There Were Giants in the Land: Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen

There Were Giants in the Land: Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen by W. Cleon Skousen, Jo Ann Skousen and Mark Skousen

W. Clean Skousen's family members assembled an autobiography from his journals. Skousen was born in Canada, then served a church mission in Europe and then came to live in the USA. He spent time working for J Edgar Hoover in the FBI. He was later a university professor and a police chief before focussing on his National Center for Constitutional Studies. The organization advocated a conservative focus on the study of the constitution and it's religious basis. In addition to the political writings, he also wrote parenting works and a "thousand years" series of books on the Old Testament. He was very devoted to his organization and his brand of conservative principles. However, he had trouble with others that differed in the way to run things. His anti-communist beliefs were perfect for the cold war mentality and seemed to reach the mainstream peak during the Reagan era. After the end of the cold war, his relevance appeared to wane.

The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us

The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us (Why Culture Wars Led to Polarization and What It Means for the Future of Religion in America) by Ryan P. Burge

At one time, mainline protestant churches were community institutions. They represented a cross-section of the community, with different political beliefs. Today these churches are rare. Evangelical churches have risen up and are tightly associated with the right. Born Again and Evangelical are associated with politics as much as they are with religion. (There are even cases of non-religious or other religions adopting those terms.)

While right wing is associated with religious, left wing has been more associated with agnostic. There is a dearth of the "middle". The churches that could appeal to everyone have been dying off. Many small towns have lost their churches. People with fall away from churches due to political beliefs. There are also few avenues for people who are honestly questioning. Churches have represented multiple things. They are provide community, service, moral guidance and spirituality. With them falling away, society is at a loss.

Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump

Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump by Molly Worthen

People with charisma have been able to influence people. The term was originally used theologically and much of the book explores the charismatics from a religious perspective. In modern times, it has come to spread beyond religion to other people like Donald Trump. Charismatic people can influence others in various ways and have lead various large-scale religious movements. The Puritans and other early religious movements had many charismatic leaders. The second great awakenings were similar. (Though Joseph Smith was charismatic, many people were drawn in after reading the Book of Mormon before seeing him.) Political leaders also had their appeal based on their public oratory. Later television would play a role in changing how we viewed leaders (with Nixon/JFK being an early example.) The history of charisma is interesting, but almost too broad to be well covered.

Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World

Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland

This book is more a less a history of Christianity. However, instead of focussing on the internal leadership of the church, it explores the "power" that church held in society. The narrative meanders around different times and places. It lacked a clear focus as it explored the influence of Christianity on society.

How to Lead When You're Not in Charge

How to Lead When You're Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins and Andy Stanley

While the content is generally applicable, many of the examples are related to the author's experience as a southern church pastor. There is the story of how chic fil-a started serving milkshakes. (A local manager decided to experiment with ways to do it. He did not keep quiet about it, but did not spend too much time bragging. He had built up trust with the higher ups and was able to demonstrate how it worked well.) In another example, the church team advocated taking off Memorial Day Sunday after seeing another church do that with success. At first, the attempt was shot down. However, they later presented evidence and built up a solid case for giving volunteers some time off so they could come back stronger for the summer.

The core message is that leadership and authority are different. Leadership does not need authority. A position of authority works best for somebody that is already a leader. True leadership requires understanding others and helping them to achieve their maximum potential - whether they are above you or below you in the hierarchy. Being positive is key. Even when you seek change, doing it from a position of positivity is the best way to get it done. 

Taking Religion Seriously

Taking Religion Seriously by Charles Murray

Modern "scientific" people often look down on religions. It is seen as something quaint from the past. The author seeks to treat religion seriously. People's individual religious journey can be different. For some, there is the deep internal faith. For others, an intellectual approach works. The benefits of the culture and community are also a key part of the religious package. In this book, the author includes a large bibliography of many books that he was found useful in the spiritual exploration. There are also interesting discussions of the history and timeline of the Bible. He is of the side that the gospels were written early by people that may have direct knowledge of the events, rather than a later view that some modernists suppose. It is an interesting approach to religion and how it provides value even in today's modern society.

To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson

To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton

There is an audiobook available from audible and ebook available from libraries. Thomas S. Monson grew up in a working class part of Salt Lake. His church unit was the combination of two wards, called the "6-7 ward" (This would be sure to attract giggles from children everywhere with the popular meme.) From a child, he was fairly sociable and had leadership positions from a young age. He liked the outdoors and was fairly sociable, though got into typical juvenile mischief. He had good leaders at a young age who encouraged him to help others. He continued to have a strong focus on the individual throughout his life.

He attended the University of Utah and worked in advertising and publishing. He would continue to have a keen eye for details throughout his life. He enlisted in the Naval reserves towards the end of World War II, but spent most of the time in San Diego. He became involved in church callings, serving as a Bishop and Mission President at a young age. He was also a young member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was involved in many areas of the church, especially the opening of the church behind the Iron Curtain. He continued to have a reputation for individual focus and looked after individuals from his stewardship. 

He was always a master storyteller. I recognized many of the stories from his talks. This book "fills in the details" for many of the events that are already well known.

Aids to Reflection

Aids to Reflection by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

I did not realize that Coleridge was a religious writer. His work responds to many of the concerns of the day. He advocates for his version of Christianity. He identifies problems with the Baptists and Catholics, but seems to side more with Catholics. There are also significant responses to metaphysics and the modern thoughts of the day. In addition to the responses, there are also some general more personal thoughts on morality. The book felt quite disjointed, which may be in part due to the heavy annotations and references that seem to have been applied to later editors.

Insights from a Prophet's Life: Russell M. Nelson

Insights from a Prophet's Life: Russell M. Nelson by Sheri Dew

This book is a "fun events in the life of somebody that I know" biography. It goes through the life of Russell M. Nelson and even references another biography. However, it also pulls in other personal experiences that the author had with him. Russell was a precocious child. He skipped a grade in school and graduated early. He went to undergraduate and medical school during the time of World War II. He was dedicated to learning and serving in his church. His family came from a multi-generational Mormon background, but were not active members of the church. He went to church on his own, and worked to bring his family along. He married and lived a student pauper's life of medical training. He served in the military during the Korean war. He was on the forefront of the nascent field of heart surgery. He also had a knack for foreign languages and learned Chinese and later spent time in China. He became more involved in church service, even turning down a post at University of Chicago to remain in Salt Lake to be able to take more church callings. He was later called to be an apostle and had to wind down his surgical practice. (Though he did keep the appointments he already had.) He had some interesting experiences, including significant footwork to get church recognition behind the Iron curtain. He also experienced an armed robbery and attempted kidnapping in Africa. His wife passed away (due to a heart issue). His CPR was unable to save her. He later remarried (through somebody he met be somewhat of a chance meeting.)

As a church leader, he was older than those ranked above him and was not expected to become president of the church. However, a number of passings in quick succession left him as president. He announced a number of significant changes, including restructuring of meetings and ministering and made a large number of visita around the world. He did have to give up skiing, though. This anecdotes work to bring out the history of his life.

The Sickness Unto Death

The Sickness Unto Death: A New Translation by Søren Kierkegaard, translated by Bruce H. Kirmmse

The paper book I have is a different translation than the ebook from the library one I have. Kierkegaard explores some concepts of Christianity. The Sickness Unto Death starts with the miracle of Jesus raising a person from the dead. That talks about sickness unto death. Kierkegaard then explores Christianity and despair. Death is part of our journey. However despair is a a more true "sickness unto death" that leads towards a worse end. He originally wrote this as "Anti-Climacus" Why the pseudonym? I have had this sitting around for a few decades, but felt the need to avoid it. Maybe I just needed to wait for this new translation? It seemed to be an interesting look at Christian existentialism, 

Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse

Alienated America: Why Some Places Thrive While Others Collapse by Timothy P. Carney

Timothy Carney is a conservative commentator, but in this book he outlined the playbook for Democrats to overcome Trumpies. The Democrats have tended to move far to the left and disregarded the religious, assuming they will just go for Trump. However, while the regular church-goers tend to be very conservative, they supported Trump much less than they supported other Republicans. They tend to vote for him because he is lesser of evils. The Democrats have written off the religious and pandered to the left with many policies and priorities that are offensive to the religious. This leaves them voting for Trump.

As for the Trumpies, most of them tend to be those without hope that live in hard-hit areas with little sense of community. They tend not to be regular church-goers or to have any significant community involvement. There is little industry and little hope. However, they still have a desire to be independent. They don't want the government to tell them what to do.

The left includes the wealthy urbanites. They tend to have many social groups. They are involved with school groups, children's sports teams, churches and more. The "conservative right" also tends to be heavily dialed into church and community. Even in areas with struggles, the community keeps them together as they work to help each other. People that claim a religious affiliation, yet rarely attend church tend to be the most alienated and the most Trumpy.

Churches have historically been a primary part of community. That is were people of all backgrounds in a city worshipped and socialized. The church provides community benefits and a way to both serve and be served. Church schools provided a place for people to learn together. Government has taken upon many of the functions that churches had provided. However, this has come at the expense of community. The government provides the schools and the welfare for all in need. Government even restricts churches and others from engaging in similar activities. (You can get in trouble for opening a homeless shelter in your house.) However, government imposes it from on high. There is no worship or service. The community is lacking and thus the despair is increased.

The Democrat approach is often to attack the financial aspects of despair, but that does little to fix the core problems. Trump uses scapegoats, like immigrants, to help entice those longing for the good 'ol days. This seems like a path forward, but will also likely not help very much. We need a better approach to get community back,

Prayer

Prayer by Karen Dixon Merrell, illustrated by Dick Brown, Gary Kapp, and Bob Reese

This was a tough one to find. The book was missing a couple of pages, including the copyright page. It also had a one-word title, with a common word. Eventually, google lens image search helped. An etsy listing had some photos with details. The book is s short introduction to the process of prayer and the purpose and application of prayers. It is nicely illustrated and simple and to the point.

Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes

Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes by Gordon B. Hinckley , forward by Mike Wallace

This book is a book of family values and principles written by a religious to a general audience. The principles are sound, bur the delivery fells dated. It feels obvious that the values of the world have drifted further towards individual wants and away from standing for something. A marriage where the spouses are devoted to each other will be the best for raising kids, but also feels so rare today. People are afraid to "stand for something" and thus follow the understood whims of society as seen in social media. Alas, this often does more to bring people down than to help society.

The Eastern Orthodox Church: A New History

The Eastern Orthodox Church: A New History by John Anthony McGuckin

Eastern Orthodox Christianity has always been more tightly tied to the politics and culture of the home countries than western Christianity. That is one of the big takeaways from this book. Orthodox Christianity functions differently than Catholic and Catholic and protestant Christianity. The unified leadership under the Pope and the vast separation under protestantism are just not part of the DNA of the Orthodox branch. The ceremonies are different. Communist governments have tried to suppress the church without success. They have had greater success in taking over control. After reading I feel I understand Orthodox Christianity a bit more, but realize how much I don't understand.

Jonah

Jonah by Bendon Publishing International, Inc.

This is a board book from the dollar star without a copyright date or even a listed author. It tells a short story of Jonah. The pictures are fun and story is not that bad. It exceeds the very low expectations.

The Idaho Falls Temple: The First LDS Temple in Idaho

The Idaho Falls Temple: The First LDS Temple in Idaho by Delbert V. Groberg (Author)

This history of the Idaho Falls temple is very well annotated and includes details of almost every person and event involved in early Idaho Falls history. The temple was started during the Great Depression. The church had not built a temple for many years before this temple was constructed. Both the church and the community were very eager for this project. The church members were excited from a religious point of view. The community, including city leadership and chamber of commerce were also enthusiastic about having a grand building and the many jobs that would be provided by construction and the supporting of future visitors. 

The book includes numerous pictures of people, maps and buildings. There are reproduced newspaper clippings as well as verbatim copies of various talks and newspaper articles. The narrative does jump around a bit, but can be read from about any location. Much of the book covers the building and initial dedication of the temple. However, there are some accounts of the operation of the temple. The special 24 hour operation as well as the first Black man to go through the temple are two stories that come to mind. The detailed accounts and pictures of people make this a great historical and family history resource. 

The Good Samaritan: Level 2 (I Can Read! / Adventure Bible)

The Good Samaritan: Level 2 (I Can Read! / Adventure Bible) by Zondervan (Author), David Miles (Illustrator)

The story of the Good Samaritan is told in easy to read language with fun pictures. The length is just right for the story.

The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1453

The Early Eastern Orthodox Church: A History, AD 60-1453 by Stephen Morris

I stumbled across this one while searching for books by the Joy Division drummer of the same name. This is a history of early Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox church originally was just part of the same Catholic church. However, as the Roman Empire moved east and Constantinople was established, this became a central area for the church in the ast. The east gradually began to differ from the west. Eventually there was a great schism. This was not a sudden change, so much as a culmination of different changes. The sacking of Constantinople by crusaders further contributed to problems.

The book presents chapters zeroing in on key characters and events in the church history rather than attempt to be an exhaustive story. There were debates over the nature of Mary and icons. Religious leaders such as John of Antioch and Cyril had important roles. Secular rulers such as Justinian also had a part int the establishment of the church.

The book doesn't have much of a narrative, but it does include sources for further reading. It is fairly short, so can be a good introduction of key points. 

Heart of the Matter: What 100 Years of Living Have Taught Me

Heart of the Matter: What 100 Years of Living Have Taught Me by Russell M. Nelson

There is an ebook available from libraries and audiobook from audible. This book has an assortment of anecdotes and learnings that Russell M. Nelson has had over the course of his 100 years of life. He had experience as a doctor, becoming a heart surgeon even after initially learning that in school that heart surgery was impossible. His later years had been devoted to church service, including being president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has had various experiences throughout many countries of the world in both medical and church service. With all of this outward activity, he has also spent time with his family and raising his many children. The book has many teachings that would be at home in a General Conference address (and plenty that came from one.) There are also minor bits, like he regularly weighs himself, and eats a bit less if see his weight increased. It seems like a very logical strategy. Never let weight get out of hand either way. There are also plenty of teachings of family and simply living the best you can and not short changing your spiritual life.

Abish (Steppingstone)

Abish (Steppingstone) by Sherrie Johnson, illustrated by Mark McCune

Abish is one of the few women mentioned by name in the Book of Mormon. This story tells her story. She was a faithful Christian living among the Lamanites. When the king faints as part of his conversion, she runs to tell everyone. However, when this causes chaos, she wakes the king. Many people follow Christ due to this episode. The story is well told. There are also little cartoon characters that provide small commentary and hints on big words. (They provided a definition for "rebuke" right as the kids asked.)