LDS BOOK REVIEW: In Wisdom & Order by Boyd K. Packer

IN WISDOM & ORDER

by Boyd K. Packer

Deseret Book, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60907-852-2

LDS Inspirational Nonfiction

Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The timeless counsel King Benjamin lovingly presented to his people includes this simple and thoughtful caution: "See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order" (Mosiah 4:27).

In this new collection of addresses, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reiterates an ancient prophet's call to do all things "in wisdom and order."

These twenty-eight chapters—selected from President Packer's conference addresses, mission presidents' seminars, and other speeches given over the past five decades—will instruct and inspire parents, youth, teachers, priesthood leaders, indeed, anyone who desires to learn at the feet of an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this book you will find classic discussions on—

• Faith, "the kind of faith that causes things to happen, the kind of faith that moves people and sometimes moves things."
• Self-reliance, with a reminder that "you have great and powerful resources at hand. You, through prayer, can solve your problems without endlessly going to those who are trying so hard to help others."
• Temple covenants, which "become our credentials for admission into His presence. To worthily receive them is the quest of a lifetime; to keep them thereafter is the challenge of mortality."
• And much, much more.

As you read the words of this faithful disciple-leader, you will recognize anew that the Savior's hand is ever present in our lives and that the gospel plan is one of great "wisdom and order," designed to return us to our heavenly home clothed in glory and righteousness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been a member of that quorum since 1970 and a General Authority since 1961. Immediately prior to that, he was the supervisor of seminaries and institutes for the Church. He is a former president of the New England States Mission.

President Packer was born in Brigham City, Utah. He served as a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and later obtained his doctorate in education from Brigham Young University. He is the author of several best-selling books, including The Holy Temple, That All May Be Edified, and Teach Ye Diligently.

He and his wife, Donna Edith Smith Packer, are the parents of ten children.

REVIEW

In Wisdom & Order is a wonderful book full of great counsel and advice about a variety of topics. Each chapter comes from a General Conference talk, mission president seminar, or other addresses that President Packer has given over his lifetime of service as a General Authority.  Beautifully put together and truly inspiring, I truly enjoyed what he had to say.  There were many important reminders about the best ways to find happiness and peace in mortality despite all the challenges and difficulties. I especially enjoyed his remarks on faith and how it isn't true faith if we 'know' the answers. Faith is believing WITHOUT seeing all the answers or having everything turn out the way we want.  A great read that I can heartily recommend.