When Rulon T. Burton wrote the first word of his massive "We Believe," it must have felt a little like taking the first step in a pioneer trek across the plains. He knew he had miles to go before he slept.
Now, 10 years later, the book is finally out. Burton published it himself because the original publisher didn't have a binder big enough to handle it. And, much to his satisfaction, the first printing of 3,000 has been snapped up. And quickly."I'm really sold on my book," he says.
Sold is the operative word.
"We Believe" is subtitled "Doctrines and Principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." It's a reference work that catalogs the comments of LDS apostles and prophets on subjects ranging from "Adversity" to "Zion." And Burton went at it with specific ground rules. First, only apostles and prophets are quoted. And their comments must come from official LDS publications. He also wanted to make the documentation scrupulous to insure credibility.
The result proves that playing by the rules is a good way to win. At 1,194 pages, the book is quickly becoming a staple in homes and ward houses.
"I started by putting things on 3-by-5 cards," says Burton. "But it wasn't long before I could see I'd have to learn to use a computer."
The project began as such projects often begin. Burton returned from church one Sunday looking for a book that would explain a point of doctrine to him. When he couldn't find such a book, he decided to make one.
"I chose points of doctrine that could be stated in one sentence," he says. "So, as lawyers say, this book becomes a `re-statement' of the law.
"The apostles and prophets all say things in different ways. And not all of them are equally quotable. There aren't very many selections from David O. McKay, for instance, because he would often take pages to develop a theme. Joseph F. Smith, on the other hand, is widely quoted."
Burton's personal favorites?
"I like what Melvin Ballard and George Q. Cannon had to say," he says. "The spirit of what they say rings so true."
The book is already into a second printing, though for now Burton has no plans to expand or enlarge on it. There was a time, however, when he considered going the other way and trimming it back by an inch or so. But friends and family talked him out of it.
He explains: "People would tell me, `Don't cut it back; what makes your book impressive is it's so big!' "
As James Thurber would say, "It is a great book - about the weight of a young St. Bernard, I think."