How Do I Know if I Know?
Author: John Bytheway
Publisher: Deseret Book
Published: September 2014
ISBN13: 9781609079215
Paperback: 138 pages
LDS inspirational
FTC: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Summary
It's spiritual gut-check time! The mission age has been lowered, and now more than ever, young people are asking themselves important questions:
*How do I know if I really have a testimony?
*Am I ready to serve a mission?
*What does the Spirit feel like?
John Bytheway suggests that we "F.E.E.L." the truthfulness of the gospel through our feelings, our experiences, the many evidences we encounter, and our logical conclusions about how a loving God interacts with His children on the earth. Like gradually turning up a dimmer switch, understanding all the ways we F.E.E.L. our testimony will help it grow brighter.
As you read, you may discover that your testimony is stronger than you thought, and you'll also become more excited and motivated to let your light shine!
My Review
Although aimed for teens, this book can be enjoyable and helpful for someone at any age. This book teaches us to always be strengthening our faith and our testimony. I can't wait for my daughters to read this. John's down-to-earth way of teaching is perfect for the youth, but I enjoyed it too. I loved the personal experiences of his own and others used to get his point across. I took notes and I read and highlighted many passages that I can look back on later. I will share some of my favorites.
Brother Bytheway refers a lot to the reference of light and he separated them as to F.E.E.L. Feelings, Experiences, Evidences, Logic. In your mind is evidences and logic. In your heart are feelings and experiences. (page 84) He also refers to trees and fruit. "The teaching of the gospel are what we know. The fruits of the gospel are what we become." (page 76-77) Isn't that awesome? John emphasizes that it is okay to not know everything now. For him, "I know what I know, and what I know trumps what I don't know." (page 108) That is an amazing example of faith and testimony.
This book also teaches about discerning right and wrong. Teaching you to rely on your feelings.
Even if you don't know it is true, you know that it is good. You know that the gospel is good -- that it teaches good things, that it produces good people. You know there is goodness there. That is a beginning. And you know more.
I loved this book and I know you and your teen will too.
About the Author
John Bytheway is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master's Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.
Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.
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