Review
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Title: Unstuck – How the Savior Frees Us from Our Favorite Sins
Author: Robert Reynolds
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: LDS Inspiration/Self Help
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 168
Binding: Paperbound
ISBN: 978-1-62972-115-6
Price: $14.99
Reviewed by Catherine C. Peterson for the Association of Mormon Letters
If you are serious about looking frankly and honestly at your “favorite” sins and seeking freedom from them and peace without them, Robert Reynolds offers a refreshing guide to clearing your conscience and finding true peace. In his book, *Unstuck*, through a series of thoughtfully presented topics, he leads readers to self-introspection without preachiness. He invites all of us sinners to look to Christ by reminding us we all have sins that we can overcome through Him. He shares personal experiences, inspired scriptural interpretations and quotations to present insights worthy of serious consideration for real-life positive change.
He may seem to be an unlikely author to present this topic, but his experience as a Las Vegas attorney, representing rock bands, fighters, and others, has given him keen insight to the human condition. He has seen sin and observed its serious consequences, as well as dealt with his own.
You may not like the idea of an author declaring you a sinner. Reynolds might set you to squirming and rationalizing away the likely fact that you do have favorite sins. For example, somebody who has been tobacco-free for 6 months might have one pack of cigarettes stashed at the bottom of his sock drawer, just in case. You might have committed small or gross sin and have not been able to totally rid yourself of the fleeting pleasure it gives you. Addictions, infidelities, deceptions, and weaknesses can ensnare us, or even bind us so strongly we may not be able to leave them. He explains how and why we repeat the same sins, and how the Lord can make weaknesses strengths if we do certain things.
He teaches us that we must have a change of heart, turning from our sins. He explains how humility and realizing our dependence on God are precursors to the gift of faith. For the process to work, we must have a sincere desire to make the true-heart decision to submit to the will of the Lord. If we do these things we will get to the point where we have “no more disposition to do evil,” but rather “a disposition to do good continually,” and have joy.
Inserted throughout the book are several graphic boxes filled with meme-worthy texts, such as:
“Like any item with a warranty from its manufacturer, hard hearts must break before they can be replaced.”
“Christ didn’t continue to oppose temptation; He ordered it to leave.”
“Even a temporary negative focus on temptation can prolong our inclination toward it.”
“We all seek joy as if it were the purpose of life because it is.”
Also, I particularly enjoyed reading the personal experiences and stories, and would have liked to read more of them.
This book spurred me to look at my own sins and shortcomings and to focus on what I really want, and how badly I want it. This book is for anyone who desires to become unstuck from unhealthy or unwise habits, addictions, or faulty thinking. If you take comfort in lazy or destructive thoughts, or behaviors that prevent you from progressing spiritually, you may benefit by reading this book. Reynolds lays out a viable way to refocus on what really matters – the Savior’s promises to help us overcome sin by trusting Him, so we may experience a mighty change of heart and change life for the good.