“All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience” by Elder Neal A. Maxwell is a 2 hour and 56 minute MP3 book download that is designed to help members of the Church come to grips with some of the hardest adversities that we all struggle with during our mortal lives.

Elder Maxwell talks about how these adversities, although seemingly hard to swallow at the time, when we come to terms with them, can be a source of great comfort and growth. He stresses that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is well aware of our sufferings and trials in life, and the importance of using prayer and listening to counsel and correction from leaders.

Elder Maxwell’s book has been a great source of comfort and support for my own family, as we have struggled with the loss of family members in the last few months due to the natural progression of the plan of salvation. Through this book, we have learned and had reaffirmed to us, our Father in Heaven’s love, and have felt His guidance, as we have searched for answers and meaning. Through listening to this book, we have come to the realization that whatever we are going through right now, is but a short-term issue with eternal blessings attached to our faithfulness and obedience to our leaders and to gospel principles.

I am extremely grateful for this book, “All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience” by Neal A. Maxwell,  and the wisdom that Elder Maxwell has shared during this difficult time for my family.

A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand

“Standing for Something” by Gordon B. Hinckley is an mp3 recording of a New York Times bestselling book by the late President of the LDS Church that was released into and received by the buying public, not just Latter-day Saints.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has a magnificent grasp of what individuals and families need, and this is shown perfectly in the timeliness of his insights to the world when, I believe, it could use nothing more than a general “healing of its hearts and its homes”.  As a financial advisor and father of young children, I find myself watching the current news with a certain focus on the details that might affect the economic markets in which I and the families with whom I have working relationships are participating.

As we are currently steeped in the 2008 presidential campaign, the world, and more specifically the USA and its economy, appears to be falling apart at the seams. As I listened to the words of our late prophet, I was usually in the gym, and funny enough, the national and local news was being broadcast in the background on the various television sets throughout that building. Every time I gave my attention to the closed caption scrolling across the screens, or to the images captured by the constantly vigilant cameras throughout the world and our nation, I commonly found myself sinking into a “sky is falling” attitude.  It was certainly ironic, that the voice over commentary, as I listened to the book in my earphones, was precisely describing the situations in which we would find ourselves today. Even though the words of this book were penned well before the devastating floods and fires, financial and moral dishonesty, and commodity disasters that have recently annihilated crops, markets, homes and even hopes, the alerts, advice, and admonitions are exactly testifying further to the prophetic mantle that President Gordon B. Hinckley wore. The author uses historical characters, personal experiences, scriptural references, and invitational testimony to urge the world to the actions of virtue, integrity and honest living. The book itself, albeit descriptive of tougher times ahead, is not in any stretch of the imagination about doom and gloom, but rather, as its subtitle suggests, a call to hope in the remembrance of the neglected virtues, that if returned to, can heal us despite the awful scene around the world today.I have been grateful throughout my short life for a living prophet, who as a “watchman on the tower” guides my family with his vision.  It has been an even greater strength to test his words in my own life and to verify their truthfulness by following his insights.  And greater still, with what has developed into a complete separation of church from state, when what he shares can be applied to every area of our lives, even outside of the various church activities in which we participate, it lets us know that we are lead by a greater power, through him, that is interested in our every safety, happiness, and that all is well in “our hearts and homes”. These have all been strengthened for me personally, as I have listened to writings of this great man.

“Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes” by President Gordon B. Hinckley is available on Mp3 download at LDSAudio.com.

R. Dunn
Father of Three; Financial Advisor

“Eating Chocolates and Dancing in the Kitchen”  by Tom Plummer is a 2 hour and 54 minute audio book, that talks about the general ups and downs of being married, from freshly married to having been married over twenty or thirty years, even more. What I found interesting in this mp3 book, that I haven’t found previously in other marriage books, is the
general ability that Tom Plummer has to laugh at himself, the scrapes that he gets into, and the relationships around him. No matter what is going on at the time, in almost every situation, he has been able to see the humor in hindsight and bring that out.

“Eating Chocolates and Dancing in the Kitchen” by Tom Plummer is the most refreshingly fun and light hearted way of looking at a spouse and seeing them for who and what they are.  It is a great way of “not seeing” the faults that can sometimes cause rifts in relationships, particularly young married relationships. This is definitely one that I would recommend for newlyweds, and also those who may be wanting a fresh perspective on marriage. I did this review because of the title, but now I am glad, as I have a new appreciation for my husband through listening to the antics of Tom Plummer and his wife.  I am realizing that if I see the humor in situations and not get too bogged down by semantics, my marriage will be happier than I ever thought possible.

A. Howard
Hamilton, New Zealand 

“A CHILD’S PRAYER, Primary Songs for Bedtime”, by various artists, is a selection of gentle songs for children. There are male and female voices singing, and the music is soft and comforting.  What I loved best about this MP3 download is the clarity of the voices and tender, simple arrangements which would appeal to young listeners, especially those trying to learn the words to these familiar Primary songs.  I found myself wanting to listen to these songs over and over.  My grandchildren listen to Primary songs each night as they fall asleep, and I know they would love this music. The male voice who sings a few of the songs does it so softly and sweetly, it reminded me of my husband, years ago, when he used to softly play his guitar in their bedrooms and sing to our girls as they fell asleep.  Listen to “Lullaby, Baby”, and you might think of young parents singing a newborn baby to sleep. Listen to “A Child’s Prayer, Primary Songs for Bedtime” when you’re a bit tired, and you might find yourself snuggled up for the night.D. Perkins
Eagle River, Alaska