“What suggestions can you offer to help me select good reading material?” New Era, Aug. 1974, 27–28
“What suggestions can you offer to help me select good reading material, including the many books by LDS authors?”
Answer/Brother Wm. James Mortimer
In spite of marvelous technological advancements in media, the book remains as one of the greatest inventions of all time.
Books have always been important in the Church. In fact, one of the first tangible evidences of the Restored Church produced by the Prophet Joseph Smith was a book—the Book of Mormon.
When he published the first edition of the Book of Mormon the Prophet declared it to be the keystone of our religion, and it certainly continues as such today. This book ought to be read and studied regularly by every Latter-day Saint.
Since the publishing of that first book in the Church, there have been thousands of other books offered to members of the Church. Even those still in print today are far more than the average person can either own or read. Therefore, it is important that some process of selection take place.
Along with the process of selecting what to read, it is vital that a commitment be made to read regularly. The freedom to read is too often a neglected privilege in today’s busy world.
Today’s youth have reading assignments from school that usually involve many hours in textbooks, newspapers, or current periodicals. In addition, special reports or extra-credit work require additional reading time. When such required or necessary reading is done, it is easy to ignore additional reading and spend the remaining time in other activities. Recreational or leisure activities are important to a well-rounded life, but in order to maintain a spiritual perspective there must be some time alloted for reading the scriptures and good Church books.
Many have found it workable to spend from 15 to 30 minutes a day reading material of their own choosing. Often, the best time is just before going to bed. Reading, meditation on what has been read, and then prayer seem ideal for closing a day.
Now what should we read?
Of paramount importance are the standard works—the Book of Mormon, as already noted, the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Along with these it is helpful to study books that comment on or clarify the scriptures.
There are many excellent books available that include the sermons and writings of present and past General Authorities. Biographies of the great men of the Church, particularly the presidents, also make good reading.
There is a great revival of interest in history, and many valuable historical works are available, with more being written for publication.
Church magazines such as the New Era and the Ensign provide excellent reading variety. The Church also produces high quality material in its manuals and courses of study for priesthood organizations, auxiliary groups, and seminary and institute classes. The family home evening manual is delightful reading, whether for personal improvement or family betterment.
As to the thousands of books that are being published outside the Church, the Prophet Joseph Smith gave a marvelous measure for selecting reading matter from among them when he declared, in the thirteenth Article of Faith, “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
There is much in the world that is virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, but there is even more that is none of this, and that, in fact, makes a mockery of sacred things.
It is important that you know something about an author before you let his feelings and opinions enter into your life. Attempt to read all you can about him first before you read his book.
In all our reading, and in the search for entertainment of any form, we should remember the admonition given by the Lord less than three years after the organization of the Church to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom. …” (D&C 88:118.) The significant part of this injunction seems to be that what we read, or for that matter, listen to or view, should give us wisdom and make our lives better for the time spent with it.
The time we spend in reading should enlighten and edify us and bring into our lives wisdom and great treasures of knowledge.
Reading is fundamental in all phases of our lives, and when we select truths from the best books and apply these truths to our daily living, we can walk firmly on the pathway toward exaltation.