“7 Habits Signature Series:  Habit 2 - Begin With the End in Mind” by Stephen R. Covey is an MP3 book download which is dedicated to the beginning of the goal process, and which goes on to explain how to actually successfully make and achieve goals.

Brother Covey starts this seminar by talking about the importance of making and achieving goals.  He discusses how we can recognize our potential by the internal or external voices in our surrounding environments.  He then  goes on to talk about how these voices give us our sense of purpose and  self worth, regardless of whether the result is accurate or not.  Believe it or not, the voices can quite often be wrong, and by following the challenges in this seminar we are often able to distinguish truth from error.

Brother Covey then goes on to help us step by step to create our goals, and to understand why they are important to us. He compares the thought “begin with the end in mind” to a jigsaw puzzle.  If we can’t see what the end product is supposed to be, we can’t complete either the puzzle or life. If we don’t have set goals, then our life is being lived for us and not by us.  We don’t go anywhere; we stay stagnant, never achieving anything.

“7 Habits Signature Series: Habit 2 - Begin With the End in Mind” by Stephen R . Covey is a great audio talk for any one who feels like they are just drifting through life with no real purpose.  I, myself, found it really helpful, as it  has helped me understand why the goals that I had previously chosen, based on my own self worth, were not making me happy.  I wasn’t feeling fulfilled.  My self worth had been based on external forces and influences.  Through Stephen Covey’s influence and seminars, that is changing very rapidly, and I am now feeling content in my own life.  I am now successfully making and achieving the goals I am setting for myself.

A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand 

The live recording, ”Power Up! Sustaining Peak Performance” by Dennis R. Deaton is a great motivating seminar that covers various areas, such as, healthy eating; sleeping; and exercising.  In the end, it also gives some models for successful thinking.

In this day of dozens of theories on health and food, it is a real joy to listen to a wise voice presenting an overview of the latest serious research on food.  I liked being enlightened on the latest thinking on dairy products and other food groups that have been debated in media over the last ten years.  I was highly motivated myself to increase my exercising and to improve my eating habits.  Deaton has the rare gift to educate and entertain simultaneously, which makes the seminar a pure delight.  His insights into the dangers of diets and how he presents it will not be forgotten by anyone who listens to this live recording!

As it is recorded in a live setting, the MP3 listener has to get used to the personal atmosphere, with people without microphones asking questions, etc..  At the start, I struggled somewhat to get used to this, but after a while I got drawn into the material and started to appreciate the live element, which actually lifts the audio product to a new level.

I can recommend Dennis R. Deaton’s “Power Up! Sustaining Peak Performance” to anyone wanting more energy in life, or to those of us simply wanting an overview or reminder of how to live a healthy lifestyle.

A. Fogelberg
Gothenburg, Sweden

“7 Habits Signature Series: Habit 1 - Be Proactive” by Stephen R. Covey is an MP3 Book Download talking about the power of our mind over our circumstances. Brother Covey talks very generally about his own life experience and the things that we can learn from it that will benefit us in our own lives.  This audio file deals specifically with our ability to think our way out of issues. This is done by what he calls our circle of concern or our circle of influence.  The focus is to get us thinking about the things that are more emotional to deal with and how we deal with them. The thing that has stuck most in my mind  is that we have full control over our lives, and it is our view that determines whether we are
proactive or reactive to life.

The “7 Habits Signature Series” is one that I am completely looking forward to studying and putting into practice in  my own life.  The skills that are taught are more relevant in today’s world where there is so much pressure to perform on a high standard of professionalism all the time.

“7 Habits Signature Series:  Habit 1 - Be Proactive” by Stephen R. Covey really does speak for itself, and describes very well that habit that we need to focus on in life to get ahead.

A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand

When one listens to “What We Wish We’d Known When We Were Newlyweds” by John and Kimberly Bytheway, it is hard to believe that this wonderful couple has only been married for five years.  After listening to how they approached their marriage, specifically in the first year and before, I can understand why this book has such a natural rhythm about it, although they would rather call it a melody.

As is usual with what we have come to expect from John Bytheway, we get the scriptural references, quotes from the church authorities, and the humor; but as a bonus, we get referred to other books, and we get to “meet” his lovely wife, Kimberly.  In this MP3 book download, we get to hear much more from the “Bytheway” life experience diary, an insight into a balanced and well thought out relationship. They explain how couples “spend a long time planning their wedding ceremony, but not so much time planning the marriage itself”.
 
Brimming full of great advice, and packed full of good humor, I recommend this book to those who are planning to get married,  and also those who are already married.  I love how the “Bytheways” teach us so much, and how they make it so enjoyable to learn. It has given me many great ideas with regard to how to enjoy my marriage, how to involve Heavenly Father in my marriage, how to strengthen my marriage, and so much more.  After listening to “What We Wish We’d Known When We Were Newlyweds” by John and Kimberly Bytheway,  I cant wait for the next installment!

J. deVries
Australia

“Passage to Zarahemla” by Chris Heimerdinger is an MP3 book download on LDSAudio.com.   I had read many of Chris’s books, and was probably most familiar with “Tennis Shoes among the Nephites”.  Just as “Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites”, this book takes you into the ancient times and characters of the Book of Mormon.

As the mystery unfolds, we learn about a teenage girl and her younger brother (Kerra and Brock McConnell) whose mother has just passed away, and they are left orphans on the run.   To prevent them from being put in foster care and becoming wards of the state, they take off for Utah where their LDS aunt and uncle live.  The story really begins at the home of their aunt and uncle.  Close to Kerra and Brock’s relatives is a wooded area where parallel realities collide, and where ancient Nephites cross paths with the modern world.    You learn of Kerra’s childhood and a love of a young Nephite from her past.  This story is full of adventure, mystery, suspense, and danger.  As you listen, you can visualize all of the characters, their dress and manners. 

“Passage to Zarahemla” by Chris Heimerdinger is a story that is told in a very descriptive and expressive way.    I am anxious now to see the movie that is based on this book.  Great work Chris!

Joanne S.
Washington State

When I first heard the title “Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything” by John Bytheway, I decided that I wanted to know what five scriptures would help me get through almost anything. Little did I know that I would be putting those scriptures to the test during a recent life-altering experience.

I was not familiar with the works of John Bytheway. I only knew of teens who really liked him, so I wasn’t sure that he would have anything to offer me personally as an adult. I was wrong. Brother Bytheway’s personal examples of tragedy showed me that this is an author who is no stranger to the pains of life; however, he gently reminds one that even the prophets of God have trials and are permitted to feel those same pains that we feel.  With that in mind, I decided to really study the five cited scriptures while going through my recent trial, and found that even though the tough times don’t go away, they do become a little easier just as John Bytheway promised.

As I listened to “Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything” by John Bytheway, and followed through with my study, my faith in the teachings of the scriptures was increased.  I hope that others will have the same experience.

E. Hancock
Mesa, Arizona

I just finished listening to “I Witnessed the Carthage Massacre” by Ted Gibbons.  What a great book! I have been to Carthage, and I have tried to imagine the feelings of the prophet as he left his home in Nauvoo for the last time, but this book really brings it out!  It was sobering to hear about the martyrdom from the words of one who had been there.  It was very interesting and quite sad at the same time.  The story talks about the events leading up to the moments in Carthage jail, moves on to the martyrdom of the prophet and his brother, and then to a small amount of time afterward.  It kept me listening intently the whole time. 
 
I recommend the MP3 download, “I Witnessed the Carthage Massacre” by Ted Gibbons, to every Latter-day Saint!  It is a good history lesson that everyone should understand!
 
K. Meyer
Castle Rock, Colorado

“Four Saints for Now” by Truman Madsen is a series of three talks given on the lives of Zina D. H. Young, Eliza R. Snow, Orson F. Whitney, and Heber C. Kimball.  Truman Madsen describes these early church leaders with a wonderful depth and breadth of research on their lives and an understanding of the era. He bridges the gap of time by sharing his keen insights on these icons in such a way that each of us might take into our lives a better resolve to be latter-day “saints”. The three discourses (the women’s part is done in tandem) on the four “saints” take various experiences and details from the lives of these spiritual giants and describe how ordinary people accomplished extraordinary things through faith in the prophet, obedience to the commandments, and being true to what they knew to be right – especially when it was not popular or even safe. In a modern world where women are ever inching toward the accomplishments and even the records of men who have had the only access to the spotlight for all of modern history, Zina D. H. Young and Eliza R. Snow both showed greatness and leadership in a meekly, powerful way. These were the predecessors who paved the way for modern greats like Belle Spafford and Sheri Dew, enabling the women of the church with the knowledge that they are great in the sight of heaven.I loved the stories of the beautiful communion Heber C. Kimball had with God through prayer, and that he was even described as so effective in his prayers that he often knew the answers before he prayed. I was also keenly interested in the discussion on relationships of Orson F. Whitney, and what he thought with regard to our recollections of our lives before we came to this life.

“Four Saints for Now” by Truman Madsen is an extremely interesting book.  Truman Madsen shares with the listener many character traits, exemplary principles, and prophecies that are very timely in light of the current situation in which we all find ourselves. He is an amazing historian/scriptorian, who has a strong testimony of the gospel and its applicability to life; something that comes through every discourse he has given. The discussion on each individual brought their life and example more to light as to how we should address our Heavenly Father.

R. Dunn
Syracuse, Utah; Father of Two