah" and the talk that makes the title of the book, "However Long and Hard the Road"--of course, all its quotes from Churchill would make it a favorite if it only included them and not much else, but it goes beyond. Elder Holland's apostolic talks, some of which are collected in the book To My Friends, are even better than these--I think, Deseret Book, that it's time for another collection? Elder Holland can touch your heart as much or more than any Church leader I've had the privilege to hear.

[Sarah]

I've always loved Holland's speeches and writings, but this one just touched my heart so deeply. It's some of the most encouraging, beautiful messages to never give up on life. He speaks from scripture, history, and his personal life. He offers thoughts and perspectives I've never heard before. I just loved it so much! I read this during some depressive episodes and it was the Balm of Gilead.

If you aren't going to read the book at least, bless your life by listening to his original presentation of his culminating message: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffre...

"Yes, but not this way... The rewards will come by and by... It is not easy to go without-- without physical gratification, or spiritual assurances or material possessions, but sometimes we must, since there is no guarantee of convenience written into our Christian covenant."

"If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who every lived."

"We must not give up, "for [we] are laying the foundation of a great work." That "great work" is ourselves-- our lives, our future, the very fulfillment of our dreams. That "great work" is what, with effort and patience and God's help, we can become."

[Elaine]

I loved this small book by Jeffrey R. Holland. Although it is only 150 pages long, it is packed with inspirational and hopeful messages. The last chapter was especially heartening as the story of the building of the Salt Lake Temple was related with the horrific hardships early Saints faced in building it. "The best things are always worth finishing."

I also was inspired by reading parts of Winston Churchill's various speeches in 1940 as the Nazi infamy moved toward the English Channel. He said: "You ask what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might and with all our strength that God can give us...That is our policy. You ask, What is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory--victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror; victory, however long and hard the road may be."

[Ejay]

“To those who are trying hard and living right and things still seem burdensome and difficult, I say, take heart. Others have walked that way before you.” 
― Jeffrey R. Holland, However Long & Hard the Road

Elder Holland is easily one of the favorite speakers of many latter-day saints and you can find in this book why it is so. His messages are always accompanied by so much emotion, conviction, faith in Chirst and testimony.

If you feel hopeless with all your adversities in front of you, read this. If you think you have gone way too far, read this. If you want to be better with your relationships with others especially your family and eternal companion, read this. You can find hope and inspiration from Elder Holland's messages.

[Melanie]

This title has been on my TBR shelf for awhile. I read a paperback reprint of this series of inspirational talks. But the original printing dates back to 1985 -- so you can occasionally see some of the miles on the references, but the majority of the wisdom and advice stands the test of time well. I've read other volumes of Elder Jeffrey Holland's talks, and I like to read one talk each night before I go to sleep so that the imagery, ideas, and inspiration of each talk are in my mind to ponder on as I fall asleep. I think there were 2-3 of these talks I'd like to re-read, and my copy is awash in underlines and highlights.

[Vibeke Hiatt]

I have always loved the writings of Jeffrey R. Holland. His honest, yet hopeful, approach is very refreshing. Even though these teachings are from more than 30 years ago, they are still very much relevant today. It was amazing how often I picked up the book and found the chapter to be exactly what I needed at that moment.

[Ellen]

This collection of talks by Elder Holland are all good. They didn’t all hold my interest, hence the four stars. I didn’t quite finish the whole book. But it’s got some uplifting words of wisdom and helpful advice, all written in Elder Holland’s unique style and with his characteristic sense of humor.

[Serita]

A MUST READ!

The Peace and guidance I received while reading was a testament that these are true words. Simultaneously I was reading another one of Elder Hollands books and they truly went hand in hand. I gifted this to an another person going through such a difficult time and it brought hope and understanding to their sense of worth in the eyes of God.

[Katie]

Wow. What a beautiful and touching book. It was so uplifting and encouraging. It was relatable and applicable. I felt the spirit so strongly as I read each page. These are words from an apostle of the Lord. There is just no way it could not be inspired. I'm so glad I read it, and will definitely read it again.

[Ginger]

Some very powerful teachings in here that I am so grateful I read. I really loved reading the words of Elder Holland from years ago. I loved the ending when he said “God bless us to help each other come back home.”

[Melissa]

More like 2.5 because I had heard a bit of the stories in other books or talks. Also I had a hard time connecting some of the lessons to the point of topic. I really enjoyed the last bit if the book when his wife joined in and they had some cute banter back and forth

[Kelly]

This book was not my favorite. (Sorry Bro.) It just was too simple for me. I wanted something a little more thought provoking. It actually took me months to finish this book because I couldn't get into it.
I had a couple favorite chapters and some great stories, but it wasn't life changing.

[Rich]

I love to listen to the talks of Jeffrey R. Holland. He was president of alma mater, and then moved on to leadership positions within the LDs church.

He is inspiring, humorous, gentle and kind, yet never compromising his doctrine. I'd love to sit and talk with him some day.

[Mary]

Some great little nuggets of talks by Elder Holland. As a general rule, I don't buy books that are simply complications of conference talks, but as these were mostly talks given at BYU decades ago, they would be more obscure to easily find online and I quite enjoyed them.

[Brooks Bentley]

A really enjoyable book, each chapter taking from his many talks over the years. Elder Holland is insightful and has a tender soul that leaves you wanting to hear more about his inner thoughts and personal observations.

[Nicole Shepard]

Elder Holland made his own talk compilation... best thing ever.

[Jodi Hawkins]

I especially enjoyed chapter 9.

[Bonnie Arriola]

Exactly what I needed right now!

[Samantha Van Blerkom]

Still relevant 35 years later. I'll read anything that Jeffrey Holland writes. His words are so uplifting and encouraging.

[Heidi Robbins]

Elder Holland is always so uplifting. This book was no exception.

[Jason Burt]

A collection of spiritual writings from Elder Holland that are interesting and inspiring!