Treasures of Life
By David O. McKay
Synopsis: Printed in 1962, this book is a compilation of David O. McKay's editorials in The Instructor. It was compiled by his personal secretary, Clare Middlemiss, and features discourses on a variety of topics.
Strong Points: This is a very pleasant book, is spiritually uplifting, and insightful. It's another good collection of David O. McKay writings. I was especially pleased to have the book feature several very pro-Constitution teachings, explicit endorsements of capitalism (p. 129, 144-145, 501-502), and indications that evolution is not to be believed (p. 130, 440-441). I did not expect such treats as those to be as plentiful as they were in the book. Additionally, there was a lot of wonderful insights about character building, the proper aim of education, and other principles that lead to perfection. I found this book to be another sanctifying reading experience.
Weak Points: Since the book is a compilation of Instructor editorials, and many of them share similar themes, there is a certain amount of repetition. Often the reader will read a paragraph in one chapter, only to re-read virtually the exact same paragraph in the next chapter. Good thing it's David O. McKay, so at least it's good material to read again.
Interesting: 3.9/5
Must Read: 3.3/5
Overall: 4.2/5
Selected Quotes: "When one puts business or pleasure above his home, he that moment starts on the downgrade to soul ruin. When the club becomes more attractive to any man than his home, it is time for him to confess in bitter shame that he has failed to measure up to the supreme opportunity of his life and flunked in the final test of manhood. No other success can compensate for failure in the home." (p. 63).
"As absolute as the certainty that you have in your hearts that tonight will be followed by dawn tomorrow morning, so is my assurance that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind, the Light that will dispel the darkness of the world, through the gospel restored by direct revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith." (p. 181-182).