Amidst the uncertainties of life, one thing is sure: we will all face trials, disappointments, and grief. For those who feel overwhelmed by adversity comes this insightful and comforting book by Dr. Joseph L. Bishop. With wisdom born of personal experience, the author explores the stages of grief and the ways in which we can increase the joy in our lives. In its examination of the broader principle of grief, this outstanding gospel resource gently guides the reader on the path toward healing.
Adversity is a common theme in mortality and can come to us at any time. That fact alone makes the topic of this book so universal that it warrants being in every Church member's home. The author beautifully combines spiritual comfort with practical wisdom resulting in a mature, sweet, and uplifting force that moves you through remorse and suffering and into spiritual well-being. I found it profoundly spiritual because Dr. Bishop continually brings forth eternal truths pleasing to the soul. It is not only a good read but is also a good, standard go-to reference for any trying occasion. Elder Robert E. Wells General Authority Emeritus.
Dr. Joseph Layton Bishop Jr's career path led him from farmer to teaching as a Universtiy professor into administrative positions. He cut his first administrative teeth as the drector of the Haitian-American Institute in Port-au Prince, Haiti. He later accepted a position as director of instruction at Mt. San Jacinto College in Hemet California. Following that, he accepted a position as academic vice president of the newly created Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Later he became the executive director of a consortium of progressive colleges called GT-70, based in Miami, Florida. Subsequently, he was offered the post of president of Weber State College in Ogden, UT.
Near the end of his administration at Weber State, he received a call from the Church to be the president of the Buenos Aires North Mission in Argentina, the same country he had served in as a young man. After his mission, the Church again called him to serve, this time as president of the Missionary Training Center in Provo. After his three-year assignment there, he accepted a position as associate professor at Brigham Young University. That position allowed him time to do some meaningful research, the results of which are directly reflected in this book. He later served two additional missions for the Church, one as the area welfare agent for Central America and one acting president of the Samoa Apia Mission.
He is married to Rena M. Davis, a retired nurse, and between the two of them, they have ten children, more grandchildren than they ever could have wished for,and a few great-grandchildren. Both now retired, they live in beautiful St. George, UT.
