I LOVED this book! Maybe it's because I served a mission in Brazil...Maybe because I was IN São Paulo on a work assignment when I read it...or maybe because it is just a great story of a very humble man who made himself very successful and at the same time let himself be a tool in God's hands. You will be a better person after reading this story.

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Jun 24, 2015 Cameron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: documentary-biography , philosophy , religious

I kept seeing this book on my sister in law's shelf and always was drawn to it. when I finally asked I learned it was the Mission President of my Brother in law's LDS Mission I Brazil. now how many LDS missionaries have the biography of their mission president? the answer is very few. I asked to read it and found it quite interesting and surprisingly better written then I assumed.

turns out this guy joined he LDS church before blacks were given the priesthood and had a very strong testimony of G I kept seeing this book on my sister in law's shelf and always was drawn to it. when I finally asked I learned it was the Mission President of my Brother in law's LDS Mission I Brazil. now how many LDS missionaries have the biography of their mission president? the answer is very few. I asked to read it and found it quite interesting and surprisingly better written then I assumed.

turns out this guy joined he LDS church before blacks were given the priesthood and had a very strong testimony of God, Jesus Christ and the LDS church. he never thought he would get the priesthood but wanted to serve all he could. many miracles in his life, many struggles, and it was amazing to read.

he is from Brazil and halarious enough is the big racial slur in Brazil was, "All blacks should be sent to Alabama". not Africa but of all places Alabama. too funny.

this man was the first black mission president and His son was of the first three black LDS missionary after blacks got the priesthood. later he became the first black general authority of the LDS church. very humble and amazing man.

the miracle of his back is crazy. he got in a car accident that broke his back and late he was able to walk again. turns out years later as he joined the church and became a GA he started having trouble with it. he needed surgery but it was too evasive and risky because one vertebrae was still out of place. so he is walking down the street and wishes to himself that he could somehow knock that one back into place. he knows this is imposible so he says a small prayer saying the he will serve the Lord for as long as he is able despite the discomfort.
the next day he steps out of the bathroom and slips on the floor sending his neck into the bathroom sink. he is knocked out for a bit then ca his wife as he is in so much pain and afraid to move. the ambulanc comes and the x-ray she's that the vertebrae had zero damage and the one out of plac is back in place and they could do the surgery. it was successful and h had no more discomfort.

that is amazing, he credits his willingness and desire to serve the Lord is what Llowed that blessing to come. ...more

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Sep 10, 2014 Tim rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: lds-misc

This is the first book that I have read in one sitting! I just could not put it down. I was anxious when I realised I still had to put the bins out for the next day and I rushed in order to return back to the life of Elder Martins :-)

His story is magnificent. It is inspiring. And it is also a wonderful insight into the true nature of the priesthood restriction of the early church.

This book will forever remain with me and will most assuredly be read again and again.

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Nov 05, 2010 Damon Thueson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: religious , my-favorites

Amazing story, I was able to hear first hand in person, this man share his testimony and conversion story when I served in Brazil. Something to remember forever. I read this book many years ago and went through it in about 3 hours...laughing, crying and remembering my mission the whole time. Simply astounding!

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Jan 08, 2009 Zina rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second time I've read this book. It was like rubbing shoulders with a dear friend. He passed away in 2005 leaving a powerful legacy of faith, integrity and love. What an amazing story of one who was "prepared from the foundation of the world."

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Jan 15, 2013 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book so much! He is such a great man.

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Mar 08, 2010 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great book. What an amazing man.

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