"The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch and "To The Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson" have touched my soul.

I enjoy reading non-fiction, although I have not taken much time to do so in the recent past.  Two books that I have read that have affected my thinking include "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, Professor, Carnegie Mellon with Jeffrey Zaslow. and "To The Rescue--Biography of Thomas S. Monson" by Heidi S. Swinton.  The reason I enjoy reading these types of books is that it gives me motivation to do better, as well as hope to continue to help others.  My life has been one of service and I desire to continue to do so for as long as I am able.

Randy's "The Last Lecture" was not about dying, although he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  He said, "My life will be lost to pancreatic cancer."  He lost the battle on 25 July 2008.  But the lecture he gave was about "Really Achieveing Your Childhood Dreams."  This book is a living legacy to his widow and his three children.  The dust cover says: "It [The Last Lecture] was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because 'time is all you have . . . and you may find one day that you have less than you think').  The book is really about Iiving!

Swinton's "TO THE RESCUE: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson" chronicles the life and ministry of this extraordinary leader.  He has traveled the earth to bless countless people in many lands.  The book shows how he has spent his life caring about those who had been mostly forgotten by others.  Thomas S. Monson is the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  His life shows how Heavenly Father has worked through him.  He has been, and now is,  an instrument in the hands of the Lord to carry out the work of the kingdom of God.

Since his call as a bishop at the age of twenty-two, his life has been a mission of going "to the rescue" of counless souls.  President Monson has taught: " I testify that each one of us can feel the Lord's inspiration as we live worthily and strive to serve Him,"  This book demonstrates the truth of that teaching.  His work of the Church in East Germany and key roles in landmark decisions of the Church has also included recognizing people as individuals and ministering to their needs in personal ways.

As I read President's Monson's biography, I came to better realize the mantle of authority which he holds, and a desire to do better and to be better. What a legacy he is leaving to the members of the Church and to the world!