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Letters To A Young Mormon (2014)

by Adam S. Miller(Favorite Author)

4.49 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0842528563 (ISBN13: 9780842528566)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Brigham Young University

review 1: This is one of the best books I've read in a while and highly recommend. It's only 80 or so pages. Each "letter" is a Gospel topic address to his children about his experiences and what he's come to learn over the years. The topics are all familiar but presented in an fresh, original way. Miller's perspective is unlike anything I've ever read before; but not a lot unlike a Terryl Givens, Bruce C. Hafen, or C.S. Lewis. While devout, Miller isn't afraid to take on the challenges of suffering, faith, science, church history, and other such topics in his letters. But his message is one of inspiration and belief. The best I can do to convey the power of his ideas and writing is with a favorite quote:"You must bare wholeheartedly the fact that the work of living your life can't ... morebe done by anyone else. This is basic Mormonism. You are an agent loose in the world, and as Paul puts it, you must 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". You'll be surprised how true this is. From the near side of trying, it may look like things have been pretty well mapped out for you. Just stick to the plan. Memorize your Articles of Faith, get your merit badges signed off, complete your Personal Progress, get good grades, go on a mission, go to the temple, get married, etc. There may be a few details here and there to handle, but nothing major. You’ve got a map, you just have to follow it.But once you get to work you’ll be unnerved by the distance between the neat map in your hand and the rough terrain at your feet. Fighting to coordinate the two, you’ll be tempted to throw the whole thing over...but even sound maps are just maps. They are no substitute for real roads.The gap between theory and practice is often biggest with the simplest things. You’ve promised to pray but you’ll spend a lifetime learning how to pray. You’ve promised to study the scriptures, but you’ll spend a lifetime learning how to read them. And you’ve promised to give God everything…but you’ll spend a lifetime learning how to consecrate even a part. You cannot forfeit responsibility for this how. You cannot wait for someone else to do them for you. If you do not work things out for yourself, they will not be done. You must learn how to body your religion out into the world with your own fingers and toes, eyes and ears, flesh and bones. This can only be done from the inside out. You are a pioneer. Life has never before been lived in your body. Everything must be done again, as if for the first time. You are an aboriginal Adam, a primal Eve. You are a Mormon.”
review 2: So beautiful. If you are curious about how I feel and think about my experience as a Mormon, read this book. It is honest and insightful and concise and lovely. It is what I hope my children are learning about how our faith can position us towards God and helps us learn how to live and become. It helped me think about my spirituality and challenged me towards greater authenticity and purpose. This isn't about theology, it is about how the spiritual practices encouraged in our religion can guide and transform us. This is the Mormonism that speaks to me. less

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