A wonderful read for Christmastime or anytime! This short story has a lovely message about doing good works for the glory of God and not for yourself.

A few favorite quotes, the first is the reply to the heavenly gatekeeper as to why John Weightman had not received a larger "mansion in heaven:"

"Were not all these [deeds] carefully recorded on earth where they would add to your credit? They were not foolishly done. Verily, you have had your reward for them. Would you be paid twice?"

And another, when John is trying to make sense of why he is assigned to heaven when he has such a small inheritance there:

"Tell me then," [John] cried brokenly, "since my life has been so little worth, how came I here at all?"
"Through the mercy of the King" -- the answer was like the soft tolling of a bell.
"And how have I earned it?" he murmured.
"It is never earned; it is only given," came the clear, low reply.

it's nice to remember life is not about what we can do for ourselves but what we can do for others

This book made me think about my motivations behind serving others. It was a reminder of the correct way to truly give to those around you.

1

Short and sweet. Easily read once a year. I liked that this 100th Anniversary addition included an abridgement with beautiful illustrations but thought it lacked the full impact. Still... nice that you can read the abridgement to kids.

What a fantastic Christmas tale. I am surprised I had never heard about it prior to this year. I look forward to purchasing it and reading it every year.

I received this preciously old copy as a gift from a dear friend, thus my rating doesn't reflect the true meaning behind the book.

In a style similar to the writings of [a:C.S. Lewis|1069006|C.S. Lewis|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1367519078p2/1069006.jpg], the language of The Mansion is dated, but the message is timeless and touching. It was listed as one of the three books read by [a:Thomas Monson|411899|Thomas S. Monson|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1210183217p2/411899.jpg] at Christmas time (in addition to the story of Jesus' birth in the Book of Luke and Dickens' [b:A Christmas Carol|5326|A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1165518693s/5326.jpg|3097440]). I will also include it in my annual readings.

This is a quick, read-in-one-sitting, feel-good book about a father and a son. The father is very successful in business and life. He is charitable and has built many hospitals, schools, etc, all named after him.
He had a dream, similar to Ebenezer Scrooge, where he is taken to heaven as the Mansions that have been earned in their mortal life are passed out. What type of mansion has John Weightman built for himself?

“Wait,” said the Keeper of the Gate again. “Were not all these carefully recorded on earth where they would add to your credit? They were not foolishly done. Verily, you have had your reward for them. Would you be paid twice?”” — The Mansion

“Only that which is truly given,” answered the bell-like voice. “Only that good which is done for the love of doing it. Only those plans in which the welfare of others is the master thought. Only those labors in which the sacrifice is greater than the reward. Only those gifts in which the giver forgets himself.”” — The Mansion

This book was reccomended by someone I greatly admire. I hoped to read it before Christmas, but didn't get the chance. I am glad I still got it in this year! It was a short read with a powerful message. This book reminded me of what really matters in this life, as well as what we have to look forward to. I highly reccomend it. the illustrations were beautiful as well!

Wow. An excellent and a quick read. Oh, and you can download it for free on your kindle!