2014, 208p, LDS Non-Fiction
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: Received a copy from the publisher for an honest review
As followers of Christ, our desire is to become like Him. In fact, we have been commanded to do so. But how?
In Power to Become, Elder David A. Bednar explores how the Savior makes possible His divine commission, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Nephi 12:48).
Chapters in this thought-provoking book highlight the importance of the Atonement, the spiritual gift of personal peace, the importance of priesthood ordinances, and the responsibility we have to obey willingly and endure valiantly.
"As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel," Elder Bednar writes, "as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him." Power to Become introduces vital tools we all can use to invite these eternally significant blessings into our lives.
This is the third book in Elder Bednar's series. The first book is Increase in Learning and the second book is Act in Doctrine. The first thing I noticed about this book is that there are wide margins to take notes and questions to consider at the end of each chapter, along with space to write your own questions and feelings about what you've read. That encouraged me to get out my scripture markers and start highlighting. Since everything can easily be highlighted, I limited it to what I felt spoke to me particularly at this time.
There are only 5 chapters in this book but each one is meat-filled and takes a while to digest. Here's just a taste: Chapter One talks about what it means to become and the role the Savior's Atonement plays in our lives. Chapter Two talks about the spiritual gift of personal peace and he shows us the pattern that invites the gift of peace into our lives. In Chapter Three, he discusses Priesthood ordinances and willing obedience. I loved the section about obedience operating at a number of different levels and the explanation of that. Chapter Four is about enduring valiantly and what that entails.
In Chapter Five, he brings everything together from all three books, briefly reviewing the sequence and basic concepts and principles from each book (Increase in Learning, Act in Doctrine and Power to Become.) I really enjoyed this chapter as I haven't read the first two books and feel like I got to sample the teachings in those books and look forward to reading them as well!
This book is filled with scriptures, quotes, stories and hymns. I loved that the most. Music is a big part of my life and I enjoyed reading his words and then reading the words of a hymn that reinforced what he spoke about. I know I've only scratched the surface of what I can learn from this book. This is definitely a book I will read again and again and look forward to getting more and more out of it every time I do!
You can find video discussions that go along with this book here.
About the Author
ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004. Prior to his call, he had served as an Area Seventy, regional representative, stake president, and bishop. He served a mission to southern Germany and then attended Brigham Young University, where he received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received a PhD in organizational behavior from Purdue University and was a professor of business management at Texas Tech University and the University of Arkansas. Elder Bednar served as the president of BYU-Idaho from 1997 to 2004. His previously published books include the bestsellers Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine. He and his wife, Susan, are the parents of three sons.
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