Selected sermons delivered 1963-1997.

This book features paintings, drawings, and wood carvings representing a lifetime of work. As an avid lover of nature, Boyd K. Packer has carefully studied the appearance and habits of birds and animals and used them as his primary subjects. Above all, his art expresses reverence for life. Through artwork he has shared the lessons of life with his family and church members. President Packer wrote, "During those hours working with my hands, I pondered on the marvels of creations, and inspiration would flow. As I carved wood, I carved out talks."--Publisher summary.

Each person has the capacity for growth and the potential to reach perfection," writes Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve. As if written personally for and to each member of the Church, the book reflects the author's awareness of individual concerns, the struggle to progress, to accept change, to become perfect. That All May Be Edified concentrates on building the building of souls. Exquisitely detailed illustrations of basic structural forms introduce the seven sections into which the book is divided: The foundation of the edifice is instruction. Walls of encouragement are lifted up. Comfort spreads a shelter against despair. Windows of enlightment let in the light of faith. A closed door symbolizes a warning, for there are places that we must not enter if we are to be protected against danger. An exhortation is a buttress to correct error and strengthen the structure. Pure witness becomes the steeple, the capstone, the pinnacle. Each section begins with a specially written commentary and includes some of Elder Packer's most memorable addresses and writings on such timely tops as the plan of salvation, thought control, prayer, miracles, nonmember spouses, family life, marriage, morality, obedience, the arts, the Atonement, and many more. The author's clear expression, creative presentation, and powerful testimony ensure that every reader will indeed be edified.

Over the past decade, Mormon history has undergone a transformation as LDS scholars have debated how their church's story should be written. New Mormon Historians distinguish between what they believe is verifiable and what they suspect may be folklore, and they approach history from a variety of different academic and social perspectives. Mormonism has also become of interest to non-LDS scholars. This raises the question of whether outsiders can truly understand Mormons, and conversely whether insiders can achieve enough detachment to see themselves objectively, or whether this is even desirable. Does history have an inherent meaning beyond the scholar's particular viewpoint, and should a writer strive to understand another person's perspective, or is one's own subjective vantage all that is possible and ultimately what is important? The new Mormon traditionalists contend that objectivity is, in fact, impossible and that history is written with certain pre-understandings; also, that some viewpoints are superior based on spiritual insight, including a belief in God and in Joseph Smith as the prophet, and that one should not impassively report examples of faith but should actively promote them. In this compilation, the editor has assembled sixteen essays which represent all sides of this ongoing discussion.

SUB TITLE:Quotations and Teachings from Boyd K. Packer