Review: Consider the Blessings by Thomas S. Monson

Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Hand in our Lives by Thomas S. Monson, NF -Religion, 2013, 160p, Rating: 5
Source: hardcover copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

If you ask people what they love most about President Thomas S. Monson’s teaching style, chances are they’ll say something about the personal experiences he relates. The accounts President Monson shares are always true, taken from his own life or the real lives of other people. Those warm, memorable accounts have truly become a hallmark of his messages.
Who can forget the woman who saved one of the two sticks of gum Elder Monson passed out to youth in postwar Germany? Or the neighbor who returned a box of baseballs to young Tommy as a thank-you for his kindness to her? Or the father who declined to attend a “Mormon” meeting with his family but had his heart softened by a message he heard on a radio that was actually broken?
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his call as an Apostle, Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family.

This is an absolutely exquisite book.  The attention to detail in the art and design (embossed book cover writings, photograph images, glossy paper, font, etc.) was impeccable.  Each of the fifty stories had its proper serenity in the pages.  Accordingly, the content was its greatest masterpiece.  The book really did show affirmations of God's hand in our lives which to me clearly shouted that there is a loving God.  The events addressed were not coincidences as one might argue but examples of quite miracles happening in our time.  Oh, how my heart rejoiced.

This is definitely a tried and tested family book.  I read three to four stories each night to my children at bedtime for nearly two weeks.  I often found myself struggling in reading because I was dissolved in tears.  The stories were that piercing.  There's just nothing like knowing the love of God for us through the kindness that people show for each other.  It's certainly a testament to me that life is meaningful.

Feed your heart and soul.  Read this book.