The Other Side of Heaven [Paperback]

John H. Groberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001

The missionary memoirs of Elder John H. Groberg, found in his popular book In the Eye of the Storm, can be enjoyed as a major motion picture And now, for the first time, In the Eye of the Storm will be available in paperback retitled The Other Side of Heaven. This first-person account tells the fascinating story of the three years he spent on the islands in the South Pacific amidst a kindly people who had a deep faith in God, a faith that provides the backdrop for Elder Groberg's accounts of miraculous healings, protective warnings, and perilous voyages; for such stories as: The emergancy night voyage on a turbulent sea, and the anxious search for the only guiding light into the destination harbor. The boy whose apparently lifeless body was handed to the missionaries with the words, "Here, make him well again — you have the power." The storm that overturned the boat, throwing missionaries into the raging sea. The hurricane that hit the little island. The hunger when the usual supply boat failed to show up. And much, much more. This remarkable book paints a vivid picture of missionary life in a society geared to "a different way of thinking." But it is far from being solely a collection of stories. To the experiences it recounts, the author has added observations on the scenes and circumstances that in an inspiring way bring out the gospel principles involved. Given this combination, the total effect of the book is that from the time readers reach Tonga with the young missionary they will be engrossed in his story until the end.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Inspirational, September 19, 2008 By Anja Interesting, exciting, uplifting, faith-promoting. And a real life story too!! A profound & spiritually uplifting book., July 17, 2002 By Brian This is a great book. Compared with the movie, the book is not quite as 'polished,' but I thought it far surpassed the movie in spiritual content. The insights that Elder Groberg gained as a young missionary are amazing. By sharing these, he teaches some of the most important lessons about the gospel and life I have ever gotten from a non-scriptural source. While I liked the movie, if someone asked me which would be a better investment of time and money, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the book over the movie. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

John H. Groberg was called to serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in its First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1976. Since that time, he has served in assignments all over the globe, from the islands of the South Pacific to Argentina to Mongolia. Prior to his call, he was engaged in the real estate development and construction business. Elder Groberg and his wife, Jean, began serving in 2005 as president and matron of the LDS Idaho Falls Temple. They are the parents of eleven children. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Deseret Book Co (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157008789X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570087899
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a story that has you wanting more, March 15, 2002

By 

Jen White (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Other Side of Heaven (Paperback)

John Groberg tells an amazing story of his mission to Tonga and his experiences with the Tongan people. In Tonga he gains great insight into human nature, his own mortality, and his concepts of faith, God, and what it means to be good. This book is a great, fast read and very uplifting considering all that has been happening around the world. This book reminded me that the only important thing in life is other people and how you treat them. I love this book and know that I will read it again and again. I've even suggested it for my book club and think we will have a great discussion about it.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book with a message to ponder., March 4, 2002

By 

Martha Hirt (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Other Side of Heaven (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book! When all the trappings of daily modern life are stripped away, we can focus on what is really important in the eternal perspective, living and loving. Mr. Groberg shares his experiences and love for the Tongan people and culture and relates them to me personally. I was sorry when his mission was over, I would have liked to have learned more. I felt like a child sitting at the feet of a master story teller/teacher.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly inspirational, March 24, 2002

By 

David Haase (Richland, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Other Side of Heaven (Paperback)

This is a wonderful true story about a Mormon Missionary and his experiences on a remote Tongan island during the early 1950's. It is an honest, heart-felt collection of sort chapters each describing a significant event, each with some sort of moral conclusion or lesson learned. It is refreshing to read a story about people and a culture that is totally removed from the hubbub of western culture. While they are "deprived" of the coviences of "civilization," the book makes it perfectly clear that the same issues of society are just as complex.