Standing for Something : 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes

Rating:
Summary: Timeless truths from a great man
Review: Some relentlessly negative reviewers have posted comments saying that anyone who praises this book must be "brainwashed", "gullible", and "simple-minded". So I'll just refer to the praises given to this book by Mike Wallace (of 60 Minutes), William Bennett, and Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman, three gentlemen who hardly fit the insulting stereotypes mentioned above. Or do these ax-grinders believe that Gordon B. Hinckley "brainwashed" Mike Wallace? This book could only do the world good.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This is my third copy (people keep asking me for them). Very inspiring; certainly on par with some of the great religious leaders-writers of the past. Refreshing, personal style. To the critics: what else would you expect from a 90-year-old? This one clearly DOES stand for something!

Rating:
Summary: Falling for something!
Review: Is discriminating against gays and lesbians standing for something? That's what Gordon B. Hinckley stands for. Is excluding black people from full membership in your church standing for something? That's what Gordon B. Hinckley stood for until 1978! Want to know what the organization that Hinckley heads stands for? HYPOCRISY!

Rating:
Summary: It's obvious who's LDS and who isn't
Review: First, let's note I'm atheist so I don't care if you're Christian or LDS Christian. This is a book that my seven year old could really enjoy. Childhood concepts of reality are acceptable until we become intelligent enough to grasp adult society mentality. Up to that point we are conditioned by the virtues that Gordon implies we all can strive for in our daily life, but face people who don't adhere to a universal standard. I tell my seven year old that everyday. I then go to work and compare my ethics to my supposed moral theistic colleagues which are less ethical than myself for the most part. We are conditioned to have these virtues our parents instill by our altruistic nature. The problem that lies in this childish concept is that everyone thinks they are right. That is the second side of our human nature, concern for self. The 10 virtues that Gordon delivers in his book are great for Mormons. It's obvious that any body who doesn't think highly of that religion has arguments against them and his ideas they are to live by. At what point do we agree that some of his ideas could be used by all to some degree. If a non-LDS conforms to his ideas they have to admit that he has some truth to his version of righteousness. The same has to be said when an LDS conforms to others virtues. I think the idea about this book is that LDS can realize that people don't have to agree with their leader, the message is acceptable and not the messenger. Please don't attack my review as some have done to non-Mormons. I am not an anti-mormon or have any axes to grind. Those cliches are heavily abused.

Rating:
Summary: Ad hominem praise
Review: No clever insights. These reviews are all from the faithfully brainwashed, patting their leader on the back. If these same words were written by Billy Graham or Pat Robertson they certainly wouldn't be considered profound or even worthwhile...

Rating:
Summary: A book that the entire world can benefit from!
Review: It is always so wonderful to hear our Prophet speek. This book outlines the basics virtues that every living person should not only have, but cherish. It talks about things so simple, yet profound. I always find Gordon B. Hinckley's words to be inspirational, and there is always something new to learn. I love how he goes into little interesting tidbits about his life. I found them fun, and I learned things I never knew before. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Boring PR pablum
Review: The book is just typical generic PR material-- I doubt if Hinckley even wrote it himself. Nothing really offensive in it, but nothing interesting or profound either.

Rating:
Summary: Thank You President Hinckley
Review: Popular-vein books by religious leaders are normally about as appealing to me as those romance novels that seem to proliferate in grocery stores. But I have always enjoyed hearing President Hinckley speak so I bought a copy of his new book. I truly enjoyed much of it and although my experience has taught me that my life is not as cut and dry as President Hinckley makes it sound it could, should and ought to be, I appreciate the sentiment. The book is neatly organized although I think there is a little too much filler in some of the chapters (I mean, once you have made the point, move on - we get it already). But that probably would have made the book too short for the publisher to be able to sell at such a high price. I really didn't like the story about the guide in Israel stating something to the effect that America has never conquered another nation and kept the land (because it's not true now is it?)and using that story as a starting point to praise everything Red White and Blue. I do however find the book to be completely consistent with the religious leader I have come to know through his many public speeches over the years. He is one of the few chuch leaders with a contagious wit about him. I am inclined to agree with Mr. Wallace that President Hinckley is as advertised, a charitable, decent, humble and honest man, a man with nothing to hide. I am grateful for his leadership, insight and example. Reading the book is like listening to him speak, you can hear every word as if he was there with you. The book comes off as an extended fireside chat, without the familiar (to folks of LDS persuasion) Book of Mormon quotes. It seems obvious why this is so - people outside the church are not familiar enough with the Book of Mormon and some of those that are, are down-right antagonistic towards it. One can only hope that in future efforts to reach a wider audience President Hinckley will not shy away from the Book that defines him and his people. Certainly there are many things in the Book of Mormon that people of civil and moral conscience will repsect and admire regardless of religious affiliation. Thank you President Hinckley.

Rating:
Summary: Simple, Yet Profound
Review: Gordon Hinckley has the rare gift of expressing profound truths with simple eloquence. So many people think that you have to be pompous, verbose and convoluted before you have anything to say that is worth hearing. I believe that his book will help many people clear the cobwebs out of their thinking so that they can see what changes they need to make in their own lives. Personally, I have read few books that were as inspiring as this one.

Rating:
Summary: Come on people, there's better than this
Review: I made my way through 15 pages of this at the bookstore, and just couldn't take it any more. This is a simple book for simple minds. Mr. Hinckley would have us believe that it's a lack of morals that's leading the nation into ruin; that some filthy modern tide will ruin us all. Right. First off, any one who's studied history can rapidly conclude that human nature has several constants, such as war, hatred, deceit, and selfishness. So what else is new? Really, it's a lack of critical thinking skills and the courage to face tough, complex questions that will be any nation's ruin. I don't know of anyone who'd disagree with this book on its face. What society needs now is a return to truly great books, like Plato's dialogues and the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Here is wisdom, folks--not to mention true, rigorous thinking. For those of you who think history is worth studying, it's worth mentioning that the LDS Church, which Hinckley leads, discriminated against people of African descent all the way up to 1978. Also, the church maintained a tenacious defense of polygamy until the early part of the 20th century. "Standing for Something"? Apparently not, as the LDS Church has obviously changed with the times--just like the rest of us.