Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: 52 Life-Changing Questions from the Book of Mormon

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Today’s post focuses on an important area of my life, my religion. Most of you know that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As such, I read a lot of non-fiction books about the gospel, many of which I feel that anyone who desires a greater understanding of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and other gospel principles would enjoy. Today’s book is specific to those who have a desire to study The Book of Mormon. I have young children, but we have already been reading the Bible and The Book of Mormon together. I wanted to review this book because I figured it would help enhance our scripture study. I’m happy to say that it has done just that.

I love the idea of how a question can change your life, prompt you to do better, serve others, become more Christlike. And I love how Wilcox and Hilton have delved into the questions of The Book of Mormon and how those questions really can change our lives.

Here’s more about the book:

Ready for a change in your life? Turn to the Book of Mormon! Popular authors Brad Wilcox and John Hilton III help us recognize and ponder 52 powerful Book of Mormon questions which can help us with the challenges in life. Could a simple question change your perspective?

How is it that ye have forgotten?
Have ye inquired of the Lord?
Lord, how long?
Have ye spiritually been born of God?
Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?
Have miracles ceased?
Lord, how is it done?
One short chapter each week can inspire you in life-changing ways. Just imagine how much better your life could be one year from now!

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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Book Review: Follow Me to Zion

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Today I’m sharing my book review of a beautiful work of art and history blended together in the book, FOLLOW ME TO ZION by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene S. Allphin with gorgeous paintings by Julie Rogers. If you appreciate the history of the pioneers, you’ll enjoy this non-fiction book with stories specific to the trek that Mormon immigrants made on their way to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1856.

The presentation of this book is incredible. I love the layout and the many pages of artwork included that bring the stories to life. I’m forever grateful for the sacrifices that my ancestors made to create this beautiful valley where I once lived.

Here’s more about the book:

James G. Willie knew the trek would be arduous when he left Iowa City in July 1856, leading 500 handcart pioneers on a 1,300-mile journey across the plains.

But he could not have known that his people would run out of food while still hundreds of miles from Salt Lake City nor that the winter of 1856 would begin in the middle of October with prolonged, severe storms. Sixty-nine members of his company would die along the way.

Yet from this tragedy emerged triumphant stories of personal endurance, courage, heroism, and unwavering faith.

Follow Me to Zion recounts 20 compelling stories of members of the Willie handcart company and their rescuers.

Dozens of full-color images by artist Julie Rogers enrich this keepsake volume, which pays tribute to the men, women, and children who have become enduring witnesses of the power of faith and sacrifice.

Here you will find excerpts from their own accounts of the journey, learn what those faithful pioneers did after reaching the Salt Lake Valley, and read reflections on their lives by descendants.

The simple words “Follow Me to Zion,” cross-stitched onto small pieces of fabric kept in the journal of a handcart pioneer, are an invitation that still calls to us today.

The stories and paintings in this beautiful volume can inspire us to live true to our faith and reach out to help others do likewise.

Other books you may enjoy:

More Than Miracles: Extraordinary Stories from 17 Miracles   

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Book Review: Consider the Blessings by Thomas S. Monson

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I love this inspirational book! I love that I have heard several of the stories in the past and had nearly forgotten them but now I get to enjoy them with renewed appreciation. I love that there are many new stories that I’ve never heard before and reading them warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes. I love that I can almost hear President Thomas S. Monson narrating each story with so much feeling in his voice. I love that the stories are short enough to be enjoyed when I only have a few minutes to spare, yet long enough to provide something to ponder over. The photographs that accompany each experience brings the book to life. I love Consider the Blessings!

Here’s more about the book:

If you ask people what they love most about President Thomas S. Monson’s teaching style, chances are they’ll say something about the personal experiences he relates. The accounts President Monson shares are always true, taken from his own life or the real lives of other people. Those warm, memorable accounts have truly become a hallmark of his messages.

Who can forget the woman who saved one of the two sticks of gum Elder Monson passed out to youth in postwar Germany? Or the neighbor who returned a box of baseballs to young Tommy as a thank-you for his kindness to her? Or the father who declined to attend a “Mormon” meeting with his family but had his heart softened by a message he heard on a radio that was actually broken?

In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his call as an Apostle, Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family.

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Book Review: Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Taken by Storm is a young adult romance book, but a huge page-turner at the same time. Morrison is so talented! I love how this book is written from two different POVs in such a creative way. The writing is beautiful, touching, and you’ll find yourself thinking about Leesie and Michael long after you’ve read the last poem on the final page.

This clean romance novel covers a topic that is often difficult to approach in the YA market–abstinence. Kudos to Angela Morrison for doing a fantastic job and showing how real the pull and desire between Leesie and Michael is and how quickly things can spiral out of control. I’m keeping this on my list of books for my girls to read when they are a little older.

Here’s more about the book:

Leesie Hunt has many rules: No kissing. No sex. No dating outside the Mormon faith.

When Michael Walden, a deep-sea diver who lost his parents in a violent hurricane, arrives in town, Leesie sees someone who needs her. They fall for one another, even though his dreams are tied to the depths of the ocean and hers to salvation above.

Will their intense chemistry be too strong to resist?

Leesie and Michael must make the hardest choice of their lives: whether to follow their beliefs or their hearts.

Other books you may enjoy:

Unbroken Connection: A Young Adult Romance (Taken by Storm Book 2) by [Morrison, Angela]   

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Book Review: The Sacrament by John Bytheway

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

The Sacrament is a neat religious children’s book is from the perspective of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and other religions that participate in a weekly sacrament. The book is a poem that tells a story and teaches about the importance of the sacrament and why we take it each Sunday.

The illustrations were perfect and the poem has a great message, although at times the poem had to reach a little far for its rhythm. I think it might have been better just as a narrative, but my kids liked it and were thoughtful about the message.

Here’s more about the book:

It’s understandable that some children appear bored or distracted during sacrament meeting. Many young Latter-day Saints are probably unsure about the true meaning of the sacrament and why we attend. With this in mind, bestselling author John Bytheway has composed a delightful poem (inspired by a short poem by Walter H. Horne) to help Latter-day Saints young and old appreciate the ordinance of the sacrament. In particular, children will learn what they should be thinking about (and not be thinking about) during this sacred time as well as what the sacrament can do for all of us.

Beautifully illustrated by Nathan Pinnock, this thought-provoking story about a young boy and his grandpa is a gentle reminder about the importance of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, especially during this special meeting meant for Him.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

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Book Review: One Little Match by Thomas S. Monson

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I enjoyed a good picture book with an inspirational message and One Little Match delivers. I have five children so I was thrilled to have a chance to read this book by Thomas S. Monson. This story is delightful and at the same time inspirational as we learn of a powerful lesson in obedience that Thomas gained at a young age.

The illustrations are perfect for the story with detail to bring it to life and keep the lesson imprinted in your children’s minds. I read this book with my kids and each of them enjoyed it. I recommend this as a great gift book, supplement to use as a lesson for Family night, and just for fun as you re-read the story again and again.

Here’s more about the book:

Thomas S. Monson loved spending summers at his family’s cabin in Utah’s Vivian Park. One summer day, he and his best friend, Danny, decided to clear a field so they could gather with their friends and have a campfire that night. The tall, stubborn weeds would not pull out easily. So Tommy had the idea to burn them up instead. He knew he should not use matches without permission from his parents. But he ignored the feeling that warned him of the danger and raided the matchbox in the cabin. Back in the field, he lit one little match an prepared to set the parched June grass ablaze… Readers of all ages will resonate with this wonderful true story that demonstrates the blessings of obedience and the dangers that can come from something as small as one little match.

Other books you may enjoy:

Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Hand in our Lives by [Monson, Thomas S.]   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

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