Treasures in Heaven Fifteenth Book of the Faith Promoting Series, Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints — A Reader’s Guide

A Compiler’s Purpose and the Structure of Example

The preface and opening correspondence reveal Lambert’s dual aim: to resume a popular series and to produce volumes that “subserve the interests of the Church.” The first volume, Treasures in Heaven, is described as relating to temple work, while a second, Choice Memories, would contain varied incidents. This explicit categorization suggests the book is organized thematically rather than chronologically. Readers should expect each chapter to present a distinct case study—such as the detailed account of Carolina Corradi—rather than a continuous argument. The preface’s emphasis on unselfish service as the Savior’s “most frequently and thoroughly impressed” lesson signals that each narrative will be evaluated by that standard.

Carolina Corradi: A Portrait of Filial Devotion

The excerpt concerning Carolina Corradi offers the most extended example in the provided text. She earned $2.00 per day as a seamstress, employed a genealogist to trace her ancestors, and hired Brother Eskildz to perform proxy ordinances for male kindred while she worked for female kindred. The account states she had done or caused work for “almost 1800” names, aiming for 1900. Notably, she “did not know, and she did not care to know” how much money she had spent. The narrator describes her as “the personification of self-sacrifice and filial devotion.” This portrait emphasizes meticulous record-keeping—no names duplicated or omitted—and a reluctance to seek notoriety, aligning with the preface’s critique of seeking praise.

Wealth as a Spiritual Handicap

A section titled “An Exception. A Rich Man’s Handicap” directly addresses the tension between wealth and salvation. It cites Matthew’s gospel: “a rich man shall hardly enter the kingdom of heaven.” The text argues that wealth is “more frequently a bar to the service of the Lord than a help,” countering the assumption that the wealthy would be more generous. The heading promises a “typical case of a man reared in affluence” and his “unpromising start in married life,” followed by how he became interested in temple work. This structure suggests the book uses contrasting examples—Corradi’s modest means versus this man’s affluence—to illustrate that spiritual worth is independent of material resources.

Reading the Excerpts as a First-Time Reader

The provided excerpts are front matter and two narrative segments, leaving the middle and later portions unknown. A first reader should note that the book’s didactic purpose is explicit: each story is meant to promote faith and encourage temple work. The compiler’s voice is present in editorial comments, such as the closing praise of Corradi. The narratives are detailed but selective, focusing on measurable outcomes (number of ordinances, cost, genealogical records) and emotional rewards (“great joy and satisfaction”). Readers may find that the book’s effectiveness lies in the cumulative weight of these examples rather than in any single dramatic arc.

As you read, attend to how each narrative balances practical detail—dollars spent, names recorded—with spiritual assurance. The compiler’s introductions and conclusions often frame the moral, so watch for those signposts. The book is best approached as a series of discrete testimonies rather than a continuous story; its power emerges from the repetition of faithful labor across varied circumstances.