I really liked that question. I like to read. Which things have taught me things I have really applied?
1. "The Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) and "Christlike Parenting" by Glenn Leatham
These both have helped me become more Christian- more like Christ, not just a regular church- goer.
They aren't about making things fair. They are about loving our enemies and returning good for evil.
These helped me be able to change from reviling back at those who hurt me...
I don't seek to "get even" and I pray for love and help to control my temper.
The Young Women Personal Progress experiences have helped me work on developing my divine nature. (especially being peacemaker)
2. "The Times in Which we Live" by President Hinckely
This has influenced us to pay off our house at rapid speed.
"The economy is particularly vulnerable. We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. So many of our people are heavily in debt for things that are not entirely necessary. When I was a young man, my father counseled me to build a modest home, sufficient for the needs of my family, and make it beautiful and attractive and pleasant and secure. He counseled me to pay off the mortgage as quickly as I could so that, come what may, there would be a roof over the heads of my wife and children. I was reared on that kind of doctrine. I urge you as members of this Church to get free of debt where possible and to have a little laid aside against a rainy day."
3. "Baby Wise" by Gary Ezzo
This has helped me develop structure and routine in every day life for me and my children.
Our needs are met in a routine way, so we can get so much more done beyond the basics,
and we don't have to live in moment to moment crisis.
It has helped me develop effecient systems in homemaking and motherhood.
4. "Thomas Jefferson Education" by Oliver DeMille
This book has changed what I read. Our whole family devours classics now.
We seek learning and wisdom by reading out of the BEST books.
We have family book clubs for discussing classics that we read on our own.
We have family reading every evening where we read classics together.
5. "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis
I now have a purpose in life for caring for the elderly.
After reading this book, I invited Donny's grandma to come live with us.
She passed away and now Donny's mother lives near us.
This reaching across the ages has made a neat connection both ways.
6. "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Franklin Covey
This book still guides me in how I plan my time.
I focus on my goals and my roles.
It also helped me realize a role in my life needed to drop
because it was too big and could be delegated to someone else
so I could "play my position" better instead of playing the whole field.
7. "Mothers Who Know" by Julie Beck
This talk helped me prioritize what things to drop and what things to keep doing.
It really helped me value homemaking and motherhood and not stretch myself too thin going beyond that.
8. "12 Steps to Whole Foods" by Robyn Bradshaw and the "Word of Wisdom"
Because of this book our family eats so many fruits, vegetables, whole grains.
I make my own yogurt, we do "box gardening" where we really maximize salad type veggies.
The Strength of Youth pamphlet emphasizes balance and moderation and avoiding extremes.
9. "The Peacegiver" by James Ferrell and "Love Busters" by Willard F. Harley, Jr.
These books have helped me become more of a peacemaker with family and neighbors.
The Peacegiver helped me to forgive someone who was hurting me and my family.
It gave me the knowlege and power to serve them and turn them from enemies into friends.
Love Busters helped me learn to prevent wars with my children by asking nicely instead of demanding.
Asking nicely and seaking peace, helps prevent anger.
10. Genesis 3:19- In the
This scripture has helped me to teach my children to work with natural consequences without using force or anger.
