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We're With You: Counsel and Encouragement from Your Brethren
''This is your world. The future is in your hands. The outcome is up to you.'' With those simple words, President Thomas S. Monson urges a generation of young adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to find the best within themselves. He is joined in this exciting new book by the remaining members of the Church's First Presidency as well as all twelve members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. With chapters such as ''Recognizing Spiritual Promptings,'' '';Applying the Atonement,'' '';Uncovering Your Life's Work,'' ''When Blessings Are Delayed,'' and many more, the Brethren address issues that are of particular interest and concern to young adults, though readers have found the counsel applicable to people of all ages. These bite-sized excerpts are perfect for pondering, sharing, and discussing. Authoritative yet approachable, this uniquely designed and formatted book offers great insights on navigating life in challenging times. And what better source could there be for such insights than the fifteen men we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators on the earth today? Contributors Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, and Dale G. Renlund.
281 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2016
35 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Thomas S. Monson
51books167followersThomas S. Monson served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the "Mormon Church" or "LDS Church") from 2008 to his death in 2018. Before his time as President, he had served as a Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church since 1985. He was ordained an Apostle and called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963 at the unusually young age of 36.
Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. After serving in the US Navy and earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, he married Frances Johnson and they had three children. Monson worked in the local news publishing industry until church service became a full-time occupation.
Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. After serving in the US Navy and earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, he married Frances Johnson and they had three children. Monson worked in the local news publishing industry until church service became a full-time occupation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 15, 2019
3.5 stars. I’m not sure what to do with this book. All of the messages were lovely of course, and at least a handful of the excerpts from talks were timely and helpful and got highlighted. But the format was very unhelpful to me. The excerpts interrupted by oddly typeset other quotes were jarring. Definitely not a sit-down-and-read-all-together kind of book, but then I don’t know what other category option to put it in.
October 12, 2018
The sentiment was nice to try and put together advice/counsel for the youth...but I felt like the excerpts that were chosen were often too out-of-context and didn't make sense as stand alone statements. Maybe an adolescent would find it helpful, though; I didn't find it adequate for my needs of gospel study.
September 16, 2019
I enjoyed the format of this book. I usually studied one topic a night over the course of a couple of months (I was really slow reading it) and loved just reading talks/quotes related to a specific topic.
October 2, 2020
At what point am I no longer considered a “young adult?� This book was great and a good way to study the scriptures by topic.
December 17, 2016
We’re With You is a compilation of excerpts from talks given by the LDS First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Most of these talks were given as part of BYU and CES Devotionals. And the entire book is geared towards people in the 12-25 age range. That said I really enjoyed it and found that many of the excerpts were very helpful even though I’m (generously) twice as old as the intended audience.
I think where it’s particularly useful as a subject matter reference. I know that as Mormons we are often counseled to search the scriptures, perhaps by starting in the topical guide. And while that is undeniably valuable, this book provides the same thing in an easier to understand format. There are sections on Marriage, Religious Freedom, Delayed Blessings, Finding Happiness, etc. Exactly the sorts of things my own children are worried about and exactly the resource I’m happy to be able to give to them when they’re struggling with these issues. And a resource I’m glad to have for myself for the same reasons.
It’s my understanding that some of the talks these excerpts came from were given as long ago as 1976. I would not have guessed that. The book feels incredibly timely and is yet another argument against the idea that the Brethren are out of touch with current issues and controversies.
This is a book I’ll keep nearby. I expect to reference it frequently and use it as a major resource as I raise my children and send them into the world. I give it my strongest recommendation.
I think where it’s particularly useful as a subject matter reference. I know that as Mormons we are often counseled to search the scriptures, perhaps by starting in the topical guide. And while that is undeniably valuable, this book provides the same thing in an easier to understand format. There are sections on Marriage, Religious Freedom, Delayed Blessings, Finding Happiness, etc. Exactly the sorts of things my own children are worried about and exactly the resource I’m happy to be able to give to them when they’re struggling with these issues. And a resource I’m glad to have for myself for the same reasons.
It’s my understanding that some of the talks these excerpts came from were given as long ago as 1976. I would not have guessed that. The book feels incredibly timely and is yet another argument against the idea that the Brethren are out of touch with current issues and controversies.
This is a book I’ll keep nearby. I expect to reference it frequently and use it as a major resource as I raise my children and send them into the world. I give it my strongest recommendation.
December 1, 2016
Although the talks these quotes are taken from were originally given to young adults, the content is still applicable to everyone. The talks come from devotionals, firesides, etc that many people may not know about (I didn’t before this book). I appreciate that the content has been gathered for me to read. I also love having more content from the Brethren to be able to read and reference.
The thing I like most about this book is that the parts of these talks that are pertinent to the topic are included, rather than the entire talks. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to go right to the heart of your question and find your answer quickly (the names of the talks can be found online so you can seek them out in their entireties if you want them.) The book is laid out in a user-friendly way, by topic, and you can either read the book cover to cover or by topic (like a reference guide). This book can be a great reference for teachers, for giving a talk, or just for your daily study.
The thing I like most about this book is that the parts of these talks that are pertinent to the topic are included, rather than the entire talks. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to go right to the heart of your question and find your answer quickly (the names of the talks can be found online so you can seek them out in their entireties if you want them.) The book is laid out in a user-friendly way, by topic, and you can either read the book cover to cover or by topic (like a reference guide). This book can be a great reference for teachers, for giving a talk, or just for your daily study.
August 22, 2023
I loved the format of this book. Even though it is taken from the talks for young adults I found it to apply to everyone. It is great having these talks at your fingertips. I would read this again.
August 14, 2017
I feel like this is one of those books that you read once to get a sense of what it contains, and then go back to sections when needed.
There were sections that really pertain to my life right now, but others would have been helpful in the past. This book is for youth, so for them, a lot of what is talked about is in the future.
It is always comforting to know that you are not the only one that has gone through struggles. There are people that have been through the same thing and have come out on the other side. This is a great way to learn from your elders.
There were sections that really pertain to my life right now, but others would have been helpful in the past. This book is for youth, so for them, a lot of what is talked about is in the future.
It is always comforting to know that you are not the only one that has gone through struggles. There are people that have been through the same thing and have come out on the other side. This is a great way to learn from your elders.
July 9, 2017
I've been slowly reading this for a couple months. Each chapter is a topic (finding happiness, uncovering your life's work, service, the Atonement, etc...) and then there are excepts from talks and devotionals given by leaders of the LDS church. The book is geared towards 20-somethings but I still enjoyed reading the different quotes and felt they were applicable to me as well. At the end is info to find a list online of the sources for these quotes - a great resource to study in the future.
March 22, 2017
Great collection of inspirational "counsel and encouragement" that covers topics such as "Uncovering Your Life's Work", "Applying the Atonement", "Finding Happiness", and "Building Healthy Relationships." You will want to pretty much highlight every page! Good source of material for talks or if you simply need a dose of positivity.
April 5, 2021
I enjoyed the book and many of the selections that were chosen. The format however, is not the best. The random pages with a single quote stuck in the middle of another longer talk selection was jarring.
March 24, 2024
A book that is tricky to read in one setting- but has good tidbits of encouragement on many topics. My favorite was probably “uncovering your life’s work�. Other good ones were “spiritual gifts� and “building healthy relationships�.
February 19, 2017
A small book with great council. I loved the messages shared in this book, that although it is written for those of young adult age, I gained insight that can be used in my own life.
May 29, 2017
Absolutely amazing. Love the encouraging words from our Brethren!
December 18, 2017
❤️❤️❤️
November 29, 2017
Inspirational. Absolutely loved it!
February 21, 2018
Easy read, but deep thoughts! Love the bite size quotes!
December 4, 2018
The content is 5 stars but I will loan you my copy so you don't have to spend $15 for a collection of quotes that are available for free at lds.org if you had the time to look them up.
January 18, 2019
Great advice. Meant for young adults, this book contains wonderful thoughts and stories for everyone.
November 6, 2019
Not a book to just sit down and read. Love all the great counsel given.
December 27, 2019
Inspiration for all kinds of situations we may find ourselves in.
December 30, 2019
Counsel and Encouragement from Your Brethren - excellent doctrinal quotes from General Authorities
July 6, 2020
couldn't put it down. I read till my eyes hurt waited awhile and read some more. It was exactly what I needed to get through right now.
August 10, 2020
This is an absolutely wonderful little book.
March 14, 2017
Where do I even start?!? This book is incredible- every time I sat down to read this I felt my mood lift and my day was instantly better. All of the best parts from some of the best talks ever given are packed into this book! And since they're organized by topic, it's an excellent resource to go back to whenever you're struggling with something. There's also a list online of the talks they took excerpts from, which I will likely be using in the near future. Read this! ESPECIALLY if you are a young adult. It will change the way you look at life and help you remember you're not alone in whatever� you're going through. :)
November 25, 2016
One of my favourite books recently is Letters to A Young Mormon, by Adam Miller. Not even “favourite church books�, or “favourite non-fiction�, it’s so wonderful. So, when I heard there was a new publication from Deseret Book called We’re With You: Counsel and Encouragement from Your Brethren, I was excited to review it.
Rather than the letters to youth that I expected, though, this book is comprised of excerpts from addresses given at various venues by members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and the First Presidency. Sometimes, the way that passages have been excerpted gives them a disjointed feel, for example when passages that don’t fit the topic at hand have been removed, and sometimes it’s obvious that the address was originally given in a different era. Sometimes, the depth of the original address has been only hinted at, because the excerpts are limited to around four paragraphs.
It’s also a shame that, given this was a compilation of addresses from general authorities about specific topics that may affect young people in the church, there were no women included in the list of speakers. The section on marriage was mostly aimed at young men, for example, and “uncovering your life’s work� mostly assumed that women’s role would be offering advice to their husband (but also remembering, of course, that there are situations in life we can’t predict, so women may have to work out of necessity).
Most of the Challenges of Your Day chapter revolved around the same-sex marriage conversation (plus two snippets on pornography), and I wish they’d gone deeper than one brief mention into online bullying, and the masks we often wear online. Adam Miller’s letter about Sin, though it covers fewer scenarios, speaks to a deeper problem � that from the time we’re teenagers, we begin to craft stories about ourselves, and use clothes and test scores and comments from friends (and even the commandments) to convince ourselves that we know our story, and that we’re living up to our version of who we want to be.... to read the rest of this review, please go to the Exponent blog at:
Rather than the letters to youth that I expected, though, this book is comprised of excerpts from addresses given at various venues by members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and the First Presidency. Sometimes, the way that passages have been excerpted gives them a disjointed feel, for example when passages that don’t fit the topic at hand have been removed, and sometimes it’s obvious that the address was originally given in a different era. Sometimes, the depth of the original address has been only hinted at, because the excerpts are limited to around four paragraphs.
It’s also a shame that, given this was a compilation of addresses from general authorities about specific topics that may affect young people in the church, there were no women included in the list of speakers. The section on marriage was mostly aimed at young men, for example, and “uncovering your life’s work� mostly assumed that women’s role would be offering advice to their husband (but also remembering, of course, that there are situations in life we can’t predict, so women may have to work out of necessity).
Most of the Challenges of Your Day chapter revolved around the same-sex marriage conversation (plus two snippets on pornography), and I wish they’d gone deeper than one brief mention into online bullying, and the masks we often wear online. Adam Miller’s letter about Sin, though it covers fewer scenarios, speaks to a deeper problem � that from the time we’re teenagers, we begin to craft stories about ourselves, and use clothes and test scores and comments from friends (and even the commandments) to convince ourselves that we know our story, and that we’re living up to our version of who we want to be.... to read the rest of this review, please go to the Exponent blog at:
February 19, 2017
I enjoyed the counsel offered by this book. While much of it was reminders on principles I have been taught, I found it a nice reminder and a perfect resource that I can give others who need uplift and encouragement.
February 17, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It is well suited to young adults just starting in the world.
February 18, 2017
Such an inspiring collection of messages from our leaders. I love how the topics are organized. It covers everything from "Finding Happiness" to the "Challenges of our Day." If anyone ever doubts (as I have) whether or not our leaders care about single adults in our church, this book is the answer. The only thing it is missing is a list of the talks where these messages originated.
February 13, 2017
Great help!
Insightful counsel on a wide range of pertinent areas of life. Book is valuable to young adults. I especially liked having multiple voices on each subject.
Insightful counsel on a wide range of pertinent areas of life. Book is valuable to young adults. I especially liked having multiple voices on each subject.
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