Title: To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson
Author: Heidi S.
Swinton
First published January 1, 2010
588 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781606418987 (ISBN10: 160641898X)
Rating: 4.46
Overview
Discover the remarkable life of President Thomas S. Monson in this captivating biography, To the Rescue.
From his humble beginnings in Salt Lake City to his successful career in journalism, this book unveils the inspiring story of his lifelong service to the Church. At just twenty-two, he was called as a bishop, and at thirty-one, a mission president.
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve at thirty-six, he has traveled the world to minister to the Saints for over five decades. With never-before-told stories, including his visits behind the Iron Curtain and his contributions to the Scriptures Publication Committee, this book offers a personal look at his dedication to the Lord’s work.
Complete with stunning photos and current information on his role as Church President, this biography is a testament to his unwavering devotion to both the individual and the masses.
About the Author
Heidi Sorensen Swinton is a multi-talented writer who has authored several books to accompany historical documentaries created by filmmaker Lee Groberg. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Frederick Christian Sorensen and Harriet Horne, Swinton is a stepdaughter of Leonard J.
Arrington. She is a descendant of George A.
Smith and, along with her husband Jeffrey C. Swinton, who is also a descendant of Smith, spent their honeymoon in England searching for the earliest Smith ancestors’ origins.
Swinton is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). In the LDS Church, she served as a member of the Relief Society General Board, Primary and Young Women President at ward level.
Her husband, Jeffrey, has served as an area seventy, stake president, and bishop in the LDS Church. He spent his career as a lawyer, working for the Salt Lake City law firm of Stoker and Swinton at the time he was called to preside over the England London South Mission in 2006.
Swinton attended the University of Utah and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Some of the works she has contributed to include Trail of Hope, American Prophet, Sacred Stone, Sweetwater Rescue, and America’s Choir about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
She has also written biographies of D. Arthur Haycock and Joseph Anderson and co-authored articles on buildings such as the Hotel Utah and the Relief Society Building.
From 2006-2009, Swinton and her husband served as missionaries in England, with Jeffrey Swinton serving as president of the England London South Mission. While in England, Swinton contributed a column to Meridian Magazine entitled “Mission Mum.” Heidi and Jeffrey Swinton are the proud parents of five sons.
In September 2010, Swinton’s biography of Thomas S. Monson was released.
Editoral Review
To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson, written by Heidi S.
Swinton, is an inspiring and insightful work that explores the life of one of the most beloved religious leaders of our time. Swinton is a well-known biographer who has written several books about influential people, including Gordon B.
Hinckley and Ezra Taft Benson. She is a master of her craft, bringing Monson’s life story to readers in an engaging and heartwarming way.
The book falls under the biography genre, which typically explores the life and times of a particular person. Swinton seamlessly blends historical context with Monson’s story, making it an excellent read for those interested in learning more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its incredible leader.
Her writing style is clear and concise, and she does an excellent job of highlighting the book’s central themes, including Monson’s faith, service, and love for others. The book covers Monson’s life, from his childhood in Salt Lake City to his early years in the church and his eventual appointment as the president of the LDS Church.
Along the way, readers meet crucial figures in Monson’s life, including his parents, his wife, Frances, and his many colleagues in the church. Swinton paints a vivid picture of the setting, providing readers with a sense of the culture and history of the area and period.
Swinton’s emphasis on Monson’s acts of service and kindness is a recurring theme throughout the book. Readers come to understand that these acts of service were an essential part of who Monson was, and he regularly made time for others, even during challenging times in his life.
His constant desire to help others makes him a role model for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the world. The writing in To the Rescue is top-notch, and Swinton’s impeccable research means that readers can trust her portrayal of Monson’s life, which is honest and candid.
The pacing of the book is excellent, and readers will find themselves engrossed in Monson’s story from beginning to end. However, there are a few flaws in the book worth mentioning.
Although Swinton does an excellent job of exploring the central themes of Monson’s life, some readers may find the book overly reverential at times. Additionally, some readers may want more in-depth exploration of some of the more controversial aspects of Monson’s leadership, such as his handling of gay rights in the Church.
Despite these minor flaws, To the Rescue is an excellent book that is well worth reading. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the LDS Church or in the life of an incredible leader who devoted his life to service and kindness.
The book’s central themes of faith, service, and love make it an inspiring and uplifting read, and Swinton’s writing style ensures the book is accessible and engaging to readers of all ages. Overall, To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S.
Monson is an exceptional book that will captivate readers and leave them with a newfound appreciation for one of the most remarkable religious leaders of our time. I give this book a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
