Books, Fall 2025
Authentic: The Book of Mormon, Evidences of a Miracle
Religious Studies Center
Stephen L. Lundwall and Rebecca A. Lundwall
As the last custodian of a record spanning over two millennia, Moroni invited modern readers to do what he himself had done: reflect on God’s mercy “from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things” (Moroni 10:3). That mercy is evident not only in the profound teachings contained in the Book of Mormon but also in the miraculous journey of the record itself—a sacred text that was meticulously preserved and passed down through generations by prophetic guardians. Authentic explores the provenance of this ancient book of scripture: how it was safeguarded against destruction, delivered by an angel, and ultimately translated and published in our time. Examining the text’s history reveals an unbroken chain of inspired recordkeepers who intentionally structured the text for future investigation. The Book of Mormon is a rare book whose creation and transmission seem designed to withstand the test of time, a remarkable record of ancient provenance made possible only by divine providence.
Conquering Your Inner Critic: Achieving Personal Peace and Healthy Relationships
Religious Studies Center
Debi Gilmore
Our inner critical voice can block our ability to recognize and use our unique gifts and talents that are essential in our quest to learn, progress, and become better people despite the challenges of life. Written with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in mind, this book follows proven clinical methodologies and offers helpful faith-based principles and perspectives that also can be effective for anyone struggling with self-defeating tendencies. Readers will explore key steps to identify, reject, and rise above their inner critical voice to discover, cultivate, and preserve their deeper, wiser, and authentic self. The goal is unlocking hope, long-term healing, and personal, social, and spiritual empowerment.
Doctrine and Covenants Insights: Capstone of Doctrinal Understanding
Religious Studies Center
Edited by Kenneth L. Alford, Mary Jane Woodger, and Mark A. Mathews
This book is designed to supplement the 2025 Doctrine and Covenants Come, Follow Me Church curriculum year. The Doctrine and Covenants beautifully illustrates that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and speaks today. By integrating both spiritual and secular understanding and insights, this volume explores how the Doctrine and Covenants teaches doctrine, principles, laws, prophecies, typologies, and gospel applications.
Planting the Acorn: The South American Mission
Religious Studies Center
Mark L. Grover
On a hot, humid Christmas Day in Argentina, Elders Melvin J. Ballard, Rulon S. Wells, and Rey L. Pratt prayed to dedicate South America for the preaching of the restored gospel. They organized the South American Mission, and Elder Ballard later predicted, “The work of the Lord will grow slowly for a time here just as an oak grows slowly from an acorn. . . . The South American Mission will be a power in the Church.” The choice they made to expand missionary work outside traditional European converts in South America marked an important turning point. The result was the permanent establishment of the Church in Argentina and the opening of the Church in Brazil. Further, the South American Mission was the foundation for the impressive hundred-year growth and expansion of the Church in South America.
Prepare Me for Thy Use: Lessons from Wilford Woodruff’s Mission Years
Religious Studies Center
Kristy Wheelwright Taylor
This book explores Wilford Woodruff’s early discipleship during his missionary service in the United States and Great Britain. Drawing from his letters and personal journals, this book takes a thematic look at Wilford’s unwavering dedication to hard work, obedience, meticulous recordkeeping, gratitude, and consecration. Kristy Wheelwright Taylor weaves together his personal anecdotes and spiritual insights in a historical context to make his story both relatable and inspiring for modern readers. The themes provide rich material for personal study or in Church settings, seminary, institute, or mission preparation. Readers will find valuable insights from the story of one man’s spiritual progression that can be applied to their own path of discipleship.
Seventy Times Seven: Jesus’s Path to Conflict Transformation
Maxwell Institute
Chad Ford
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ when we feel stirred up with anger in our families, neighborhoods, wards, workplaces, online communities, and public forums? It is challenging to heed prophetic invitations to take more seriously the Savior’s call to “love your enemies” and to be peacemakers while maintaining integrity.
As a professor of peacebuilding, a conflict mediator, and a follower of Jesus, Chad Ford offers valuable perspectives on how to avoid or reconcile contention when life’s inevitable disagreements arise. Step by step, he shows how Jesus’s path of practicing forgiveness and reconciliation 70 × 7 has the power to repair relationships by transforming destructive conflict into constructive peace.
This Great and Lasting War: Studies in Alma 45–63
Religious Studies Center
Edited by Joseph M. Spencer
The latter part of the Book of Mormon’s book of Alma is sometimes referred to as “the war chapters.” However, the relevant chapters are much more complex than often assumed, focusing on the nature of covenant, the love of God, and the way human beings establish their identities. The record alerts readers to challenges uniquely faced by women, the difficulty of handling complicated relationships, and the need to make good choices. The text enlightens its adherents about the meaning of scripture in different contexts, how prophets intervene on behalf of the downtrodden and look to God’s future interventions in the world, and what it means to see God in the concrete details of life. As we strive to build peace in response to President Russell M. Nelson’s recent prophetic cry, we find in the words of his ancient prophetic predecessors inspiration to go on in the cause of Christ.
