If you enjoyed the movie The Other Side of Heaven by John H Gorberg, you will love the book! After watching the movie I wanted to know more of the story. I wondered what “kolipoki” really meant; he tells you in the book! The movie barely scratches the surface of his missionary experiences.

Elder Groberg’s narrative of his endless adventures in Tonga, are filled with thought provoking life lessons. As he finishes a chapter he reveals the lesson learned from that particular event.

Elder Groberg tells of returning home from teaching on other islands in a motor launch. A terrible storm rises with great waves sinking the boat. After questioning why the Lord did not protect the missionaries, he arrives at a conclusion. “God was with us. He saved us. I have heard it said that sometimes the Lord calms the storm, and sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.”  What a great lesson! We all have storms in our lives. The reassurance that God is with us through those storms offers hope and comfort. Life is not easy, but we are never alone. As Elder Groberg so poignantly phrases it, “We learn lessons from storms that we cannot learn from calm seas.”

The greatest thing I learned from this book is how to look for the lessons in my own experiences. I find myself asking, “What does the Lord want me to learn from this?” It was an unexpected gift that has changed my perspective of everyday events.

The great faith of the Tongan people is inspiring. We are so busy in our daily rush that often we forget what is truly important. The Tongans have a simple lifestyle that we should all adopt, that of helping our neighbor, loving one another, and trusting in the Lord.

The Other Side of Heaven by John Groberg is delightful as well as insightful.  The movie was entertaining. The book is life altering.

A. Cardon
Northern Utah