We all have the “Power to Become” — Book Review
We all have the power to become more than we are. The most important thing we can become is like Christ. But how do we do it?
David A. Bednar’s newest book Power to Become is full of hope and help for becoming more Christ-like. From a greater understanding of the Atonement and how it can—and should—work in our lives (something that I still struggle to comprehend) to personal peace to learning to endure valiantly—another thing I could use some help with. Though I endure, I’m not so sure it’s always valiantly.
One of the things I love most about Elder Bednar’s books is that they are written and designed for study. Each page has a generous margin for making notes, a habit I developed in college and never gave up, and there are blank lined pages at the end of each chapter to record your own thoughts and insights, making his books truly personal gospel study guides.
I also love Elder Bednar’s writing style. With many stories and personal experiences, they feel more like a conversation with the reader than a lecture. And taking it a step further with this book, there are a series of videos available that are actually conversations with Elder Bednar and different groups. This book comes with a free DVD of Elder Bednar and these different groups while supplies last. To get a sampling of what you will learn from “sitting in” on these conversations, you can view some of the Power to Become DVD clips here.
When I read a non-fiction book, if I get one really great aha! moment out of it, I think the book has been worthwhile. In this book, I got one in each of the first two chapters—and I expect there will be more as I read and re-read this book and parts of this book again.
As my first aha! moment came in the section “Grace and the Enabling Power of the Atonement.” He explains the concept of grace and how it can work in our lives. And then he says, “I believe we can learn much about this vital aspect of the Atonement if we will insert “Enabling and strengthening power” each time we find the word grace in the scriptures.”
So, the next morning on my way to work I was listening to Mosiah—and when I heard the word grace I did as Elder Bednar suggested and substituted the phrase “enabling and strengthening power”. And it changed the whole meaning of that passage for me. I understood what they were saying in a way I had not before. My understanding of the Atonement moved forward by leaps and bounds.
As for the other aha moment, we’ll save that for another post on another day. I would love for you to read this book and share your aha! moments with me.
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