I have just finished listening to “The Holy Secret” by James L. Ferrell, and I just love this book!   I really love the way it was a story, and it didn’t come across as a lecture.  The thoughts and ideas in this book were very eye-opening, and it caused me to think.  There are so many ways we can get closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, and this book gives some great ideas!  It is difficult to get to the temple, and love it, and to read our scriptures, and love them, but it is essential!  I really enjoy how this book gives ideas on ways to do that!  It isn’t just simply by going to the temple, or by reading the scriptures, but it is by applying them in our lives in different ways.  It is interesting how James Ferrell goes about bringing us ideas for learning and changing our lives, and especially that he brings this about in a story.  It is a wonderful story, and I just hated for it to end!  I was actually disappointed that it had to end!
 
I highly recommend “The Holy Secret” by James L Ferrell.  It is very entertaining and worth every penny spent!
 
K. Meyer
Castle Rock, Colorado 

“True to the Faith” by George D. Durrant is an mp3 audio recording that, through the many stories told by George D. Durrant, recommends steps by which we mortals can remain strong amidst the many temptations and challenges we all meet here in life and living. George Durrant makes his doctrinal points through the use of stories and his own life’s personal experiences. Daily living can prove to be a challenge, and George Durrant addresses this struggle by inviting the listener to a reunion of sorts in the year 2020. He would like us to share with each other the testimonies of our lives and how we managed to stay true to the faith. Each of us, once we leave our Sunday meetings or occasions we have in the temple, come up against opportunities to demonstrate our faithfulness to the covenants we have made and the sacred name which we have taken upon ourselves. Knowing that faithfulness is not always convenient nor easy, the author during time in the military,  in school, in relationships with the opposite sex, and at work learned principles and practices that have helped him and others to stay true. These recommendations are neither new nor revolutionary; they are the same invitations we have received from the Lord and His prophets throughout the scriptures and modern church history.George Durrant adds his experiential application of these recommendations, why they have made him happy, and explains how they can make us strong and joyful if we follow the counsel.  I, like many members of the church, enjoy learning and hearing testimony from others who teach by the use of storytelling.

George Durrant has a gift for looking into the everyday activities in which we peculiar people find ourselves, and making them into examples of how to stay true to the faith. This teaching style has been beneficial to me, because it demonstrates the imperfect ways we imperfect beings can apply the command to be perfect by following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.

“True to the Faith” by George D. Durrant is a valuable addition to my library.  R. Dunn
Syracuse, Utah    

“The Peacegiver” by James L. Ferrell is just that, a masterful literary work and a gentle giant both in its authoring and in its impact as a religious allegory and LDS literary work. Having just finished it for the third time, and this time, having listened to the audio version in Ferrell’s own voice, telling the powerful symbolic stories of a loving grandfather teaching his bewildered grandson who is now himself a father, fumbling with the challenges of everyday life, marriage, family decisions and individual choices, I feel that this book rose above the heights of good literature and became great literature for me.
 
Somewhat similar to Dicken’s masterpeice, “A Christmas Carol”, in its symbolic themes, “The Peacegiver” teaches us an ever-powerful message of truth and self-discovery, as the author deftly crafts biblical stories into the mundane, modern life of a confused father and husband, and teaches him several essential truths about himself. This book, especially when read by its author, carries a unique spirit and power of self-conversion and self-reflection that sets it apart from many other religious writings of today and gives it a higher measure of value and praise for its care in following LDS doctrine in a creative and interesting way.
 
This book became so significant to me, that after my second reading, I took a black pen and wrote a sweet, personal letter to my wife in the back blank pages.  Then I shared it with her as we discussed the book, and we talked about our relationship and the stories and principles taught by Brother Ferrell.  And yes, because of the powerful teaching of this author in “The Peacegiver”, I felt strongly prompted to write that letter, and my relationship with my dear companion became much stronger. The degree of devotion and harmony in our home increased, and life’s purposes and our family relationships have deepened.
 
I cannot recommend strongly enough the listening, reading, re-reading, and yes, even the note-taking and cross-referencing of passages and pages from this wonderful book. Its principles and teaching are truly life changing. If you have never listened a copy, I urge you to do so. I have no personal reason other than to share the joy of what this book can do for you, your marriage and your most prized relationships.
 
Great books, like great people, transform the reader or the listener, and do much more than take us for a fun, short ride with our imaginations. They actually have the ability to change our lives by changing the way we see ourselves. “The Peacegiver” by James L. Ferrell is such a rare book, and its author is a gentle giant amongst modern religious writers.
 
H. Trunnell
St. George, Utah

“Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything” by John Bytheway is a one hour and 6 minute MP3 audio download that is designed to help teenagers become familiar with the scriptures and solidify a few verses and chapters that will be applicable in almost any situation. Listening to Brother Bytheway is always entertaining while being instructive at the same time. I think one of the things that hit home with me was that we all view scriptures differently. This is a really good talk, not just for the youth, but also more particularly for parents and leaders, as it is a great source of comfort for them as they strive to raise righteous youth.

The one scripture that stood out to me was 1 Nephi 11: 17, where Nephi talks about how he knows that God loves his children, but that he (Nephi) does not know the meanings of all things. That gave me comfort to think that even Nephi  didnt know the meaning of all things. That also helped me see that there is hope for me.  I might not always like what happens in my personal life, or with my siblings, or my own family life; but  my Heavenly Father knows everything that is going on in my life.  I just have to be patient.  There is more coming that I don’t yet see or know.
 
“Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything” by John Bytheway, is a great talk that I recommend for anyone searching for answers to life’s general questions, and especially recommended it to anyone who has children. Many times in the last few weeks, since I have had this talk, I have felt alot calmer and also more secure in the parenting of my son.  I have also felt alot more at peace within myself, thanks to his wonderful way of seeing things.
 
A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand

“Fantastic Firesides for Youth, Vol. 1″ by  Michael D. Christensen, Vickey Pahnke, Matthew Richardson, and R. Scott Simmons is an audio talk on MP3 format.  It is actually four different talks especially devoted for youth, although I got a lot out of them even for my age.  It would be great to use for an aid when teaching youth in just about any LDS setting.  Any of the talks would be great for a Family Home Evening lesson.  

I liked the way Vickey Pahnke challenged the listener to go for 24 hours and not say a negative thing.  I also particularly enjoyed the talk by R. Scott Simmons which talks about a person’s individual worth, and how we are all loved and cared about by a loving Heavenly Father.  For anyone who wants a wonderful talk to listen to, or who needs a good talk for their youth, I would recommend this MP3 download. 

“Fantastic Firesides for Youth, Vol. 1″ is good listening and great for the youth of the church. 

J. Stevenson
Asotin, Washington 

“The Legend of the Lamp” by Tina Monson is a two volume novel on MP3 download.  

When Oliver Cowdry is dying, he writes a letter to Heber C. Kimball giving him a specific charge to search out and protect an amazing treasure that was detailed to him by the Angel Moroni at the time the golden plates were returned to the Hill Cumorah.  This charge is to remain with the Kimball family and its descendants throughout time until the Lord returns, and is not to be discussed with any one outside of the family. 

Many years later, Heber C Kimball’s descendants Hunter, Hannah, and Hayden are told the legend of the lamp by their grandfather, as they are leaving for a Church History Tour with their parents for summer vacation.  This new knowledgwe alters their attitudes and enthusiasm for summer vacation, as they search for clues to unlock the treasure foretold to them.
 
This is a great novel, and although it is fiction, the author has added at the beginning of the story that she got the inspiration for this story as her father told her about a lamp that had been passed down in her own family from the time of Joseph Smith.

As I Listened to this story, I found myself getting excited about Church History, and also about genealogy and the hope that I might have some amazing stories in my own family.  It was hard not to get drawn into this story. I was very frustrated when I had to recharge my mp3 player, so that I could finish listening to this story.

I loved listening to “The Legend of the Lamp” by Tina Monson.  Thanks Tina for getting me excited about Church History and Family History..Great job:)

A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand

“Where I Belong” written by Rachel Ann Nunes, is a fictional book which I listened to in the audio form.  The story covers a brief span of time in the lives of Tanner and Heather, who have been best friends and neighbors since they were sixteen years of age.  Our first glimpse of them comes at the time of their first meeting.  Years later, Heather, who has always had a love of painting, becomes very confused and torn between her love of family and the gospel and her passion to paint. Wonderful opportunities to follow this passion lead her away from her family, church, and friends.  How can Heather find a place for herself and still achieve her other lifetime goals? This is a choice that many adults, young and old, may face.  I could see some of myself at Heather’s age, and certainly can see that my daughters have faced similar dilemmas. The writing style is easy to listen to and the characters are well-developed and easy to relate to at any age.  Several serious events take place which eventually influence Heather’s direction.  The story evolves smoothly as she uses her free agency and prayerful consideration to take the next step towards her future. To see how Tanner fits into this story, you’ll have to listen to the book!

“Where I Belong” by Rachel Ann Nunes, is a book that will come to mind again and again as life’s choices present themselves.