Religious Studies Center Books

Our inner critical voice can block our ability to recognize and use our unique gifts and talents that are essential in our quest to learn, progress, and become better people despite the challenges of life. Written with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in mind, it follows proven clinical methodologies and offers helpful faith-based principles and perspectives that also can be effective for anyone struggling with self-defeating tendencies. Readers will explore key steps to identify, reject, and rise above our inner critical voice to discover, cultivate, and preserve our deeper, wiser, and authentic self. The goal is unlocking hope, long-term healing, and personal, social, and spiritual empowerment.

This book explores key themes in the progression of Wilford Woodruff’s early discipleship during his missionary service in the US and Great Britain. Through his vivid and extensive personal account and within the broader context of Church history, this book highlights his dedication to the principles of hard work, obedience, careful recordkeeping, gratitude, and consecration. These themes provide rich material for personal study; lessons in Church, seminary, or institute; supplemental reading to Come, Follow Me; or mission preparation. Readers will find valuable insights from the story of one man’s life journey that can be applied to their own path of discipleship.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was not established in any part of South America until a hundred years after the restoration of the Church. In 1925 Elders Melvin J. Ballard, Rulon S. Wells, and Rey L. Pratt dedicated South America for the preaching of the gospel and organized the South American Mission. This book examines the beginning of the Church in South America and the different approaches to missionary work during this period. As Elder Ballard accurately predicted, “The work of the Lord will grow slowly for a time here just as an oak grows slowly from an acorn. . . . The South American Mission will be a power in the Church.” South American members now represent over 25 percent of all Church members worldwide.

The latter part of the Book of Mormon’s book of Alma is sometimes referred to as “the war chapters.” However, the relevant chapters are much more complex than often assumed, focusing on the nature of covenant, the love of God, and the way human beings establish their identities. The record alerts readers to challenges uniquely faced by women, the difficulty of handling complicated relationships, and the need to make good choices. The text enlightens its adherents about the meaning of scripture in different contexts, how prophets intervene on behalf of the downtrodden and look to God’s future interventions in the world, and what it means to see God in the concrete details of life.