From Bruce and Stan
Someone once said that you’ll be the same person five years from now as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read. The idea is that you won’t grow as a person unless you bring new (and hopefully positive) influences into your life.
The alternative is to do what most people do—nothing. They rarely or never make new friends, seek out mentors, or build into the lives of others. They rarely or never read meaningful and enriching books and articles (newspapers, gossip magazines, and the like don’t count).
Don’t get us wrong. We’re not saying you should dump your old friends in favor of some new ones (unless you are running around with a bunch of losers). And we’re not saying you should avoid all things frivolous when you read. We’re just issuing you a challenge to step up your friendships and your reading habits to the next level.
Reading is the gateway for growth. Books contain information, insight and inspiration—all of which contribute significantly to you mental and spiritual development. Without the guidance of books, you’re guessing at best. Your like a boat at sea without a compass or map: You have power to get somewhere but no direction.
Books contain the experiences of people who have failed miserably as well as those who have achieved greatly (both are useful). Good books also present ideas and concepts that stretch beyond our self imposed limits.
This is especially true with the Bible. Scripture will teach, correct, inspire, and point you to the Author. King David wrote that the words of God are “more desirable than gold” and “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 19:10). Read scripture daily. And make it a habit to read other enriching books as well.
. . . In the Small Stuff
The person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who can’t read them.
Build your personal library with hard cover books that will transcend centuries and circumstances.
. . . . Keep up on current events.
Read for fifteen minutes every night before you go to bed.
The history of the world is merely the biography of great people.
Read at least one biography a year.
Be a reader but one who reads between the lines.
At the beginning of each year, choose a topic of interest and spend the next twelve months learning all you can about it.
Try reading and handwriting on the wall before your back is up against it.
Next time you read a really good book, make every effort to get in touch with the author.
Reading books on a variety of subjects broadens your personal and appeal.
Read one book a month.
Reward your kids every time they read a book.
Just because its in print, doesn’t make it worth reading.
Just because it’s on TV (the internet) doesn’t make it worth watching.
Listen to books on your cell phone.
Try doing without TV for a week.
Every time you read a book by a new author; go back and read a classic that has stood the test of time.
~ Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz From the book “God is in the Small Stuff and it all matters” (Uhrichsville, Ohio: Promise Press, 1998).136-41.
Posts with a preamble asterisk * are for a more general audience and not specific to teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
