"We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention."
Two Books by Elder Bednar Invite Thoughtful Learning
by Laurie Williams Sowby
Elder
David A. Bednar is a favorite speaker among Latter-day Saints of all
ages, with good reason. One of the younger members of the Quorum of
the Twelve, serving for less than a decade now since his tenure as
president of BYU-Idaho, Elder Bednar teaches clearly and directly,
with a sense of personal conviction and sincere concern for the
listener.
Readers
of two volumes, Increase in Learning and Act in
Doctrine, will enjoy that same rapport in their pages.
Similarities
in the twin volumes include just four chapters each — but
they’re meaty chapters, chock full of actual examples,
additional readings, quotes by modern-day prophets, scriptures, and
past talks given by Elder Bednar. Each also includes a DVD with
additional learning resources. Sources cited and an index at the back
of each book make them useful as a reference for repeated study or
talks.
In
Increase in Learning, subtitled Spiritual Patterns for
Obtaining Your Own Answers, Elder Bednar emphasizes in the first
chapter the individual responsibility to learn and continue to learn,
acknowledging the Holy Ghost as the most trustworthy teacher. The
remaining three chapters focus on “Knowledge, Understanding,
and Intelligence,” “Prayerful Inquiry,” and
applying doctrines and principles in “a framework for gospel
learning.”
The
book is not intended as a speedy nor relaxing read, but rather as an
invitation to engage in several learning experiences that will help
the reader “learn how to find answers to your own questions.”
Certain passages and principles are coordinated with segments on the
accompanying DVD as well as online at the publisher’s website,
deseretbook.com.
Act
in Doctrine, Spiritual Patterns for Turning from Self to the Savior,
has a similar format, with basic concepts outlined and explained;
however, related readings are referenced rather than printed in full.
The four chapters discuss doctrine as it relates to the character of
Christ, moral agency, conversion to the Lord, and the role of a
teacher. The author — a master teacher himself — invites
the reader to ponder well-framed questions and write down impressions
and thoughts following each chapter.
The
DVD includes a question-and-answer session and an exclusive interview
with Elder and Sister Bednar.
Elder
Bednar’s hope, he writes in the preface, is that “the
combination of your faith in the Savior, your willingness to act as
an agent, the text, and the learning experiences in which you will
engage [will] invite the Holy Ghost to help you more fully understand
basic gospel truths and powerful spiritual patterns” to the end
that we may “act in doctrine.”
List
prices are $26.99 for “Increase” (228 pages, 2011) and
$23.99 for “Act” (157 pages, 2012), both in hardcover.
Each is also available as an enhanced e-book with embedded video
content.
Laurie
Williams Sowby has been writing since second grade and getting paid
for it since high school. Her byline ("all three names, please")
has appeared on more than 6,000 freelance articles published in
newspapers, magazines, and online.
A
graduate of BYU and a writing instructor at Utah Valley University
for many years, she proudly claims all five children and their
spouses as college grads.
She
and husband, Steve, have served three full-time missions together,
beginning in 2005 in Chile, followed by Washington D.C. South, then
Washington D.C. North, both times as young adult Institute teachers.
They are currently serving in the New York Office of Public and
International Affairs
During
her years of missionary service, Laurie has continued to write about
significant Church events, including the rededication of the Santiago
Temple by President Hinckley and the groundbreaking for the
Philadelphia Temple by President Eyring. She also was a Church
Service Missionary, working as a news editor at Church Magazines,
between full-time missions.
Laurie
has traveled to all 50 states and at least 45 countries (so far).
While home is American Fork, Utah, Lincoln Center and the
Metropolitan Museum of Art have provided a comfortable second home.
Laurie
is currently serving a fourth full-time mission with her husband in
the New York Office of Public and International Affairs. The two
previously served with a branch presidency at the Provo Missionary
Training Center. The oldest of 18 grandchildren have been called to
serve missions in New Hampshire and Brisbane, Australia.
