L. Tom Perry, An Uncommon Life: Years of Preparation

Book Details:

Author: Lee Tom Perry (son of L. Tom Perry)

Release Date: March 2013

Publisher: Deseret Book

Genre: Biography

Book Description:

Elder L. Tom Perry, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is fond of describing himself as being "as common as dirt."

Yet his life is uncommon by any standard. After spending most of his early years in his hometown of Logan, Utah, and additional years on a mission and in the military, young Tom Perry launched a twenty-year professional career that took him from his first job as an internal auditor in Boise, Idaho, to executive positions in retailing on the west and east coasts of the United States. Soon after his fiftieth birthday, he was surprised to be called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve. Not long afterward, President Spencer W. Kimball extended to Elder Perry the call to join the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Perry has now served for forty years as a General Authority.

For Elder Perry, the value of life's experiences is determined primarily by the lessons they teach. As the story of his life shows, his positive attitude has created positive lessons that we can learn from. He has lived a life of faithfulness to God, family, and country, and he continues to be blessed with faith-promoting experiences.

This first volume of Elder L. Tom Perry's biography extends from his birth on August 5, 1922, through his marriage to Virginia Clare Lee, the births of their children, and his career in the world of retailing to the time of his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the passing of his beloved Virginia.

Uplifting and inspirational, this story of a remarkable man of faith encourages us to live better lives by drawing closer to God, selflessly serving others, and leading our families along the path of righteousness.

My Review:

I am always amazed at how the Lord prepares his leaders. Even from early on they seem to be trained to one day lead the church in a specific way and in a specific era.

L. Tom Perry is an amazing man. I loved reading about his ancestors and how they shaped his life. I enjoyed reading about his early life and his shyness. I really liked reading about his work history, his church service, and his family life. What a great example he is to all of us.

One thing I learned about Elder Perry is that the "L" is for Lowell, his given name. And that he used to go by that name, but when Elder Perry's younger brother was born and couldn't say his name and called him Wo-Wo instead...Elder Perry pleaded with his family to start calling him Tom...and he has been L. Tom Perry ever since.

One of my favorite stories is when Elder Perry used to take his young son, Lee, with him on speaking assignments. To help his son be quiet and attentive, Elder Perry gave him the task of watching and then signaling like the three monkeys representing see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil...
If Elder Perry was not standing up straight the son was suppose to cover his eyes.
If Elder Perry was speaking too loudly the son was suppose to cover his ears.
And when it was time for Elder Perry to finish speaking the son was suppose to cover his mouth.

I especially loved reading about his love for his wife and children. And his love of the Lord and his willingness to serve where ever he is called.

I also loved that they included pictures...

About the Author:

Lee Tom Perry, son of Elder L. Tom Perry, holds a PhD from Yale University. An associate dean at the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Management, Dr. Perry is the Sorensen Family Professor of Organizational Leadership and Strategy. He served from 1998 to 2005 as associate dean over both graduate and undergraduate programs at the Marriott School.

Brother Perry has served in the Church as a bishop, as a stake president, and from June 2005 to July 2008, as mission president of the California Roseville Mission. He presently serves as a member of the Sunday School General Board. The author of Righteous Influence: What Every Leader Should Know about Drawing on the Powers of Heaven, he also wrote the lyrics of the Latter-day Saint hymn “As Now We Take the Sacrament.”

Brother Perry and his wife, Carolyn Bench Perry, live in Orem, Utah. They are the parents of six children.

(A review copy of this title was provided by the publisher for this review. However, all reviews are of my own opinion :)