Martin, “Learning to Trust in the Lord” (reviewed by Trudy Thompson)

Review
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Title: Learning To Trust In the Lord
Author: Michelle L. Martin
Publisher: Izzard Ink Publishing Company
Genre: Doctrinal/ Inspirational
Year Published: 2017- Second Edition
Number of Pages: 109
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 9781630729202
Price: $12.95

Reviewed by Trudy Thompson For the Association For Mormon Letters

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of our lives, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or even for Christians in general, is to truly learn to trust in our Lord and Savior. Especially in challenging times, we often fight against the Lord, we try to tell Him what we want, and when we want it, instead of seeking to know His will and His ways. All too often, we find ourselves unwilling or unable to lay our will at His feet.

In her book “Learning To Trust In the Lord,” Michelle Martin has again instructed us in how we can go about showing the Lord that we love Him, by truly striving to trust Him-completely and through every circumstance.

The author reminds us that the only way to true happiness is to trust in the Lord. As we learn of Him, we will gain knowledge that He is all-powerful and all-loving. Staying close to Him and saturating ourselves with His Spirit will empower us to more fully place our faith in Him, and in His perfect timing for us.

Martin includes motivational and inspirational stories from her life and the lives of others, along with ideas to help the reader place their confidence in the Lord. At the conclusion of each chapter, the author outlines a specific way to apply a certain principle to our lives. Through these challenges, or “homework,” we are admonished to do such things as writing down the obstacles and challenges we have faced, along with past miracles we have experienced. In doing this, we will quickly realize the daily miracles in our lives. Other activities include taking notes when a church leader has given us wise counsel, and the blessings that followed, and, if appropriate, writing them a thank you letter. Readers are also encouraged to write in their journals during periods of adversity, and to record how the Lord blesses us during these trials. We are also admonished to “chose” to be loving, kind, forgiving, chaste, honest, etc.

Some of the topics included in the eleven chapters include: Choices, When The Spirit Speaks-Don’t Delay, Stand Still In the Furnace of Affliction, It’s Never Too Late To Pray, Learning To Laugh At Yourself, and others.

From stories of Corrie ten Boom and her sister expressing gratitude in the midst of being held in a Nazi concentration camp, to the heart-wrenching story of a young man who returned home early from his mission because of a diagnosis of a rare form of cancer, to the author’s personal story of how she and her missionary companion were warned by the Spirit to stop walking to an investigator’s home one evening, only to learn later that there had been a homicide at the house, readers will be inspired, instructed and moved to action.

These are basic gospel principles that are expounded upon in this book, but with her sense of humor and superb storytelling skills, Martin succeeds in reaching out and motivating us to see the good things in life, and to be always be grateful and humble. Her spiritual insights are both entertainng and instructive.

As in her previous book, “Consecrating Our Waits,” Martin helps us to learn to recognize the many ways the Lord shows His love for us. Her books are down to earth, and are easy and enjoyable reads. Through her profound experiences and testimony, her books will make you think, laugh, and cry at the same time.

I am eager to read “Learning To Trust In the Lord” again, and look forward to taking the time to work through the various assignments, and recording them all in my journal. As a matter of fact, that would be wise to do at different stages of my life, just to see how I am progressing. Martin’s book, “Learning To Trust In the Lord,” makes it delightful to do so.

What better way is there to strive towards our eternal goal of “returning with honor?”

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