The Sacrament by John Bytheway

The Sacrament

Author: John Bytheway

Illustrator: Nathan Pinnock

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: April 7th, 2014

ISBN13: 978-1-60907-790-7

Hardcover: 32 pages

FTC FYI: I received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

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.

My Review

I was very excited to review this book to review.  A few days after I received it, there was a lovely Relief Society lesson given by a sister in my ward about the Sacrament.  Sister Reader passed out papers to all the sisters that read, "What did you think of during the sacrament?"  That sentence really made me think.  Usually I read the scriptures during the sacrament, but did I truly think about the Savior and the importance of the sacrament?  The next day at Family Home Evening, I was inspired to give a lesson about the sacrament.  We read this lovely book together as a family and used the lovely experience of the author to better our understanding of the sacrament and the importance of partaking it every week.  Also to encourage my family to be spiritually prepared to take the sacrament, and to be thinking of Jesus Christ, through prayer and the scriptures.

My family and I will cherish this book and I am very grateful that it is in our home.

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

About the Author (from Goodreads)

John Bytheway (born October 1962) 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.

Author the Illustrator (from his website)

Portrait painter, illustrator, Teacher of oil painting, drawing, and sculpting + logo design.
Greater Salt Lake Area
Current: Artist at Pinnock Illustration/ Pinnock Fine Art
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration, Painting, Sculpting at Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Atelier Leseuer

Summary

Professional painter and Sculptor, Illustrator and Private art teacher.

Specialities

Portrait painting, teaching oil painting, drawing, sculpting and painting composition.

Experience

• Artist at Pinnock Illustration/Pinnock Fine Art – January 1992 – Present (20 + years)
• Illustrator – January 1990- 2001
• Portrait painter and Fine Artist 2001- Present (20 + years)
• Private Instructor of painting, Drawing, and Sculpting – 1996 to present