I have personally amassed an
extensive library which consists of books on many subjects. In particular, I have collected many books on
religion, both by LDS authors, and also by non-LDS authors. I am not a millionaire, and thus I can’t
afford to buy every book I come across (as my wife occasionally has to remind
me). I therefore do my best to buy only
those books which I consider to be classics on their subject. However, even among my (admittedly) large collection
of excellent books, there are certain books that stand out above the rest. Many
of the best books in my library are written by LDS authors, but some of them
are not.
I have noticed in the past that
some members of the LDS church tend to view books on religion written by non-Mormon
authors as being somewhat suspect, or of being of less value than a book
written by an LDS author. However, it is worth noting that many of my most
beloved books by non-LDS authors are widely recognized as classics by people of all faiths. In fact, you
may recognize some of the authors mentioned on this list, as their writings are
often quoted over the pulpit at General Conference.
It is true that books which come
from outside our tradition may contain ideas that do not wholly jibe with our
particular teachings, but that doesn’t mean that there is no benefit to be
derived from reading such books.
In scripture, we are instructed by
the Lord to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even
by study and also by faith” (see D&C 88:118). In one of the articles of our faith we hold
that “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy,
we seek after these things” (see A of F 1:13).
Here is a list of some of those
“best books,” which I can personally attest are filled with things that are “virtuous,
lovely, or of good report [and] praiseworthy.”
This list does not constitute a blanket endorsement of all of the
doctrines or ideas contained within them (especially over and above the
doctrines and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints). However, there is much that is
good and true in these books, which can be used to help us to better understand
our own faith, and which can uplift and instruct us, as we read them under the
guidance of the Holy Ghost.