Review
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Title: Our Savior’s Love: Hope and Healing in Christ
Editors: Alonzo L. Gaskill and Stanley A. Johnson
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Religious Nonfiction
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 156
Binding: Hardbound
ISBN10:
ISBN13: 978-0-84252883-2
Price: $17.99
Reviewed by Kristie Wilkins for the Association for Mormon Letters
“At the core of the human experience is the ever-so-difficult task of seeing things ‘as they really are’ (Jacob 4:13). And paramount in that process is discovering for oneself the reality of Christ’s love and experiencing that love on a personal level……When the miracle happens – when we actually, really know, understand and feel *our Savior’s love* – we are transformed; we are changed in our understanding of what that divine love is, but also changed in our nature and being because of what that love does to us…..It is the encounter with God’s love that causes us to desire – to desperately desire – to submit our wills and lives to God’s will and way. And through that desire our lives can be filled with hope *in* him and healing *through* him who is mighty to save.” [VII-VIII]
This is the purpose proclaimed by editors Alonzo Gaskill and Stanley Johnson as they present a collection of essays on the Savior, His love, and His ability to change hearts and lives through His example, atoning sacrifice and resurrection. The book, entitled “Our Savior’s Love: Hope and Healing in Christ”, brings together the testimonies of four BYU professors as well as Elder Spencer J. Condie, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and Sister Elaine S. Dalton, former Young Women General President. Each author adds their unique voice, experiences and expertise to address a subject at the heart of the gospel and vital to all Latter-day Saints. “Our Savior’s Love” is written specifically for members of the LDS faith and assumes a certain level of common knowledge of the Book of Mormon, LDS beliefs and culture, but I believe the principles discussed could be understood by members of many faiths.
“Our Savior’s Love” is a beautiful little book. The thick, glossy pages and vibrant artwork liberally spread throughout the book make it a delight to hold and read. It is organized in six chapters, each an essay from a different author. The pages of this book are filled with testimonies gained from thoughtful study, prayer and introspection. Here are some examples of things that particularly touched me as I read:
Chapter 1- “He Lives to Bless Me with His love” by Elder Spencer J. Condie
“There can be a great difference between *feeling* His love and being *filled* with His love. Those who have committed a grievous sin and confess to their bishop, through the actions of their kindly priesthood leader, may *feel* of the Savior’s love. But individuals who are *filled* with the Savior’s love will not have committed the sin in the first place.” [3]
“Repentance is the hollowing process which proceeds the hallowing of perfect love.” [6]
Chapter 2- “I Stand All Amazed” by Elaine S. Dalton
“As the Savior taught us by His example, the most important thing we can do when unexpected trials come is to ‘endure it well.’ Elder Richard G. Scott taught: ‘When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and the difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love.’” [36]
Chapter 3- “The Savior’s Love” by Matthew O. Richardson
“When we entertain that which removes God from our lives, it is not His love for us that decreases but the presence of His Spirit that diminishes (see D&C 121:37). Although God still loves us, our understanding and ability to truly love is forfeited because of the loss of His Spirit. Where God is not, love in its fulness cannot be.” [57]
Chapter 4- “Our Savior’s Love Manifest in Resurrection” by D. Kelly Ogden
“The Resurrection of the Lord, and our subsequent resurrection, is one of the most glorious messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of the gift of resurrection provided by our Savior, all humankind will rise again from the dead and live forever. In fact, there is no choice in the matter; as a gift from the God of heaven we are all going to live forever. The choice we do have is *where* and *with whom* we would like to live forever. We are now in the process of determining that by how we are behaving here on earth.” [97]
Chapter 5- “Walk in Newness of Life” by Lloyd D. Newell
“Rebirth, then, is not so much a moment as a mindset, an ongoing experience of the heart, or the gradual accumulation of countless righteous choices built up over a lifetime.” [109]
“The purpose of life is to grow up – physically and spiritually. To do this, we must be tutored, identify our shortcomings, make course corrections and get back more fully on the upward path of discipleship…. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, ‘Remember: the heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth.’” [110]
Chapter 6- “Walking in the Light of His Love” by Jennifer Brinkerhoff Platt
“The most accurate assessment of whether something is true or not is in the light of our Savior’s love. When we hold our character to the light of the Son, he will show us the truth of who we are and correct our course so we can make adjustments to more accurately reflect his light….As we seek daily to walk in the light of his love, we come to recognize him, know him and pattern our lives after his works, while becoming worthy receptacles of his light.” [126]
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the different testimonies to the power of the Savior’s love to transform our lives. It was fascinating to see what aspects of the Savior’s life, ministry, atonement and resurrection inspired each author. I was reminded of things I have known, given new perspective and light to ponder in days to come.
The only thing I felt this book lacked was a conclusion. Because each contributor offered a different perspective, the book can feel a little disjointed when read in one sitting. A well written conclusion by the editors could tie the key elements of each essay together for the reader in a meaningful way, underscoring the editors’ purpose. I know that the Introduction attempted to accomplish this but when I came to the end of the book I felt like something was missing.
I truly felt the love each author has for Jesus Christ and felt the spirit witnessing throughout the pages of the book. I appreciated being given new ways to look at gospel truths I have been taught for years. I was also moved by each author’s invitation to change, to move toward the Savior and partake of and more fully share His love.I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to better understand our Savior’s role, His love, and what that love can do in our lives and the lives of those with whom we choose to share that love.