We may have no idea what the final cost in suffering or sacrifice may be, but we can vow never to give up. In doing so we will learn that there is no worthy task so great nor burden so heavy that will not yield to our perseverance. We can make it...however long and hard the road." So writes Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints. The chapters in this volume, messages of hope and comfort, have been adapted from addresses given and essays written by Elder Holland during the time he served as president of Brigham Young University. "All of my professional life has been spent with young people," he explains, "and universally they (like the rest of us) have needed support, encouragement, reassurance, and confidence. They have, in short, needed hope--that incentive to keep moving, keep trying, and keep believing until hope's siter virtues of faith and charity can also work their miracles." Elder Holland illustrates his messages with examples from classical and current literature, from the lives of individuals in the scriptures and in church history, and especially from the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He explains how others have overcome temptations and feelings of inadequacy and, through repentance, have obtained forgiveness and strength--and how we too may find success in our own searchings...however long and hard the road.

    McConkie examines each article in great, inspiring detail. He sheds new light on many subjects, including faith and belief, the nature of the Father and the Son, the mission of the Holy Ghost, the Atonement, spiritual gifts, and more.

    The greatest of all faults . . . is to be conscious of none." (Thomas Carlyle)The above is only one of more than 900 quotes readers will find in Favorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S. Monson.Within the covers of this volume you will find thoughts, stories, poems, and proverbs by authors as diverse as Spencer W. Kimball and Vince Lombardi. President Monson of the First Presidency has selected has favorite quotations and arranged them into eight sections. As he says in the preface, "Over the years I have collected quotations . . . that have influenced me with their simple but eloquent messages. May these short but important messages give you as much pleasure as they have given me."

    I recall that we were very tired, having had few hours of sleep the night before. We were both delighted to have a few hours of rest in the airport. As I was drifting off to sleep, I had a very strong feeling that I should awaken and write down some ideas. The desire to sleep was strong, but the promptings of the Spirit were more powerful. I did write; in fact, I wrote for nearly three hours, solving some organizational problems I had struggled with for a number of years previously. I felt a great outpouring of the Spirit on that day and excitedly wrote down each inspired thought. The experience took most of the time of the delay. We were then off to La Paz, Bolivia. We were graciously met by President and Sister Chase Allred at the airport and driven in their van to the mission office. We left our luggage and briefcase in the locked van. Upon entering the office, the president was confronted with the difficult case of a woman whose husband was dying. While President Allred and I assisted with her needs, Sisters Cook and Allred left in a car for the mission home. When the president and I returned to the van, I realized immediately that all of our goods were gone but assumed that Sister Cook had taken them with her to the mission home. While we were driving toward the home, I discovered that the right front wind wing had been damaged and began to fear that our goods had been stolen. Arriving at the mission home, we found that our luggage had indeed been stolen. The loss of a substantial amount of money and all our clothing created an immediate but only temporary problem. More disheartening was the fact that my scriptures were in my briefcase along with the inspired ideas I had just received in Cochabamba. The overwhelming sensation of discouragement, anger, and inability to do anything about the situation was overpowering.

    Edwin H. Friedman shows how the same understanding of family process that can aid clergy in their pastoral role also has important ramifications for negotiating congregational dynamics and functioning as an effective leader. Clergy from diverse denominations, as well as family therapists and counselors, have found that this book directly addresses the dilemmas and crises they encounter daily. It is widely used as a text in courses on pastoral care, leadership, and family systems.

    Other times, a talk has been prepared for which there was neither occasion nor audience.Whether the author simply needed the spiritual calisthenics which go with such added preparation, it now matters not. These "Sermons Not Spoken" are here printed for audiences unseen, but with no less desire that somehow, for them, they will prove helpful.As always, it should be said that this is not an official Church publication. The views expressed herein are those for which the author alone is solely responsible.Genuine appreciation is expressed to Daniel H. Ludlow and Roy W. Doxey for their review of and suggestions concerning this manuscript and to Susan Jackson for processing, so patiently, the flow of words.

    In the Orthodox Church it is known under the name of the "Jesus Prayer" and it is widely practiced, not only in monasteries -- for example, on Mount Sinai and Mount Athos -- but by lay people as well. The invocation of the Holy Name, however, has also been used by many generations of Western Christians. This form of prayer has a universal appeal -- to Orthodox and Romans, to Anglicans and Protestants, to all kinds of Christians of both Eastern and Western traditions.

    12th volume in the Religious Studies Monograph Series.

    The author uses Scripture, case histories, and dialogue to impart timeless principles that can heal damaged relationships, strengthen everyday communication, and help people avoid the traps of manipulation that often disrupt the free flow of honest discussion. Readers will find this information invaluable in every relationship of life--especially those that don't come easy.

    

    Keith Howick was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended the University of Utah where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science and Juris Doctor in law. He also taught and performed PhD studies at Pennsylvania State University. The author has taught religion classes on all levels: in his ward, in seminary, in institute classes at the University of Utah and Montana State University and in the religion department at Brigham Young University. He has also taught courses in American political government and conducted graduate seminars in public law at Pennsylvania State University. A long time student of Church history, E. Keith Howick prepared the index to the seven-volume History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The author is married to Gail Braithwaite Howick. They are the parents of six children.