Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People, vol. 1 Edited by Jack M. Lyon, Linda Ririe Gundry, Jay A. Parry Deseret Book, 1997. Hardback: 472 pages. ISBN: 1-57345-266-1 Suggested retail price: $$23.95 (US)
Reviewed by: Marilyn Ashby McPhie

Both my first and last thought in reviewing this book was the old evaluation, "For people who like this sort of thing, this is just the sort of thing that they'll like." In this case, if you see a book titled Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People, and read on the fly-leaf "Do you remember a favorite inspiring Church story but don't know where to find it? Here is the book you've been looking for." and you think, "Wow, I need this book!" -- -then you probably do need this book, and you will probably be really happy to own it, and you should run to the nearest Deseret Book outlet and buy it immediately. If, on the other hand, you read the title and description and think, "Why would I buy a book like that?" you should probably stay away from it.

The preface states the purpose of this book as "To bring together in one place the stories that have been perennial favorites among members of the Church." The editors succeed admirably in this aim. Think of your favorite church story. Joseph Smith's leg operation? Mary Fielding Smith and the oxen? Dedication of the Kirtland temple? Mary Goble Pay's frozen feet? Wilford Woodruff at the Benbow farm? Even Parley P. Pratt and Stu-boy? They're all here. Just reading the table of contents will bring flashes of recognition and approval from most LDS readers.

Two hundred eighteen stories are included, divided into ten broad categories: the restoration, pioneers, faith, courage, revelation, protection, healing, missionary work, love, humor, with stories in roughly chronological order within each section. Not surprisingly, a large concentration of the stories belong to the early days of church history But subsequent years are represented as well, with stories from and /or about David O. McKay ("Act Well Thy Part" and others), Harold B. Lee, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Hugh B. Brown, Marion G. Romney, though none of the stories is very recent. Nothing from Ezra Taft Benson or Gordon B. Hinckley, for example.

The stories are from a variety of sources. Most often they are in first person in the words of the protagonists. Sometimes, however, they are excerpted from works of compilers, editors, biographers, and collectors (Kate B. Cater's Heartthrobs of the West, for example). However, all the tales have the immediacy of first-person telling. They have not been retold by the current editors (which means that they are in exactly the same form you've heard quoted over the years). The shaping done for this volume has been in selection, not in rephrasing.

It's hard to be too critical of this compilation. The purpose is clear and clearly met. Many people will enjoy having all their favorite stories in one easy-to-access volume. No more searching for the favorite story you need for a talk or lesson. It's right here. Why, it even has a ribbon bookmark for your convenience. Still, many people will find this book redundant. Their talk and lesson illustrations will be drawn from less familiar sources. Or, if the account of the rescue of the handcart companies is needed, there are many other places to find it.

In short -- a nice book, an admirable effort -- which will probably find a welcome home on the bookshelves of many, many LDS people. If you think you need this book -- buy it!