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Please consider contributing to Leading Saints to help us in the coming year. See details HERE. I am often asked where people can find a list of books that all Latter-day Saint leaders should read. So, I’ve gone back to my library and looked at all the books I have read and made a list of recommendations. I created a page at LeadingSaints.org that lists all these books and I hope to keep it updated. I’ve organized the list into specific categories and ranked them in the order I would recommend people read them in that category. One book on this list is not better than another. They are brilliant in their own way. Some books are mentioned in multiple categories. And, of course, it goes without saying that canonized scriptures and words from living prophets are always recommended resources even though they are not listed here. Personal Development – These are books I would recommend to leaders who are simply trying to become more well-rounded in their approach to life which would naturally lead to them improving their leadership capacity. Leading an Organization – These are books I would recommend for leaders who are striving to improve their ability to lead a group or organization. Some are more helpful for specific leadership roles. Repentance & Engaging in the Gospel – These are books I would recommend to anyone who is looking to engage more deeply in the gospel of Jesus Christ (that’s just another way of saying repentance). All leaders should read these books but they should also consider recommending them to individuals they lead who are struggling to engage in the gospel (or, in other words, who are struggling to repent). Their focus is diverse; some are focused on helping people overcome pornography, while others are focused on helping individuals who are questioning their faith. I am forgetting some books, so let me know what books you would add to the list. See the full book list at LeadingSaints.org/books [Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast]
I am pleasantly surprised to see Micheal A. Singers book “Untethered Soul” on your list. As background I am 68 and have been a member since I was a kid. I have been practicing yoga for about 18 years and ran across this book in the pocket of an airplane seat about 9 years ago. I need to say I practice yoga for the movement , breath work and meditation aspects while not getting into the religious aspects.
This book helped me finally learn to relax and quiet the noise in my head. After many years of trying to quiet my mind and relax Singer helped me make a huge leap forward. Quieting that noise is a helpful step in hearing the still small voice as far as I am concerned. So many people in our culture cannot turn off the maniac in their heads. So bottom line, I like Singers book – it helped me a lot.
I would add a book to your list. “Investigating the Book of Mormon Witnesses” by Richard Lloyd Anderson. I don’t think we as a people recognize the strength the witnesses provide. Using original documents Anderson makes a very solid case that they are telling the truth. If they are telling the truth you have to decide what to do with that knowledge.