Review
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Title: A mighty Change: The process of going from good to better.
Author: Christopher R. Greenwood
Publisher: Millennial Mind Publishing: An imprint of American Book Publishing, Salt Lake City, UT
Genre: Inspirational
Year Published: 2008
Number of pages: 169
Binding: paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1-58982-470-6
ISBN-10: 1-58982-470-9

Reviewed by Roy Schmidt

I was asked to review this book by a friend. This is a risky thing to do as both the friend and the author stand a chance of being offended by the review, and I don't have so many friends that I can afford to lose one. I agreed anyway.

When the book arrived, I looked it over, and wondered if I had done the right thing. It is inspirational, and I have found that most books in that genre are saccharine, and and not at all appealing to me. I had never heard of the author, nor the publisher, to say nothing of the several persons who wrote endorsements of the work. So, it sat on my table for several days.

I happened to be surfing the television channels when I came across Robert J. Matthews giving a talk on BYU-TV. He is one of my heroes, and I considered it a great privilege to have studied with him, and served under him at the Mt. Timpanogas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I not only learn from Brother Matthews, but he inspires me to want to be a better person. Then I looked again at the book on my table: A Mighty Change: The process of going from good to better, and thought, "Why not?"

The author, Christopher R. Greenwood works for the Printing Division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is married, and has five children. He served a mission for the Church, and studied at California State University, Sacramento, and the U. S. Army Logistics Management College. I believe this is his first book. I like it.

Greenwood divided his work into nine chapters: The Choice to Obey, The Little Things, Ambition in the Lord's Church, Fasting, Trials of Faith, Repentance, Gossiping and Backbiting, Service, and The Fruits of Our Labors. I mined helpful nuggets from each. Here are a few observations:

First, on "Ambition in the Lord's Church." We recently had a new bishop called in our ward. Speculation ran high with many people thinking the first counselor would be called. He was not. Instead, a man serving in the Young Men's organization was selected by the Lord. Many of us were surprised by the choice, and yet confirmation was received as we sat in the service. The first counselor remained in that position while a new second counselor was called. In any event, the change was orderly, and (I believe) no feelings were hurt. Years ago, my brother-in-law was called to be bishop of his ward. He knew of his calling several weeks before the change was made. Meanwhile, another member of the ward was so convinced he was going to be the new bishop, he painted the bishop's office, and arraigned the furniture to his liking. As I recall, he didn't take my brother-in law's selection kindly. Brother Greenwood reminds us the Lord is in charge, and that seeking office can be detrimental to our spiritual health. I've always put stock in President J. Reuben Clark's statement, "It's not where you serve, but how you serve that counts."

The chapter on "Gossiping and Backbiting" is great. My neighbor refers to this as "sharing information." I must admit to being guilty of this on more than one occasion. Greenwood calls to our attention the consequences of such action. Among others, he quotes President George Albert Smith as follows: "Think of the sorrow and distress in the world, as the result of men and women gossiping about their neighbors, testifying to things, or referring to things that are not true, and implying that they are true. . . .This is one of the transgressions, that the Lord points out particularly, and we ought to be very careful. We should never testify to anything that is untrue. And if we are truthful always, our Heavenly Father has assured us happiness."

Rather than participating in such destructive behavior, the author suggests we learn to focus our thoughts, and offers three suggestions: 1. Train yourself to be conscious of your thoughts. . . ., 2. Learn to scrutinize your thoughts to determine if they add or detract from your faith. 3. If a thought detracts from your faith, replace it with a thought that is based on faith. While this may be easier said than done, I think Greenwood is on to something.

I particularly enjoyed the remark of Oscar Wilde found in the chapter on Trials of Faith, "If God wished to punish us, all he would need do is answer our prayers." Think about that one for a minute. I don't know how many times I have prayed for something, have not received it, but later realized how my life would have been adversely impacted if I had. I'm not sure I agree with the concept that "everything happens for a purpose," but I am sure that how we act when we have trials and tribulations determines to a large degree the kind of person we are.

Other equally challenging concepts are found in the remaining chapters. Christopher Greenwood has done an outstanding job with this writing. He challenges us to become better, and I accept the challenge. I heartily recommend this book.