I’ve got a confession to make.  I’ve looked at this book several times, both on LDSAudio.com and at the Deseret Book Store, but never picked it up.  I always passed by it for something more immediately interesting and (dare I say it) less doctrinal.  However, I finally took the time to read it and it was amazing. “50 Signs of the Times and the Second Coming” by David Ridges is a well organized, incredibly interesting and thought provoking analysis of selected prophecies found in the standard works.
 
The book is organized in a way that provokes additional thought and personal study.  Each of the prophecies is assigned a category (depending on whether or not they have been fulfilled at this point in time).  Each prophecy is considered for just enough time to support the categorization made by Ridges and answer some basic questions.  It is clear that additional study of the scriptures and doctrine referenced is encouraged.
 
Almost all the text in the book is quoted scripture, either from the standard works or our modern day prophets.  I loved that I didn’t have to take Ridges’ word for any of his conclusions.  The answers are right there in the scriptures.  I am grateful, however, that Ridges took the time to collect the relevant verses into a single book.  I’m not sure I would have found half of them in my lifetime without his help.
 
Finally, I really appreciated the counsel Ridges provides at the beginning and the end of the book.  He encourages the reader to remember that the signs of the times are not given to instill fear or cause panic.  They are designed and carried out by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to prove to the people of the earth that the scriptures are true.
 
The compilation of scripture and modern day revelation coupled with common sense observations about the world in which we live, makes “50 Signs of the Times and the Second Coming”, by David Ridges, an incredibly rich book.  I encourage all my fellow readers, to take a chance and pick this book off the shelf the next time you have the opportunity.  Believe me, you’ll be glad you did.
 
J. Smith

When I was younger, I remember coming downstairs early in the morning during December.  The house was dark and silent and the soft light of the Christmas tree illuminated the stairway just enough to avoid turning on the harsher overhead lights.  The air was permeated with a feeling of reverence as I prepared for the upcoming day.  Our home was different, more peaceful, than any other time of the year.  Now that I’m older, and have a child of my own, I still catch glimpses of those peaceful feelings, but it seems to be more difficult.  The magic of Christmas is slightly shadowed by the reality that preparing for Christmas as a parent is hard work!  There are lights to hang, Christmas parties to attend, gifts to buy and a myriad of other things piled on top of a regularly busy schedule.  And while the work is good and the results are wonderful, I usually find myself in too much of a hurry to stop and let the reverence of my quiet home soak into my soul.  That’s why I love ‘A Marvin Goldstein Christmas’.
 
“A Marvin Goldstein Christmas” by Marvin Goldstein is a great collection of popular Christmas songs that will help bring the Christmas spirit into your home this holiday season.  The album includes both fully orchestrated songs as well as a set of piano solos.  The arrangements are embellished but traditional, making it easy to sing along and recognize the tunes.  I found that playing this album in the background helped me to focus on the reason for the season, instead of all the tasks that needed to be completed.  This beautiful music helped me to slow down and to enjoy the moment.  It has been a great addition to our Christmas music collection.

J. Smith
Maple Valley, Washington

There are angels among us…
 
The gloves come off as the battle between good and evil comes to a head in ‘From the End of Heaven’ volume 5, of Chris Stewart’s saga “The Great and The Terrible”.  Satan is loose upon the earth.  He and his angels are exercising their terrible influence on those who will listen.  Evil men seeking power have seized the government of the United States.  Food and water are scarce, and those with guns rule the streets.  For a moment, it seems as if there is no hope; the light gone from the world.  But even in the darkest times, faith shines through and invokes the power of the light. 
 
With the shock of the initial attack worn off, we get the first glance at what the world looks like, and believe me, it’s not pretty.  Our heros and heroines face the brutal reality of a world of fear, intimidation and mortal danger.  Good and evil clash in battles fought both on the physical and spiritual levels.  Tragedies and miracles take place as the righteous struggle to survive.  Among all the action, however, this story is about faith; faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in each other and faith in ourselves.  Exercising their faith in Jesus Christ through prayer, they are able to send help to those in need and literally save lives.  Through faith in each other they are able to triumph over the evil that attempts to kill them.   Through faith in themselves, they are able to overcome the crushing sense of hopelessness and find the strength to help others do the same.  Through their trials they demonstrate the truth of Jesus’s words in Matthew chapter 17 verse 20:  ‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed… nothing shall be impossible for you’.
 
The situations described in this book helped me to remember what a powerful force faith is.  I thoroughly enjoyed this volume of ‘The Great and The Terrible’.  Though it was not as intense as its predecessors, it was rich with character development.  I am very much looking forward to the next volume.  As always, I definitely recommend this series.

J. Smith
Maple Valley, Washington

“All About You” by Kenneth Cope is another success in the Kenneth Cope collection!  Most of the songs are in Kenneth’s traditional style, but a few of them seem a little more upbeat with some modern effects added in.

The songs are very catchy and enjoyable.  Kenneth’s voice just floats along, and is just perfectly blended.  Some of my favorites, “Broken” and “More”, have been previously featured on Especially for Youth Soundtracks.  It is interesting to see how well a song can be focused around one word.  “Where You Are” is probably my favorite overall, with a simple, fun message and melody.

Kenneth Cope has been one of my all-time favorite artists and “All About You” is up to par with my expectations for his music.  He knows how to connect with his warm vocals and thoughtful messages.  Enjoy listening to an amazing album!

D. J. Schneck
Akron, Ohio

“Gabriel’s Well” by Blaine M. Yorgason is a wonderful book!  Brother Yorgason has a great way of telling stories!  This one takes place in 1904, and is just fun to listen too!  I really enjoyed it!  Some of it is predictable, but while that happens in books and movies these days, there are some surprises!  While listening to this book, it seems that one is transported back in time, and is actually watching the events unfold!  I could almost see the ‘dome’ that is talked about in the book!  It was just a lot of fun listening to this book. 

I highly recommend “Gabriel’s Well” by Blaine M. Yorgason.
 
K. Meyer
Castle Rock, Colorado