Embark! by John Bytheway — CD Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Feb 032015
 

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Embark!

John Bytheway

SKU: 5129767 ISBN13: 978-1-62972-005-0

FTC FYI: Received a CD from Deseret Book in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

An ideal talk that supports the new 2015 Mutual theme!

In classic Bytheway style, John approaches the soon-to-be announced youth theme with both humor and solid teaching. Through stories, examples, his own personal experience, and scriptural insight, John Bytheway will help the youth in your family or ward understand the 2015 youth theme on a deeper level and learn how it is personally meaningful to them. In the end, he motivates all of us to become better ourselves and to share what we have with others.In this motivating talk based on D & C 4:2, John Bytheway explains what it means to truly embark–to get fully on board in the service of God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.

Using scriptures, powerful stories, and his charismatic teaching style, John explains that with the Savior’s help, we can remain on board, arrive at our destination, and stand blameless before God at the last day. (Description on the back of the CD case.)

My Review

“If you’re going to embark, embark… It’s time to get on board.”

I was thrilled to jump on board of this blog tour for Embark!  I have three daughters, with two in the Young Women’s program.  We listened to this together and we all loved it!  John Bytheway does an incredible job of introducing the youth theme for 2015.  I love how he is so relatable to all he speaks to, especially teens. I love and appreciate his humor and heartfelt stories.  I loved how each part of the scripture D & C 4:2 is broken down into sections, each with it own stories and explanation.  He mentions service a lot in this talk, too.  John says that instead of giving Him your daily list of needs, ask Him to be guided to someone who you can serve, lose yourself in service.  Wonderful advice for us all.

5 out of 5 stars.  This CD is to introduce the youth theme for 2015, but can be enjoyed by all ages at any time.

About John Bytheway

John Bytheway (born October 1962) 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.

Website / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

How Do I Know if I Know? by John Bytheway

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Oct 102014
 

How_Do_I_KnowHow 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

The Sacrament by John Bytheway

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Apr 092014
 

The_SacramentThe Sacrament

Author: John Bytheway

Illustrator: Nathan Pinnock

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: April 7th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-790-7

Hardcover: 32 pages

FTC FYI: I received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

It’s understandable that some children appear bored or distracted during sacrament meeting. Many young Latter-day Saints are probably unsure about the true meaning of the sacrament and why we attend. With this in mind, bestselling author John Bytheway has composed a delightful poem (inspired by a short poem by Walter H. Horne) to help Latter-day Saints young and old appreciate the ordinance of the sacrament. In particular, children will learn what they should be thinking about (and not be thinking about) during this sacred time as well as what the sacrament can do for all of us.

Beautifully illustrated by Nathan Pinnock, this thought-provoking story about a young boy and his grandpa is a gentle reminder about the importance of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, especially during this special meeting meant for Him.

My Review

I was very excited to review this book to review.  A few days after I received it, there was a lovely Relief Society lesson given by a sister in my ward about the Sacrament.  Sister Reader passed out papers to all the sisters that read, “What did you think of during the sacrament?”  That sentence really made me think.  Usually I read the scriptures during the sacrament, but did I truly think about the Savior and the importance of the sacrament?  The next day at Family Home Evening, I was inspired to give a lesson about the sacrament.  We read this lovely book together as a family and used the lovely experience of the author to better our understanding of the sacrament and the importance of partaking it every week.  Also to encourage my family to be spiritually prepared to take the sacrament, and to be thinking of Jesus Christ, through prayer and the scriptures.

My family and I will cherish this book and I am very grateful that it is in our home.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author (from Goodreads)

John Bytheway (born October 1962) 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 the Illustrator (from his website)

Portrait painter, illustrator, Teacher of oil painting, drawing, and sculpting + logo design.
Greater Salt Lake Area
Current: Artist at Pinnock Illustration/ Pinnock Fine Art
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration, Painting, Sculpting at Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Atelier Leseuer

Summary

Professional painter and Sculptor, Illustrator and Private art teacher.

Specialities

Portrait painting, teaching oil painting, drawing, sculpting and painting composition.

Experience

• Artist at Pinnock Illustration/Pinnock Fine Art – January 1992 – Present (20 + years)
• Illustrator – January 1990- 2001
• Portrait painter and Fine Artist 2001- Present (20 + years)
• Private Instructor of painting, Drawing, and Sculpting – 1996 to present

 

Armor Up/Suit Up by Various Contributors

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Jun 272013
 

ArmorUp.fArmor Up

Contributed by:  John Bytheway, Laurel Christensen, John Hilton III, Hank Smith, Anthony Sweat, Brad Wilcox

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: February 1, 2013

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-317-6

Paperback: 104 pages

FTC FYI: I received a review copy.

Reviewed by Mindy

Back Cover

Take upon you my whole armor that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

D & C 27:15

These words of Joseph Smith from 1830 might be more important today than ever before.  You are living in an “evil day”, but it’s also an exciting day!  You have many incredible opportunities all around you.  Because you face a world of challenges and temptations, you need to be fully armed.  In Armor Up, some of your favorite youth speakers share how to put on the armor of God–and how wearing that armor will help you conquer the difficulties that lie ahead.

My Review

Although the target audience for this book is teens, I found myself relating to many parts.  I loved the honesty, heart-felt stories and life lessons from each contributor.  I especially liked the chapters from John Bytheway and Laurel Christensen.  John’s, for his love of Star Trek, while my love is Star Wars, but that wasn’t the only reason I loved his chapter.  Brother Bytheway referred to our shields being up.  Shields being our faith.

Faith, as you know, is the first principle of the gospel, which is another reason it is considered “above all.”  There are many kinds of faith–faith that things will work out, faith that the sun will come out tomorrow, faith that a sibling on a mission will be okay.  The most powerful faith, of course, is “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Article of Faith 1:4).  The different types of faith we refer to i our gospel discussions all spring from and center in the most critical type of faith–our faith in Jesus Christ. (page 52)

He also says that teenagers equipped with shields of faith are hard to miss.  (page 52)  I think of my three daughters out in the world, and nothing scares me more.  What I’ve tried to teach them is having faith in Jesus Christ can get you through anything.

Another chapter I enjoyed (don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed them all) was Laurel Christensen’s on Your Spiritual Sword.  My 8 year old lately has had a lot of questions on learning to feel the spirit.  I loved that through this chapter, I was able to help give her some answers that made sense in her 8 year old mind.

The Holy Ghost is our sword as He guides us in truth, as He guards us in our choices, and as He heals our hearts.  (page 82)

I could quote this whole book, but what is the fun in that, right?  Get this book, not only for your children, but for you too.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book 

 

Suit Up.fSuit Up

Contributed by: John Bytheway, Laurel Christensen, John Hilton III, Jennifer Platt, Hank Smith, Anthony Sweat, Brad Wilcox

Published: 2013

Publisher: Deseret Book

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-515-6

Paperback: 131 pages

FTC FYI: Received a review copy

Goodreads  Summary

The Lord needs more missionaries and He needs better prepared missionaries. He needs YOU!

From the bestselling authors that brought you Armor Up! this unique little book is intended to help teens get ready for all they will encounter as they embark on the unique adventure of missionary work. There has never been a more exciting time to be alive—and there has never been a more exciting time to be a missionary.

In Suit Up, several of your favorite youth speakers share lessons about preparing for a mission based on the scriptural advice contained in Doctrine and Covenants 4. If you’re thinking about a mission, if you’ve already started preparing, or if you’ve got your call, you’ll benefit from the messages and advice in Suit Up.

My Review

This book is geared towards those who are thinking of going on a mission.  Getting ready to suit up.  I also feels it can apply to us all.  We all are asked to be missionaries.  Each contributor took a verse from D & C 4.  Putting in their thoughts and ideas to help get our youth ready for their missions.  Again, I will give my “favorite” to Laurel Christensen and also Anthony Sweat and especially Jennifer Platt and John Bytheway.

Jennifer tells of an experience where one of her 18 year old students came to her with questions.  She was wanting to get her temple endowments.  Sister Platt was wondering why she was feeling to go to the temple when she still had 3 years before she could prepare for a mission.  I don’t want to give away the story, but it had me in tears.

Again, I could quote this whole book.  This book should be on the top of reading lists for anyone preparing, thinking about, or going on a mission.

I’m giving a copy away of Suit Up on Min Reads and Reviews.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Seagull Book