Review
Title: Habits of Holy Men
Authors: Don H. Staheli & Lloyd D. Newell
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Inspiration/ Doctrine
Year Published: 2018
Number of Pages: 90
Binding: Hardback
ISBN: 9781629724478
Price: $14.99
Reviewed by Trudy Thompson for the Association for Mormon Letters
Upon first glance at the the title of this book, the reader might think, Habits of Holy Men, okay. That means keep the commandments, pay your tithing, be honest in your dealings, attend your Sunday meetings, go to the temple, read your scriptures and so forth. However, this small but powerful new work is so very much more than that.
The authors have skillfully used a variety of resources to beautifully illustrate the eternal principle of holiness. There are scriptural references, personal anecdotes from the authors and the lives of others, quotes from General Authorities, poems and more.
A concise description of holiness is given at the start. We are encouraged to think of holiness as harmony with God. Holiness is more than an attitude or religious philosophy; it is a devoted way of life that reflects obedience, and a desire to subject your will to God.
Using the discourse of King Benjamin from Mosiah 3:19, the authors list six habits of holiness: be submissive, be meek, be humble, be patient, be full of love, and be as a child. A very brief description of each virtue is given followed by short, insightful chapters on each one.
A poignant illustration of being submissive is given of Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s life. In 1945 at the age of eighteen, Elder Maxwell found himself kneeling in a muddy foxhole in Okinawa, Japan during a fierce battle of WW II. As he knelt in solemn prayer, he pleaded for protection and dedicated the rest of his life to the service of the Lord. The Lord honored his request, and Elder Maxwell honored his commitment to the end of his life.
Being submissive became a frequent theme of the apostle’s sermons and books, and of his life. Many years later, when Elder Maxwell was diagnosed with leukemia, he found himself calm and comfortable with his fate. The outlook was not good for someone his age, but his wife encouraged him to pray like the Savior had in Gethsemane, asking that this cup be passed from him, but ending in “Thy will be done.” Elder Maxwell lived for eight more years, and it was during this time that the Spirit witnessed to his mind, ” I have given you leukemia that you might teach with authenticity.” This confirmed to him that his suffering and prolonged life were part of the Lord’s plan for him.
Brother Newell tells a story from his childhood, when his parents had rented out a house for several years to a family. Upon inspection of the home after the renters had moved, young Newell was shocked and upset at how messy and damaged the house was. He wanted his father to go after the renters, to make them pay for all the damage they had done to the house. But Brother Newell’s father remained calm and meek, and simply stated, “They knew better than this. I am not going to let them ruin my day!”
Each one of the attributes of holiness is discussed in a similar manner, with illustrations from the scriptures and from everyday people. It is not a judgmental volume, but one of inspiring, thoughtful, hopeful and practical suggestions on how to make positive changes in our daily habits so they become a part of who we are.
The authors have masterfully instructed us all on how holiness is a spiritual skill that needs to be cultivated, and have given us many insights and treasures to think about and implement in our lives.
The book is a clear, sensible and motivational read that will bring a sense of peace, comfort and joy as we reach for a greater understanding of the important and eternal principle of holiness.
The one thing, the only thing, I would change with this book is the title. It could just as easily be called Habits of Holy Men and Women, or Habits of Holy People. It is indeed a book for all people, for men, women, young people, and people of faith everywhere. The gems of wisdom and true principles apply to everyone. This book should be in every LDS home, every church library, and in the hands of good and honorable people of all faiths. I thoroughly enjoyed this volume, and even though I just finished reading it, I found it so uplifting and helpful, I could start it all over again. Perhaps I had better let my husband read it first.