Out of the Smoke by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Yet again - I love each book more than the previous. Read my other reviews on these books. Highly recommend - especially if you want accurate, true history, an engaging story, to understand what is happening in America and around the world today, and how to recognize the signs of a tyrant. Love these books. They seriously need to be made in to a movie.
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The Proud Shall Stumble by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Each of the books in this series gets better and better.
I have found some people like Gerald N Lund, and some don't. I like him. he does a smash up job of being historically accurate.
With each book, I learned more and more, as well as being reminded of what I already knew, of what all was entalied in the rise of Hitler. These books primarily show how different characters and personalities deal with the same issue: the rise of a tyrant. (most people today has a mistaken understanding of what the political spectrum is, but the true political spectrum, as understood by the American Founding Fathers is tyranny on the far left and anarchy on the far right, with the U.S. Constitution being the "chains" by which America is tied to the center of the spectrum and therefore her political pendulum cannot swing from side to side, causing chaos, as it has always done in the history of all other nations. Therefore, fasicms, communism, socialism, naziism, democratic socialism, all stand between the center (federal republican constitutionalism) and the far left (tyranny). Liberalism, as original understood, stands to the right of federal republican constitutionalism but not far enough to be anarchy.)
It is amazing to see how some people saw what Hitler was inching toward, others were fully ignorant (from being uneducated and having too much blind trust in their leaders), and yet others were willfully ignorant who just turned a blind eye because of the good things Hitler did accomplish as well.
All of this taking place in a very realistic relationship between two families - one German, one American, and their interelationships and day-to-day lives being carried out.
I don't want to share spoilers, so I'll just say that I highly recommend these books - ESPECIALLY if one wishes to see and understand what is happening in America (and many parts of the world) today. The same old demonic plan that Hitler was "inspired" with (which "inspiration" came directly from Satan, I believe), is "inspiring" our world leaders today. Beware.
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The Shadow Falls by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A big part of why I love this series of books by GNL is that the history fills in so much I didn't know before. We all know about WWI and WWII - at least we think so. We now the little bullet points that seems to be on a circle conveyor belt that keeps going round and round - more and more books, more and more movies, more and more telling of the same information.
However, in these books, particularly this one, Lund describes more of the details - how inflation went up, and what amounts/percentages, how the INSANE GENIUS of Hitler started to "snowball", and why so many people fell for it, etc. It is amazing to just read/listen to this information.
I couldn't help but compare so much of the rise of the Third Reich/Nazi Germany to what is currently taking place in the U.S. and across the world.
A great example is a quote by C.S. Lewis: "Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exervised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
That PERFECTLY describes Hitler and this book describes this process of how it came to be and why people AIDED him in rising to such power. "It's for the greater good!" they say. Yet, there is a fine line between protecting "The greater good" and protecting "Individual rights." I fear we have lost total sight of that line and we area plunging in a downward spiral into another "Nazi abyss". But I digress - the book is excellent, full of historical details and yet also fun fiction. Lund is a master story teller that draws you into the world of his books.
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The Storm Descends by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It's hard to beat Gerald N. Lund when it comes to historical fiction. Love his books. This series is wonderful and truly makes the reader feel like they are right the, at the center of the action!
This is the second book in the series and I highly recommend the entire series if you like History, the rise of the Third Reich, WWI, and some Latter-day Saint stories thrown in. No, it's not a thickly religious book. Just so happens that Latter-day Saints do make up a small portion of the larger story, though that is not at any time the main focus of the book. Rather history and "what would it have felt like to live back in those days" kind of thinking, IS.
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A Generation Rising by Gerald N. Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gerald N. Lund does it again. Fantastic, historical-fiction author! You always feel like you are right there, inside the story, as you read or listen to Lund's books. This series is no different.
If you like WWI and WII type stories, if you enjoy History, if you enjoy great movies, then this book series is for you!
I've enjoyed learning more about WWI history through this book, along with German geography and stories, and the interwining of people's lives, including Latter-day Saint missionaries. I enjoy reading about the experiences people lived through during "the great war" and what that must have been like. I enjoy the interpersonal relationships and development of character that Lund is so talented in describing. He keeps it real, down to earth, not exaggerated and fake. It's so realistic!
Would highly recommend this series - especially if you love to "watch movies in your head"! That's pretty much what these books are like!
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1st Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction by Joseph M. Spencer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
There are a few items in this booklet that are good to know and good to ponder. However, the majority of this book really had a "progressive Mormonism" twist to it and I did not appreciate that one bit.
For anyone who isn't aware, there is currently (since late 1990's to current) an effort being pushed in scholarly and historical circles to "reconstruct" Mormon History, culture, and even the gospel knowledge.
While I do believe there are several items in Mormon Culture that need to be addressed and improved upon, LDS History and the gospel iteself do not fall into that category in my opinion.
This book is full of "undercurrents" that are not "undercurrent", like:
- Nephi was racist and that is what really caused the division between Lamanites and Nephites, more than anything else.
- Nephi had a huge ego, and had to be "knocked down" by the Lord/Spirit over a period of years before he caught on, and accepted his "humanity"
- Nephi did not believe/trust in Lehi's vision, *that* is why he asked the Lord to show him the dream too.. THEN be believed
-Laman and Lemuel were good, and not as "bad" as Nephi paints them out to be
- and so much more garbage!
I kept listening to the end, thinking the author would remdeem himself, but nope. At the end, he simply tried to state how much he admired Nephi, for all his humanity and weaknesses, because that shows the author that he, too, can still be "chosen" by the Lord.
I regret wasting the time to read this book. The author is a progressive Mormon, along the lines of Richard L. Bushman, who has led *many* people away from the Church through his writings, while at the same time trying to proclaim their faith.
Just, no.
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Visions of Glory: One Man's Astonishing Account of the Last Days by John Pontius
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Would discourage others from reading this.
Why? Because of the spirit's whispering to me, personally, when I read this. I feel that while there are some things in this book that are true and accurate, the majority of it felt to me like "stories." There are some things in this book that are doctrinally incorrect and/or contrary. How? Read on.
I have heard from several people about this book and how great it is. Many have been touched by the book and feel inspired by it. I would be dishonest if I said that myself, and if I didn't add that I feel that these well-meaning, honest seekers of the Spirit were being deceived, in my opinion. That being said, there's a certain amount of "Well, if it leads them to Christ, then it's good, right?" Mostly, yes. But sometimes humans have been lead "to Christ", only for the length of time it takes to hook them on that path. Once hooked, the path takes turns that lead down to the darkness of falsehoods and turning away from Christ, if followed long enough. So really, that path and those decisions must be made by each individual. No one can make those choices for them. So, as a loving 'heads-up', I offer my advise: Don't read this book. It has too many falsehoods and is doctrinally opposite to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lastly, we do not even need to know of such things in order to better live this life. I personally feel that reading these kinds of books are more about our incessant desire to "know the future", and that is a human folly that amounts to no good.
I read this book so that I would be informed about it, and know what I'm talking about when and if someone wants to talk with me about it. I had a hard time finishing the book. After reading it, I did a quick search for the book and came across this great article, that pretty much describes my thoughts better than I could. So I'll share the link here. (If Goodreads doesn't allow the link, then do an internet search for D. Kelly Ogden (someone I have come to doctrinally trust over the past 25 years) article on ldsmag(dot)com titled "Concerns about the book Visions of Glory".
https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-13817/
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Tribunal by Sandra Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great book where the story takes place right after WWII.
I have not read the other two books (not available on the publisher/apps I use.) I would still recommend it as a stand-alone.
Kept my interest the entire time - although it took a couple of chapters to really get into it.
CONS: I didn't care for how fast the narrator (David Walker, on Deseret Book) was reading it (I listened to this on audio). It was way too fast and I couldn't just "casually" listen to it, I had to really focus and pay close attention or I would miss words. Other than that, it was a great read!
The story takes place in 1945 and there are four main characters, where two of them end up on opposing ends of post-WWII Communist endeavors. It's interesting and while it didn't "keep me on the edge of my seat", it did keep my interest piked enough that I had a hard time putting it down sometimes.
What would you do if you had "done your job" during WWII and came to realize it was for the wrong side of the moral/ethical line? How would you "stop it", or "repent" or move on in life knowing what you'd done, and how would you help others know you were not truly that person? And likely never really were, but you, like many others had been blinded to these things prior to the war?
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I was reading in the scriptures today and these words stood out to me yet again:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." (Doctrine & Covenants 78:17-18)
There are several things that can be gleaned from this scripture, but the one stood out yet again to me was that we are little children - spiritually speaking. I'll explain why, hopefully in a "chronologically" thinking order.
What makes us "us"? Can a piece of muscle (the brain) really THINK and REASON? Not alone, it can't. So what part is that of us that thinks, reasons, feels, understands, and grows in knowledge and hopefully wisdom? It is called Intelligence.
The world understands intelligence to be an abstract thing, and it is. But when I say we are Intelligences, I'm not speaking of that abstract thing. I'm speaking of our being. at the very core of our soul. Our intelligence has always existed. it has not beginning and no ending. This is the part of God, too, that has always existed, without beginning or end.
At one point, our Heavenly Father (and rationally, our Heavenly Mother) created our spirit bodies. Out intelligence entered that body, and we lived with our Heavenly Parents for eons in the pre-existence. We learned and grew, we loved, we sang, we became a little wiser, and tried to learn and become like our Heavenly Parents. However, our Heavenly Parents have perfected bodies of flesh and bones. How did they get those? And why? They got them from many eons ago when They, too, were on an earth and learned and grew and kept the commandments of Their God. The made covenants, they had experiences and trials, and grew much more in wisdom and faith. Having been valiant in enduring to the end of that earthly life, they gained Salvation (the immortality of man via Resurrection) and Exaltation (the quality of eternal life they chose through making and keeping covenants, repenting, and enduring well.) When exalted, their bodies were perfected and glorified. As part of that exalted station, they were able to have increase, and that is where they created the spirit bodies for these Intelligences, and we became their spirit children.
After learning as much as we could in that pre-existence, we then needed to come to earth so that we, too, could receive a body of flesh and bones, and have experiences and trials in this life which would offer us the opportunities to learn, grow, endure and choose between good and evil for ourselves. This was necessary in order to become like Heavenly Father and one day be able to live with Him in the highest of his "glories" (1 Corinthians 15) or "mansions" (John 14).
However, even though we are here on earth and "grow old" (as to earth life anyway), inside, our spirits are still children. Yes. Spiritual children that are still learning and growing. This is why deep inside we all the needs that we think only children have - the need to feel safe, the need to be loved, the need to be seen and heard and valued, the need to feel like we belong to something more than just ourselves, the need to understand that there's more to this life than just our bare existence in this world, the need to understand, the need for to cry and throw tantrums (no matter how "internal" or "private" they are), the need to feel happy, the need for peace, the need for "everything is ok, everything is under control, everything is going to work out just fine!" We are USED to having those feelings, from our time in the pre-existence. But we needed our bodies. We needed to be tried and tested and "schooled" in this great big, small, world we call Earth. And so here we are.
There is more to this true story, which you can learn all about here. But for now, I'm just going to focus on our being little children.
Somehow this though of being a spiritual "little child" is comforting to me. It is comforting when my God says that I have not understood YET how great things He has prepared for me. This is telling me He loves me so much, and desires so much to bless ME. That He has prepared such great things for me, and that ONE DAY I WILL understand. When I have grown and learned enough, I will understand and I will SEE it.
He then tells me that I cannot bear all things now. This is validation that He understands my capacity to bear things is not unlimited, and that He is not only aware of that, but is there ti help me through it. I can feel that in my soul. He tells me to be of GOOD CHEER and reassures me He will LEAD ME along. That means He will be there throughout the entire journey.
Then He assures me of His greatest blessings that ARE mine (not "will be"): The Kingdom is mine, the blessings thereof are mine, the riches of eternity are mine. And truly, if we understood fully what all of that encompasses, we'd be jumping at the bit to get there! Yet, there is only ONE way to "get there" - and that is through and with Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. By following HIS PLAN, by making and keeping covenants with HIM, and by enduring well unto the end by doing our very best one day at a time, we will safely arrive. We will find Salvation - the free gift of God to all mankind regardless of "worthiness" statues. We also have the opportunity (by choice and behavior) to find Exaltation - the conditional gift of God based upon our worthiness and behavior and repentance throughout our lives.
Those "mansions" and "glories" are already prepared for all of us. He understands that some of us will not 'want' to put in that effort, will not want to believe, will not want to repent, will not, for whatever reason, want to do what we need to do to gain eternal life (ie: exaltation), and so he has MANY mansions and glories prepared. However, for those who DO WANT to find that highest glory and mansion, He has prepared that too.
There is one thing to note: Our Heavenly Father lives in the highest glory - known as the Celestial Kingdom. And ONLY those who have "paid the price" here on earth (meaning repentance, making/keeping covenants in His temple, serving/loving others, and always trying to be the very best we can, doing the best to follow Christ and His teachings, will be able to endure that kind of glory. Otherwise we will not be comfortable there, and He will certainly not force anyone into that glory/mansion. If we end up in a lesser glory/mansion, we will not have His presence around us for eternity, and we will live with the eternal regret of having knowing "If I had only...." That, my friends, is what I call hell. It is a state of being, not a location, and no it's not filled with fire and brimstone, but it certainly will 'burn" as if it were. What could be worse than living an eternity with remorse that you wish with all your sould you didn't have?
But I digress. Back to the topic of being little children.
So what all of this did for me today, was made me then think how strange life can be sometimes. I have raised three children into adulthood. The two oldest have reached a time in life where they are fully on their own, and no longer in need of "parents" - though I recognize our calling as parents is eternal and never ends, yet that "parenting" does end, and it transforms into "counseling and supporting" along the way. But our youngest if not at that place yet where she is fully on her own. She is still learning and growing, still in College, and still in need of some parents along the way. She's in the "in between stage" of growing up. Not a child that needs parenting daily, but also not an adult who is fully on her own yet.
I marvel at the entire process of bringing children into this world who are 100% dependent upon others for sustenance and life and who then grow and learn as they go, and eventually 'fly the nest" - but at first it's only flying for a while, before they come back to the nest to "recharge" and until they learn how to fly and find their own place in the trees of this world. And then, one day they fly and never come back, They found their own tree, They learned how to fly for long periods on their own. They start their own nest. And as their parent, I begin to understand a little more about my Heavenly Parents, and the love they have for each of us, and how patient they've been, how loving and long-suffering they've been throughout all my stupid choices and how much they are still willing to reach out to me and help and support and counsel me! And it's impossible to not feel tremendous gratitude and thanksgiving for them and their love.
I feel safe in Heavenly Father's love for me. I feel safe in knowing that my Savior, Jesus Christ, loves me so much that He was willing to bleed from every pore (literally) and be crucified in an agonizing manner and then take up His own life again to resurrect, thereby opening up the doors of REPENTANCE and RESURRECTION for ME! And Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother were there, supporting Him and sacrificing FOR US, just as much, if not more, than what He sacrificed for us. And to know He would have done it all for me even if I was the ONLY human on earth! And that is true for YOU too. THAT is the extent of His love for each of us. Truly, I Stand All Amazed at the love Jesus offers me! (and my Heavenly Parents too!)
And perhaps the biggest thing that came to my mind, specifically in regard to my own family and children is something I wrote in my journal - which I think I'll share here:
I am part of this work. I have the blessing, opportunity and responsibility of holding callings, of ministering to others, of doing my best in my corner of the world to help His work move along. I feel I never do enough. I feel I should be doing so much more, but I am reminded that the greatest work there is on earth, that of motherhood, IS the work I’m doing, and that work doesn’t end when my children are “grown up”. In fact, it may be that the work of motherhood grows even more important when the children are grown and there is the opportunity for counseling, guidance, and friendship along the way. I have found that it is in our adult years that we come to realize the questions of the soul, and THAT is when we need and want our mothers, our parents, even more than ever. That is when we want to have them around and ask questions - how did they do it? What did life teach them? How can I learn from their wisdom? And yes, even the occasional “I wish I was little again and could just have my mama hold me and tell me it’s all going to be ok.”
How I LOVE my children! I am so very blessed to have them in my life and the opportunity to be their mother. What an incredible journey it is, and what an incredible miracle and blessing. It is truly my dream come-true. It's been the hardest thing and the most blessed thing. Where much is given, much is expected; and where must is expected, much is given.
That's all. Those were my thoughts today. You're welcome. :)
Son by Lois Lowry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amazing ending to an amazing Series. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS SERIES. - Especially if you like books with plot twists. I never know of Lois Lowry and never knew she was this amazing of an author. LOVED these books.
If you want a peek into what society can turn into if we don't behave and guard/protect our rights and liberties, then this series will show that vividly to you. It also does a great, between-the-lines exposé of human nature and how even though each book deals with "life situations" in a completely different manner, yet in the end the reader sees how very much we humans are alike after all and that at the center of our souls is the inherent desire and "pull" for love, freedom, and agency to choose for ourselves.
GREAT BOOKS! I wish they'd go on forever!
This post is taken directly from our family Christmas newsletter, with minimum edits (which are not for public posting). 🎄 Merry Christ...
