en-US Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:50:31 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review7460270222 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:50:31 -0700 /review/show/7460270222 Teri gave 1 star to Mormonism: What Everyone Needs to Know (Kindle Edition) by Terryl L. Givens
Each time I start to read a book by the Givens, I do so with great hopes that it'll be inspiring and illuminating. Instead I find that they quietly lead readers to and open the doors to the road to apostasy.

Yes, they are scholarly, too smart for their own good, and they respect only others who are equal to them. But they do not explain the faith or Church of Jesus Christ in an inspiring, testimonial kind of way. They are more focused on what the world will think of their books, and explaining both the gospel and the Church to other scholars who are not of our faith, and possibly not of any faith, and the Spirit whispers each time to me: This is not honest, of good report nor praiseworthy and it will lead others astray. It is not necessary for your relationship with God nor your understanding of His gospel and Church.

Yes, Givens shares mostly truths - but mostly covered and twisted in such subtlety that is fuels the fire of those who are seeking to leave the church rather than those who are seeking to join it or stay in it.

So no, I do not recommend this book as honest or Good. Capital G. (That means Good in God's eyes.)

I'm sorely disappointed with almost all of their books and have personally known people who have left the true Church due to these books. Sad to have to say this. I wanted to so much to enjoy their books, this one included. ]]> Review7446780523 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:45:14 -0700 /review/show/7446780523 Teri gave 3 stars to Discovering the City of Sodom: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City (Hardcover) by Steven Collins
Interesting book. I enjoyed all the explanations, descriptions, historicity, and illumination the author offers on the subject. It really could convince some that Sodom is exactly where he says it is. I wouldn't doubt it - though I'm not super interested in "proving" where ancient locations are, as I deem it unnecessary for my own testimony of the gospel of Christ and my pathway back to Him. Still, very interesting. If you're into this kind of stuff, highly recommend it. It'll keep your interest up! ]]> Review7422788835 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:45:45 -0700 /review/show/7422788835 Teri gave 4 stars to The Last Secrets of Anne Frank: The Untold Story of Her Silent Protector (Kindle Edition) by Joop van Wijk
This was a very interesting read. I recommend reading it *after* reading The Diary of Anne Frank for a more full understanding.

It is fascinating to ponder what drives people to do what they do. And it always comes back to the very same lesson, time after time. Essentially this:

When a person follows the very basics of God's laws, or Natural Law, if you will, (aka: the 10 Commandments) with real intent, then one fares pretty well in life, regardless of what happens around them. But when one chooses to "live for themselves" and "do whatever I want to do," one does not fare well at all - at least not for long. The piper *always* comes to collect.

This story is yet more proof of that universal and absolute truth. Yet, still fascinating how people still choose to follow that latter path, even if it means destruction in many ways.

I'll leave it at that. The history is engaging and I think the author did a fantastic job of divulging what happened at a perfect pace so as to keep the reader engaged until the end. Highly recommend for ages 8+ (because I, too, believe little children are capable of much more than we think.) This is a story (both books, this one and the Diary) that needs to be told and told again, so that we never forget and never have to relive the atrocities committed. Keep the memory alive! ]]> Review6620250778 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:47:17 -0700 /review/show/6620250778 Teri gave 5 stars to Remember, Remember: Life-Changing Truths from the Book of Mormon (Hardcover) by Robert L. Millet
Excellent Book! Highly Recommend for anyone age 15+ !!

This book is like sitting down with the most awesome college professor and listening him discuss the Book of Mormon and Bible with you, while explaining some passages and bringing back to your memory the highlights of these scriptures and what they teach us - the eternal doctrine and principles that are so pertinent to our salvation. It is not cherry picking doctrine as much as it is pulling out the golden nuggets of doctrinal wisdom from the scriptures and then explaining them to us.

I love the book and will be reading it again! This one is very worth of being purchases "analog version" to have in your personal home library. Just fantastic and a FEAST to embrace. ]]> ReadStatus9214472228 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:47:11 -0700 /review/show/7422788835 Teri is currently reading The Last Secrets of Anne Frank: The Untold Story of Her Silent Protector by Joop van Wijk
]]> Review6620250778 Sat, 08 Mar 2025 23:40:25 -0800 /review/show/6620250778 Teri gave 5 stars to Remember, Remember: Life-Changing Truths from the Book of Mormon (Hardcover) by Robert L. Millet
Excellent Book! Highly Recommend for anyone age 15+ !!

This book is like sitting down with the most awesome college professor and listening him discuss the Book of Mormon and Bible with you, while explaining some passages and bringing back to your memory the highlights of these scriptures and what they teach us - the eternal doctrine and principles that are so pertinent to our salvation. It is not cherry picking doctrine as much as it is pulling out the golden nuggets of doctrinal wisdom from the scriptures and then explaining them to us.

I love the book and will be reading it again! This one is very worth of being purchases "analog version" to have in your personal home library. Just fantastic and a FEAST to embrace. ]]> Review7384482312 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:34:46 -0800 /review/show/7384482312 Teri gave 4 stars to Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues (Hardcover) by Steven T. Collis
Very surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

I am not one that goes for any "self help" type books on how to "improve" this that or the other. Because in today's world, just like all things, there is so much garbage out there that it's draining to try to figure out what's true and right and what's not. I stick to known paths of improvement.

But we are about to have a fireside in our area where Collis will be the guest speaker and I heard about this book, and thought I'd like to know what Collis is about, and what his own education, experience, expertise and wisdom have to teach others.

This book has give me pause several times to think and rethink how I live my own life in terms of interpersonal relationships and communication. There is always room for improvement and I felt peace (pun intended) as I listened to this audiobook and pondered the principles taught. It inspired me to "up" my game a bit and try a bit harder to be MORE of a peacemaker.

To be clear, he does not say that one needs to abandon morals or principles and he does not say one needs to cower to others in order to have peace. We must stand our ground when it is important to do so, but so many times we only *think* we know what we're talking about, when in reality we truly don't. And even when we do, it is always beneficial to listen to the other side, consider their viewpoint and what we can learn from it, and get along regardless of how far apart our positions or beliefs might be. We can disagree without becoming disagreeable - is a favorite quote of mine, and while Collis doesn't use those exact words, he essentially supports the idea behind them.

Be your best self, and always remember that we never "arrive" at "knowing it all". Therefore, listen to others, even if you think there's nothing there to learn. At least you will give them time and respect, and who knows.... the majority of time, we just might learn something from the experience anyway.

He has several stories he uses as examples of the principles he teaches and a couple of them had me rolling on the floor! Haha! It was very enjoyable! Highly recommend for anyone 15+ (level of maturity needed to wrap your brain around these principles being taught.) ]]> Review7278404926 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:33:29 -0800 /review/show/7278404926 Teri gave 4 stars to As Long As I Have You (Children of the Promise, #5) by Dean Hughes
]]> Review7278404889 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:32:09 -0800 /review/show/7278404889 Teri gave 4 stars to When We Meet Again (Children of the Promise, #4) by Dean Hughes
]]> Review7278403733 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:31:40 -0800 /review/show/7278403733 Teri gave 4 stars to Children of the Promise, Vol. 3: Far From Home (Paperback) by Dean Hughes
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