Lost and Found: Reflections on the Prodigal Son by Robert L. Millet

Lost and Found: Reflections on the Prodigal Son Reviews

• 
  Heather

  I love Millet's books, this one is no exception. Here are a few highlights.
  
  When Christ came to the Americas He looked through their records and found some things that had not been recorded and asked that they would be. 3 Nephi 23:13-14 "And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.
  
  14 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them.
  
  HE EXPOUNDED ALL THE SCRIPTURES IN ONE, what does that mean? What did the master do? A clue is something He did in the Old world, when he walked on the road to Emmaus, with his disciples who did not recognize Him. Luke 24:27 "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." The Lord took occasion to bring together the law, the prophets and the writings, to distill their central message. To demonstrate how these sacred records all bear a united witness of Him.
  
  --From the Prodigal Son, a public kiss was it's self a silent sermon. The kiss was a very visible indication of forgiveness and reconciliation.
  
  21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Note that he omitted something from his prepared speech, to become a servant in his father's house. Does this reveal something about him and his cunning self? Or does the display of pure love change how he sees himself now in his father's eyes.
  
  --From the other son, the one who stayed at home we have these words, vs. 29: "And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment"
  See how he uses language that declares himself a slave of his father? He also calls the other brother not his brother, but this thy son. Notice the social distance? This also denotes a spiritual distance as well. Maybe this should be called the parable of the prodigal sons, for this son is lost in pride, self righteousness, judgment and resentment. Joy and resentment cannot coexists.
  
  --Could also be called the parable of the Loving Father.
  
  
  --Richard Rice has written: “If the first two parables [the lost sheep and the lost coin] show us how much like our feelings God’s feelings are, the last one discloses a vast difference between them. The wayward son deserves to be rejected. At the least he merits a public rebuke. But instead of humiliating his son, the father humiliates himself by unceremoniously running to him—in full view of curious villagers, no doubt—embracing him, restoring him instantly to his honored position in the family and then even throwing a party to celebrate his return. There is not a trace of recrimination or a hint of resentment in his actions. To rejoice with the return of an irresponsible, insensitive son, rather than turn him away or shower him with reproach, contradicts normal behavior. It reveals a depth of feeling that transcends our natural human emotions.” Truly, “the joy of the father mystifies us. It is as unexpected as it is profound.”
  
  --President Gordon B. Hinckley once said of the Parable of the Prodigal Son:
  
  “I know of no more beautiful story in all literature than that found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. It is the story of a repentant son and a forgiving father. It is the story of a son who wasted his inheritance in riotous living, rejecting his father’s counsel, spurning those who loved him. When he had spent all, he was hungry and friendless, and “when he came to himself” (Luke 15:17), he turned back to his father, who, on seeing him afar off, “ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
  
  “I ask you to read that story. Every parent ought to read it again and again. It is large enough to encompass every household, and enough larger than that to encompass all mankind, for are we not all prodigal sons and daughters who need to repent and partake of the forgiving mercy of our Heavenly Father and then follow His example?”
  
  --Elder Neal A. Maxwell spoke of what Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus, must have felt (Luke 10:38–42), as well as what the elder brother of the prodigal son seems to have felt. Elder Maxwell observed: “How many of us have privately identified, at least at first blush, not only with Martha but also with the stay-at-home brother of the prodigal son? If so, some introspection may be useful. Do we feel put upon at times, as Martha must have done, in busy situations in which nobody appears to appreciate what we are doing and others seem heedless of the many tasks that must be done? Do we feel the prodigals get attention that really should be ours, and also that they seem to have their cake and eat it, too? There are even deeper implications, but the thrust of these implications may be our inability to love. For true love can help us to see what is most needed and what is most important. And true love can gladly and spontaneously respond when others come to their senses. Those of us who ‘are in the field,’ who hear the sounds of rejoicing, can stay outside and withhold our warmth. But if it is our Father’s quiet respect we really want (since we have his love) and not the attention-getting of receiving ‘a fatted calf,’ we will do better not to require our Father or his servants to come out and entreat us. For while our loyalty to Him is not at issue, our degree of maturity is. It is as if, child-like, we demand ‘equal time’ and attention, and our Father says, ‘If it is reassurance you need, you shall have it; but would that you were more ready for the full burdens of leadership."
• 
  Marcy

  Inspiring
• 
  Barbara

  Robert Millet does a great job of making the story of the Prodigal Son come to life.
• 
  Linda

  What an insightful take on the story of the Prodigal Son. Brother Millet presents thoughtful ideas how we we can learn from this parable and shape each of our lives.
• 
  Cindy

  (audio)
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  Natalie

  Good insights on the parable of the prodigal son. I loved that the author shared some thoughts that I had never considered when reading the parable before.
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  Alan Casper

  My understanding of the parable of the prodigal son was deeply enhanced
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  Angieluila Bradley

  Very good points. A few I had not thought of before. Worth the read.
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  Melissa

  I'd give four or three and a half stars. Very simple easy book to read and it was written in an interesting way. The authors actually take the scriptures so you can read them and then they break down information to you. I really enjoyed some of the information they gave and certain historical things they point out. With that said, some of the things they said were hard to swallow. Just a little details little angles that made me think, "really"?. There's a part in the book they compare the two brothers and how the father did some things that were equal, they were not equal. A couple things I felt were stretched, but most things were really wonderful. I'd recommend people reading this book and then taking the things they got from it. I enjoyed the deep study of this parable.
• 
  Ashley Dow

  This book was a quick read and explained well the parable of the prodigal son in the way I believe the Savior intended the parable to be understood. I gave this book a 3/5 stars because I felt like it was a lot of things I had already heard before, and was a bit difficult for me to continue to read.
  
  I definitely think this book is a good read for anyone wanting to further their understanding of the parable of the prodigal son. You will get a great perspective on each other the characters in the story and how they all relate to us.
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  iLa

  One of the main points I took away from this book was to remember that each of us has our own "best". We don't know what Heavenly Father might be expecting of anyone else - so we can't judge. We can only be doing our best! An easy read with a GREAT message.
  
  05/12/11
  Loved it as much the second time around.
• 
  Heloyce

  I read this book some time ago but read it again recently. The parable of the prodigal son has been a source of learning each time I read it but this book has given me a new and much broader view of those twenty-two verses of the New Testament. It is an interesting narrative to be enjoyed many times.
• 
  Patricia

  Beautifully written, the insight on this parable is pretty amazing.
  Definitely, a new favorite I will read over and over again.
  I find it helpful when studying about The Prodigal Son, in the New Testament.
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  Brenda

  Beautiful perspective on compassion and mercy. One of three books I reread often to raise my spirits.
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  Sherrill Moody

  I love the insights on the story of the Prodigal Son. It's applicable to everyone at every level. Easy reading, too!
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  Janet Freeman

  Find inside the grand themes as the love of God, the generosity of Christ, and the power and search of the atonement, the very elements of the entire plan of happiness.
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  Shellie

  This book will not change anything in your life or your children s life or your parents. It will help you understand why we do what we do.
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  Suzan

  Wonderful insights about the Prodigal Son, some of the most beautiful and moving scripture ever written.
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  Liz

  Some interesting insights and stuff to think about, but also some stuff that I thought was off-base. Overall ok.
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  Terrie

  Great insight to the parable of The Prodigal Son and how it applies to each of us today.