BLOG TOUR: You've Got This! compiled by Elise Hahl

YOU'VE GOT THIS!

How to Look Up When Life Has You Down, For Teens

compiled by Elise Hahl

Cedar Fort, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4621-1942-4

Young Adult

Source: publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Life is tough, but so are you! Learn how to work through life's trials with advice from popular youth speakers, including Hank Smith and Al Carraway, who have endured a few challenges of their own. This encouraging book will help you see trials as essential stepping-stones to becoming who you're destined to be.

REVIEW

All of us human beings get down from time to time.  The fact is life can be really hard and discouraging sometimes.  Throw in adolescence and confusion often reigns supreme.  That is where books like this one come into play.  This compilation of stories and advice from those who've been there makes for an encouraging read as well as a strong reminder that bad times won't last and there is a way to pull it together and make it through.  Trials related to loneliness, physical pain, football, and mistakes all come up in these stories.  Stories of hope and faith, of ordinary individuals, and scriptural heroes, all of whom have had to learn to rely on God to help them conquer their tough times. I thought the two versions of the Joseph of Egypt story were interesting. Same story but very different retellings. But the lessons learned are still very powerful and important. I found the book to be very interesting because I love stories about people like me who face tough times with inward and outward struggles but who never give up and with God's help find what they need to truly be able to say, "I've got this!" 

PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: When I'm a Missionary by Merrilee Boyack

WHEN I'M A MISSIONARY

by Merrilee Boyack, illustrated by Brian Call

Deseret Book, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-62972-100-2

Source: publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lace and Julian's big brother, Elliott, has just returned from his mission, and they're excited—excited that he's home and excited to learn about how to prepare to be great missionaries themselves. And there's a lot to do—they had no idea how much goes into becoming a good missionary. From dressing the part to talking to people to learning how to clean and cook, Julian and Lacey discover the challenges and the rewards of preparing to serve a mission. Follow their adventures as they learn all about missionary work and what they can do now to become great missionaries when they grow up.

REVIEW

For LDS parents who are looking for a resource to use in helping their children understand the importance of preparing for a mission, this is a great book. While told in story form, the book is clearly intended to teach young readers/listeners about twelve different ways that he/she can prepare to be the best missionary he/she can be.  These areas of emphasis include learning to take care of oneself, serving, inviting others to church, studying the scriptures, following rules, and becoming a hard worker.  The story of Lace and Julian's brother coming home provides the framework for the two kids learning about becoming missionaries themselves.  The illustrations are beautiful and nicely highlight each of the activities the children engage in.  A nice book for families where missionary service is valued.

LDS BOOK REVIEW: The Continuous Atonement for Teens by Brad Wilcox

THE CONTINUOUS ATONEMENT FOR TEENS

by Brad Wilcox

Deseret Book, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-62972-016-6

LDS Nonfiction

Source: publisher for review

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Brad Wilcox's The Continuous Atonement is a landmark work that helps to clarify what the Atonement is—and what it isn't. It corrects misperceptions and offers hope to those who struggle again and again.

This teen adaptation will help teenagers better understand and apply the Atonement in their lives and help them teach the nuances of the Atonement to others, whether on a mission, at home, or with friends. As they better understand and apply the Atonement, its transforming power will have a lasting effect in their lives.

Each chapter opens with a teen-appropriate question and includes subheadings to clarify content, new stories relevant to teens, and a Prepare to Teach section to help readers internalize and share what they're learning. This shorter edition will be printed in paperback, perfect for teens to carry with them through their busy days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BRAD WILCOX has lived in Ethiopia, Chile, and New Zealand; he and his family now make their home amid the Rocky Mountains. Brad taught sixth grade before obtaining his PhD in education from the University of Wyoming. His contributions as an author and teacher have been honored by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and his work has appeared in Guideposts magazine and Reader's Digest. He once served as a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America and has addressed thousands of youth and adults across the United State, Europe, Australia, and Japan. He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children.

REVIEW

What a wonderful book!  While the book is specifically aimed at teens (there is a longer version for adults), there is much here that is appropriate for adults as well.  The author's purpose is to provide comfort for those who want so much to be good and yet fail time and time again.  The focus here is on the Savior's Atonement and what it really means in terms of repentance and forgiveness and receiving the daily strength we need to face our challenges and temptations.  The author emphasizes the CONTINUOUS nature of the atonement, how it's power never fails and never wains.  At the end of each chapter, Brother Wilcox shares ideas for teaching these doctrines and ideas to others around us, a great idea for teens who love to talk to their friends about everything.  A great book to help teens understand the importance of not giving up and relying on Jesus Christ to help us repent and change for the better.

BLOG TOUR: Shedding Light on the Dark Side by Stephen J. Stirling

SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE DARK SIDE:

Defeating the Forces of Evil

A Guide for Youth and Young Adults

by Stephen J. Stirling

Cedar Fort, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4621-1203-6

LDS Nonfiction

Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It is time to rip the mask from the master of deceit.

Using the scriptures and modern revelation, Stephen Stirling defines who Satan is and what his role is on this earth. In a way that is engaging and perfect for youth to understand, he evaluates:

• What the scriptures say that Satan is and does
• Where Satan gets his power and why it influences us
• How to be better soldiers in the war Satan is waging on this world

We can overcome this deceiving yet unavoidably real being with the light of truth. The Prince of Peace holds the power to defeat the Prince of Darkness. The only question is where you will stand in this eternal battle of good and evil. Shedding Light on the Dark Side will help you understand the Adversary and his tactics so you can fearlessly stand on the Lord’s side.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen J. Stirling was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the Southeast LA semi-ghetto of Huntington Park. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Brigham Young University in 1976, and then spent the next several years wandering America in search of adventure as a professional vagrant. Interspersed through his college career and days on the road, he served a mission in Chile and taught for 5 years as an early morning seminary teacher in various ports of call.

Stopping in Chicago, he entered the profession of advertising, a field in which he ultimately held many positions with companies from the Mid West to the Pacific Coast. He eventually settled in Orange County, California, where he established Stirling Communications and spent 15 years as a freelance copywriter, scriptwriter, and video producer. In 1994 he was hired by the Church Educational System and relocated with his family to the Phoenix Valley in Arizona, where he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching released-time seminary for the past 19 years.

He and his wife, Diane, were married in 1981. They have five adult children, two horses, several chickens, and a farm in Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Missouri—where they plan to retire someday.

REVIEW

Stirling presents the reader with a fascinating look into the nature of Satan, primarily for the purpose of helping readers develop a better understanding of how he works, so that he and his associates and their evilness can be avoided.  He uses scriptures and quotes from prophets and apostles to illustrate the points he wishes to make.  These people had/have direct knowledge of things, generally from personal experience as well as revelation.  I think the most important point that the author makes is the importance of learning to distinguish the voice of the Holy Spirit from the voices of unholy spirits.  Satan has power, more than most of us truly understand, but as the author reminds us, God is always more powerful. I really enjoyed this book and the reminders about keeping ourselves worthy to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us discern truth from error and Holy Spirit from unholy spirit.  Highly recommended, especially for youth to whom this is directed, but useful for all.

BLOG TOUR: Mormon Origami by Todd Huisken

MORMON ORIGAMI

by Todd Huisken

Cedar Fort, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4621-1339-2

All ages

Reviewed from copy provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

There are more things to make from Sunday meeting programs than airplanes and fortune tellers; now your kids can fold CTR shields, pioneer handcarts, or the Salt Lake Temple!

Mormon Origami provides 25 simple to intermediate origami designs from the Book of Mormon and Church history. These designs can be used by teachers and parents as lesson handouts or activities to help children be reverent. This unique skill will entertain and help illustrate principles as you include these gospel-oriented designs in your lessons, activities, and everyday fun!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Todd Huisken is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Counseling Manager at LDS Family Services in Fountain Valley, CA. He attended Brigham Young University and The University of San Diego and has a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Todd has served as the Assistant Director of Disaster Mental Health Services for the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. He has worked with victims from the San Diego Fires, Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, and he spent two weeks in Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010. He was an early morning seminary teacher for six years. He is the author of The Dating Directory and the founder of Process and Content, a graduate program newsletter at the University of San Diego. The most important thing about Todd is that he has been married to his beautiful wife for 21 years and they have three daughters and a son and they try to make Disneyland their second home.

REVIEW

This is a fun activity book perfect for use on Sundays or for Family Home Evenings. Origami is quite popular with kids and can certainly be enjoyed by teenagers and adults.  The book contains designs from the Book of Mormon, Church history and Latter-day temples.  There are three skill levels available.  Level 1 is more than challenging enough for beginners, these designs usually only have a couple pages of instructions, whereas the more complex designs have more.  I appreciated the basics covered in the introduction since I'm fairly new to origami.  I tried the Tree of Life and the Sword of Laban and managed to complete them both. They even looked like what they were supposed to. An enjoyable book for families who enjoy doing activities together.

PICTURE BOOK BLOG TOUR: The Not Even Once Club by Wendy Watson Nelson

THE NOT EVEN ONCE CLUB

written by Wendy Watson Nelson, illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Deseret Book, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60907-337-4

Picture Book

Grades K-2

Review copy provided by publisher in return for an honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Not Even Once Club is an adorable and appealing way to engage children in a story that will help them choose for themselves to keep the commandments and to never break them. Not even once.

Children will meet Tyler, an energetic boy who is excited to make new friends in his Primary class. They have invited Tyler to join their special club, but first he has to pass the test and keep the club promise.

With illustrations from bestselling illustrator Brandon Dorman, The Not Even Once Club is a fun and engaging way for parents to help teach their children the importance of keeping the commandments. Included in the back of the book are additional teaching helps for parents and leaders.

Click here to download your free "Not Even Once" Discussion Questions.

Click here to download your free "Not Even Once" Certificate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wendy Watson Nelson holds a Ph.D. in family therapy and gerontology. Prior to her marriage to Elder Russell M. Nelson, she was a professor of marriage and family therapy for twenty-five years. Sister Nelson has served as a stake Relief Society president, stake Primary president, and chaired the BYUWomen’s Conference. Currently, she is an institute instructor and visiting teacher. Sister Nelson was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, to Leonard David and Laura Byrde McLean Watson. For a complete list of Sister Nelson’s books and CDs, visit DeseretBook.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Brandon Dorman is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Wizard. He graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he studied fine art and illustration. He and his wife, Emily, have three children and live in Washington, where he enjoys working as a freelance illustrator. His work has appeared in children’s books and on numerous covers, including Pingo, The Candy Shop War, and the Fablehaven series. See more of Brandon Dorman’s artwork at BrandonDorman.com.

REVIEW

A cute, beautifully illustrated book about the importance of obeying God's commandments. The book refers to specific LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormon) beliefs so some background might be needed for those who aren't members. Tyler has joined a new Primary class and has been invited to join a club called the Not Even Once club.  This club is made up of children who have committed to 'not even once' try coffee, tea, alcohol, pornography, lie, cheat, steal, or dress immodestly. The story follows Tyler's entry into the club and 'passing' the test.  There is also a page at the back of the book for parents to help them discuss things with their children.  I also appreciated the mention of repentance since after all we all make mistakes. The illustrations are typical gorgeous Brandon Dorman. There's a reason he is one of my favorite illustrators.

NOTE: I have seen many reviews of this book that are negative because the authors think that the story leaves out any room for mistakes.  Here is my take on that topic.

I understand where the other reviews are coming from. After all, all people make mistakes, but does that mean we shouldn't try to keep God's commandments as well as we can? Yes, the Atonement is there because we need it and the forgiveness and sanctification that it offers.  But the Atonement also helps us keep the covenants we make at baptism and other times, helping us seek to keep the commandments. How is the promise these kids make any different than the covenants made at baptism and in the temple? Are these kids likely to reject each other completely if one of them messes up? I don't think so. Such promises/covenants help us to remember what God has commanded us to do. These are commandments, not requests, and the Lord doesn't include exceptions. He doesn't say, keep the commandments except when you can't.  Instead He makes a way for us to try again, to 'pass the test' the next time, to change through the Atonement with the Savior's help. As for nobody being able to do any of the mentioned things 'not even once' do we want to teach our children that it's okay to do any of those things mentioned in the book, 'just once?' I don't think so, those things generally have negative consequences and our children will be better off if they avoid them.

Please keep in mind that I'm not trying to offend anyone here. But I hate to see a good book so thoroughly condemned. The book could make for some great conversations between parents and children about obedience and consequences and repentance.

LDS Book Review: Suit Up by John Bytheway, et.al.

SUIT UP

by John Bytheway, Laurel Christensen, John Hilton III, Jennifer Platt, Hank Smith, Anthony Sweat, Brad Wilcox

Deseret Book, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60907-515-6

LDS Youth Nonfiction

Book provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Lord needs more missionaries and He needs better prepared missionaries. He needs YOU!
From the bestselling authors that brought you Armor Up! this unique little book is intended to help teens get ready for all they will encounter as they embark on the unique adventure of missionary work. There has never been a more exciting time to be alive—and there has never been a more exciting time to be a missionary.

In Suit Up, several of your favorite youth speakers share lessons about preparing for a mission based on the scriptural advice contained in Doctrine and Covenants 4. If you're thinking about a mission, if you've already started preparing, or if you've got your call, you'll benefit from the messages and advice in Suit Up.
Contents

• “The Lord’s Marvelous Work” by Hank Smith
• “Give it Everything You’ve Got” by John Bytheway
• “I’ll Be What You Want Me to Be” by Jennifer Platt
• “Thrusting in our Sickle” by Brad Wilcox
• “The Essential Credentials” by Anthony Sweat
• “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” by Laurel Christensen
• “Ask and Ye Shall Receive” by John Hilton III

Filled with quotable quotes, it’s the perfect book for those who are ready to Suit Up!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

John Bytheway is a bestselling author, favorite speaker, and part-time instructor at Brigham Young University. His many titles include Heroes: Lessons from the Book of Mormon; Standards Night Live; Isaiah for Airheads; A Crash Course in Teenage Survival; Behind Every Good Man and his most recent book, Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals. He has also created numerous talks on CD, many of which are combined in The John Bytheway Collection, Vols. 1 and 2.

John served a mission to the Philippines and holds a master’s degree in Religious Education. He and his wife, Kimberly, have six children.


For more information visit John Bytheway’s Fan Page on Facebook. 

Laurel Christensen, a runner, a Jane Austen devotee, and a sought-after speaker, grew up in California, Kentucky, and Missouri. After serving in the California Riverside Mission, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and later received a master’s degree. She has spent most of her career at Deseret Book Company, where she is currently Vice President of Product Development. Laurel is a favorite speaker at both Time Out for Women and Time Out for Girls, and she has published several talk CDs and books for young women.

John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver, and got a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. Along the way he met his wife Lani and they have five children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Mexico and Miami. Currently, they live in Utah. John has a Masters degree from Harvard and a Ph.D from BYU, both in Education, and currently is an Assistant Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He has also written several books with Deseret Book. Besides being with his family, his favorite hobbies are learning Chinese and doing humanitarian work. For more information visit www.johnhiltoniii.com
 
Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt is currently an assistant visiting faculty member at Brigham Young University and a recent addition to Deseret Book’s Time Out for Women events. A former seminary and institute instructor, she earned a PhD from Arizona State University in lifespan developmental psychology, focusing on women and social issues. She is married to Jed Platt, and the couple lives in Provo, Utah.

Hank Smith teaching in the Religious Education Department at BYU and is a favorite speaker for Especially for Youth, Best of Especially for Youth, and BYU Education Week. Hank and his wife, Sara, were both born and raised in St. George, Utah. They are the parents of one daughter and two sons. Brother Smith enjoys running marathons and eating lots and lots of ice cream (which is why he runs marathons). More than anything else, he loves being at home spending all day with his wife and children.

For more information visit Hank Smith’s Fan Page on Facebook. 

Anthony Sweat has PhD in education from Utah State University. He is a full-time religious educator for the LDS Church, and also a speaker at Especially For Youth and Education Week conferences. He is currently the seminary principal at Brighton High Seminary in Salt Lake City, Utah. Anthony is the author of the best-selling Deseret Book publication Mormons: An Open Book and the co-author of the best-selling Why?: Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons for Living LDS Standards. He and his wife Cindy are the parents of six children. Visit www.anthonysweat.com for more information.

Brad Wilcox is an associate professor in the department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University, where he also works with programs such as Especially for Youth and Campus Education Week. As a young man, he served his mission in Chile, and he was later called back to that country to preside over the Chile Santiago East Mission from 2003 to 2006. He currently serves as a member of the Sunday School general board.


Brad is the author of the bestselling book The Continuous Atonement and the BYU devotional “His Grace Is Sufficient.” He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of four children and grandparents of three.


REVIEW

What a wonderful resource for LDS youth preparing for a mission!  This book contains seven short articles based on section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants (a book of scripture in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also known as the LDS or Mormon church).  With the recent announcement allowing youth to go on missions at 18 (young men) and 19 (young women) respectively, preparation is more important than ever.  Each article provides straightforward counsel about how to prepare to become a servant of the Lord. While it is directed specifically at young people becoming missionaries it also applies beautifully to all who want to serve the Lord.  The book covers topics such as hard work, using the Book of Mormon as a vital tool in the conversion process, acting on righteous desires, and developing faith, hope, and charity.  Each article also includes a QR code that takes the reader to short videos demonstrating the topics being discussed as well as brief discussions held by the authors with young people preparing to go on missions. Very informative and helpful, I highly recommend this book for both young people preparing to go on a mission and their parents/leaders.  There is also much here of benefit to anyone who wants to become a better servant of the Lord.