Way to Be!: 9 ways to be happy and make something of your life (Hardcover)

by Gordon B. Hinckley (Author), Steve Young (Introduction) "There never was a time such as this..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The nonagenarian president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers young adults optimistic, down-to-earth advice in this inspirational gift book. In short chapters that are especially directed at teens, Hinckley presents "nine suggestions gleaned from more than nine decades of living": young people should be grateful, smart, involved, clean, true, positive, humble, still and prayerful. The tone will be familiar to those who enjoyed Hinckley's 2000 book Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes; even the virtues themselves are very similar. As before, Hinckley shares simple but meaningful stories from his own life, concentrating mostly here on anecdotes from his childhood on a fruit farm. Although Hinckley's chief role is as a Mormon prophet, his folksy advice is virtually indistinguishable from that found in other Christian self-help books: he lauds Jesus Christ as "the Savior, who is the perfect example in all things," discusses the importance of not taking the Lord's name in vain and argues for daily prayer. He also adopts conservative stands on social issues, eschewing pornography, tattoos, drugs and premarital sex. Some readers may wish for more, since the book feels a bit thin on the ground; young women, also, may wish that Hinckley had more consistently employed gender-inclusive language. In all, however, this heartfelt, homespun primer on spiritual values is well crafted for its intended audience of young Christians, Mormon or otherwise.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Hinckley is not just the 50th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he's also a best-selling inspirational writer who hopes to continue his streak with this book for young adults and their parents.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (August 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743238303
• ISBN-13: 978-0743238304
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,967 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Be" Attitudes!, August 7, 2002

By	Kendal B. Hunter (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Way to Be!: 9 Ways to Be Happy and Make Something of Your Life (Audio Cassette)

This is quite a friendly book. It has very soft and relaxing pictures that match its soft and reassuring message. Admittedly, this book has a pastoral feel to it, and isn't a deep theological work. Some people see things work in practice, and wonder if they can work in theory. This book is very practical.

It is directed to the youth of the world, primarily pre-teen and teenagers, but I believe it works for anyone of any age. In it, President Hinckley outlines nine "Ways to Be." In this sense, it is a youth edition of this "Standing For Something," which lists ten virtues for adults.

The nine "Ways to Be" are:

Be Grateful.
Be Smart.
Be Involved.
Be Clean.
Be True.
Be Positive.
Be Humble.
Be Still.
Be Prayerful.

Each chapter discusses why these virtues-or "be-attitudes"-are important, and how we can live these virtues. President Hinckley's strength is that he uses homespun examples, and simple language, much like the Bishop Bienvenu in "Les Miserables."

Sometimes, getting to heavy with doctrine, such as Elder Bruce R. McConkie or Thomas Aquinas taught, can put people off and be counter-effective. However, President Hinckley keeps the language simple, clear, and very prophetic.

I found his chapter on "Be Still" to be intriguing. It is said that religion is the opiate of the masses, except in Utah where it is an amphetamine. The opening ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympics was done by local volunteers. However, President Hinckley encourages us to seek the quieter times and places in our lives. It reminds me of Jesus Christ seeking places of solitude during his ministry. It sticks in my mind because it is so unusual.

I think the most enchanting thing about the book is that it is affirming. There isn't any negativity, doom and gloom, or hellfire and damnation, but a clear message of what we individually do within our spheres of action and in life.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's worth your time., February 7, 2004

By	Mike Compton (Provo, UT) - See all my reviews

This book is very simple and it's a quick read (you can finish it in an afternoon). It's also fun and inspires without being preachy or using guilt. The heartfelt suggestions encourage one to simply be a better person and the themes are memorable. It's worth your time.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Simple Truth Miscalled 'Simplicity.'" Sonnet 66, September 5, 2002

By	Kendal B. Hunter (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is geared towards the youth and teenagers, and is a companion volume to President Hinckley's "Standing For Something." So don't expect the King Follet Discourse when you read this book. Instead expect straight talk and simple language about what the youth can do about improving the world.

I found this book to be refreshing in that it focuses on the way youth need to be, and what they can do to themselves to improve. It doesn't advocate the type of "Superman" activism, where people go off to other lands for a certain amount of time and solve everyone else's problems. Nor does the book rely on political-governmental solutions to the world's problems. Instead, President Hinckley suggests nine habits, or virtues, that the youth can incorporate in their lives to help change themselves.

This is a quiet book. It doesn't advocate a new government bureaucracy, or tax cut to solve the problems the youth are facing. It suggests the simple and soft things we can do to make a difference. Much like the three servings of leaven that filled the whole loaf.