A Prayer of Faith

In this delightful episodic memoire, Elder John H. Groberg (emeritus) of the Seventy brings us the next chapter in his life after those featured in his previously published works: The Other Side of Heaven (originally titled In the Eye of the Storm, and now a major motion picture), which detailed his years as a young missionary in Tonga and The Fire of Faith, from his time as a mission president.

Upon reading his anecdotes, which feature not only himself, his wife, and their children, but an entire spectrum of people from lovingly sweet, aged Tongan sisters to a harsh Army General, to other General Authorities of the Chuch, one can only say “What a life!” In these pages, we get to accompany Elder Groberg as he goes about the Lord’s errands in such places as Mongolia, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. He shares with us miraculous experiences, as the gospel gains entrance to and begins to take root in these far-flung corners of the earth.

As exceptional as his life has been, though, the chapters of Anytime, Anywhere read like a series of autobiographical fables, universal in their voice, and just as applicable to any life as to the life in which they were lived. The title of the book comes from President Spencer W. Kimball’s words to Elder Groberg when he was called to be a General Authority, telling him that it would mean moving “anytime, anywhere” that the Lord would need him. Through the book, though, Elder Groberg makes clear to us that the call to be in the Lord’s service “anytime, anwhere” is not limited to those in Church office, as all of us can remain open to the promptings of the Spirit to do the Lord’s work whenever and wherever we may be:

“If we live our lives so we can hear and heed the promptings of the Spirit, there is no limit to the good God can accomplish through us. Part of living worthily is to not seek or desire recognition, but to humbly obey spiritual promptings, knowing that, whether we are aware or not, God will bring the increase in His own way and His own time.

“I know that if there is purity of purpose and desire along with diligent effort, anyone, anytime, anywhere, under any circumstance can become an instrument in the Lord’s hands to bring about marvelous changes that are nothing short of miracles.” (page 48)

All of us, as we go through this life, build a body of life experiences. Those experiences often convey lessons, spark realizations, or otherwise help us onward in our eternal progression. Given that part of the purpose of this life is to “live and learn,” one of the kindest things that we can do, which Elder Groberg has done so well here, is to share those lessons and realizations. Over the course of the book, he offers us bits of his understanding on a great variety of themes from the personal and practical:

“I thought of things I should have done but didn’t because I was “too tired,” or because I “had done enough,” or because I felt “someone else should do it.” I was embarassed by those realizations, yet encouraged by the assurance that God is good to forgive and offer us new opportunities. If we love and trust Him sufficiently, He will always give us the strength needed to achieve whatever tasks lie before us. When our trials seem too long or too hard, we must remember that only God can say how much is enough, for only He knows the growth that we can gain by pushing beyond the tiredness and the pain.” (page 61)

to the profound:

“Think of the various cycles God has put into motion—hours and days, months and years, seasons and tides, planting and harvesting, birth and death, youth and age, and on and on. Think of the power and pull of orbiting plantes and other celestial spheres in a rapidly expanding universe. Now think of the power and pull of celestial families! What a cycle! Maybe all those other cycles are but a shadow of the most importrant cycle of all—eternal families.” (page 209)

Anytime, Anywhere is fascinating on the narrative level as a glimpse into the life of full-time church service and is personally touching on the thematic level, as Elder Groberg’s lovingly articulated observations and realizations frame each of the stories. With it’s anecdotal format, it makes for quick and easy inspirational reading, that can easily fit in between the many tasks of a busy day and that will leave the reader inspired to offer their service “anytime, anywhere.”

Anytime, Anywhere, by John H. Groberg. Published by Deseret Book.

Cover image © Deseret Book. Used with permission.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 2nd, 2006 at 5:00 am and is filed under All Good Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.