The story “The Legend of the Lamp” by Tina Monson, is an irresistible adventure for all ages to read.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but my mind constantly kept pondering the fact that no matter what new adventure was next in the plot, one thing that remained prevalent throughout the entire novel was the bonding of three siblings to each other in their passion to discover the legacy within their own family, which began with a mysterious lamp.

The author, Tina Monson, states before the story ever begins in her forward that her purpose in writing this intriguing adventure comes from a story passed down to her from her own family heritage.  It sparked her imagination and she states, “My hope is that you will love the idea enough to research your own genealogy, searching for the hidden adventures, courage and intrigue surely hidden within your own family’s history.”

I have since discovered, through another’s perception, that the perfect definition of the word legacy is “Something precious you leave to someone you love.”  None of us knows when the door to the other side of the veil will open up for us to leave our earthly existence; therefore, what we do with our lives will garnish the legacy that we leave behind for our own families.

I believe this story, “The Legend of the Lamp” by Tina Monson, will connect with every soul who reads it, because of the deep desire we all have to connect with our own past and heritage, and the desire to make a difference we otherwise thought would be impossible.

J. Woodbury
Kaysville, Utah
 

“Are Mormons Christian?” by Stephen E. Robinson is an outstanding MP3 download.  This remarkable book’s objective is not to declare or defend Mormonism, but to examine the techniques used to exclude Mormons from being regarded as Christians.

Exclusions by:
1. Definition:  Definitions are drawn up with the purpose of excluding. The stacking of the deck amounts to saying, “Mormons are not Christian because they don’t believe as we do.”

2. Misrepresentation: Intentional citing of doctrines or practices that simply are not adhered to by Mormons. This device also is used to find obscure ideas that never rose to the status of Church doctrine.

3. Name calling: “Cult” is the favorite term designed to infer “non-Christian”, though the term does not fit.

4. Historical: Mormons are excluded from being Christian, because they have not gone through all the history of Christianity. To be fair, this exclusion must therefore fall upon Christ, Paul, and all others not experiencing the whole history.

5. Canon: Catholic Bibles have twelve more books than other Christians, yet they are not excluded.

6. Doctrine: Saints Clement, Ireneaus, Augustine, Simon the New Theologian as late as the 11th century taught the deification of man. Martin Luther endorsed plural marriage for Henry VIII, approved of and attended the plural marriage of a German prince. Yet Catholics and Lutherans are not excluded from being Christian. Double standards?

Conclusions:  The exclusions are consciously being used for the sole purpose of excluding, even at the expense of fairness. Considerations of a belief in Christ as a standard for being a Christian is carefully avoided.

This book, “Are Mormons Christian?” by Stephen Robinson is very interesting and informative, and I would highly recommend it.

K. Stevenson,
Salt Lake City, Utah; Gospel Doctrine Teacher

I love to get a shot of prayer confidence from our leaders and from those who have studied the topic!  I just finished listening to “The Intimate Touch of Prayer” by Truman G. Madsen, and it was quite uplifting!  I grew up in the church, but didn’t always understand prayer.  It has only be in the last decade that it has really become important to me, I am sorry to say. 

I have come to realize the importance, and the comfort of family prayer, as well as individual prayer.  Prayer doesn’t have to last for a long time.  It can be quite short.  One can be by one’s self, or in a crowd of people.  It just doesn’t matter.  The Spirit will easily prompt and guide us in our prayers.  We just have to be willing to ask, and to listen. 

Brother Madsen points out that prayer is not like a spare tire, to be put on when needed!  It should be a daily occurrence!  Thankfully, the Lord is merciful, and will always listen to us, whether we are righteous, or trying to be righteous!  We can pray in our extremities, but most importantly, we need to pray in gratitude!  We shouldn’t use vain repetitions, but there will be repetition!  We should pray with the faith of a little child!  How sweet and how pure!  The trick is being one!  The Lord has promised us so much, if we just have faith!  We are never unworthy to pray!
 
These are just some of the things to be learned in this wonderful MP3 download, “The Intimate Touch of Prayer” by Truman Madsen!  I loved it!  It isn’t long, and can be listened to many times!  Something new pops out each time I have listened!  Prayer can help the mind become strong!  What an incredible gift to us!
 
K. Meyer,
Castlerock, Colorado

Within Reach by Robert L. Millet is an Mp3 audio book that works through the common LDS struggle with the question “are we going to make it?”  Robert L. Millet uses his experiences in priesthood and leadership callings, as well as the words of modern day prophets - those who spent a great deal of time studying the atonement of Jesus Christ, to create a book full of peace giving principles on the worth of our souls as well as the value of our efforts towards eternal life.

Early in this book, which part initially grabbed and held on to my attention, Robert L. Millet describes various anonymous past experiences in temple recommend interviews he conducted with faithful members of the church.  Upon completing a regular interview, he sometimes took occasion to ask additional questions.  For instance - If you were to die and pass right through to the kingdom of glory you deserve, where would you be?  Almost invariably, he says the member of his ward would place themselves in the Terrestrial kingdom, because they were not “perfect”.  At that point, the author would teach his ward member about the importance of best efforts, and that loving the Lord in a way that leaves one worthy of a temple recommend also places him/her on the path that leads to eternal life.  He invites them and us as readers to “hold on, hope on”, because chances are “we’re going to make it”.

Recently, I had been invited to speak in an Ogden, Utah ward, as well as teach the Elder’s Quorum in my home ward about principles that revolve around this topic.  For these purposes alone, I am grateful to have had access to this great testimony from Robert L. Millet.  In both instances we discussed that we can all be better, but that the imperfect efforts made by good members of the church who always show up, magnify their callings, and, as we concluded, are they that “hunger and thirst after righteousness” have been promised to be filled with that for which they seek (Matthew 5:6).  It has been comforting to me, as I have studied and born witness of these great teachings, that we do not have to be perfect to receive those blessings of Heaven if we walk and pave that road (contrary to the popular saying) with good intentions, “[we’re] doing better than [we] think; perfection is… Within Reach!”  Within Reach by Robert L. Millet is a great book which is well worth listening to over and over again.R. Dunn,
Syracuse, Utah  

“Of Lions, Dragons, and Turkish Delight’ by S. Michael Wilcox is an MP3 Talk on LDSAudio.com. 

S. Michael Wilcox did his dissertation on C. S. Lewis, who wrote a series of books called ‘’The Chronicles of Narnia”, among others.  C. S. Lewis is loved by many Latter-day Saints who are intrigued by insights in his books that parallel LDS doctrines.  For three years Brother Wilcox read all of C. S. Lewis’ s books, and learned what some of these parallels were.  I was interested to know that he compares the Lion, in the “Chronicles of Narnia…the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, to Christ; and if anyone has seen that movie, then they can also see that parallel.   Brother Wilcox talks about how C. S. Lewis teaches us about our ability to become like God, and how God has the desire to bring happiness to our souls.

Although C. S. Lewis was an athiest in his youth, he became a very devoted Christian, and now almost all Christian denominations claim him, because he had something that appeals to all of us.   Michael Wilcox points out that C.S. Lewis  hated school and called one of his school experiences “Concentration Camp”.  He was always happy to see summer come.  Lewis later came to believe that anything that had to do with Christianity (such as scriptures, etc.) was given to us not only to produce better men and to help us to live a good life, but that there was a specific end, and that was to aquire a great amount of JOY.  That joy was to become like God; to become an immortal creature.  

I enjoyed listening to “Of Lions, Dragons, and Turkish Delight” by S. Michael Wilcox very much!  It was very enlightening! 

J. Stevenson
Asotin, Washington

I just finished the audio book “Saboteur; A Novel of Love and War” by Dean Hughes.   Although long (over 800 minutes), it was very interesting and had a very good story line. 

The story takes place at the beginning and through World War II.  It tells about Andy and his family.  Andy’s dad is Bishop for the LDS Church and the Mayor of the town of Delta, Utah.  His mother is a sweet woman who is originally from France.  His sisters, Adele and Christina, and his younger brother Phillip, who is affectionatly known as Flip, and Whisper, Andy’s girlfriend, are the main characters in the story.  Andy has joined the Army and has trained as a paratrooper, but because of his French background from his mother’s side, the government has other plans for him.  The Office of Strategic Services needs soldiers with his French language talents, and wants Andy to drop behind enemy lines in France to help the war from the inside.  As all of this is happening for Andy, back home many things are changing.  A relocation camp for Japanese American citizens, which is not far from Delta, brings on many racial tensions, and Whisper Harris, Andy’s girl he left behind, is dealing with the conflicting emotions that she is feeling, because of Andy’s desire to release her from any obligations to him while he is away, so that she can get on with her life. 

“Saboteur; A Novel of Love and War” by Dean Hughes, is a story that is captivating and intriguing.  As I said, it is a bit long, but an interesting story of life in a small town and of the things that were taking place halfway around the world from that small town, during the war. 

J. Stevenson
Asotin, Washington 

I have just finished listening to “Ben Franklin and the Chamber of Time” by Chris Heimerdinger, and I just loved it!  I have read the Tennis Shoes books, and wanted to listen to this one; and I find that Chris Heimerdinger is just a great storyteller!  He is obviously fascinated with time travel, and this book is quite interesting.  He brings in a figure from history we all know, and tells a story around a natural phenomenon such as lightening.  It was quite interesting how he was able to spin this tale!  I quite enjoyed getting to know the characters, and can’t help but wonder what the world would be like if we could travel through time! 
 
I highly recommend “Ben Franklin and the Chamber of Time” by Chris Heimerdinger!  It a story that whole family can enjoy!
 
K. Meyer
Castle Rock, Colorado 

“Visioneering” by Dennis R. Deaton, is a two and a half hour audio presentation that talks about the sorts of attitude and mental prowess that we need in order to really see what our goals are and where we want to be in life.

I found this talk to be particularly powerful and useful to those, like myself, who have been out of work or who have been out of the habit of studying awhile.  It seems that it would also be very effective for those who have come through depression, but who are still struggling to clear the fog from their minds.  I think the most powerful thing for me that
cemented my focus during this presentation, was his three recommendations:  1. reduce mental clutter;  2. exercise;  3. set daily study - thinking- visioneering time.  It made me realise that getting through the haze in my mind, being able to focus and take things in and really see them as they are, is up to me. Clearing my mind for instruction is a simple decision to let go of all the things that I THINK I have to do at that time, and put those aside; then dedicate time to the task at hand. The rest of the presentation dealt with putting things in place to help one “ACHIEVE” one’s goals.

“Visioneering” by Dennis R. Deaton, is a presentation that is well worth the time it takes to listen to it, and has greatly helped me already with my schooling.  It has helped me sort my head out, so that I could really go into school and focus to achieve my goal with the end in mind, seeing clearly what is wanted and what is required of me to achieve it. I HIGHLY recommend this one to students and those who work.  I have already recommended it to several of my classmates.

A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand

I recently listened to “Molly Married?” by Tamra Norton in the MP3 format. This is the second of the Molly books, and follows the adventures of Molly, her cousin Shannon, and friends Brandon and Gordon.  If you have been lucky enough to read book one, “Molly Mormon?”, and have enjoyed it, I’m certain you will love the second book.  I was delighted to find that the exceptional Marla Stephenson was again the narrator/reader of this book! She is a delight to hear, and makes this book seem a familiar friend, rather than a story by a stranger. You may think that having listened to “Molly Married?”, you have the next book all figured out, but probably not. There are surprises here and there, fun and teasing, and also some serious moments. The story is true to life in that Molly’s experiences and emotions are familiar.  I think the tone is generally light, the story is not mundane. Molly is trying to figure out her future. She is in college now, and Brandon has returned from his mission.  Her old feelings for him have come to the surface again, and she is wondering what the future will hold. Her friend, Gordon, is a nice guy and fun, and she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings, but she mostly wants to work on her relationship with Brandon.

Shannon is still suffering from problems of the past. Molly, though young, proves to be the kind of friend all of us wish we had.

“Molly Married?” by Tamra Norton is a great book with a surprising storyline and just enough drama to give the story some punch. D. Perkins
Eagle River, Alaska    

“The Loss of The Sacred” by Matthew O. Richardson is a lecture on man’s view of sacred and spiritual perspective.  I found it to be an excellant reminder of how man interacts with God. Mr. Richardson gives us an insight into how some of us are so well read and knowledgeable with regard to the gospel that we may make it too common place.

Some of the things we once, as a society, held in “high regard” or sacred, if you will, such as an oath, have diminished to the point that they are common place today among some individuals. He gives examples such as “our word being our bond”, “opening doors out of respect”, sacred places for other cultures and beliefs becoming “points of interest” for others, and “patriotic reverance” during the National Anthem and flag presentation.

During this lecture, I took a while to think about his very well presented  topic.  Mr. Richardson brought out the point that sometimes we as Latter-day Saints are so well informed that we lose the opportunity to take in the SACREDNESS of the lessons or talks presented to us.  This made me ponder and ask, “Are we so blessed that we take for granted the sacredness of the blessings we receive?”

In listening to “The Loss of The Sacred” by Matthew O. Richardson, I found that his lecture brought a better understanding of the fact that as we hold sacred the blessings of God and the word of God, we can have a greater power with God, which will, in return, fill our soul.
 
D. Baxter
Nephi, Utah; Married with five children