“A REFUGE FROM THE STORM: The Priesthood, the Family, the Church,” by Boyd K. Packer, Deseret Book, $25.99, 210 pages (nf)
President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explains different principles and aspects of the gospel in the recent book “A Refuge from the Storm: The Priesthood, the Family, the Church.”
The 24 chapters are divided into three sections — “The Priesthood,” “The Family” and “The Church” — as he shares about each as they interconnect through the plan of salvation.
“The gospel of Jesus Christ enables individuals to become exalted by being part of eternal families,” President Packer writes in the introduction. “The gospel contains the purpose, the doctrine and the plan. The priesthood is the power and the authority. The church has the means and organization. The exalted, eternal family is the end of the gospel plan.”
In the section on “The Priesthood,” the chapters range from a primer on priesthood power, including details about quorums, callings and groups, to priesthood in the temple and the Relief Society. In “The Family” section, his remarks are for parents, children, grandparents and youths.
In “The Church,” the topics are about service, the purposes of the church, standards and the gathering.
In each chapter, he shares experiences, whether personal ones or those from LDS Church history, as he explores the topic.
Each of the chapters is based on a talk, including those from general conferences, Worldwide Leadership Training, BYU Women’s Conference, a fireside commemorating the 175th anniversary of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, training for general authorities and training for new mission presidents.
President Packer, who spent his career as an educator, clearly teaches as he also shares his testimony.
“The most precious thing we have to give is our witness of the Lord, our testimony of Jesus Christ,” he writes.
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