Glenn Beck and The Christmas Sweater

Nate and I love Glenn Beck. Heck, he is a famous Mormon - so it is kind of a given :). Although, I think we would like him even if he wasn't a Mormon, I mean, we also love Dennis Miller. Anyway, Glenn was here in Boise to do a show about his recent book The Christmas Sweater. Nate was actually able to go to the book signing and shake hands with Glenn (he did have to buy the book at full cover price at the store where the book signing was located in order to do that, but anyway). He even had a joke/one liner prepared to say to Glenn when he got to the front of the line - something about Glenn being a "Book Nazi" like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld, but he chickened out (trust me it was funny :)).

While Nate was there at the book signing, Glenn announced that he was now allowing people to get tickets to his show for 2 cans of food! We were excited because while we LOVE Glenn, we weren't going to pay $50.00 or more (each) for tickets. Unfortunately there are a lot of cheap (frugal) Mormons like us in Boise so we weren't able to get in. We were so bummed. We even had a babysitter!

I just finished my (full price) copy of The Christmas Sweater last night and I wanted to share a few thoughts:

Glenn has been sharing comments and e-mails on his show from people who read the book who say the message of the book has changed their life. As I was reading it I was waiting for it to change mine. It didn't. I was a little disappointed until I realized what a jerk I was being. The reason that it didn't change my life is because I have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have experienced "my" mighty change of heart in my early 20's and have been blessed to be raised in the church by a family who loves and supports me. The Christmas Sweater wasn't written for people like me (except to maybe give me a-ha moments like this). The Christmas Sweater was written for people who are not as blessed as I am. There are millions of people in this world who have never felt the peace and comfort that I feel all the time. There are so many people who don't have families who love and support them. There are people who don't realize that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real, there watching over them, loving them, and inviting them to feel their love. I truly appreciate the fact that Glenn Beck is using his fame to spread the gospel. He has experienced a mighty change of heart in a much more profound way that I could ever imagine. He clawed his way from sorrow, sin, drugs, and alcoholism to become a truly amazing person. No one can do that alone. I appreciate the fact the he acknowledges who helped him and led him to become the man he is today. Not only does he acknowledge this to himself, but to the world through radio and the printed word.

Shame on me for expecting The Christmas Sweater to change my life. My life has already been changed through the atonement and the love of the Savior, now I just have to do my part to share it with those who aren't so blessed. What The Christmas Sweater did do for me is awaken my testimony and make me realize how grateful I am for it.

I recommend that you read The Christmas Sweater and also watch his newish DVD The Unlikely Mormon, which is Glenn's powerful testimony and conversion story. We have it if you want to borrow it :).