Literacy and it's Purpose in the LDS Family

by Candace Salima | More from this Blogger

15 Mar 2006 07:30 AM

My name is Candace Salima, and I am an author in the LDS market. I live in a mid-sized community and am married to my college sweetheart. I spend my time writing, cheering BYU on during their football games, going to movies, concerts and plays and enjoying the companionship of my marvelous husband.

Some time ago I found a burning desire to begin promoting literacy within the LDS community. Our lives are so busy now with video games, television, movies, music, sports; and so on that reading has become something which has fallen by the wayside.

I began to ponder as to the effect of literary decline in the LDS family. First, it occurred to me that genealogy would take a massive hit if literacy continues to take a back seat. If one cannot read or write, then one cannot search for one's ancestors. Since we have been distinctly told by our prophets that the temple work for our ancestors is directly tied to our salvation, it would seem to be a very critical point. Second, we are to study, learn and continually seek after the things of heaven. This cannot be done if one cannot read, or comprehend what is being read. We literally limit our eternal salvation by our inability to read or unwillingness to read. Third, when the imaginations of children are curtailed to the four walls of a school room, family room or bedroom then the future of that child is distinctly limited.

A child who reads is one who is taken to flights of fancy. Their imaginations fly them across the world to the distant sands of the Sahara, or the cool, dark vast expanse of space, or maybe the intricacies of the Amazon jungle and all the wonders and dangers that it holds.

Children who read become adults who read and become involved in their communities and nation. Children who read become adults who read and do charitable works. Children, who read, become adults who change the world.

So I would like to ask each of you - what stops you from reading?

Learn more about Candace Salima

Candace E. Salima was born right smack dab in the middle of twelve children.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

baldeguy (55) 31 Mar 2006 04:36 AM

I have never known Candace not to read. She would read four to five books a week in high school! Her determination to help with illiteracy is genuine. The reality though in life is that children are no longer taught to take time to read. If they do read, many of the things that are available to them in public libraries are tainted with immorality and worldly knowledge not needed for our lives and communities. Candace writes from her heart and her mind. Her values are forever formost in her thoughts as she pieces together the details of what ever project she is involved with. Her amazing skills of research and documentation are definately on a professional level. She puts so much effort into her work that she becomes a part of it. She leaves clues as to her true identity on the pages that she writes. Her diversity in writing (as attested to the difference between "Out of the Shadows...Into the Light" and "BYU 13 and 0") is not so different when you take into account that she wants all people everywhere to increase their knowledge and reading skills. What better way to do that than by writing those tings which will appeal to a wide berth of people. Touching lives and helping people progress is what we are here for, as we work out our own Salvation. Candace takes this literally also. She has taken on emotional wars and struggles because of the state of the nation and still finds time to be there for each and every individual who needs her. She is a missionary, a defender of truth and right, and an influence for good where ever she goes and this is the very root of her being. I would recommend any of her books in a heart beat.

Candace Salima (1604) 31 Mar 2006 01:25 PM

Oh my word! I have to say to one and all, this was posted by my dear brother and my heart has never been so touched. To be seen in such a light but a wonderful brother - who could ask for more?