Fine Old High Priests

by Donald S. Smurthwaite

Told from the delightful viewpoint of a seasoned seventy-one-year-old high priest, this novel is certain to ring true with generations of Latter-day Saints as the narrator relives his life while watching a true and faithful friend slip to the other side. This novel is warm, wise, funny, lyrical, and tender all at once. Author Donald Smurthwaite has woven a short masterpiece in this revealing work that will definitely strike a chord with readers young and old alike.

Genres: Fiction, Lds Fiction, Religion, Lds, Book Club

140 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Heather Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I L.O.V.E.D this book! It wasn't the writing or the setting or the character development. It was the love that Marcus had for his friend, Sam, that began when Sam was a friend first. A beautiful story about two men who grow up together (not as children but as married adults) and ultimately one has to say goodbye to the other first.

Some really wonderful lines.

pg. 43 "Thank you for dancing with Jenny first." (not going to explain, you will have to read it.)

pg. 48 "We store up too many good-byes and I love yous and don't say them until it is too late."

pg. 55 "Because Mormons are generally good people and because we have been taught that blessings follow goodness as the night follows the day, we sometimes think that we should be blessed with things and stuff, big homes, nice cars and good jobs, fancy clothing, and investments that return interest in double or triple digits. When we think that way, we do not see the Lord at work, I believe. He blesses us in ways that are far more subtle and far more profound than we could probably ever imagine on our own, and He does it on His timetable, not ours. Getting ahead has an earthly meaning, and getting ahead can have an eternal meaning, which I think we call progress. And I'd rather progress than get ahead, and I am glad the Lord is sublime because it gives me much to ponder.

pg. 61 "[When children first come to you] you think you are on a long road and that it will never end and that they will always be with you...You find the road does have an end. You come to a canyon, and you must stop and let out one of your family members, and then you drive ahead, and never again does the road seem so straight and long, and you worry always about when the next canyon appears. And it breaks your heart."

pg. 69 "...Until I became a father I had not known what it is to be whole."

pg. 87 "...In that moment a life has changed. A man who was wayward and hard and harsh becomes a spiritual man because his bishop asks him if he loves his boy."

pg. 140 "Roads have an end, but journeys do not, and I know I am on a journey, as we all are."

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Getting a copy for my Dad, my husband, my brothers, ... 😁

[Wendy Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! Beautifully written. A story of two older gentlemen’s 40 year friendship through the thick & thin, about family-faith- lives coming to an end. Here’s a line from the book: Roads have an end, but journeys do not, and I know I am on a journey, as we all are.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and I'm loved the narrator. In fact, I think the narration earned that fifth star on my rating.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very sweet sentimental read about a powerful friendship.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of lifelong friendship

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really sweet story of two old LDS men who had been best friends all their lives. The author reminisces of their life together as his buddy is in his last days, dying of cancer.

[Annemaria Duran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Read it ever couple of years. Makes me cry every time. Beautifully written book about friendship

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Smurthwaite's writing style. This is the story of two old men who have been friends and neighbors for decades. One is in the hospital dying of cancer, and the other volunteers to sit with him through the night so the man's wife can go home for a few hours. But really, it's a collection of short stories told through flashbacks, and it's beautiful. Many of the stories relate to the mens' service in the Mormon church, hence the "high priests" part of the title. Smurthwaite's tone is so kind and understanding that it even feels loving when he points out quirks & faults in LDS culture. Yes, it's a bit cheesy at times and the hospital dialogue is forced, but the rest of it was so good I was willing to overlook it.

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of a couple of old men reviewing their long friendship at the end of their lives has potential but I was not very impressed by the execution of it. I felt like all the characters, scenarios were basically Mormon stereotypes without much depth to make them more interesting or real. Just a collection of cliche moments trying to elicit emotion. Similar books-reviewing the meaning of life when at the end of it, such as Tuesdays With Morrie and The Last Lecture, were much better at inspiring and moving. Perhaps because they are actually about/by real people. They just felt more genuine than Priests. I did like one thought from the book-that days have their own mood/personality. Not a book I will read again.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and peaceful, Fine Old High Priests was a quietly inspiring tale. I found it, tattered and torn, in a stack of $1.00 used books at a Dallas bookstore, and the moment I held it in my hands, I seemed to feel that it was something special. How it got there, I have no idea, but it came at a time when I sorely needed its gentle spirit. The friendship evoked in its pages is what I think any man of character and spirit wants to have, even if just once, in life. Two old friends keeping company in a hospital, one asleep and one awake during a single night of companionship and a lifetime of memories. It spoke to my heart.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I guess that a book about high priests can be a four star book. This book influenced me and reminded me that I am a good person, that I can be a better person and before it is too late, let's not forget what is really important. I liked it, maybe, because I'm married to a fine old high priest. Maybe it was a good time to read it and maybe I'm a softee. I want dad to read it. Thanks Melinda for the recommendation.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just discovered this LDS author and highly recommend him. He writes in a gentle, nostalgic way that is very easy to read and leaves you wanting to be better and to be more caring of others. This book is especially appropriate for men, although the sentiments expressed are just as valid for women. I plan on reading his other 3 books we have in the Orem Library.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually not a fan of LDS books, but this one is different. My Granny lent it to me and then because I couldn't stop talking about it, she gave it to me. It is written in a very soothing and nostalgic way as one man reflects back on a 40 year friendship with his friend dying in a hospital bed. Worth the read.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just tell you that I LOVED this book?!? As I finished the book, the first word that came to my mind was "Beautiful!"

It is so uplifting and it made me want to be a better person. I absolutely loved it and it will be on my "To Buy" list! I've been told that there are two others in the series also and I can't wait to read them also!

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt contradictory things while reading this novel. I spent quite a lot of the time rolling my eyes, but sometimes I was genuinely moved. I would recommend this book to LDS people with a higher tolerance for sentimentality than I (which admittedly probably includes most LDS women - stone heart here).

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!! Beautifully written in a way that makes you taste life and appreciate friends, family and faith. The author's wit is charming and uplifting, adding just the right amount of humor to a difficult subject. This book definitely made me weepy, at least once in every chapter, but overall left me feeling that life and love are beautiful and God is so good!

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I read this book together, so it took us a while. I enjoyed the reminiscing of his friendship and what it really means in his eyes to be a "fine old high priest." There were lots of sweet thoughts...and a few we didn't agree with; but it was still nice to hear the author's point of view.

[Jan Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know, the title would make you wonder-but this really is a great little, easy read book.
Probably related to well by middle agers -but I enjoyed it and it rang true.
Easy read and tugs at your heart.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT book. I highly recommend it and its two sequels. All three are good, but this one is my favorite. The narrator's voice is personable, humorous, and full of wisdome from a life well-lived.

[Nancy Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very touching book, but very emotional. It starts out in a hospital room where the main character's friend lies dying. It is a book about the reflections of this man's friendship.
This book can be a bit painful to read, but also very insightful and touching at the same time.

[Jeannette Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this for an LDS literature class at BYU. I enjoyed it then and loved reading it again with some other books by Smurthwaite. He has a very calm, simple way of writing that I really like.

[Rachel Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this for book group and I wasn't too sure if I would like it. But I did! There are a lot of life lessons in here and it is actually a fun LDS read. I also think it would be a good gift for that high priest in the family.

[HaleakalaBound · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional read for me. I liked the narrator. He was definitely a pleasant voice to have in my head. I hope that in 50 years from now, I am like the women in this story and that my husband is like the men. Can't wait to read "Wise, Blue Autumn."

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive heard of this book, seen this book on my shelves for years-finally picked it up. What a perfect read for a Sunday afternoon. I want Steve to read it because its so ...cute? Uplifting, quick and enjoyable.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very uplifting and touching book about a man watching his friend die and remembering their years of friendship as they raised their families and served in various church capacities. The page about sending a child off to college brought huge tears to my eyes, as did several other passages.

[KatieSuzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smurthwaite is able to describe exactly how things are sometimes, never overdoing it. The part at the end when the two old friends in their 70's go up to the mountains to camp and fish for the last time together, knowing it's the last time, was almost too much.

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book this morning and really liked it! It was a touching story about an elderly man who sits by the bedside of his dying friend. It was so sweet and endearing. Glad I took the chance on this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this about 10 years ago and recently reread it...I don't know why I enjoy this book so much, but I do. Perhaps it's because Marcus is the kind of neighbor you'd enjoy living near or seeing at church. It's a tender story of friendship and family. A nice escape from my hectic life.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Mormon fiction. Beautiful storytelling.