Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People Vol. 3

One of my favorite books from 2020 was Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People Vol. 3. I flew through this 539-page book. I was worried this book would be too similar to They Knew the Prophet when I began it. It actually had 10 or so of the same stories cited from that book that I noticed. It was infrequent enough that it was definitely a unique read.

What I liked so much about this book is the stories were split into categories. Categories include Conversion, Faithfulness, Pioneers, and 19 others. For the rest of my life, when I’m giving a talk on a subject, I can turn to the Table of Contents of the book, look up a topic, and read uplifting stories on that subject. Prayer, for example, has over 20 pages, 14 stories that I can go to for inspiration. A description I read online reads:

“Here’s an outstanding collection of all those inspiring stories from Church history that you’ve heard and wanted (but couldn’t find) for your class.”

I know not everyone (or anyone) likes Church history quite like me, but if you do, you will love this book. If you’re a spiritual individual who believes in God, you’ll find many stories that really make you think. The book was filled with stories that I had never heard before. Many push the boundaries of what we think is possible. Stories of angels seen by normal people, visions experienced by everyday pioneers, and profound experiences fill this book.

One story I enjoyed relates a man visited by a person long dead who was commissioned to bring someone to the other side to assist with a work.  The living man gave the dead man all the work he still felt he had to do on earth and the dead man moved to another candidate.  “Now, I name this to show a principle.  They have work on the other side of the [veil]; and they want men, and they call them.”

I haven’t read any of the other books from the Best Loved Stories series. From what I gather, there are the Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People Vols 1-3, Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People, and Best-Loved Humor of the LDS People. At some point I may look into the rest of the series. If they’re anything like this one, they’ll be worth getting.

I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the book. There’s something about starting a new book that is so exciting. Almost every story had me turning the page for a new one. I must have read the first 250 pages in the first two sittings.

To conclude, I’ll share part of one of my favorite stories, though it was difficult to just choose one.  It comes from one of my favorite categories:  Courage.  It is a story told by B. H. Roberts about John Taylor. John Taylor would later become the third prophet in this dispensation. After reading this story, it’s easy to see why.  B.H. Roberts tells about a time when John Taylor was in Columbus, Ohio to preach.  John Taylor was preparing to go when men of the town ran to the house he was at and informed him that a group from the crowd he was going to preach to were boasting that they would tar and feather him if he undertook to preach.  John Taylor decided to go.  After Elder Taylor had arrived to preach, the book reads:

“A very large concourse of people had assembled to listen to him.  He began his remarks by informing them that he had lately come from Canada-a land under monarchical rule; that standing as he then did on free soil, among free men, he experienced peculiar sensations.

John Taylor said, ‘Gentlemen, I now stand among men whose fathers fought and obtained one of the greatest blessings ever conferred upon the human family-the right to think, to speak, to write; the right to say who shall govern them, and the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences-all of them sacred human rights, and now guaranteed by the American Constitution. I see around me the sons of those noble sires, who, rather than bow to the behest of a tyrant, pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honors to burst those fetters, enjoy freedom themselves, bequeath it to their posterity or die in the attempt.

They nobly fought and nobly conquered; and now the cap of liberty is elevated on the tops of your liberty poles throughout the land, and the flag of freedom waves from Wisconsin to Louisiana-from Maine to Missouri. Not only so, but your vessels-foremost in the world-sail over oceans, seas, and bays; visiting every nation, and wherever those vessels go your flag flutters in the breeze, a hope Is inspired among the down-trodden millions, that they, perchance, if they cannot find liberty in their own land, may find it with you … Gentlemen, with your liberty is more than a name; it is incorporated in your system; it is proclaimed by your senators; thundered by your cannon; lisped by your infants; taught to your school-boys; it echoes from mountain to mountain; reverberates through your valleys, and is whispered by every breeze. Is it any wonder, gentlemen, under these circumstances-having lately emerged from a monarchical government, that I should experience peculiar sensations in rising to address you?

But, by the by, I have been informed that you purpose to tar and feather me, for my religious opinions. Is this the boon you have inherited from your fathers? Is this the blessing they purchased with their dearest hearts’ blood-this your liberty? If so, you now have a victim, and we will have an offering to the goddess of liberty.” Here he tore open his vest and said: “Gentlemen, come on with your tar and feathers, your victim is ready; and ye shades of the venerable patriots, gaze upon the deeds of your degenerate sons! Come on, gentlemen! Come on, I say, I am ready!’

No one moved, no one spoke. He stood there drawn to his full height, calm but defiant-the master of the situation.”

John Taylor went on to preach for three hours.  This story concluded, “they had been awed into silence by the boldness of Elder Taylor.”

In the time we live in I think this is a story of especial importance, which is why I shared it. More and more “religious” folks will have to be bold in our testimonies. More and more the freedom our ancestors died for is being attacked. Being bold and having courage will be of the utmost importance moving forward.

I love this story and I loved this book.