Saint The Books

This is a perfect book to pick up when you need a spiritual boost. Each time I read a section/chapter, I learn and feel so much about my Savior. The way these authors share their testimony and feelings about Christ is so clear and wonderful. Their words hit me deep down and I can actually imagine the scenes they are describing about the Savior's life and his love for us. Reading about their feelings and experiences helps me to conform my life more to the will of the Savior because I can feel the spirit deep in my soul. I just feel really good every time I sit down and read a few chapters. Especially when I start wondering why I'm having a problem or a challenge, reading a chapter in this book reminds me of how much Jesus Christ went through and his willingness to do that for me, and all of mankind. I recommend this book for everyone who is a Christian.

"Without the Resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles-but sayings and miracles with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate triumph is in the ultimate miracle: for the first time in the history of mankind, one who was dead raised himself into living immortality. He was the Son of God, the Son of our immortal Father in Heaven, and his triumph over physical and spiritual death is the good news every Christian tongue should speak."

--Howard W. Hunter, page 84.

This is my new favorite book. I hope it starts appearing at baptisms, confirmations, ordinations, farewells, and in Christmas stockings.

As Joseph Smith taught, the atonement is the central doctrine, with all other things being mere appendages (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 121). This book, then, focuses us on this one thing that matters most. This book has selections from both the prophets and the scholars.

Contributors include Presidents Howard W. Hunter, John Taylor, and Bruce R. McConkie. In fact the first entry is by Joseph Fielding Smith, so it starts out on the right foot. But other contributors are Chieko Okazaki, Sheri Dew, and Ardeth Kapp, so we have the distaff adding testimony. There are even quotes by Hugh Nibley, Gerald Lund, and it also has Steven Robinson's "Parable of the Bicycle," so all the bases are covered.

Also included are Orson F. Whitney's, and Melvin J. Ballard's visions of the Savior

Two criticisms: There is no index, just a table of contents, and they missed Joseph Smith's quote that I alluded to earlier. The first is forgivable, the second isn't. They also missed Lorenzo Snow's, David O. McKay's and David B. Haight's visions of the Savior (Ensign, Nov. 1989). People at Desert Book can e-mail me for more comments.

This is not a "brass-knuckles" doctrinal treatise, but a soft, reassuring testimony of Christ and how His atonement applies in our lives. Indeed, this book provides a great way to buttress talks, testimonies, and lessons with verifiable and reliable statements on the Savior.

I have nothing but raves about the packaging. The book is both informative and beautiful. The profound picture fix the passion and emotion associated with Christ's life. Philosopher Adam Smith pointed out in his "Theory on Moral Sentiments" that sight was the key to moral feelings, and they have capitalized on our capacity to feel by sight.

This book provides a great overview of the Atonement from many authors and many points of view. All of these testimonial arrows hit their target, which is our heart and our mind.

I was only a girl when I read it. And I have searched many years for this wonderful book, So I could read it again. I never was able to find it. Good Luck....

"The Girl in White Armor" is the abridged version of Paine's much larger two volume work "Joan of Arc-Maid of France". While lacking some of the detail of the larger work (among other things a complete translation of the trial) it is still a very well written and well researched book about one of the greatest(perhaps THE greatest) individuals to ever live. ....................................... Although between the two the larger work is the better choice, I highly recommend "The Girl in White Armor" to anyone, especially younger readers, who want to learn more about Joan of Arc. I consider myself fortunate to have both of the above named works by this author, who spent several years in France doing research and tracing the footsteps of the Maid. He brings understanding, compassion, honesty and love to the story of Joan of Arc.

It is impossible to do justice to "God Alone" in the space allotted on this site, but I feel I must redress my serious omission in not previously having offered at least some hint of its significance.

First, to those new to Yogananda or to Self-Realization Fellowship it is probably important to offer reassurance that (despite its seemingly absolutist title) this is NOT some rabid tract by a mere missionary. The words "God Alone" were the personal, private motto of the intellectual giant and Himalayan spirit who was given the monastic title Sri Gyanamata. In the subtitle, The Life and Letters of a Saint, we find Yogananda's own perspective on "Sister", as she was commonly known around the hermitage. The sixteen pages of Yogananda's own personal tribute here to his "foremost woman disciple" are telling -- unparalleled in his treatment of any of his other students.

Although her life was thorned with severe physical trials, Yogananda affirmed that "Never did I see inher face, in her eyes, anger or anguish or pain; only the sweetness of God." The master especially appreciated the humility which crowned her greatness. She never herself wrote a book. It remained for admiring devotees to collect letters and notes that were left after her passing in 1951. These very private notes (advice to devotees in need, devotional outpourings to Spirit or to Paramahansaji, notes of appreciation to her from Yogananda, diary entries).

The candor, simplicity, and compassion of her advice have been priceless solace and inspiration to me during trials of body, mind, or spirit. I have often said to students that if I were sentenced to abandonment on a desert isle for the rest of my years that Richard Bucke's "Cosmic Consciousness" is one of the five books I would select if possible. "God Alone" is another of those top five. I regret only that the sales ranking on the present site suggests that thousands of potential beneficiaries have yet to discover gem and its blessings.

CONTENTS include: Highlights of Gyanamata's life. Yogananda's account of her passing in the highest spiritual state. Her united love for spiritual truth from sources in both Christianity and yoga. The spiritual power achieved simply by cultivating 'right attitude.' Inspiring thoughts on the guru-disciple relationship by one who *could* have been a guru herself. Sophisticated understanding of renunciation as an *inner* process. A saint's insights on service, loyalty, and receptivity. Reaping blessings from times of great suffering. Spiritual healings and experiences. And unparalled insights on devotion -- from a mother of wisdom (the meaning of her monastic title, Gyanamata).

In no other volume (outside his "Autobiography of a Yogi") will you find such a collection of transformative jewels from Yogananda's teachings as in these spell-binding pages. All who appreciate "Autobiography of a Yogi" owe it to their souls to visit these "spiritual footprints for all to follow."

Edith Bissett's tough childhood days must have fueled her desire to seek out firsthand the deeper meaning of life. She delved into the world's great religious and philosophical writings, but became convinced that to realize the truth, you needed a guide who had already "been there and done that." In 1925, she met the great Indian saint and spiritual leader, Paramahansa Yogananda when he was in Seattle. Later, she joined his monastic order and took the name of Gyanamata ("Mother of Wisdom"). This book is a summary of her life and also contains many of her writings - journal entries, letters she wrote to Yogananda (and ones she received from him), counsel she gave to other truth seekers and so forth. Her inspiring writings cover the gamut - right attitude, devotion, renunciation, loyalty, dealing with suffering, gratitude, and much more. We learn so much by reading this book, and also realize why the author was called "Mother of Wisdom." A veritable gem.

after hearing Sage speake on the radio her story really moved me and i am very glad o have invested in her little gem of a book.
This book made a difference for me, i big one, it really showed me how to take control of the important areas of my life and to have a no BS attitude.
Most of all Sage made a huge impact on my finances and managing my emotions, i just really enjoyed the teachings and words of wisdom.
i love what Sage represents and i love this book.
thank you for making a difference in my life Sage
it is true that your dreams are waiting for you and this book shows you how to get to them!

This book really is out of the norm, it is just Sage being true to herself i guess. Sage has a unique but uplifting take on life and no doubt her life experiences have really made the journey that much more enlightening for her.
Personally i really appreciate her efforts in putting a book together inlight of her current condition and hardship. I think this book shows what someone with heart and little else can do. As for the content and onformation in the book i have to say that it really helped and uplifted me, especially all the powerful sayings that obviously mean alot to her.
In summary i would suggest this book not only as a great reference to great ancient wisdom but also as a reminder of what an indiviaual can do despite the challenges of life.
Sages wisdom, advice and attitudes definately gave me the pick up that my life needed, she really taches about the beauty, accountability and power within you.
I think she has done a great job, and i give this book my full praise.

These essays by modern writers on the Virgen de Guadalupe are incredible. It is so wonderful to read these writers thoughts and feelings on the Guadalupe. Since La Lupita is such a cultural icon both here in the US and in Mexico, I feel this is an important book. La Lupita permeates the consciousness of the Mexican and Chicano people and this book gives you a glimpse of that consciousness. This book is an education and a joy to have. You will read it over and over again.

This marvelous book provides well-written, engaging essays and stories by a playwright, a commedian, a novelist, a historian, an anthropologist, and others who explain who the Virgin of Guadalupe is and why Mexicans, Central Americans, and others of the American Southwest venerate her and pray to her as their main contact with the Divine. The writers, almost all distinguished Latinos, suggest that the Virgin of Guadalupe is a direct descendant of the ancient gods and goddesses of central America, and that furthermore, she is a primary feminine face of the Divine. She may be the only appearance of the Virgin Mary to a poor, illiterate person of an indigenous people, and like the Indians of Mexico, whom she visited, she is dark-skinned. (She is also pregnant.) Her appearance to an Indian man, Juan Diego, shows her empathy with blue-collar workers and migrant laborers and with the oppressed and down-trodden. Therefore, she receives a tremendous outpouring of love and adoration, especially on the December anniversary of her appearance to Juan Diego. Hundreds of thousands in central America, Mexico, and the American Southwest hold her dear as a feminine Divine figure who is the warm, personal confidante and helper of women, the abused, and evolutionaries. On making her acquaintance, famous essayist Nancy Mairs converted to Catholicism--a feminist version of Catholicism. On reading this book, I, myself, a Protestant gringa, went right out and bought myself a humble grocery-store candle portraying Guadalupe and began burning it, in solidarity with poor and oppressed women everywhere, and to present my own, personal concerns to the Divine. Since, I've met other women who have responded in the very same way. This book expands one's understanding of culture and history and also enriches one's spirituality.

Volume 7 of the "Kingdom in the West: The Mormons and the American Frontier", Gold Rush Saints is an extensively researched history drawing heavily upon documents and primary sources to chronicle the role that Mormons played and the effect they had in California during the Gold Rush era. The text is scholarly in tone yet accessible to lay readers as it presents exciting stories of travel, cooperation, success, and destitution. Focusing especially upon influential and charismatic Mormon personalities, the hardships they endured and the legacies they contributed to, Gold Rush Saints is a welcome and seminal contribution to American and California history shelves.

From 1846-1857 Mormons shaped events in California: they were the first American settlers of San Francisco. Narrative history blends with documentary accounts on California Mormon history: first-person accounts of early pioneers provide new insights on gold rush history and experiences. Chapters survey social and political controversies of the time between Mormons and between Mormons and other groups, examine the roles they played in settling California and overcoming the state's isolation, and include insights from the pioneers themselves. An excellent addition to California history.

This is an amazing historical novel by a gifted story-teller, a special treasure for anyone interested in Ignatius Loyola and his times. In typical deWohl style, we learn of our saintly hero through his occasional encounters with some intriguing fictional characters othewise engaged in their own personal plots of high adventure and romance. We get inspiring glimpses of Ignatius in his early "pilgrim" years, forging a spiritual identity and setting out on a dangerous journey to trace the footsteps of Christ in the Holy Land. Once you've finished The Golden Thread, you'll very likely want to leap into deWohl's Set All Afire, a sequel of sorts offering a tiny bit more of Ignatius and a whole lot more of his devoted companion, Francis Xavier.

Fascinating and very well written novel by Louis deWohl. It keeps the reader spell-bound and is suitable for readers of all ages. A great book! I highly recommend it.

Marvelous, thoroughly documented volume of religious legends, beliefs, and practices of North and South American Natives compared to the Old Testament, New Testament, and Mormon Scriptures. I was amazed at some of the beliefs and practices.

Excellent style of writing. It gives great insight of the religious beliefs of the aborigins of the americas. One of the most documented books I ever read in my life. The reason why is do touching to me because a lot of this material describe the legends of some of my ancestors, the Incas of Peru and the Araucanos in Chile. I'm pretty sure that this book will be a BEST SELLER. Congratulations!!!!!

i love this book and i bring it to church class every week

"Gospel Principles" is a standard Sunday school textbook written by- and for- Mormons. It provides fascinating insights into the Mormon faith from the inside. It's more useful than an outsider's approach, though it has some interesting omissions.

"Gospel Principles" discusses pre-existence, eternal marriage, and the three levels of glory (telestial, terrestrial, and celestial) One gets a sense of what Mormons experience on a Sunday morning. There are discussion questions, quotes from various prophets (presidents of the Church),and "additional scriptures."

The book touches on controversial teachings-but it doesn't go into juicy topics such as Kolob and polygamy. It does discuss that Heavenly Father is an exalted man, that marriage is necessary for entry to the Celestial Kingdom, that men have the potential to become gods, and that Jesus and Lucifer were feuding brothers in pre-existence. It's a fascinating introduction to the Latter-Day Saint faith.

Donato Ogliari, OSB, wrote this book as his doctoral dissertation at the University of Louvain, Belgium. As of today, it is the most authoritative and scholarly work in the English language about the initial phase of the Semipelagian controversy. 436 pages long; a 38 pages bibliography; 243 pages devoted to the background of the doctrine of predestination and to a critical assessment of Augustine's views - are the outstanding features of a book destined to remain for a long time THE documentation of the conflict between Augustine and his African and Massilians opponents. Unlike Rebecca Weaver's book (which in comparison looks like a graduate student's midterm theology paper), Ogliari does not hold back his personal views about his subject matter, nor does he mince words. Respectfully and progressively, he takes Augustine to task on the following accounts:
a) Faulty biblical exegesis
b) Betrayal of the established theological tradition
c) Exceedingly negative anthropology
d) Unbalanced and unwarranted emphasis on divine sovereignty at the expense of free will

Augustine comes out with a "black eye," with great satisfaction of his modern detractors and to the dismay of people like me, who still cast their lots with the saint's theology. My only two comments/questions for Ogliari are:
1) Why didn't he mention extensively the views of Augustine's scholarly supporters? Are they so few and far in between as to fit in a phone booth? Or is this a case of an unforgivable omission on Ogliari's part? For example, why are there no references to the great theologian Garrigou-Lagrange and to Gaetano Lettieri's foundational work L'altro Agostino (2001)?
2) Is Origen's doctrine of "apokatastasis" Ogliari's "operative bias"? That would explain why he is so relentless in his critique of Augustine's soteriology.

All in all, this book is a scholarly masterpiece.

Donato Ogliari, OSB, wrote this book as his doctoral dissertation at the University of Louvain, Belgium. As of today, it is the most authoritative and scholarly work in the English language about the initial phase of the Semipelagian controversy. 436 pages long; a 38 pages bibliography; 243 pages devoted to the background of the doctrine of predestination and to a critical assessment of Augustine's views - are the outstanding features of a book destined to remain for a long time THE documentation of the conflict between Augustine and his African and Massilians opponents. Unlike Rebecca Weaver's book (which in comparison looks like a graduate student's midterm theology paper), Ogliari does not hold back his personal views about his subject matter, nor does he mince words. Respectfully and progressively, he takes Augustine to task on the following accounts:
a) Faulty biblical exegesis
b) Betrayal of the established theological tradition
c) Exceedingly negative anthropology
d) Unbalanced and unwarranted emphasis on divine sovereignty at the expense of free will

Augustine comes out with a "black eye," with great satisfaction of his modern detractors and to the dismay of people like me, who still cast their lots with the saint's theology. My only two comments/questions for Ogliari are:
1) Why didn't he mention extensively the views of Augustine's scholarly supporters? Are they so few and far in between as to fit in a phone booth? Or is this a case of an unforgivable omission on Ogliari's part? For example, why are there no references to the great theologian Garrigou-Lagrange and to Gaetano Lettieri's foundational work L'altro Agostino (2001)?
2) Is Origen's doctrine of "apokatastasis" Ogliari's "operative bias"? That would explain why he is so relentless in his critique of Augustine's soteriology.