Faith – LDS Women's Book Review

How Do I Know if I Know? by John Bytheway

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews

Oct 102014

How Do I Know if I Know?

Author: John Bytheway

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: September 2014

ISBN13: 9781609079215

Paperback: 138 pages

LDS inspirational

FTC: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

It’s spiritual gut-check time! The mission age has been lowered, and now more than ever, young people are asking themselves important questions:
*How do I know if I really have a testimony?
*Am I ready to serve a mission?
*What does the Spirit feel like?
John Bytheway suggests that we “F.E.E.L.” the truthfulness of the gospel through our feelings, our experiences, the many evidences we encounter, and our logical conclusions about how a loving God interacts with His children on the earth. Like gradually turning up a dimmer switch, understanding all the ways we F.E.E.L. our testimony will help it grow brighter.
As you read, you may discover that your testimony is stronger than you thought, and you’ll also become more excited and motivated to let your light shine!

My Review

Although aimed for teens, this book can be enjoyable and helpful for someone at any age. This book teaches us to always be strengthening our faith and our testimony. I can’t wait for my daughters to read this. John’s down-to-earth way of teaching is perfect for the youth, but I enjoyed it too. I loved the personal experiences of his own and others used to get his point across. I took notes and I read and highlighted many passages that I can look back on later. I will share some of my favorites.

Brother Bytheway refers a lot to the reference of light and he separated them as to F.E.E.L. Feelings, Experiences, Evidences, Logic. In your mind is evidences and logic. In your heart are feelings and experiences. (page 84) He also refers to trees and fruit. “The teaching of the gospel are what we know. The fruits of the gospel are what we become.” (page 76-77) Isn’t that awesome? John emphasizes that it is okay to not know everything now. For him, “I know what I know, and what I know trumps what I don’t know.” (page 108) That is an amazing example of faith and testimony.

This book also teaches about discerning right and wrong. Teaching you to rely on your feelings.

Even if you don’t know it is true, you know that it is good. You know that the gospel is good — that it teaches good things, that it produces good people. You know there is goodness there. That is a beginning. And you know more.

I loved this book and I know you and your teen will too.

About the Author

John Bytheway is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.

Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Author & Purchase Links

Website / Facebook / Deseret Book / Seagull Book / Amazon

Blog Tour for:Faith, Hope and Gravity by Merrill Osmond and Shirley Balhmann Also Enter to Win Audio Book or CD from Merrill!

Posted by Sheila Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

Sep 072012

Product Details:

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 17, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1477681787
ISBN-13: 978-1477681787
FTC, FYI: Review e-copy

Book Description:

Faith, Hope and Gravity
is the spiritual, magical adventure of teenage Liam Kane as he
discovers some of the same lessons Merrill Osmond learned as the
world-traveling lead singer of the Osmond Brothers. Merrill, like Liam,
was often misunderstood for his visionary quests to understand those who
looked for answers to life’s questions.
Liam’s talents gain him international notoriety as “The
Prophecy Boy” who swims with dolphins, dreams of a mysterious red door,
and champions those who are misunderstood.
Surviving kidnapping, near-drowning, and imprisonment
ultimately leads to the discovery that despite inherent differences,
when people respect one another’s unique abilities, the thread of
commonality that runs through mankind grows ever stronger.
Turn the pages and join the unforgettable journey.

My Review:

Faith,Hope, and Gravity is one of those books that you read, and then immediately hand it off to your kids. This story not only entertains, but leaves so many great messages for the reader. As you read about Liam’s journey through life, and his many struggles as he tries to find his place in the world, most people will be able to relate to this character. I feel like tweens and teens especially will read Liam’s story and feel this story was written for them.

I loved reading on Shirley’s blog how Faith, Hope and Gravity came to be. Here is what she said…

“Did you know that the main character in Merrill Osmond’s book is named
“Liam?” It’s there for a reason… it means “defender”… but I also
like it because it kind of sounds like “Merrill” said backwards.

Whether you’re an Osmond fan or not, “Faith, Hope and Gravity” offers a
thought-provoking adventure story about talents and unique abilities and
what we do with them. (And, yes, everyone has talent.)

Many people have asked how I came to write Merrill’s book. It started
after my friend, Alicia Feree, who knows sign language, joined my
writing class. She was acquainted with Merrill’s son, Justin, and
referred him to me to write his story. Once Justin’s book, “Hearing with
my Heart” was done, (CLICK HERE!) Merrill
asked if I’d be interested in working with him on a book project. We
talked, he gave me his notes, (a LOT of notes) I read and outlined, we
talked some more, I wrote, we read, and talked some more. And what we
came up with is “Faith, Hope and Gravity.”

If going on a world-wide reading adventure while discovering insights to
make your life happier sounds good, be sure to get your copy.”

You can purchase your copy HERE!

Now, how would you like to win some prizes offered by Merrill Osmond. There are several ways to enter on the Rafflecopter form below.

The giveaway is open to US addresses only.

You can enter to win either: Both prizes will be given away…2 winners!!!

Audio book of Let the Reason Be Love
written and narrated by Merrill Osmond

Let the Reason Be Love – In this new medium, Merrill Osmond
continues to entertain us through real-life journal excerpts and fascinating
life stories set against a show business backdrop. But more than a melody of
family and fame, he blends into this work the harmony of his faith. Just when
we feel alone or unprepared on this stage of life, here are new tunes and steps
to motivate and inspire. The middle man in this famous family not only presents
us with a backstage pass into his unusual life, but beckons us open-armed into
his unusual heart, offering the best reason of all to keep singing and dancing.
To followers of Christ and truth-seekers everywhere, here is a gift, as
down-to-earth as a book about God can be.

Broadway compilation CD by Merrill
Osmond

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Go visit other blogs on this tour to read interviews with Merrill and enter other giveaways!

August 24^th–
http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/

Aug 27- http://shirleybahlmann.blogspot.com/

Aug 28-http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/

Aug 30- http://1000wrongs.blogspot.com/

Aug 31

http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com/

Sept 4- http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

Sept 5-http://joansowards.blogspot.com/

Sept 7-http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

Sept 10 – http://tamarahartheiner.blogspot.com/

Sept 12- http://bythebecks.blogspot.com/

Sept 13- http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/

Sept 14- http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/

Sept 17- http://www.debbiesinkspectations.blogspot.com/

Sept 18- http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/

Sept 20- http://www.kathiswritingnook.com/

Sept 24-http://www.queenoftheclan.com/

Sept 27- Susan http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/Sept 28-http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/

October 1-Jewel Adams www.jewelsbestgems.blogspot.com

About the Authors:

Merrill
Osmond is a world-class entertainer, producer, author, motivational
speaker and renowned lead singer of the Osmonds. Merrill and his
siblings have produced 47 platinum & gold records and Merrill has
written the lyrics for five #1 hit records. Merrill is a co-founder of
the Osmond Foundation, which originally produced “The Children’s Miracle
Network” Telethon. He has produced presidential inaugural events for
both Reagan & Bush. Merrill is excited to release his first novel,
Faith, Hope & Gravity.

Shirley
Bahlmann has written a wide variety of genres, including historical
fiction, novels, biographies, how-to, and how-not-to books. One of her
favorites is a children’s book titled “When the Chicken Crossed the
Road” which comes with instructions and a chicken-colored washcloth so
you can roll your own chicken! Shirley finds the most annoying thing
about being a prolific writer is sleep, because she’d rather be writing.