Title: Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessings of Heaven
Author: Roger Connors
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Religious Non-Fiction
Year Published: 2022
Number of Pages: 266
Binding: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook (MP3)
ISBN-13: 978-1-63993-042-5
Price: $24.99
Reviewed by Richard Ji for the Association for Mormon Letters
Roger Connors, a New York Times Best-Selling Author, recently wrote Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessings of Heaven. This devotional tome seeks to outline 5 foundational principles and 20 curated patterns taught by the scriptures and by Church leaders about patterns we can follow as we seek the Lord’s blessings. The author is perhaps best known for his leadership coaching-related publications as well as his consulting companies in the business world. Connors also has deep Church experience including serving as a Mission President, Stake President, and MTC branch President. He shares some stories from these experiences to illustrate points in the book.
Divine Patterns is organized into 25 relatively short chapters. There is an Introduction, Conclusion, and Acknowledgement sections as well. The first 5 chapters address 5 Foundational Principles in the form of discussion in answer to 5 questions:
- How do blessings come from God?
- How does God decide which blessings to grant and which to withhold?
- Does God have a specific plan for me?
- Why do some blessings seem delayed or never come?
- Will God keep his Promises?
Following the Foundational Principles section, the remaining chapters discuss Divine Patterns and are grouped into 5 Parts:
- Part 1: Experiencing God’s Power
- Part 2: Adopting a Fresh Perspective about God and Yourself
- Part 3: Walking the Covenant Path
- Part 4: Enjoying the Divine Privilege to Hear Him
- Part 5: Striving to Stand Firm, Faithful, and True
Each chapter in Parts 1-5 is grounded in a scripture that is written in the epigraph. Connors extensively quotes or draws on scriptures and words from General authorities. He rarely makes a statement that is not backed by such authority. There are excellent end notes for each chapter documenting the source of his ideas. He weaves personal experiences, stories shared by permission from others or with names/circumstances changed to protect privacy, with these scriptures and words from General authorities to form well-flowing chapters to illustrate the divine pattern. The Divine Pattern chapters can be read sequentially or a reader can simply read chapters most relevant to that person.
Recently, I overheard part of a Sacrament meeting talk from a ward we share a building with. The person stated that he had been doing everything he could to keep the commandments including studying his scriptures, coming to church, praying, etc. But he experienced a setback. At first, he wondered why God had allowed the setback to happen. But, later, he received a perceived better blessing and felt the Lord kept His side of the bargain. If this sounds familiar either through personal experience or perhaps someone else’s, then this book may be of interest to you.
While the book is titled, Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessings of Heaven, Connors makes it clear that the Lord isn’t some kind of divine vending machine (p. 261) where if we do certain things, desired blessings are guaranteed. He notes in the Introduction that God’s blessings are intended primarily to help us come unto Him and “to lead to our good and ultimate happiness” (p. 3). This is an important perspective to consider when desired blessings don’t come or don’t come in the timeframe we would like. Author Fatimah Salleh, recently said that in Southern Black churches, there is a common expression that basically says that “God does not always meet our timing, but He is always on time.” Such a sentiment is espoused in Connor’s book as well. He notes:
God’s wisdom for what you most need in your life to help bring about your exaltation always supersedes the fulfillment of any general scriptural promise of restoration, healing, or blessing. He does not control your life; in fact, He will not. But God will influence it to give you the best chance of preparing to become like Him. (p.50)
Connors also acknowledges the complexity of Heaven as there is an interconnectedness with all gospel principles, “ultimately tying back to one great overarching truth: our reliance on Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and His grace” (p.7). So, merely following one of the curated patterns in the book may not provide direct cause and effect.
He suggests that the average person may see a blessing granted miraculously, over time, or not now/never in bell curve fashion. So that just a small percentage of blessings may happen immediately, a small percentage of blessings may not ever happen at least during mortality, and a majority of blessings would be granted over time (p. 17).
While some blessings may come directly from obedience to certain commandments, others may be conditional on our faith and actions. When desired blessings don’t materialize, Connors offers some troubleshooting in the form of potential reasons throughout his book. But even after following all the patterns he outlines, we may still find that desired blessings don’t come. To that, he quotes the Lord that “It shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will” (D&C 88:68).
While there are helpful insights, tips, and points to consider, Connors makes it clear that ultimately, the Lord cares about us, has a plan for us, and knows what He is doing in terms of how and when He intercedes. He quotes President Uchtdorf in saying “We cannot force God to comply with our desires – no matter how right we think we are or how sincerely we pray…No, the purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act on God’s will” (p. 22).
In Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessings of Heaven, Roger Connors seeks to provide fodder for “faith, knowledge, courage, and desire” (p.8). He hopes to provide the reader with “renewed hope. (p. 262). He closes the book by saying:
In many ways, God is incomprehensible. We don’t always understand His ways. However, “the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him.” And, on that day, you shall understand why He has done what he has done in your life (p. 262).
To those words, I say amen!