Review
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Title: Accomplishing The Impossible: What God Does, What We Can Do
Author: Russell M. Nelson
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Inspirational/Doctrinal
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 169
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN13: 978-1-62972-125-5
Price: $21.99
Reviewed By Trudy Thompson for the Association For Mormon Letters
“As you know and apply the teachings of the Lord in your life and in your work, you can change the world. You will become a precious part of His perennial pattern: The Lord uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible!” So states Russell M Nelson.
Using his usual astute powers of discernment, Elder Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once again prevails upon us to look at life in a different and eternal perspective. He reminds us that this is the Lord’s final dispensation, and that many important things need to be accomplished in order to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of the Savior. He counsels us to remember that this mandate comes from the Lord, and not the world, and that the Lord gives us no commandments without also preparing a way for them to be accomplished.
God’s pattern is one of “using the unlikely to accomplish the impossible.” From David and Goliath to Moses to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, the history of his people is a story of accomplishing the impossible. The history of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints is replete with motivating stories of every-day men and women accomplishing the unthinkable, with the guidance and help of the Lord Himself.
Elder Nelson uses words of comfort, counsel, compassion and warning, to invite us to discover some of the means that God has given us to accomplish the tasks set before us. These means include honest and sincere prayer and fasting, angelic help, and using the gifts of the Spirit that we have been blessed with.
The author quotes D&C 84:88 as a promise to those engaged in His service: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.” He then relates the story of how he and his wife Wendy were beneficiaries of that promise. On one occasion, while dining with a member family in another country, armed men suddenly stormed into the home and announced their intent: to kidnap Sister Nelson and to kill Elder Nelson. After maliciously attacking them in those evil objectives, the attackers were suddenly foiled. A gun to Elder Nelson’s head failed to fire and Sister Nelson was just as quickly released from their angry grip. Then they disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. The Nelsons knew they had received Divine Intervention in the form of angels.
Elder Nelson also expounds upon how we can have peace in our lives, and outlines three ways to accomplish that objective. First, we can be reborn spiritually by exercising faith in God and entering into covenants with Him. Second, the Savior teaches that the power to become more like Him comes from receiving the ordinances of the gospel. And third, He exhorts all of us to follow His example in all things.
Many scriptures are quoted in this book, as are other general authorities. All are used to promote an understanding of how we can receive strength, faith and courage to face the challenging and uncertain times ahead. In discussing the current attacks on religions of all faiths, and the constant shifting of moral values and ethics, President Monson’s counsel is clearly stated: “Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.”
This excellent volume is divided into two sections: 1. What God Does and 2. What We can do. Each chapter begins with beautiful scenic photography with an overlay of a spiritual thought or scripture to illustrate the theme of that chapter.
Elder Nelson outlines the reason behind this book as assisting others to desire to develop an enduring and resilient faith. He points out the steps to do so, and states the reason for encouraging this strong faith in others: “Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint . Each of us will be tested. The apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord shall suffer persecution. That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily life.”
The author inspires us through this book to go forward with hope, love, compassion, and faith and fortitude, and to remember that the greatest gift of all is eternal life — with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This will be our ultimate reward if we diligently strive each day to do our best.
This would be a welcome gift for any man, woman or teenager, who seeks to follow the counsel we have been given to “endure to the end.”