Re: [ZION] Best Books

2002-11-09 Thread Valerie Nielsen Williams
My favorite is The Discourses of Brigham YoungBY writes so I can
understand.  Joseph Smith is difficult for me to understand.  I don't
know why--probably the same reason certain scriptures mean more at
certain times.  Maybe when I'm ready. . . ;-)

your sis in Mishawaka
val

On Fri, 8 Nov 2002 19:50:40 -0600 Paul Osborne [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
 After the scriptures what is the best book on gospel doctrine?  My
 present 
 choice would be THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH edited 
 by
 Joseph Fielding Smith.  
 
 
 I agree, absolutely!!
 
 Paul O
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
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[ZION] Best Books

2002-11-08 Thread John W. Redelfs
Why do you suppose the Lord repeats himself so many times in commanding us 
to study words of wisdom out of the best books?  Is he referring only to 
the scriptures?  Or does he want us to seek out and read the best books in 
other fields?

If I want to read a biology book, do I want to read a book that is merely 
good, or among the best?  Or do I want to read the best one?  And so it is 
in any field of interest.  Reading one best book is worth reading dozens 
or even hundreds of others.

Unfortunately, many people are too intellectually lazy to do the work 
necessary to find out which book is the best one.  But over the long term 
it is worth it because one learns so much more from a best book.

After the scriptures what is the best book on gospel doctrine?  My present 
choice would be THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH edited by Joseph 
Fielding Smith.  I think that the MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS by Spencer W. 
Kimball is a better and more important book, but it is more a book on 
practicing the religion than on doctrine.

Some might object that it is impossible to determine a best book, that 
which book is best is in the eye of the beholder.  It is a subjective 
evaluation.  And so it is.  So when I say best book, I mean in your 
opinion what is the best book?  Ultimately the individual reader has to be 
the one to make that determination.  To my way of thinking, it is a cop out 
to set aside the task of determining the best book just because someone 
else may have a different opinion.  Determining a best book requires that a 
person be familiar with the literature, and know who are the most respected 
authors.  One could consider drawing up a select list of among the best 
books, and then determine his own best book according to his own needs, 
personality and taste.

This is just the way my mind works.  Sometimes I am more interested in 
reading the stacks at a library than I am in reading any of the books.  For 
me the bibliography at the end of a book is in some cases more interesting 
than the book itself.

We always need to remember that a book written by a single author is a look 
into his mind and way of thinking.  Even in the most math-like subjects, 
the author reveals himself by what he chose to include and what he chose to 
exclude.  And some personalities reverberate more than others in our 
interpersonal relationships, so why should we not assume that the same 
chemistry is at work in our choice of an authors?

I cannot say that Boyd K. Packer is the best speaker among the currently 
living apostles and prophets.  But I can say that he is the best speaker by 
my judgement and criteria.  And defending my choice could be an 
entertaining and educational experience.

What do you think?  What are some of the best books in your opinion?

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Re: [ZION] Best Books

2002-11-08 Thread Stacy Smith
Thomas S. Monson and Boyd K. Packer.

Stacy.

At 01:44 PM 11/08/2002 -0900, you wrote:


Why do you suppose the Lord repeats himself so many times in commanding us 
to study words of wisdom out of the best books?  Is he referring only to 
the scriptures?  Or does he want us to seek out and read the best books in 
other fields?

If I want to read a biology book, do I want to read a book that is merely 
good, or among the best?  Or do I want to read the best one?  And so it is 
in any field of interest.  Reading one best book is worth reading dozens 
or even hundreds of others.

Unfortunately, many people are too intellectually lazy to do the work 
necessary to find out which book is the best one.  But over the long term 
it is worth it because one learns so much more from a best book.

After the scriptures what is the best book on gospel doctrine?  My present 
choice would be THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH edited by Joseph 
Fielding Smith.  I think that the MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS by Spencer W. 
Kimball is a better and more important book, but it is more a book on 
practicing the religion than on doctrine.

Some might object that it is impossible to determine a best book, that 
which book is best is in the eye of the beholder.  It is a subjective 
evaluation.  And so it is.  So when I say best book, I mean in your 
opinion what is the best book?  Ultimately the individual reader has to be 
the one to make that determination.  To my way of thinking, it is a cop 
out to set aside the task of determining the best book just because 
someone else may have a different opinion.  Determining a best book 
requires that a person be familiar with the literature, and know who are 
the most respected authors.  One could consider drawing up a select list 
of among the best books, and then determine his own best book 
according to his own needs, personality and taste.

This is just the way my mind works.  Sometimes I am more interested in 
reading the stacks at a library than I am in reading any of the 
books.  For me the bibliography at the end of a book is in some cases more 
interesting than the book itself.

We always need to remember that a book written by a single author is a 
look into his mind and way of thinking.  Even in the most math-like 
subjects, the author reveals himself by what he chose to include and what 
he chose to exclude.  And some personalities reverberate more than others 
in our interpersonal relationships, so why should we not assume that the 
same chemistry is at work in our choice of an authors?

I cannot say that Boyd K. Packer is the best speaker among the currently 
living apostles and prophets.  But I can say that he is the best speaker 
by my judgement and criteria.  And defending my choice could be an 
entertaining and educational experience.

What do you think?  What are some of the best books in your opinion?

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Re: [ZION] Best Books

2002-11-08 Thread Paul Osborne
After the scriptures what is the best book on gospel doctrine?  My
present 
choice would be THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH edited by
Joseph Fielding Smith.  


I agree, absolutely!!

Paul O
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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