Latter-day Saint Life

15 powerful books and talks by our prophet and apostles

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Get to know the current members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve with these books and talks authored by our beloved leaders. 


Internationally renowned as a surgeon, teacher, and man of great faith, President Russell M. Nelson has dedicated his life to healing hearts and ministering throughout his medical career and his Church service. This definitive volume of his teachings presents excerpts from his speeches and writings spanning more than three decades as an Apostle of the Lord, including many from his recent world tour and other unpublished addresses. Alphabetically arranged by topic, these teachings on more than 100 subjects provide a perfect, easy-to-use resource for talks, lessons, and more.

President Nelson's biography is available here.
In this book, President Dallin H. Oaks applies latter-day doctrine to the joys and challenges of life as he examines gospel principles related to judging, repentance, revelation, the resurrection, the sacrament, the Atonement, and the Lord's timing. He bears strong testimony of the divinity of the Savior and the plan of salvation, and challenges us to ask ourselves: What think we of Christ?

President Oaks' biography is available here.
The blessings of the holy temple are available to all of us but personal to each of us. One sure witness of that truth is President Henry B. Eyring, who has developed a deep and abiding love for the house of the Lord. In A Sacred Place Like This, he encourages all to be ready and worth to enjoy increased opportunities for temple worship and the personal revelation that follows.
Do you sometimes wonder if your little efforts could possibly make any difference at all? Consider a simple example from nature.

Honey is “one of the foods that includes all the substances— enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water—necessary to sustain life,” writes M. Russell Ballard. And yet, “Over its short lifetime of just a few weeks to four months, a single honeybee’s contribution of honey to its hive is a mere one-twelfth of one teaspoon. Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bee’s one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive.”

Your simple, daily acts of service matter, and this charmingly illustrated little book will lift your heart as it demonstrates the power of many righteous people working together to fill the world, one drop at a time, with the sweet truths of the gospel.

President Ballard's biography is available here.
In this beautiful book, Elder Holland shares his notes and insights about the many names of Christ he has studied in his twenty-five plus years as an Apostle. He promises that "as we study these titles to learn more about who He was and is, we will find ourselves learning more about who we are and what we may become." In doing so, we will gain a greater understanding of our covenants and how each of us can more fully bear witness of Christ's holy name.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has earned a reputation among members of the Church for using his decades of experience as a pilot to draw gospel metaphors. He has even joked about the frequency of the phenomenon from the pulpit, once noting that a congregation may be asking, "What does this have to do with an airplane?" President Uchtdorf's ability to draw on real-life experience and share easily interpreted analogies has endeared him to Church members the world over.

This book brings together many of those stories of flight that President Uchtdorf has used in his ministry. In this colorful, inviting format, more than 20 of his best-loved stories come together under five major themes: Principles of Flight, Lift, Guidance on the Journey, Weathering the Turbulence, and Our Eternal Destination.
In our rapidly changing world, our need for spiritual guidance has never been greater. As we seek to discern truth amidst the clamor of dissenting voiced in order to worship, minister, and lead our families effectively, we rely on the Spirit's help every day.

"The roles of both the mind and the heart in personal revelation are crucial," writes Elder David A. Bednar, "and no simple formulas or recommended action steps can guide us through this rigorous spiritual process. Indeed, this book is not an attempt to define how revelation works. Rather, it is a witness and a testimony that revelation does work—and in a multitude and variety of ways."

In this landmark book, Elder Bednar outlines several principles of revelation, then provides a host of examples in which we can observe these principles in action for ourselves. As we come to recognize the role of revelation in our lives, we can move forward in confidence that the Lord is guiding our steps. As Elder Bednar writes, "If we are striving to be and become good—not perfect right now, but gradually getting better,...then indeed we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We are not 'preparing to receive revelation'; we are 'living in revelation.'"
Adapted from the talk titled “LDS Women Are Incredible!” given in General Conference April 2011, this delightful booklet shares a powerful message for women from Elder Quentin L. Cook.

Whether married or single, Latter-day Saint women meet the challenges of today with strength and faith. This inspiring booklet is the perfect gift for women of all ages.
"Fathers are fundamental in the divine plan of happiness," writes Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "I want to raise a voice of encouragement for those who are striving to fill well that calling. I wish to focus on the good that men can do in the highest of masculine roles: husband and father."

Based on his "Fathers" talk, given during the April 2016 general conference, this thoughtful new book contains insights and inspiration about the eternal role of men. Complete with beautiful photography and typography, The Good That Men Can Do uplifts, encourages, and honors husbands and fathers of all ages and walks of life as they share responsibility with our Heavenly Father to nurture His children.
"As surely as the sun will rise tomorrow," Elder Neil L. Andersen promises, "the Savior's divine gifts of repentance and of forgiveness, offered in the beauty of His encompassing love, are certain for those who come unto Him with full purpose of heart."

In this book, Elder Andersen writes especially to those who are "awakening" unto God—those who are just beginning to discover or who seek the divine gifts and power of repentance and forgiveness in their lives. The Divine Gift of Forgiveness is organized in such a way that readers can choose the section or chapter that applies most to them and study it without having to have read from cover to cover. Leaders can similarly recommend specific chapters to those with whom they work. Filled with powerful doctrine along with stories and experiences, this book will help all readers become more devoted disciples of the Savior.
The Apostle Paul foretold that we in the latter days would live in "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1). Yet the Savior instructed His followers in this dispensation to "doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36). How do we move forward in faith and focus on the good when rage, calamity, and commotion swirl around us?

We know from scripture and the words of modern-day prophets that these latter days are a time of great turmoil—but also a time of great miracles. In this timely book, Elder Ronald A. Rasband shares a beautiful message of hope and light, reminding us what we can do to fortify ourselves and receive heavenly guidance. As Elder Rasband teaches, "By divine design, we have been called to the Lord's service leading up to His Second Coming." His apostolic counsel helps us recognize the ways the Lord guides us through the troubled times in our lives to build a greater sense of hope and peace with our foundation fixed on Christ, that ultimately we might accept the Savior's invitation: "Be not troubled" (D&C 45:35).
In this thoughtful Christmas message, Elder Gary E. Stevenson reminds us of the words we often sing at Christmas, "Let every heart prepare him room," and invites each of us to consider how we can prepare our hearts for Christ during the Christmas season. Can we be more pure, meek, and lowly, as the Savior? With an invitation to do something that expresses in an outward way our inward feelings about the Savior, Elder Stevenson reminds each of us to consider our hearts and make room for the Savior during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
The concept of priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is unique. A portion of God's power is delegated to "individuals who He knows perfectly well are imperfect." How does that work? As authors Dale and Ruth Renlund ask, "How is it conceivable that His awesome, delicate power could be used by both an illiterate farmer and a rocket scientist—to equal effect—in the salvation of humankind?"

This helpful book "has arisen in large part from questions we have asked each other over the years," write Elder and Sister Renlund. "The quest for an understanding of the priesthood and its proper application has continued through our respective medical and legal training and our careers outside of the home. A fuller understanding and application of the priesthood power has required both of us to work together inside our home."

Understanding the doctrine of the priesthood and the principles that govern its use is a pursuit worth of any member of the Church, but one that should be of special concern to those who hold or are preparing to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. This careful explanation offers a perfect way to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of priesthood power and how to use it.
In this talk from the April 2022 general conference, Elder Gong invites us to come find our family, all our generations, and bring them home.
As we celebrate the Savior’s birth each Christmas, we are filled with a sense of God’s love and peace, which helps us to be more sensitive to those around us who may be in need of comfort. Like the angels who appeared to the shepherds bringing “good tidings of great joy,” we too can visit those in need and provide them with the good news of Christ, peace, and comfort.

In this thoughtful Christmas message, Elder Ulisses Soares shares an experience of a Christmas when he and his family were in need of “a modern angelic host” and invites each of us to turn our hearts outward and consider how we can minister to those around us this Christmas season and throughout the year.

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