Review
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Title: Our Day Star Rising: Exploring the New Testament
Author: Jeffrey R. Holland
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Doctrinal
Year of Publication: 2022
Number of Pages: 306
Binding: Cloth
ISBN-13 978-1-63993-079-1
Price: $29.99
Reviewed by Trudy Thompson for the Association for Mormon Letters
Using his unique and insightful style of teaching doctrinal truths, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has written an uplifting and thought-provoking book in which he masterfully delves into the deeper meaning of passages of the New Testament. He begins this excellent book by explaining where the title Our Day Star Rising: Exploring The New Testament came from. Elder Holland states the following, “Among the many names of Christ is the Day Star – the sun that ‘shineth in a dark place until the day dawn…in your hearts’.” He goes on to state the fact that all of us will have periods in our lives that are difficult, challenging, and all too often painful. He expounds on this by declaring that through all of the rough patches in life, not only do we have the second coming to look forward to, but we can lean on His Light while we anticipate that glorious event. His Light will be as a star by night and like unto the blazing sun by day.
Elder Holland has carefully chosen select scriptures from the New Testament to clearly put forth that Jesus Christ knew of His earthly mission, that He knew what the future held and what he must pass through in order to fulfill all that He was sent forth to do. A common thread that runs throughout the book is that Christ did not waiver, He did not fall for any of Lucifer’s temptations and attempts to thwart that Divine mission.
In many of the book’s chapters, Elder Holland relates the constant struggle of the human and earthly desires of the flesh. Struggles such as more wealth, more fame, and notoriety, at the same time, being deeply dissatisfied with what they have. Of showing a strong sense of boredom with families and shirking any sense of marital or parental responsibilities toward them. This lack of moral leadership in their lives will inevitably lead to hedonism.
In a very personal way, Elder Holland shares some of his struggles in life to illustrate that he too has had to learn to be patient with things of the spirit. He relates that he has had to put forth serious effort to know his standing before God. He writes of how he found it hard to pray and even harder to fast as a teenager. His mission was difficult, his years as a student were challenging, and in his present assignment, he has “wept and ached for guidance.” Through this all, we can and will find that His angels will have “charge concerning thee and in their hands, they shall bear thee up.” (Matthew 4:6)
Elder Holland lovingly and artfully holds us to a higher standard of the teachings of Christ. He teaches us to not be fearful, but to have faith, to be believing and to act on those beliefs, and to not shrink or shirk from our duties and responsibilities.
I wish to quote just a few of my favorite insights of Elder Holland’s from the book:
“I invite us all to realize in the depths of our soul, that whatever the storm, whatever the disruption, whatever the travail, whatever the pain, whatever the challenge, externally or internally, we have reason to rejoice and celebrate, assured that we will be triumphant. We have reason NOT to fear. And we have every reason to have faith because Jesus is the Christ.” (Page 64)
“This is a divine work in process with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate. If from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this church, what we know Will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith ( Page 69.).
The author’s note in the book states that three years ago, he accepted the invitation of President Russell M. Nelson to study the various names and titles given to Jesus of Nazareth throughout the scriptures, with most of them coming from the New Testament. This led Elder Holland to find over 430 names for the Son of God.
This volume is not meant to be read all at once and put back on the shelf. Our Day Star Rising is a priceless and valuable tool to enhance our study of the New Testament throughout this year. It can be used to deepen our understanding of our Savior’s teachings, to increase our appreciation of the depth of His love for all of us through his ultimate sacrifice, and to more fully comprehend how through His teachings, we can and will strive to become more like Him.
Our Day Star Rising: Exploring the New Testament needs to be next to our scriptures in our homes and libraries, so we can deepen our understating and love of the New Testament and our Savior, our “Day Star Rising.” It is meant to be read, studied, pondered, and prayed about. It is my hope and prayer that we will all faithfully do this. This book reminds us of that promise that, if we wait for it and watch for it, and want it badly enough, our Day Star will most certainly raise in our hearts.