Review
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Title: A Conversation With Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Directed and Produced by: Deseret Book
Genre: Doctrinal/Inspirational DVD
Year Recorded: Originally Produced in 2012
Running Time: Approximately 131 minutes
Price: $12.99
Reviewed by Trudy Thompson for the Association For Mormon Letters
As we find ourselves in the midst of what is referred to as “The Last Days,” many people, both members and non-members alike, find themselves living in turmoil, doubt, fear, and hopelessness. It is these circumstances, that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles addresses in this newly re-released DVD.
In typical fashion, Elder Holland answers timely, challenging, and at times emotional, questions, from a small audience of men and women of various ages, with frankness, humor, and empathy. He answers each question with scriptures, doctrinal points, and personal stories from his life and the lives of others.
Most of the questions center around the knowledge that many of the troubles and turmoils that surround us seem to follow us home-and at times seem to stay with us for long periods of time. These inquiries include how to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world,” surviving these times and even thriving.
I thoroughly enjoyed Elder Holland’s knowledge and candor on the sixteen poignant questions he was asked. Some of the most moving questions, along with his profound and instructive answers, include the following:
How we can help others to over come their difficulties? Elder Holland answers that in past times, for generations, Israel had always been able to flee Babylon-until this dispensation that we are now in. He teaches that Zion will have to be everywhere now-in our homes, neighborhoods, schools. He firmly states that “we aren’t going anywhere, and that we are to live where we are and declare what we know to be true.” He goes on to state that we need to make sure we are strong and that we don’t think of ourselves as invincible, and that we must always realize that we need the Lord in our lives every day.
To the question of how we can maintain hope in challenging times, Elder Holland instructs us that we are to build our hope in Christ and then share it. He tells us that the most reliable thing he knows of in the entire gospel is that charity sweeps through a world of difficulty and discouragement. Therefore, we must lean on hope, find someone for whom to do an act of charity. In so doing, hope then takes over.
How do we testify to people in such a way that it truly touches their hearts? The Apostle informs us that in his own life he has learned that salvation is not a “cheap experience.” He shows us that the rich and abundant experience of obtaining salvation is God’s opportunity, while at the same time being man’s extremity. He goes on to indicate that the road to salvation always goes through, at the very least, the borders of Gethsemane, and in the shadow of Calvary. Some parts of discipleship require a small portion of the Savior’s walk.
One of the most heart-rending questions came from a young married woman who asked why righteous blessings were denied to her, and how she can understand the love of the Lord when he gave her more trials. She goes on to state that in her own life, she has more trials than anything else. Wanting to have a baby-she learned that she would not be able to.
With great compassion and empathy, Elder Holland goes on to acknowledge her pain and sorrow-especially in a time when abortions are all too common. He warns that we must never fall into the trap of thinking that God does not love us if we suffer. We must never believe that we have done something wrong or are being penalized.
We are taught to look to at stories in the scriptures-stories of Peter, Paul, James, John, Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah. These are all prophets of captivity and prophets of persecution, of troubles and trials of every kind. Elder Holland goes on to ask, ” Does God not love Peter, Paul, James, John, Daniel, Ezekiel and Isaiah?” What we can not say is that when we suffer, God does not love us! We have to say. “Thy will be done.”
Elder Holland advises us to always remember one important principle: to remember that when there are times and questions when we do not know the answers, cling to the ones that we do know. We know that God loves us, that He is merciful, we know that He is just. He does not turn a blind eye, He does not turn a deaf ear. He is not unmindful of our tears or our sorrow or our righteous desires. He is all of that, and more and more and more.
The Apostle concludes by asking,” Who suffered more than anyone in time or eternity?”
“Who suffers more than is speakable, than is comprehensible, than is expressible, than is graspable, than is absorbable? The Living Son of the Living God, the only perfect child who ever lived.
He then pleads with us to never fall victim to the temptation to say, “well I guess God doesn’t love me.” What does that say about His love for His Only Begotten Son? Are we going to say that He is going to turn His back on the only perfect obedient child that He has ever had? Not likely, Elder Holland answers. He goes on to teach that it is impossible to read about the life of the Savior without coming to the conclusion that suffering somehow is preparatory to exaltation. These are times for faith, times for perseverance. And we are promised that every blessing will one day be returned to us a hundred fold.
The timely counsel, encouragement, and teachings of Elder Holland in this DVD makes it an invaluable addition to any home and church library. His personal witness of the Savior is insightful, uplifting, thoughtful and hope-filled for all who make the time to listen to this DVD, aptly subtitled: Answers For Today.