By V. CURTIS LARSE
A local author and BYU graduate will be at the BYU Bookstore Friday to sign his first book.
Stephen M. Bird of Pleasant Grove will sign his book, “Prayers That Bring Miracles” at the south side of the bookstore Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., said Sarah Hoffman, religious book buyer at the BYU Bookstore.
“I felt like other people could be blessed by taking a deeper look into the principles of prayer,” Bird said.
Bird started writing his book in 1989 after he got out of the Navy, where he was an LDS chaplain from 1983 until 1989. He said he had many miraculous experiences as he taught prayer to the Marines, and he wanted to share them.
Bird originally planned to write a small pamphlet outlining the steps to prayer. “Prayers that Bring Miracles,” is the result of seven years of prayer and hard work.
“The book changed my whole outlook on prayer,” said Jennifer Utley, production manager at Aspen books, the company that published Bird’s book. “It helped me recognize the little ways Heavenly Father influences my life on a day-to-day basis.”
Bird outlines scriptures that can help people pray more effectively and gain answers to their prayers.
“The book gave me perspective on how to recognize answers to my prayers, said Donna Barnes of Lehi. Barnes said she felt it was a worthwhile book because prayer is something many people struggle with.
“It is a book that any denomination could read and glean wonderful information about prayer,” Barnes said. “Prayers that Bring Miracles” would be a great missionary tool.
Michelle Fryer, publicist at Aspen Books, said she felt that Bird did a phenomenal job. She also said the book gave her a lot of new insight on prayer.
Bird graduated from BYU in 1983 with a masters in counseling. He is currently a counselor at Mountain Ridge Junior High School in Alpine, Utah and teaches the course “Religion and Education” part time at the BYU Salt Lake Center. Bird served an LDS mission to California and has four children.
“Prayers That Bring Miracles” can be purchased at the BYU Bookstore.
