Consider the Blessings – LDS Women's Book Review

Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God’s Hand in Our Lives

Author: Thomas S. Monson

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published Date: September 2013

Hardcover/Kindle/Nook/DB Bookshelf: 160 pages

Genre: Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-60907-716-7

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: received a free hardcover review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

If you ask people what they love most about President Thomas S. Monson’s teaching style, chances are they’ll say something about the personal experiences he relates. The accounts President Monson shares are always true, taken from his own life or the real lives of other people. Those warm, memorable accounts have truly become a hallmark of his messages.

Who can forget the woman who saved one of the two sticks of gum Elder Monson passed out to youth in postwar Germany? Or the neighbor who returned a box of baseballs to young Tommy as a thank-you for his kindness to her? Or the father who declined to attend a “Mormon” meeting with his family but had his heart softened by a message he heard on a radio that was actually broken?

In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his call as an Apostle, Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family.

Review

In honor of the 50th anniversary of President Thomas S. Monson’s call to apostleship, Deseret Book has released Consider the Blessings, a compilation of 50 true stories shared by President Monson throughout the years.

I have heard President Monson share some of these stories previously, but many I had not. Some are simple, based on service to others. Some are miraculous, amazing answers to prayers. There are lovely and relevant photos throughout the book. Each story is short, anywhere from one to four pages long. I’ve listed three of my favorites below:

“You Are Our Brothers and Sisters” (page 7): This is an excellent and moving example of loving our fellowman beyond boundaries, both physical and religious.

“No More Strangers” (page 81): I love the way these Italian members distinguished new members, ensuring they would be recognized and fellowshipped.

“You’re My Primary Boy” (page 135): Another example of the loving service President Monson excels at giving that has touched and inspired me.

Consider the Blessings is available as a jacketed hardcover, perfect as a gift or for use in Family Home Evenings, as well as in ebook format. I will be referring back to several of these stories in the future, and look forward to sharing them with my children.

Find Consider the Blessings: