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The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball
A member of the Quorum of the Twelve for thirty years and Church President for almost twelve years, Spencer W. Kimball influenced millions of Church members throughout his ministry. He observed, "I do not claim to be a scholar. In all my sermons, my objective is to get people doing things, the good things, and the right things. Knowledge is of no value unless used." President Kimball's sermons and writings showed men and women how to follow the Lord's commandments. The quotations in this book have been selected from seven hundred sources - books, articles, letters, and sermons delivered in many settings. They provide instruction and inspiration on a wide range of gospel topics, including recurring themes about our dependency on the Savior, our responsibility to keep his commandments, our need to pursue perfection by "lengthening our stride," and our hope of a marvelous joy now and in eternity. This timeless book is an indispensable resource for every Latter-day Saint home.
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Spencer W. Kimball
76 books72 followersBorn on March 28, 1895, in Salt Lake City, Spencer W. Kimball grew up in Thatcher, Arizona. After completing a mission and marrying Camilla Eyring, he settled in Safford, Arizona, to raise his family and run an insurance business. Years of Church and community leadership preceded his calling as an Apostle in 1943. Overcoming severe health problems, he became Church President on December 30, 1973, at the age of 78. He led the Church with spiritual power and energetic determination during a period of dramatic vitality and growth. His administration produced significant advances in doctrinal understanding, member unity, and gospel expansion worldwide. In the 12 years of his presidency, the number of operating temples doubled, the number of missionaries increased by 50 percent, and the priesthood was extended to all worthy male members. He died in Salt Lake City on November 5, 1985.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 3, 2021
"The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball" contains valuable guidance for folks wishing to live righteous lives or those trying to deal with personal issues. You don't have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) to profit from the wisdom this man wished to share. Regardless of one's belief, good advice is good advice.
Based on the assumption that your fellow man (or woman) is good at heart, because maybe you don't really know them or what issues they may be going through, we should at times "turn the other cheek," or give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe what they need is encouragement from somebody who cares for them. This book gives advice for both, and a lot more. Whether or not you view yourself as a 'religious person,' some things just make sense or provide hope.
Kimball believed that perfection was an attainable goal. To quote him, "He said, 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.' (Matthew 5:48) Now, that is an attainable goal. We will not be exalted, we shall not reach our destination, unless we are perfect, and now is the best time in the world to start towards perfection. I have little patience with persons who say, 'Oh, nobody is perfect,' the implication being: 'So why try?' Of course no one is perfect, but we find some who are a long way up the ladder."
Kimball also believed that difficult circumstances do not relieve us of responsibility. "No one should deny the importance of circumstances, yet in the final analysis the most important thing is how we react to the circumstances.
"I have seen poverty produce quite different results in people; some it embitters, so that in their self-pity they simply give up and abandon the future; others it challenges, so that in their determination to succeed in spite of obstacles they grow into capable, powerful people. Even if they never escape from economic stress, they develop inner resources that we associate with progress towards a Christlike character."
I would recommend to all my friends out there, regardless of your beliefs, to check this book out should you have access to it.
For LDS members, to paraphrase another, "Read (Steal) This Book!" This is a guide, not just for youth, in the style of a counterculture on how to fight against Satan and his minions. Unlike you and me, Satan has roamed the earth for thousands of years. Like the teenage daughter of an unwed mother who considers having premarital sex with her boyfriend whom she thinks loves her, we sometimes think we know better than those who REALLY love us. Satan knows how to get inside peoples' heads and what makes them tick. He is a crafty one; he doesn't come out and say, "Hey, Mark, why don't you have sex with your brother's young daughter?" No, what he does is more subtle, sometimes taking years.
The first step may be to get you to stay away from church and fellow members, maybe through fault finding, real or imagined. Say your fellow member's dog likes to leave landmines in your yard, or it appears that they offended you in some way. So you don't want to associate with them any more. To avoid them you quit going to church. Because you aren't going, you quit practicing your habits and eventually pick up alternative ones with your new found friends. Instead of going to church on Sunday you start getting together to 'watch the game' and are coaxed into having a few beers with the guys. In time you start going to the sports bar because it is more fun. You drink more now. There is a young woman there who catches your eye and to make a long story short, you end up in an adulterous relationship with her. The lust grows and the inhibition slowly disappears. Having sunk so far and enslaved like a drug addict, things that were once taboo now seem to entice you. You sin, your wife and children cry, and Satan laughs.
What Prophet Kimball explains in this book is how to model your life in an attempt to reach perfection. Warnings and guidance are provided to make you more Christlike. Some things he warns about, like keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Maybe you could just record that game on Sunday instead of watching it. I don't know. But if you know what the big picture is, your priorities change. Prophet Kimball warns you of all kinds of little stumbling blocks and encourages you to never let go of that iron rod or stray from the path. So I'll say it again, "Read This Book!"
Based on the assumption that your fellow man (or woman) is good at heart, because maybe you don't really know them or what issues they may be going through, we should at times "turn the other cheek," or give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe what they need is encouragement from somebody who cares for them. This book gives advice for both, and a lot more. Whether or not you view yourself as a 'religious person,' some things just make sense or provide hope.
Kimball believed that perfection was an attainable goal. To quote him, "He said, 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.' (Matthew 5:48) Now, that is an attainable goal. We will not be exalted, we shall not reach our destination, unless we are perfect, and now is the best time in the world to start towards perfection. I have little patience with persons who say, 'Oh, nobody is perfect,' the implication being: 'So why try?' Of course no one is perfect, but we find some who are a long way up the ladder."
Kimball also believed that difficult circumstances do not relieve us of responsibility. "No one should deny the importance of circumstances, yet in the final analysis the most important thing is how we react to the circumstances.
"I have seen poverty produce quite different results in people; some it embitters, so that in their self-pity they simply give up and abandon the future; others it challenges, so that in their determination to succeed in spite of obstacles they grow into capable, powerful people. Even if they never escape from economic stress, they develop inner resources that we associate with progress towards a Christlike character."
I would recommend to all my friends out there, regardless of your beliefs, to check this book out should you have access to it.
For LDS members, to paraphrase another, "Read (Steal) This Book!" This is a guide, not just for youth, in the style of a counterculture on how to fight against Satan and his minions. Unlike you and me, Satan has roamed the earth for thousands of years. Like the teenage daughter of an unwed mother who considers having premarital sex with her boyfriend whom she thinks loves her, we sometimes think we know better than those who REALLY love us. Satan knows how to get inside peoples' heads and what makes them tick. He is a crafty one; he doesn't come out and say, "Hey, Mark, why don't you have sex with your brother's young daughter?" No, what he does is more subtle, sometimes taking years.
The first step may be to get you to stay away from church and fellow members, maybe through fault finding, real or imagined. Say your fellow member's dog likes to leave landmines in your yard, or it appears that they offended you in some way. So you don't want to associate with them any more. To avoid them you quit going to church. Because you aren't going, you quit practicing your habits and eventually pick up alternative ones with your new found friends. Instead of going to church on Sunday you start getting together to 'watch the game' and are coaxed into having a few beers with the guys. In time you start going to the sports bar because it is more fun. You drink more now. There is a young woman there who catches your eye and to make a long story short, you end up in an adulterous relationship with her. The lust grows and the inhibition slowly disappears. Having sunk so far and enslaved like a drug addict, things that were once taboo now seem to entice you. You sin, your wife and children cry, and Satan laughs.
What Prophet Kimball explains in this book is how to model your life in an attempt to reach perfection. Warnings and guidance are provided to make you more Christlike. Some things he warns about, like keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Maybe you could just record that game on Sunday instead of watching it. I don't know. But if you know what the big picture is, your priorities change. Prophet Kimball warns you of all kinds of little stumbling blocks and encourages you to never let go of that iron rod or stray from the path. So I'll say it again, "Read This Book!"
February 13, 2008
Each time I read the words of the Prophets I always gain more insights into the Gospel of Jesus Christ
February 21, 2008
I LOVE Spencer W. Kimball!!!
April 17, 2008
Excellent
November 17, 2010
This is a favorite reference book.
February 24, 2011
This was a good book. It helped me make decisions that bettered my life and prevented me from making poor choices that may have adversely affected me and my family. It gave me hope, guidance and direction for my life. Pres. Kimball has always been a favorite of mine. I met him once and although he is shorter even than me, at 5 foot six, I could feel his power as he passed by me and shook my hand during general conference in the room behind the organ at the old Tabernacle. That is an experience I never want to forget. He also had a voice problem as I do and I relate to him for that.
December 6, 2021
A really great volume of the collected teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball, organized topically. I learned some good things! I love President Kimball's emphasis on personal responsibility, hard work, not making excuses, being faithful, etc. In some things he has spoken and written he really had an expressive way of explaining things I enjoyed reading and was helpful to my learning.
March 24, 2012
This book is a great reference but not for reading. It is simply a collection of talks and insights from this great prophet.
January 1, 2017
Yes, I read it from cover to cover, not using it as just a reference book. There are gems in this book. Which ones will touch you depend on YOU.
March 12, 2019
Love this prophet so much - the second book is much better.
January 1, 2022
I really enjoyed reading about his life and what he accomplished.
November 17, 2022
It almost feels a little blasphemous to give this less than 5 stars. However, it's not an indictment on President Kimball's words (although he was more...direct? than I remember him from my childhood.) It's mostly that I feel like Edward Kimball could have been a little more judicious in the quotes he put in. There were several that were redundant, so it made the book feel really long.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews