Broken Things to Mend

Recently my mom passed the book, Broken Things to Mend by Jeffrey R. Holland, on to me. I'm only about half way through it, but I just wanted to share it with every one. I am thoroughly enjoying it and I'm learning a ton. So, if you're looking for a good LDS read, give it a shot.

I think it's very easy to identify with the topics that Elder Holland discusses, plus he's relatively easy to read. Sometimes some of the General Authorities books can be quite an undertaking. Example: Jesus the Christ. Anyway, there seems to be a ton of references to parenting, which I love. The entire first section of the book is about keeping families whole. Elder Holland talks about the importance of teaching our children our religion. How faith and example are best for teaching. One of my favorite things I read in this section is, "In matters of religion a skeptical mind is not a higher manifestation of virtue than is a believing heart." I love that because sometimes I don't feel like I have all the scriptural knowledge or book knowledge to have open debates about the Gospel. What I do know, though, is that I believe it's true. I know it's true. Elder Holland also says, "God will send aid to no one more readily than He will send it to a child-and to the parent of a child." With that I know if I do my part the best I can, Heavenly Father will fill in the rest. I have seen the truth in that multiple times already and it may be one of the things I am most grateful for at this time in my life. He talks to my son and helps him understand when I'm having a hard time or I'm confused as to what to do as a mother, and He also talks to me and helps me teach things I didn't know I could in ways I didn't know where possible for me.

That's why I'm loving this book. There are so many more beautiful things written in it and I don't want to give it all away. Elder Holland goes on to speak to mothers, fathers and youth and also about many virtues that we need to cultivate and keep alive in a day that they seem to be disappearing. This book is hopeful and it makes me feel hopeful as Elder Holland addresses so many worries that I've felt and that others have felt.

If you read it, you'll have to tell me what you think. I love it so much so far that I just couldn't wait to finish it to talk about it!