Books I Have Read

I love to read. Since 2007 I have been keeping a list of MOST of the books I have read (Thank you Goodreads.com!). I say "most" because it is impossible for me to remember them all. I know I have read more than this, and when/if I find titles I remember reading, I add them to my growing list.

Some of there I have read more than once, some I will never read again. Some I own, some I don't.

I share this list in the hope that maybe someone out there will see a title that might interest them. Enjoy!

(Listed by Date, Author, Title, and Number of pages in the book (Yes, I like to keep track of how many pages I read)).

Monday, December 03, 2007--Burnett, Frances Hodgson--Secret Garden, The--48
Monday, December 03, 2007 Weyland, Jack If Talent Were Pizza, You'd Be A Supreme 118
Monday, December 03, 2007 Wright, Jason F. Christmas Jars 122
Monday, December 03, 2007 Maxwell, Neal A. Lord, Increase Our Faith 142
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hinckley, Gordon B. Way to Be!: 9 Rules For Living the Good Life 144
Monday, December 03, 2007 Dew, Sheri L. If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard: And Other Reassuring Truths 152
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hinckley, Gordon B. One Bright Shining Hope: Messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley 153
Monday, December 03, 2007 Yates, Alma J. Race to Eden 184
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hinton, S.E. Outsiders, The 192
Monday, December 03, 2007 Zindel, Paul Pigman, The 192
Monday, December 03, 2007 Yates, Alma J. Miracle of Miss Willie, The 200
Monday, December 03, 2007 Austen, Jane Persuasion 201
Monday, December 03, 2007 Yates, Alma J. Nick 208
Monday, December 03, 2007 Sparks, Nicholas Notebook, The 214
Monday, December 03, 2007 Dew, Sheri L. No One Can Take Your Place 220
Monday, December 03, 2007 Keddington, Dorothy M. Return to Red Castle 234
Monday, December 03, 2007 Stansfield, Anita First Love and Forever (Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga, #4) 236
Monday, December 03, 2007 Stansfield, Anita For Love Alone (Trevor Family Saga, #5) 237
Monday, December 03, 2007 Sparks, Nicholas Walk to Remember, A 240
Monday, December 03, 2007 Keddington, Dorothy M. Mermaid's Purse 242
Monday, December 03, 2007 Keddington, Dorothy M. Jayhawk 244
Monday, December 03, 2007 Keddington, Dorothy M. Flowers of the Winds 245
Monday, December 03, 2007 Dew, Sheri L. No Doubt About It 246
Monday, December 03, 2007 Boom, Corrie Ten Hiding Place, The 256
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hinckley, Gordon B. Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes 256
Monday, December 03, 2007 Keddington, Dorothy M. Shadow Song 256
Monday, December 03, 2007 Stansfield, Anita By Love and Grace (Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga, #7) 261
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Playing for Pizza 272
Monday, December 03, 2007 Yates, Alma J. Sammy's Song 272
Monday, December 03, 2007 Austen, Jane Pride and Predudice 279
Monday, December 03, 2007 Lee, Harper To Kill a Mockingbird 281
Monday, December 03, 2007 Sparks, Nicholas At First Sight 288
Monday, December 03, 2007 Stansfield, Anita Now and Forever (Byrnehouse-Davies Saga, #6) 292
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Summons, The 304
Monday, December 03, 2007 Enger, Leif Peace Like A River 312
Monday, December 03, 2007 Sharifi, Ahmad A Square Sky: A True Story Of A Prisoner In Afghanistan 320
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hardy, Thomas Two on a Tower 324
Monday, December 03, 2007 Sparks, Nicholas Message in a Bottle 342
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town 360
Monday, December 03, 2007 Stansfield, Anita When Forever Comes (Trevor Family Saga, #3) 369
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hosseini, Khaled Kite Runner, The 372
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hosseini, Khaled Thousand Splendid Suns, A 372
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hinckley, Gordon B. Stand a Little Taller 382
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Street Lawyer, The 384
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John King of Torts, The 400
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Pelican Brief, The 400
Monday, December 03, 2007 Austen, Jane Sense and Sensibility 409
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Last Juror, The 416
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Partner, The 416
Monday, December 03, 2007 Keddington, Dorothy M. Aisling of Eire 416
Monday, December 03, 2007 Meyer, Stephanie Twilight (Twilight, #1) 434
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Runaway Jury, The 464
Monday, December 03, 2007 Talmage, James E. Articles of Faith 482
Monday, December 03, 2007 Brown, Dan Da Vinci Code, The (Robert Langdon, #2) 490
Monday, December 03, 2007 Golden, Arthur Memoirs of a Geisha 499
Monday, December 03, 2007 Austen, Jane Emma 512
Monday, December 03, 2007 Dickens, Charles Great Expectations 512
Monday, December 03, 2007 Hardy, Thomas Tess of the d'Urberville 518
Monday, December 03, 2007 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The 531
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Testament, The 535
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John A Time to Kill (Jake Brigance, #1) 544
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Firm, The 560
Monday, December 03, 2007 Meyer, Stephanie New Moon (Twilight, #2) 565
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Client, The 566
Monday, December 03, 2007 Stansfield, Anita Gables Against the Sky (Byrnehouse-Davies Saga, #2) 567
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Rainmaker, The 576
Monday, December 03, 2007 Meyer, Stephanie Eclipse (Twilight, #3) 629
Monday, December 03, 2007 Grisham, John Chamber, The 640
Monday, December 03, 2007 Dew, Sheri L. Go Forward With Faith: The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley 653
Monday, December 03, 2007 Brown, Dan Angels and Demons (Robert Langdon, #1) 713
Monday, December 03, 2007 Feinberg, Joel Reason and Responsibility: Readings In Some Basic Problems Of Philosophy 720
Friday, December 07, 2007 Black, Don J. A Pocket Full of Miracles: A Collection of Heartwarming True Stories 80
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Punch and Cookies Forever: And Other Stories for LDS Youth 114
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Understudy, The 122
Friday, December 07, 2007 Evans, Richard Paul Christmas Box, The 128
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Charly 128
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Michelle & Debra 137
Friday, December 07, 2007 Babbitt, Natalie Tuck Everlasting 139
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack First Day Forever and Other Stories for LDS Youth 152
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Sara, Whenever I Hear Your Name 152
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Sam 168
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Brenda at the Prom 171
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Jake 171
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack New Dawn, A 181
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Peppertide 181
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lewis, C.S. Screwtape Letters, The 209
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Stephanie 209
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Night on Lone Wolf Mountain and Other Short Stories 210
Friday, December 07, 2007 Waller, Robert James Bridges of Madison County, The 224
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Adam's Story 227
Friday, December 07, 2007 Weyland, Jack Lean On Me 279
Friday, December 07, 2007 Frank, Anne Diary of A Young Girl, The 283
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Loves Music, Loves to Dance 304
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Where Are the Children? 304
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Pretend You Don't See Her 305
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins I'll Be Seeing You 307
Friday, December 07, 2007 Bronte, Emily Wuthering Heights 308
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Craddle Will Fall, The 314
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins I Heard that Song Before 318
Friday, December 07, 2007 Kidd, Sue Monk Secret Life of Bees, The 318
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Let Me Call You Sweetheart 320
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins While My Pretty One Sleeps 320
Friday, December 07, 2007 Magorian, Michelle Good Night, Mr. Tom 320
Friday, December 07, 2007 Wright, Camron Letters for Emily 320
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Stranger Is Watching, A 322
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Weep No More, My Lady 336
Friday, December 07, 2007 Hamilton, Jane Book of Ruth, The 336
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Remember Me 338
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins All Around the Town 352
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Cry in the Night, A 352
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Moonlight Becomes You 352
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Stillwatch 368
Friday, December 07, 2007 Kidd, Sue Monk Mermaid Chair, The 368
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Daddy's Little Girl 384
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins You Belong to Me 384
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins On the Street Where You Live 387
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Two Little Girls in Blue 416
Friday, December 07, 2007 McCourt, Frank Angela's Ashes 432
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Pillar of Light (The Work and the Glory, #1) 456
Friday, December 07, 2007 Clark, Mary Higgins Nighttime is My Time 464
Friday, December 07, 2007 Marshall, Catherine Christy 501
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. So Great A Cause (The Work and the Glory, #8) 536
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Truth Will Prevail (The Work and the Glory, #3) 560
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Come Unto Me (The Kingdom and the Crown, #2) 572
Friday, December 07, 2007 Bronte, Charlotte Jane Eyre 578
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. A Season of Joy (The Work and the Glory, #5) 600
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Thy Glory to Refine (The Work and the Glory, #4) 600
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Fishers of Men (The Kingdom and the Crown, #1) 642
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. No Unhallowed Hand (The Work and the Glory, #7) 656
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Behold the Man (The Kingdom and the Crown, #3) 682
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Praise to the Man (The Work and the Glory, #6) 733
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. All Is Well (The Work and the Glory, #9) 744
Friday, December 07, 2007 Lund, Gerald N. Fire of the Covenant: The Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies 764
Monday, December 10, 2007 Slate, Joseph Little Porcuppine's Christmas 32
Monday, December 10, 2007 Yorgason, Blaine M. Becoming 162
Monday, December 10, 2007 Albom, Mitch For One More Day 208
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Lucado, Max Because I Love You 31
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Lucado, Max You Are Special 32
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Seuss, Dr. Green Eggs and Ham 62
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 MacLachlan, Patricia Sarah, Plain and Tall 67
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Benson, Ezra Taft A Witness And A Warning: A Modern Day Prophet Testifies Of The Book of Mormon 88
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Lucado, Max When God Whispers Your Name 232
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Munsch, Robert N. Love You Forever 32
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of JesusChrist of Latter-day Saints 291
Friday, December 14, 2007 Niffenegger, Audrey Time Traveler's Wife, The 528
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Silverstein, Shel Giving Tree, The 64
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Dickens, Charles Christmas Carol, A 104
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Dickens, Charles The Life of Our Lord: Written for His Children During the Years 1846 to 1849 128
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Fitzgerald, F. Scott Great Gatsby, The 180
Thursday, December 20, 2007 White, E.B. Charlotte's Web 184
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Eliot, George Silas Marner 208
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Hawthorne, Nathaniel Scarlet Letter, The 228
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Bunn, Davis Tidings of Comfort and Joy 231
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Burnett, Frances Hodgson Little Princess, A 242
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Twain, Mark Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The 288
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Brashares, Ann The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Sisterhood, #1) 294
Thursday, December 20, 2007 McLaughlin, Emma The Nanny Diaries (Nanny, #1) 306
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Hemingway, Ernest Farewell to Arms, A 360
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Goldman, William Princess Bride, The 398
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth (House of Earth, #1) 418
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Weisberger, Lauren Devil Wears Prada, The 432
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Alcott, Lousia May Little Women (Little Women, #1) 449
Thursday, December 20, 2007 Ahern, Cecelia P.S. I Love You 470
Monday, December 24, 2007 Giff, Patricia Reilly Pictures of Hollis Woods 166
Thursday, December 27, 2007 Dew, Sheri L. God Wants A Powerful People 219
Thursday, January 10, 2008 Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning 184
Thursday, January 10, 2008 Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #2) 206
Thursday, January 10, 2008 Marquez, Gabriel Garcia Love in the Time of Cholera 348
Saturday, January 26, 2008 Yates, Alma J. Homemade Christmas, A 132
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Stansfield, Anita Home for Christmas (Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga, #8) 155
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Stansfield, Anita First Love, Second Chances (Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga, #5) 238
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Nelson, Lee Storm Testament III 268
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Nelson, Lee Storm Testament IV 278
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Wright, Jason F. Wednesday Letters, The 280
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Nelson, Lee Storm Testament 300
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Nelson, Lee Storm Testament V 320
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Kimball, Spencer W. Miracle of Forgiveness, The 376
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 Nelson, Lee Storm Testament: Rockwell 443
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Seuss, Dr. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish 25
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Lucado, Max You Are Mine 32
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Seuss, Dr. Cat in the Hat, The 72
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Schwartz, Alvin Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Scary Stories, #1) 112
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Schwartz, Alvin Scary Stories 3: More Tales To Chill Your Bones 128
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Robinson, Stephen E. Believing Christ: The Parable of the Bicycle and Other Good News 160
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Robinson, Stephen E. Following Christ: The Parable of the Divers and More Good News 167
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Hartman, Taylor Color Code: A New Way to See Yourself, Your Relationships, and Life, The 288
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Grisham, John Appeal, The 368
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Roberts, Nora Carolina Moon 470
Saturday, February 09, 2008 Dostoyevsky, Fyodor Crime and Punishment 545
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Rawls, Wilson Where the Red Fern Grows 272
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Lowry, Mark Mary Did You Know? 64
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Pelzer, Dave Child Called "It", A 157
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Rostkowski, Margaret I. After the Dancing Days 224
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Moriarty, Laura Center of Everything, The 352
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Thoreau, Henry David Walden 384
Thursday, February 21, 2008 Edwards, Kim Memory Keeper's Daughter, The 401
Monday, July 28, 2008 Pausch, Randy Last Lecture, The 206
Monday, July 28, 2008 Tolle, Eckhart A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose 316
Monday, July 28, 2008 Gruen, Sara Water for Elephants 335
Monday, July 28, 2008 Zusak, Markus Book Thief, The 552
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Rogers, Fred Life's Journey's According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way 176
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Raucher, Herman Ode to Billy Joe 250
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Harris, Joanne Chocolat (Chocolat, #1) 306
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Stewart, Leah Myth of You and Me, The 312
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Lauck, Jennifer Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found 432
Saturday, September 27, 2008 Meyer, Stephenie Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) 756
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 Sears, Gale Christmas for a Dollar 19
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 Bullman, Carol Christmas House, The 32
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 Poulson, Clair M. Don't Cry Wolf 273
Thursday, January 08, 2009 Buttars, Robyn Christmas Rose 115
Thursday, January 08, 2009 Beck, Glenn Christmas Sweater, The 284
Thursday, January 08, 2009 Grogan, John Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog 291
Thursday, January 08, 2009 Parry, Donald W. Understanding the Signs of the Times 556
Friday, January 09, 2009 Dalgliesh, Alice Courage of Sarah Noble, The 64
Friday, January 09, 2009 Albom, Mitch Tuesdays with Morrie 191
Friday, January 09, 2009 Albom, Mitch Five People You Meet in Heaven, The 196
Friday, January 09, 2009 Lund, Gerald N. Like a Fire is Burning (The Work and the Glory, #2) 515
Saturday, January 10, 2009 Meyer, Stephanie The Host (The Host, #1) 619
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Bytheway, John What I Wish I'd Known Before My Mission 122
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Bytheway, John What I Wish I'd Known in High School: The Second Semester 145
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Larsen, Chris T. Real Love: An Enchanting Journey of the Heart 150
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Pinborough, Jan U. Where Do I Go From Here?: Finding Your Personal Mission as a Young Adult Woman 150
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Smart, Ed Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope 224
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Lund, Gerald N. One In Thine Hand: A Novel Set in Modern Isreal 258
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Evans, Richard Paul Finding Noel 304
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Evans, Richard Paul Grace 316
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Evans, Richard Paul Sunflower, The 334
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Evans, Richard Paul Gift, The 335
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Green, Betsy Brannon Until Proven Guilty (Haggerty Mystery, #2) 368
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Chapman, Gary The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate 208
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Grisham, John Associate, The 384
Thursday, March 19, 2009 Seuss, Dr. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 64
Thursday, March 19, 2009 Weyland, Jack Last of the Big-Time Spenders 88
Thursday, March 19, 2009 Schwartz, Alvin More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 112
Thursday, March 19, 2009 Weyland, Jack Reunion, The 143
Thursday, March 19, 2009 Weyland, Jack On the Run 182
Monday, March 23, 2009 Nelson, Lee Walkara: Storm Testament VII 360
Friday, April 03, 2009 Sparks, Nicholas Lucky One, The 326
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Hinckley, Marjorie Pay Small and Simple Things 154
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Weyland, Jack Saving Kristen 199
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Linford, Marilynne Todd Sisters in Zion: Hope and Inspiration for Women 206
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Cramer, Steven A. In the Arms of His Love 210
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Cook, Gene R. Teaching by the Spirit 222
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Smith, Alexander McCall The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, #1) 235
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Edgerton, Clyde Walking Across Egypt 240
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Stansfield, Anita Where the Heart Leads 246
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Carlson, Richard Don't Sweat the Small Stuff…and it's all Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life 248
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Fox, Michael J. Lucky Man: A Memoir 260
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Fletcher, Jessica Trick or Treachery (Murder, She Wrote, #14) 265
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Aiken, Clay Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life 272
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Bell, Michele Ashman Pathway Home (Yesterday's Love, #4) 304
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Jolley, Joann Keepers of the Heart 314
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Burnstetter, Wanda E. The Storekeeper's Daughter (Daughters of Lancaster County, #1) 320
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Smith, Dodie I Capture the Castle 352
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Letts, Billie Where the Heart Is 376
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Rice, Luanne Summer of Roses 377
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Rice, Luanne Summer's Child 391
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Macomber, Debbie The Shop on Blossom Street (Blossom Street, #1) 393
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Grisham, John Broker, The 422
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Maurier, Daphne du Rebecca 441
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Clark, Mary Higgins No Place Like Home 472
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Evans, Nicholas Divide, The 512
Saturday, April 18, 2009 Dew, Sheri L. Saying It Like It Is 156
Saturday, August 22, 2009 Collins, Suzanne The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) 374
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Sendak, Maurice Where the Wild Things Are 37
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Steinbeck, John Of Mice and Men 107
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Golding, William Lord of the Flies 182
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Coelho, Paulo Alchemist, The 197
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 L'Engle, Madeleine A Wrinkle in Time (Time, #1) 211
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Dahl, Roald Matilda 240
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Shakespeare, William Romeo and Juliet 283
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Sebold, Alice Lovely Bones, The 328
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 Chaucer, Geoffrey Canterbury Tales, The 527
Thursday, October 08, 2009 Pieper, Jeanne Special Place for Santa: A Legend for Our Time 28
Thursday, October 08, 2009 Collins, Suzanne Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) 391
Thursday, January 28, 2010 Lund, Gerald N. The Undaunted: The Miracle of the Hole-in-the-Rock Pioneers 804
Thursday, February 25, 2010 Sparks, Nicholas Last Song, The 390
Monday, March 22, 2010 Mortenson, Greg Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace… One School at a Time 349
Thursday, April 29, 2010 Keddington, Dorothy M. Fairy Thorn, The 288
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Stockett, Kathryn Help, The 451
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Staheli, Don H. Just Hold Me: Embraced by the Savior's Love 80
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Grisham, John Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, #1) 288
Sunday, October 10, 2010 Boyne, John Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The 240
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Pearson, Emily Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed 32
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Weyland, Jack It All Started With Autumn Jones 181
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Higgins, Marie Winning Mr. Wrong 202
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Knudsen, Michael Rogue Shop, The 282
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Grisham, John Confession, The 418
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Swinton, Heidi S. To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson 588
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Mull, Brandon Candy Shop War, The (The Candy Shop War, #1) 404
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Garcia, Kami Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicals, #1) 563
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society 208
Thursday, September 08, 2011 Harrington, Alexis Irish Bride, The 338
Monday, September 19, 2011 Dugard, Jaycee Stolen Life, A 273
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Donoghue, Emma Room 321
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 Smith, Deborah Crossroads Café, The 378
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 Uchtdorf, Dieter F. Your Happily Ever After 57
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 Dyke, Henry van Mansion, The 61
Thursday, December 08, 2011 Grisham, John Litigators, The 385
Saturday, December 17, 2011 Stewart, Chris Prologue: The Brothers (The Great and Terrible, #1) 224
Saturday, December 17, 2011 Stewart, Chris Where Angels Fall (The Great and Terrible, #2) 350
Friday, January 27, 2012 Stewart, Chris The Second Sun (The Great and Terrible, #3) 443
Friday, February 03, 2012 Stewart, Chris Fury & Light (The Great and Terrible, #4) 328
Saturday, February 04, 2012 Stewart, Chris From the End of Heaven (The Great and Terrible, #5) 336
Sunday, February 05, 2012 Stewart, Chris Clear as the Moon (The Great and Terrible, #6) 360
Monday, February 13, 2012 Jackson, Brenda Irresistible Forces (Steele Series, #5) 256
Monday, February 13, 2012 Larsson, Stieg The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) 465
Monday, February 13, 2012 Larsson, Stieg The Girl Who Played With Fire (Millennium, #2) 503
Monday, February 13, 2012 Larsson, Stieg The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium, #3) 563
Friday, February 17, 2012 Grisham, John Theodore Boone: The Abduction (Theodore Boone, #2) 232
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Smith, Deborah Mossy Creek (Mossy Creek, #1) 385
Thursday, March 22, 2012 Shaffer, Mary Ann The Guerney Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 274
Friday, March 23, 2012 Condie, Ally Matched (Matched, #1) 396
Friday, April 06, 2012 O'Reilly, Bill Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever 315
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Preach My Gospel, A Guide to Missionary Service 228
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 Talmage, James E. Jesus the Christ 747
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 McCarthy, Cormac Road, The 241
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Bodden, Marlen Suyapa Wedding Gift, The 338
Thursday, April 19, 2012 See, Lisa Dreams of Joy (Shanghai Girls, #2) 354
Sunday, April 29, 2012 Forman, Gayle If I Stay (If I Stay, #1) 201
Sunday, April 29, 2012 Donaldson, Julianne Edenbrooke (A Proper Romance) 264
Tuesday, May 08, 2012 Nehring, Cristina Journey to the Edge of the Light: A Story of Love, Leukemia and Transformation 24
Monday, May 14, 2012 Behunin, Ben Remembering Isaac: The Wise and Joyful Potter of Niederbipp (Remembering Isaac, #1) 453
Thursday, May 17, 2012 Behunin, Ben Discovering Issac: The Beloved Potter of Niederbipp (Remembering Issac, #2) 431
Thursday, May 17, 2012 Behunin, Ben Becoming Isaac: The Next Potter of Niederbipp (Remembering Isaac, #3) 444
Monday, May 28, 2012 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith 272
Thursday, May 31, 2012 Winters, Rebecca Vow, The 276
Monday, June 25, 2012 Uchtdorf, Dieter F. Forget Me Not 56
Friday, July 06, 2012 Carpenter, Kim The Vow: The True Events that Inspired the Movie 183
Friday, July 13, 2012 Moore, Clement Clark Night Before Christmas, The 32
Friday, July 13, 2012 Bartoletti, Susan Campbell Christmas Promise, The 40
Friday, July 13, 2012 Hanff, Helene 84, Charing Cross Road 97
Friday, July 13, 2012 Guymon, Shannon Trusting Heart, A 150
Friday, July 13, 2012 Norton, Tamra Molly Mormon? (#1) 156
Friday, July 13, 2012 Norton, Tamra Molly Married? (#2) 157
Friday, July 13, 2012 King, Beverly Christmas by the Book 187
Friday, July 13, 2012 Haight, David B. Light Unto the World, A 192
Friday, July 13, 2012 Waller, Robert James Thousand Country Roads, A 192
Friday, July 13, 2012 Yates, Dan Eyes of an Angel 198
Friday, July 13, 2012 Flagg, Fannie Redbird Christmas, A 224
Friday, July 13, 2012 Grossman, Jeni Behind the Scenes 248
Friday, July 13, 2012 Hamill, Denis Empty Stockings: A Brooklyn Christmas Tale 273
Friday, July 13, 2012 Macomber, Debbie There's Something About Christmas 288
Friday, July 13, 2012 Groberg, John H. Other Side of Heaven, The 320
Friday, July 13, 2012 Patterson, James The Lake House (When the Wind Blows, #2) 384
Friday, July 13, 2012 Patterson, James Roses Are Red (Alex Cross, #6) 416
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Nelson, Lee Storm Gold (Storm Testament, #6) 276
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Nelson, Lee Storm Testament II 293
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Nelson, Lee Cassidy 501
Monday, August 06, 2012 Carlson, Melody Christmas Bus, The 176
Tuesday, August 07, 2012 Shafer, Audrey Mailbox, The 192
Thursday, August 09, 2012 Mangum, Lisa The Hourglass Door (Hourglass Door, #1) 400
Thursday, August 09, 2012 Roberts, Nora Witness, The 757
Saturday, August 11, 2012 Ridges, David J. Isaiah: In the Bible and the Book of Mormon 188
Saturday, August 11, 2012 Mangum, Lisa The Golden Spiral (Hourglass Door, #2) 365
Saturday, August 11, 2012 Mangum, Lisa The Forgotten Locket (Hourglass Door, #3) 416
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Whelan, Gloria Homeless Bird 192
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Hoffman, Beth Saving CeeCee Honeycutt 254
Thursday, August 23, 2012 Hannah, Kristin Winter Garden 394
Thursday, September 06, 2012 Trigiani, Adriana Shoemaker's Wife, The 475
Saturday, September 08, 2012 Grisham, John Calico Joe 198
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 McCullers, Carson Heart is a Lonely Hunter, The 368
Monday, October 01, 2012 Carson, Rae The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) 423
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 Pearson, Carol Lynn The Lesson: A Fable of Hope 32
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Horrocks, Heather Bah, Humbug! (A Christmas Street, #1) 96
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Evans, Richard Paul Winter Dream, A 288
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Grisham, John Racketeer, The 340
Saturday, November 10, 2012 Brown, Dan Deception Point 556
Monday, November 19, 2012 Hannah, Kristin Firefly Lane 479
Thursday, November 29, 2012 Meissner, Susan Shape of Mercy, The 320
Monday, December 03, 2012 McLean, Michael The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Miracle for Isaac and Eliza 111
Monday, December 03, 2012 Jacobs, Kate Friday Night Knitting Club, The 352
Thursday, December 20, 2012 Clark, Mary Higgins Silent Night: A Christmas Suspense Story 177
Friday, December 21, 2012 Holland, Jeffery R. Created for Greater Things 156
Wednesday, January 02, 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow 294
Thursday, January 03, 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Ensign-January 2013 84
Thursday, January 03, 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Ensign-November 2012 132
Monday, January 14, 2013 Dew, Sheri The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the Prophet Joseph Smith 134
Saturday, January 19, 2013 Tolley, Diane Stringam Kris Kringle's Magic 169
Friday, January 25, 2013 Bell, Michelle Ashman Christmas in Bliss 32
Thursday, February 07, 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Ensign-February 2013 84
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 Lowry, Lois Gooney Bird Greene 96
Friday, March 29, 2013 Diament, Anita Red Tent, The 336
Thursday, April 11, 2013 Monson, Thomas S. Meeting Your Goliath 10
Thursday, April 11, 2013 Lund, Gerald N. Guardian, The 550
Friday, May 17, 2013 Ballard, M. Russell One Drop at a Time 48
Friday, May 17, 2013 Hall, Chris Conversations with a Moonflower 112
Friday, May 17, 2013 Jourdan, Carolyn Heart in the Right Place 297
Friday, May 17, 2013 Chevalier, Tracy Last Runaway, The 305
Friday, May 17, 2013 Lund, Gerald N. Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God 336
Friday, May 17, 2013 Clark, Mary Higgins Daddy's Gone A Hunting 338
Friday, May 17, 2013 Ralston, Aron Between a Rock and a Hard Place 368
Friday, May 17, 2013 Hannah, Kristin Night Road 385
Friday, May 17, 2013 Hannah, Kristin Fly Away 416
Thursday, August 01, 2013 Porter, Loretta Just My Luck 167
Saturday, August 24, 2013 Albom, Mitch Have a Little Faith: A True Story 249
Thursday, September 19, 2013 Uchtdorf, Dieter F. Remarkable Soul of a Woman, The 55
Thursday, September 19, 2013 Selleck, Cassie Pecan Man, The 168
Thursday, September 19, 2013 Hannah, Kristin Angel Falls 400
Thursday, October 10, 2013 Graham, Joshua Accidental Hero, The 41
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Grisham, John Fetching Raymond: A Story from the Ford County Collection 58
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Grisham, John Theodore Boone: The Accused (Theodore Boone, #3) 272
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Grisham, John Theodore Boone: The Activist (Theodore Boone, #4) 289
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Sparks, Nicholas Longest Ride, The 398
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Grisham, John Sycamore Row (Jake Brigance, #2) 447
Saturday, October 26, 2013 Bytheway, John What I Wish I'd Known In High School: A Crash Course in Teenage Survival 162
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Sparks, Nicholas Guardian, The 400
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 Stevenson, D.E. Miss Buncle's Book 299
Thursday, December 19, 2013 Evanovich, Janet Visions of Sugar Plums 182
Saturday, December 28, 2013 Behunin, Ben Forget Me Notes 127
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 Ballard, Melvin J. Three Degrees of Glory 41
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 Weistling, Morgan The Image of Christ 96

Jeffery R. Holland

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=795

I think this answered a few of my prayers. Enjoy it!

Sheri Dew

http://youtu.be/-QYlDLChzig

Here is a video you will love.

Author Unknown

Anger is a tool of Satan and will make us weak.--Author Unknown

Author Unknown

There is one election going on all the time—the Lord [Jesus Christ] votes for you and Satan votes against you, and you must cast the deciding vote.--Author Unknown

Author's Note:

I love this picture. I have never seen it before. I came across it on www.pinterest.com. Usually, when I type in armor of God into the search engine, it has pictures of people praying and reading scripture. I don't know who the artist is, but I thank them! This is a treat.

Author Unknown

Maybe the strait and narrow would not be so strait and narrow if more people used it.--Author Unknown

Author's Note:

The goal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to spread the Gospel Message to everyone who desires to hear it. I am a member of this great work. If you are reading this blog, and you would like to know more about our beliefs, please go to www.mormon.org.

Author Unknown

With God nothing is impossible, but we must reach up and take His hand.--Author Unknown

Author's Note:

All right, when I read this quote, I can't help but think of this Greg Olsen painting "Be Not Afraid." It is one of my favorite paintings of his. I got this photo off the web by going to www.gregolsen.com/artwork. 

Author Unknown

I found my treasure trove of quotes. I thought I had lost them. So now I will be adding them. Be prepared to learn and grow and be entertained! :)

I can only imagine. It is not enough to have a dream, unless you are willing to pursue it. It is not enough to know what is right, unless you are strong enough to do it. It is not enough to learn the truth, unless you also learn to live it.--Author Unknown

Buddha

Ok this is good! 

Mitch Albom

Here's another one from "Have A Little Faith". This on is on pages 37-39. Yup! It's long. Sorry, but I want to be this kind of teacher...someday!

"So what drew you in?"
"I wanted to be a teacher."
"A religious teacher?"
"A history teacher."
"Like in normal school?"
"Like in normal school."
"But you went to the seminary."
"I tried."
"You tried?"
"The first time, I failed."
You're kidding me.
"No. The head of the seminary, Louis Finkelstein, pulled me aside and said, "Al, while you know much, we do not feel you have what it takes to be a good and inspiring rabbi."
"What did you do?"
"What could I do? I left."

---------

Now, this stunned me. There were many things you could have said about Albert Lewis. But not having what it took to inspire and lead a congregation? Unthinkable. Maybe he was too gentle for the seminary leaders. Or too shy. Whatever the reason, the failure crushed him.
He took a summer job as a camp counselor in Port Jervis, New York. One of the campers was particularly difficult. If the other kids collected in one place, this kid went someplace else. If asked to sit, he would defiantly stand.
The kids name was Phineas, and Al spent most of the summer encouraging him, listening to his problems, smiling patiently. Al understood adolescent angst. He'd been a pudgy in a cloistered religious environment. He'd had few friends. He'd never really dated.
So Phineas found a kindred soul in his counselor. And by the end of camp, the kid had changed.
A few weeks later, Al got a call from Phineas's father, inviting him to dinner. It turned out the man was Max Kadushin, a great Jewish scholar and a major force in the Conservative movement. At the table that night, he said, "Al, I can't thank you enough. You sent back a different kid. You sent me a young man."
Al smiled.
"You have a way with people--particularly children."
Al said thank you.
"Have you ever thought about trying for the seminary?"
Al almost spit out his food.
"I did try," he said. "I didn't make it."
Max thought for a moment.
"Try again," he said.
And with Kadushin's help, Albert Lewis's second try went better than the first. He excelled. He was ordained.
Not long after that, he took a bus to New Jersey to interview for his first and only pulpit position, the one he still held more than fifty years later.
No angel? I asked. No burning bush?
"A bus," the Reb said, grinning.
I scribbled a note. The most inspirational man I knew only reached his potential by helping a child reach his.

Mitch Albom

This is a quote from a book I am currently reading written by Mitch Albom titled "Have A Little Faith". (It's on page 19.) I loved it! I hope you will too...

"Do you believe in God?"
"Yes, I do."
I scribbled that on my pad.
"Do you ever speak with God?"
"On a regular basis."
"What do you say?"
"These days?" He sighed, then half-sang his answer. "These days I say, 'God, I know I'm going to see you soon. And we'll have some nice conversations. But meanwhile, God, if you're gonna taaake me, take me already. And if you're gonna leave me here'"-he opened his hands and looked at the ceiling-"'maybe give me the strength to do what should be done.'"

Up

I love this quote. 

Larry W Gibbons

The Lord has armed you with your trials.
~Larry W. Gibbons

Thomas S. Monson

Decisions do determine destiny._Thomas S. Monson

Unknown Author

Tell me I can't do it. Tell me I shouldn't even try. Tell me it's impossible. Tell me the risk is too high, the challenge too much, or the feat too tough. Tell me that I won't do it. And I will!
-Say I won't-
--Unknown Author

Christine T. Hall

When you meet people who do things or think differently than you do, it's easy to assume that your way is the better way, but that isn't always true.
Many situations require us to make absolute judgments about what we believe is right and wrong, but so much of the conflict in homes and neighborhoods comes from not understanding that there are many ways of living and doing.
-Christine T. Hall (Conversations with a MoonFlower)

Christine T. Hall

Once in awhile a book will come along, that when you read it, will change the way you see yourself and the people you know. Conversations with a MoonFlower did that for me. Here are a few quotes.

You have always known who you are and what your life is about. But early in your childhood, you let the voices of those who didn't understand your struggles and were frustrated with your behavior cloud your vision and jam the signals coming from your soul until you forgot what you had once known. You began to believe things about yourself that were not true. When you are ready, you can let that part of your life be over. You don't have to hold on to any of those inaccurate beliefs another minute. You can let them go.
-Christine T. Hall (Conversations with a MoonFlower)

Spencer W. Kimball, David A. Bednar

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire” (Quoted in Faith Precedes the Miracle). That We Might "Not Shrink" (D&C 19:18) David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles CES Devotional for Young Adults • March 3, 2013 • University of Texas Arlington -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . I am grateful to participate in this devotional with young people of the Church from all over the world. I love you and appreciate this opportunity to worship together. Susan has spoken and testified of important principles, and each of us will be blessed and strengthened as we apply consistently her teachings in our daily lives. Susan is a righteous woman, an elect lady, and the love of my life. I have pondered and earnestly petitioned our Heavenly Father to know how I might best be able to serve you tonight. I pray the power of the Holy Ghost‍ will be with each of us—that we may think what we need to think, feel what we need to feel, and learn what we need to learn so we can do what we know we should do and ultimately become what the Lord yearns for us to become. A Devoted Disciple and an Example of Not Shrinking Elder Neal A. Maxwell was a beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. He served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 23 years, from 1981 to 2004. The spiritual power of his teachings and his example of faithful discipleship blessed and continue to bless in marvelous ways the members of the Savior’s restored Church and the people of the world. In October of 1997, Sister Bednar and I hosted Elder and Sister Maxwell at Brigham Young University–Idaho. Elder Maxwell was to speak to the students, staff, and faculty in a devotional assembly. Everyone on the campus eagerly anticipated his visit to the university and earnestly prepared to receive his message. Earlier in that same year, Elder Maxwell underwent 46 days and nights of debilitating chemotherapy for leukemia. Shortly after completing his treatments and being released from the hospital, he spoke briefly in the April general conference of the Church. His rehabilitation and continued therapy progressed positively through the spring and summer months, but Elder Maxwell’s physical strength and stamina were nonetheless limited when he traveled to Rexburg. After greeting Elder and Sister Maxwell at the airport, Susan and I drove them to our home for rest and a light lunch before the devotional. During the course of our conversations that day, I asked Elder Maxwell what lessons he had learned through his illness. I will remember always the precise and penetrating answer he gave. “Dave,” he said, “I have learned that not shrinking is more important than surviving.” His response to my inquiry was a principle with which he had gained extensive personal experience during his chemotherapy. As Elder Maxwell and his wife were driving to the hospital in January of 1997, on the day he was scheduled to begin his first round of treatment, they pulled into the parking lot and paused for a private moment together. Elder Maxwell “breathed a deep sigh and looked at [his wife]. He reached for her hand and said … , ‘I just don’t want to shrink’” (Bruce C. Hafen, A Disciple’s Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell‍ [2002], 16). In his October 1997 general conference message, entitled “Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ,” Elder Maxwell taught with great authenticity: “As we confront our own … trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we ‘might not … shrink’—meaning to retreat or to recoil (D&C 19:18). Not shrinking is much more important than surviving! Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus” (Ensign,‍ Nov. 1997, 22). Elder Maxwell’s answer to my question caused me to reflect on the teachings of Elder Orson F. Whitney, who also served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire” (quoted in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle‍ [1972], 98). And these scriptures concerning the Savior’s suffering as He offered the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice became even more poignant and meaningful to me: “Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; “But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; “Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— “Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (D&C19:15–19). The Savior did not shrink‍ in Gethsemane or on Golgotha. Elder Maxwell also did not shrink. This mighty Apostle pressed forward steadfastly and was blessed with additional time in mortality to love, to serve, to teach, and to testify. Those concluding years of his life were an emphatic exclamation point to his example of devoted discipleship—through both his words and his deeds. I believe most of us likely would expect a man with the spiritual capacity, experience, and stature of Elder Maxwell to face serious illness and death with an understanding of God’s plan of happiness, with assurance and grace, and with dignity. And he surely did. But my purpose today is to bear witness that such blessings are not reserved exclusively for General Authorities or for a select few members of the Church. Since my call to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve created by the death of Elder Maxwell, my assignments and travels have enabled me to become acquainted with faithful, courageous, and valiant Latter-day Saints all over the world. I want to tell you about one young man and one young woman who have blessed my life and with whom I have learned spiritually vital lessons about not shrinking and about allowing our individual will to be “swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7). The account is true, and the characters are real. I will not, however, use the actual names of the individuals who are involved. I refer to the young man as John and the young woman as Heather. I also use with permission selected statements from their personal journals. Not My Will but Thine Be Done John is a worthy priesthood holder and served faithfully as a full-time missionary. After returning home from his mission, he dated and married a righteous and wonderful young woman, Heather. John was 23 and Heather was 20 on the day they were sealed together for time and for all eternity in the house of the Lord. Please keep in mind the respective ages of John and Heather as this story unfolds. Approximately three weeks after their temple marriage, John was diagnosed with bone cancer. As cancer nodules also were discovered in his lungs, the prognosis was not good. John recorded in his journal: “This was the scariest day of my life. Not only because I was told I had cancer, but also because I was newly married and somehow felt that I had failed as a husband. I was the provider and protector of our new family, and now—three weeks into that role—I felt like I had failed. I know that thought is absurd, but it is one of the crazy things I told myself in a moment of crisis.” Heather noted: “This was devastating news, and I remember how greatly it changed our perspectives. I was in a hospital waiting room writing wedding thank-you notes as we anticipated the results of [John’s] tests. But after learning about [John’s] cancer, crock-pots and cookware did not seem so important anymore. This was the worst day of my life, but I remember going to bed that night with gratitude‍ for our temple sealing. Though the doctors had given [John] only a 30 percent chance of survival, I knew that if we remained faithful I had a 100 percent chance to be with him forever.” Approximately one month later John began chemotherapy. He described his experience: “The treatments caused me to be sicker than I had ever been in my life. I lost my hair, dropped 41 pounds, and my body felt like it was falling apart. The chemotherapy also affected me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Life was a rollercoaster during the months of chemo with highs, lows, and everything in between. But through it all, [Heather] and I maintained the faith that God would heal me. We just knew it.” Heather chronicled her thoughts and feelings: “I could not stand to let [John] spend the night alone in the hospital, so I would sleep every night on the small couch in his room. We had lots of friends and family visit during the day, but the nights were the hardest. I would stare at the ceiling and wonder what Heavenly Father had planned for us. Sometimes my mind would wander into dark places, and my fear of losing [John] would almost overtake me. But I knew these thoughts were not from Heavenly Father. My prayers for comfort became more frequent, and the Lord gave me the strength to keep going.” Three months later John underwent a surgical procedure to remove a large tumor in his leg. John stated: “The surgery was a huge deal for us because pathology tests were to be run on the tumor to see how much of it was viable and how much of the cancer was dead. This analysis would give us the first indication of the effectiveness of the chemotherapy and of how aggressive we would need to be with future treatments.” Two days following the operation, I visited John and Heather in the hospital. We talked about the first time I met John in the mission field, about their marriage, about the cancer, and about the eternally important lessons we learn through the trials of mortality. As we concluded our time together, John asked if I would give him a priesthood blessing. I responded that I gladly would give such a blessing, but I first needed to ask some questions. I then posed questions I had not planned to ask and had never previously considered: “[John,] do you have the faith not to be healed? If it is the will of our Heavenly Father that you are transferred by death in your youth to the spirit world to continue your ministry, do you have the faith to submit to His will and not be healed?” I frankly was surprised by the questions I felt prompted to ask this particular couple. Frequently in the scriptures, the Savior or His servants exercised the spiritual gift of healing (see 1 Corinthians 12:9;D&C 35:9; 46:20) and perceived that an individual had the faith to be healed (see Acts 14:9; 3 Nephi 17:8; D&C 46:19). But as John and Heather and I counseled together and wrestled with these questions, we increasingly understood that if God’s will were for this good young man to be healed, then that blessing could only be received if this valiant couple first had the faith not to be healed. In other words, John and Heather needed to overcome, through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, the “natural man” (Mosiah 3:19) tendency in all of us to demand impatiently and insist incessantly on the blessings we want and believe we deserve. We recognized a principle that applies to every devoted disciple: strong faith in the Savior is submissively accepting of His will and timing in our lives—even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted. Certainly, John and Heather would desire, yearn, and plead for healing with all of their might, mind, and strength. But more importantly, they would be “willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [them], even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19). Indeed, they would be willing to “offer [their] whole souls as an offering unto him” (Omni 1:26) and humbly pray, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). What initially seemed to John, Heather, and me to be perplexing questions became part of a pervasive pattern of gospel paradoxes. Consider the admonition of the Savior: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39). He also declared, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” (Matthew 19:30). And the Lord counseled His latter-day disciples, “By thy word many high ones shall be brought low, and by thy word many low ones shall be exalted” (D&C 112:8). Thus, having the faith to not be healed seemed to fit appropriately into a powerful pattern of penetrating paradoxes that require us to ask, to seek, and to knock that we might receive knowledge and understanding (see 3 Nephi 14:7). After taking the necessary time to ponder my inquiries and to talk with his wife, John said to me: “Elder Bednar, I do not want to die. I do not want to leave [Heather]. But if the will of the Lord is to transfer me to the spirit world, then I guess I am good with that.” My heart swelled with appreciation and admiration as I witnessed this young couple confront the most demanding of all spiritual struggles—the submissive surrender of their wills to God’s will. My faith was strengthened as I witnessed this couple allowing their strong and understandable desires for healing to be “swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7). John described his reaction to our conversation and the blessing he received: “Elder Bednar shared with us the thought from Elder Maxwell that it is better to not shrink‍ than to survive. Elder Bednar then asked us, ‘I know you have the faith to be healed, but do you have the faith not to be healed?’ This was a foreign concept to me. Essentially he was asking if I had the faith to accept God’s will if His will were that I not be healed? If the time were approaching for me to enter the spirit world through death, was I prepared to submit and accept?” John continued: “Having the faith not to be healed seemed counterintuitive; but that perspective changed the way my wife and I thought and allowed us to put our trust fully in the Father’s plan for us. We learned we needed to gain the faith that the Lord is in charge whatever the outcome may be, and He will guide us from where we are to where we need to be. As we prayed, our petitions changed from ‘Please make me whole’ to ‘Please give me the faith to accept whatever outcome Thou hast planned for me.’ “I was sure that since Elder Bednar was an Apostle, he would bless the elements of my body to realign, and I would jump out of the bed and start to dance or do something dramatic like that! But as he blessed me that day, I was amazed that the words he spoke were almost identical to those of my father, my father-in-law, and my mission president. I realized that ultimately it does not matter whose hands are on my head. God’s power does not change, and His will is made known to us individually and through His authorized servants.” Heather wrote: “This day was filled with mixed emotions for me. I was convinced that Elder Bednar would place his hands on [John’s] head and completely heal him of the cancer. I knew that through the power of the priesthood he could be healed, and I wanted so bad for that to happen. After he taught us about the faith to not be healed, I was terrified. Up to that point, I had never had to come to grips with the fact that the Lord’s plan might include losing my new husband. My faith was dependent upon the outcomes I wanted. In a manner of speaking, it was one-dimensional. Though terrifying at first, the thought of having the faith not to be healed ultimately freed me from worry. It allowed me to have complete trust that my Heavenly Father knew me better than I knew myself, and He would do what was best for me and John.” A blessing was given, and weeks, months, and years passed by. John’s cancer miraculously went into remission. He was able to complete his university studies and obtained gainful employment. John and Heather continued to strengthen their relationship and enjoy life together. Some time later I subsequently received a letter from John and Heather informing me that the cancer had returned. Chemotherapy was resumed and surgery scheduled. John explained: “Not only did this news come as a disappointment to [Heather] and me, but we were puzzled by it. Was there something we did not learn the first time? Did the Lord expect something more from us? Growing up as Latter-day Saints, it was common to go to church and hear the phrase, ‘every trial God gives us is for our benefit.’ Well, to be honest, I could not see how this was benefitting me! “So I began to pray for clarity and for the Lord to help me understand why this recurrence of the cancer was happening. One day as I was reading in the New Testament I received my answer. I read the account of Christ and His Apostles on the sea when a tempest arose. Fearing the boat would capsize, the disciples went to the Savior and asked, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish?’ This is exactly how I felt! Carest thou not that I have cancer? Carest thou not that we want to start a family? But as I read on in the story, I found my answer. The Lord looked at them and said, ‘O ye of little faith,’ and He stretched forth His hand and calmed the waters. “In that moment I had to ask myself, ‘Do I really believe this?’ Do I really believe He calmed the waters that day? Or is it just a nice story to read about?’ The answer is: I do believe, and because I know He calmed the waters, I instantly knew He could heal me. Up until this point, I had a hard time reconciling the need for my faith in Christ with the inevitability of His will. I saw them as two separate things, and sometimes I felt that one contradicted the other. ‘Why should I have faith if His will ultimately is what will prevail,’ I asked? After this experience, I knew that having faith—at least in my circumstance—was not necessarily knowing that He would‍ heal me, but that He could‍ heal me. I had to believe that He could, and then whether it happened was up to Him. “As I allowed those two ideas to coexist in my life, focused faith in Jesus Christ and complete submission to His will, I found greater comfort and peace. It has been so remarkable to see the Lord’s hand in our lives. Things have fallen into place, miracles have happened, and we continually are humbled to see God’s plan for us unfold.” I repeat for emphasis John’s statement: “As I allowed those two ideas to coexist in my life, focused faith in Jesus Christ and complete submission to His will, I found greater comfort and peace.” Righteousness and faith certainly are instrumental in moving mountains—if moving mountains accomplishes God’s purposes and is in accordance with His will. Righteousness and faith certainly are instrumental in healing the sick, deaf, or lame—if such healing accomplishes God’s purposes and is in accordance with His will. Thus, even with strong faith, many mountains will not be moved. And not all of the sick and infirm will be healed. If all opposition were curtailed, if all maladies were removed, then the primary purposes of the Father’s plan would be frustrated. Many of the lessons we are to learn in mortality can only be received through the things we experience and sometimes suffer. And God expects and trusts us to face temporary mortal adversity with His help so we can learn what we need to learn and ultimately become what we are to become in eternity. The Meaning of All Things This story about John and Heather is both ordinary and extraordinary. This young couple is representative of millions of faithful, covenant-keeping Latter-day Saints all over the world who are pressing forward along the strait and narrow path with steadfast faith in Christ and a perfect brightness of hope. John and Heather were not serving in highly visible leadership positions in the Church, they were not related to General Authorities, and sometimes they had doubts and fears. In many of these aspects, their story is quite ordinary. But, brothers and sisters, this young man and young woman were blessed in extraordinary ways to learn essential lessons for eternity through affliction and hardship. I have shared this episode with you because John and Heather, who are just like so many of you, came to understand that not shrinking is more important than surviving. Thus, their experience was not primarily about living and dying; rather, it was about learning, living, and becoming. The potent spiritual combination of faith in and on the holy name of Jesus Christ, of meekly submitting to His will and timing, of pressing forward “with unwearied diligence” (Helaman 15:6), and of acknowledging His hand in all things yields the peaceable things of the kingdom of God that bring joy and eternal life (see D&C 42:61). As this couple faced seemingly overwhelming challenges, they lived a “peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2). They walked peaceably (see Moroni 7:4) with and among the children of men. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, [kept their] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). For many of you, their story is, has been, or could be your story. You are facing, have faced, or will yet face equivalent challenges in your lives with the same courage and spiritual perspective that John and Heather did. I do not know why some people learn the lessons of eternity through trial and suffering—while others learn similar lessons through rescue and healing. I do not know all of the reasons, all of the purposes, and I do not know everything about the Lord’s timing. With Nephi, you and I can say that we “do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17). But some things I absolutely do know. I know we are spirit sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. I know the Eternal Father is the author of the plan of happiness. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know Jesus enabled the Father’s plan through His infinite and eternal Atonement. I know that the Lord, who was “bruised, broken, [and] torn for us” (“Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King,” Hymns, no. 181), can succor and strengthen “his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:12). And I know one of the greatest blessings of mortality is to not shrink‍ and to allow our individual will to be “swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7). Though I do not know everything about how and when and where and why these blessings occur, I do know and I witness they are real. I testify that all of these things are true—and that we know enough by the power of the Holy Ghost to bear sure witness of their divinity, reality, and efficacy. My beloved brothers and sisters, I invoke upon you this blessing: even that as you press forward in your lives with steadfast faith in Christ, you will have the capacity to not shrink. I bear this witness and I invoke this blessing in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Og Mandino

"Be yourself. Try to be anything else but your genuine self, even if you deceive the entire world, and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing... You have been blessed with special skills that are yours alone. Use them, whatever they may be, and forget about wearing another's hat. A talented chariot driver can win gold and renown with his skills. Let him pick figs and he would starve. No one can take your place! Realize this and be yourself. You have no obligation to succeed. You have only the obligation to be true to yourself. Do the very best you can, in the things you do best, and you will know, in thy soul, that you are the greatest success in the world."--Og Mandino, The Greatest Success in the World (New York: Bantam Books, 1981), p. 94.

Deeanne Gist

"I give up, God. You made me. You know how I am. I cannot keep my distance. Nor can I keep those I love alive. Only you can do that. Only you are God. "I give over. I fall prostrate before you. What you see fit to bless me with I will rejoice over. When you takest away. I will turn to you for solace. For you are the One and Only God."--Deeanne Gist