The Promise of Discipleship

Maxwell, Neal A. The Promise of Discipleship Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2001. 145pp. (content, acknowledgments, preamble, 10 chapters, notes, sources, and index.)

The book entitled, The Promise of Discipleship, isn’t just a book, it is also a map. It is an eloquent map that gives detailed directions, and intricate instructions explaining how to come unto Christ. This book explains to one and all, how to be a disciple of the Master, Jesus of Nazareth. Granted it isn’t really a topographical map, but the words written within this book, if followed will lead the wayward soul or the faithful disciple, through life’s tempests, and unto discipleship. This book is not part of the accepted Canon; however, it was written by an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and contains much scripture with profound insight and wisdom pertaining to the application of the scriptures. Elder Maxwell’s book was written to address the “continuing challenge and adventure of discipleship.” He teaches and expounds on a wide variety of topics, including: determination, long-suffering, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the prophet Joseph Smith. The book is organized into ten chapters, one hundred twenty-nine pages, with topics that sequentially build upon one another, and end with a great modern example of discipleship, the martyred prophet Joseph Smith.
I chose to read The Promise of Discipleship because I wanted to come closer to my Savior. The only way to do that is by learning of Him, and following Him. Elder Maxwell’s book consequently interested me because I knew it would help me understand myself better and how to be a better disciple of Christ. I gained so many insights and learned so much as I read. During my reading, I wrote down powerful statements on a separate sheet of paper, twenty-one actually, that are helping me become a better person. One such statement that is helping me in my current occupation (teacher) is this, “If you are ever called upon to chasten a person, never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up.” I love the profound advice that is given throughout this book! Elder Maxwell thoroughly taught and expounded his stated theme, that of the “challenge and adventure of discipleship.” He does so by referencing other prophets and apostles and by his own weighty insights and council. The main ideas were very clearly communicated in the chapters. He was able to express his ideas by the use of ample practical examples and stories that illustrated his points, and then making those principles clear to the reader by his explanations. The reading material is quite spiritual in nature and much truth is expressed, therefore many ideas are clear to the disciple. An added measure of understanding comes from the Holy Ghost inspiring the intellect to more fully understand the material. If there are any delimitations it would be my ability to understand all of the vocabulary used, but he did a great job.
I fully recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about discipleship. If anyone wants to better understand how to come unto Christ, then this book is for them. This book will be better understood by those of the Latter -Day Saint community, but it provides valuable insight for all faiths and all sincere readers. To arrive at any destination we need directions; we need a map. To become true disciples we must learn from all of the best books available. Elder Maxwell’s book in no way replaces the scriptures; however, the Promise of Discipleship does provide us with a map for daily living. It is a map with sound directions that can help lead us unto happy living, as disciples of Jesus Christ.