Several years ago I attended a community meal sponsored by a local evangelical church. A friend invited me to go, and I was glad to do so. After the meal (and it was a good one!) the pastor gave me a copy of a little book containing the promises of the Bible. There were all kinds of good things there -- promises of forgiveness, health, prosperity, etc. (Not a single "promise" of hell-fire or eternal damnation, by the way.) Intended to comfort and inspire, I thought it was a very good idea.

I've spent a lot of time in Christian bookstores. Collections of the Bible's promises are not hard to find. Now we have a collection of promises from the Book of Mormon. The author, Wayne E. Brickey, has spent more than 30 years working in the Church Educational System, and has authored several previous books. He brings to this volume a considerable amount of scriptural expertise and personal experience.

Presented in the order in which they occur in the Book of Mormon, the author selects 101 texts that are either explicit promises or contain promises implicitly. He follows this with a brief commentary that brings the text alive, often using contemporary illustrations to expand on the thoughts. These notes are very well written, right on target, and easily accessible to even a new Latter-day Saint.

In many instances, the reader is called to a deeper study of the promise-text with a nice series of notes and cross-references. With one exception, all the notes refer back to Book of Mormon passages. And a theme-based index helps the reader to find specific promises.

We live in a world where circumstances can easily discourage us. At times we reach out for answers to our deepest questions, hoping to find some common thread that will give our lives meaning and direction. For many, confidence in the promises of God is that common thread. To the believer, the word of God is as good as gold.

101 Promises brings to the reader a handy guide to the precious promises found in the Book of Mormon. Students of the Book of Mormon will appreciate this approach to further study. And with the many notes and cross-references, these readings can constitute a good theme for Family Home Evening or for individual or group scripture study.

This book would also make a good Christmas gift for the LDS family desiring a fresh approach to family worship. By focusing on the positive, all may benefit from Brickey's fine effort.

-----------------------------------

Jeff Needle
November 19, 2005