This book rates one star because although it does contain some actual "statements of the First Presidency", most of its contents do not qualify as such, and a reader not familiar with the criteria for identifying whether or not something is such a statement, will be mislead.
Those not familiar with what consititutes a "Statement Of The First Presidency" of the L.D.S. Church, which includes most people, including a great many members of the L.D.S. Church,might assume from the title that the contents of this book are official doctrinal statements, or procedural directives, by the Church's highest authorities. The First Presidency has, in fact, made few official doctrinal pronouncements and when it does they are easy to identify and there is no ambiguity about it. The First Presidency does regularly issue procedural or organizational or policy directives that address immediate or emerging issues, or with respect to new initiatives or changes in existing programs or procedures. These latter statements are also unambiguous, are in writing over the signatures of the members of the First Presidency, and are clear on the subject matter, the directive, and its applicability. In short, a "statement by the First Presidency" is always unmistakably by the First Presidency; is made by the entire First Presidency; is in writing or in a public and recorded oral statement expressly stated to be by the First Presidency; is unambiguous in its addressees, subject, and content; and other than internal, private communications from the First Presidency to other Church officers, is not confidential and certainly not "secret". That leaves few, actual, Statements of the LDS First Presidency, far fewer than are in this book.
With respect to each of the two kinds of statements: the doctrinal statements do not go farther than is necessary for the subject at hand; and the organizational, procedural or policy directives are subject to revision, replacement, or withdrawal as the ongoing development of the Church and its programs requires.
Many Presidents of the Church have expressly stated that the Church is governed by on-going revelation in the appointed way; and those, such as this reviewer, who have had a first-hand glimpse at the work as it is in process, see abundant evidence of that. Any of that revelation which is needed for the direction or guidance of the general membership or leadership of the Church is published clearly and without ambiguity.
Knowing this, one finds little of value in this book, and a great potential for misinformation. Those items which are in fact actual "statements of the First Presidency" are available already in numerous publications; and the vast bulk of the book does not qualify as "statements of the First Presidency", leaving those unfamiliar with the meaning of the term with misunderstandings and in confusion.
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