Mormons and Masons

I purchased Mormons and Masons by Matthew B. Brown quite a while ago because of my interest on the subject. My curiosity on the subject began during the semester I spent in Nauvoo, and it has only grown from there. When I read this book, I was very impressed with the author’s depth of study, his explanations, and his courtesy.

I read the book because I wanted a better understanding of fact vs. fiction regarding this subject. To my surprise, he didn’t really address this until the last chapter of the book. Brown spends a great deal of time discussing the history of freemasonry, and its history certainly is fascinating. The research dispels many rumors and fantastical notions regarding this organization.

One of my favorite parts of this book was where the author shows how the Lord began restoring principles pertaining to the temple as early as 1823. The details he cites both from historical accounts and from the Doctrine and Covenants really made me appreciate how perfectly the Lord was preparing Joseph Smith and the world for the restoration of temple blessings. Overall, I found this book very uplifting and satisfying to read.

Making Sense of Suffering

I'm sorry the picture is blurry

A friend in high school gave me a copy of Making Sense of Suffering by Wayne E. Brickey. If I recall correctly, the author was her uncle. He wrote a personalized message to me inside the book, wishing me success on my "hero's journey." I know I have read bits and pieces of the book before, but this was my first time reading it cover to cover.

Although a lot of the book seemed repetetive and wordy, I thought its core message was very good. The author used certain symbolism throughout the book that really made me think. For example, he talks about how every person on this earth is royalty, and we ought to always remember that. He pointed out that when someone is sick--usually a point when that person is very low--we annoint them with oil, something reserved for only kings of old. Thus, when a person feeling very low is being annointed, we are reminded that this person is royalty. I really liked that thought.

This last Sunday, a member of my ward commented that he didn't believe trials were for our good. He said that he believes we can gain good things during trials, but trials themselves are not good. After reading this book, I have to disagree. Honestly, trials terrify me. I don't want any more trials, especially severe ones. But I do want to become to man God wants me to be. The best thing about trials is that they don't last forever, but their effects on our character can. Christ's pain and suffering is over, but the effects of His sacrifice continue to bless the world. Likewise, if I endure my trials well, they will be but for a small moment, but through them I can be exalted on high.

Nothing More Heroic

The second book I read this year is called Nothing More Heroic by R. Lanier Britsch. This book told the entire story of the first LDS missionaries to India. The stories were interesting because they were simultaneously depressing and inspiring. These missionaries suffered a lot of hardship and prejudice and achieved very little success.

What I enjoyed most about this book was reading how the missionaries truly gave their all, even though they were so often discouraged. Instead of giving up and going home, they tried new things. In fact, one of the missionaries was told he could go home early because he was not well, but he insisted on not being the first and continued doing his best. Even though they met with little success, these missionaries all felt at the end of their mission that the Lord was pleased with their work and they had completely fulfilled their duty.

I also particularly enjoyed reading the account of Levi Savage Jr. I know his story with the Willie Handcart Company from 17 Miracles. That incident occured immediately following his mission, which story is told in this book. After reading all that he endured on this mission, it made me appreciate his sacrifice with the handcart company even more.

The Road to Somewhere

The first book I read this year is called The Road to Somewhere by Carlos E. Asay. This book is written to young men and young women about the importance of setting a destination. He warns against blindness of mind and hardness of heart, and also cautions the reader to pay attention to the highway signs of life. Following this formula leads to both success and happiness in this life.

Although this book was largely dedicated to spiritual matters, he also applied the principles to any goal that we set. He emphasized that it is pleasing to God to set righteous goals, even if they don't seem connected to the Gospel in any way. For example, the author told of an experience of when he set a goal to play basketball in Madison Square Garden, and actually got to achieve this goal many years later. I believe that he is right. God is pleased with goal setting. He is pleased with us whenever we try to improve ourselves in every way possible. I really enjoyed this book. The only reason it's the first book I read this year is because it is also the first book on my shelf, but I thought it was very appropriate to read at the beginning of a new year.

The Search for the Red Dragon

The series continues in a spectacular sequel to the first book. A single act, with little thought behind it, leads to a catastrophe with consequences that affect the past, present, and future. Something has gone horribly wrong. Children have begun missing. There is a sound, a sweet, beautiful, melodious sound that calls the children away in the night. A little girl hears it, faintly, for her ears are plugged. But even that faint sound is enough to fill her with longing to join it. Tears stream down her face as she hears the pipes calling to her, but she cannot follow them. When she gets up the next morning, the other children are gone.

Who is this Pied Piper? What does he want with the children? One person knows the answer, and this one person has sworn to protect his children, children that are lost. Now, if Peter Pan wants to defeat this enemy, he must rely on the Caretaker. And so he sends his little girl, letting her fly to England to find the Caretaker of the Imaginarium Geographica. The girl arrives to find John, Jack, and Charles, only to tell them that she is looking for somebody else, another Caretaker who swore to never again return to the Archipelago of Dreams. John, Jack, and Charles must recruit this other Caretaker and plunge themselves into the thick of danger yet again if they hope to save the children, and Peter Pan.

Ok, if a book has Peter Pan in it, it's guaranteed I will love it. And yes, I love this book! I would even say it is better than its predecessor. If you know a lot about literature and you love fantasy, then this series is a MUST!

Here There Be Dragons

I have owned this book by James A. Owens for a few months, but I finally determined this last week that I was going to read it. It is INCREDIBLE!!! I had to write the author last night to thank him for such a delightful story!

The book begins with a murder of a professor. His enemies are looking for something, but he tells them that he has already given it away. Shortly after the murder, three people who knew the professor arrive: John, Jack, and Charles. They are strangers to each other, but are quickly united in a dangerous quest. A short man named Herb arrives and tells John that the professor was training him to be the new Caretaker of the Imaginarium Geographica, a book of maps of the most magical place in the world: the Archipelago of Dreams. This place has been ruled by descendants of King Arthur, until the royal line was recently destroyed by one who calls himself the Winter King. The three men are plunged into an adventure that seems almost over their heads as they learn the meaning of truth and fiction, not in lands only, but also the truth and fiction that lies within the soul.

Former caretakers include Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and other great writers. They all knew of this magical place and wrote of it, each putting their own twist to it. The companions are surprised to meet Captain Nemo, talking badgers, and elves and dwarves. Now they must discover the courage within themselves to protect this new place that is somehow connected with our world. If the Archipelago falls, so will our world. Do these three men from Oxford have what it takes? Read these pages, and they will take you to the ends of the earth on one of the greatest adventures you've ever known!

Kingdom Keepers II: Disney at Dawn

The first book took place primarily in the Magic Kingdom. This book ventures into the Animal Kingdom. Suffering a setback in the first book, the Overtakers are determined to foil Walt Disney's plans and ruin the Kingdom Keepers forever. The Overtakers are using the Kingdom Keepers' own technology against them; they have created DHIs of their own. The boundary between real and imaginatory is more difficult than ever before. Worse--if the Kingdom keeprs fall asleep, they can be captured by the Overtakers and trapped forever.

Finn and his friends must recruit the help of the mysterious Amanda to save the parks from their deadliest threat ever. But why is she so mysterious? What secret is she hiding? Who is she? As if their predictment was not already bad, Wayne has gone into hiding and can interact only a little with them.

The Kingdom Keepers must act on blind faith, skill, and wits. They must battle exhaustion. They must battle the invisible. If they do not act fast, the Overtakers will awaken the most terrible villain Walt Disney ever created--the all-powerful Chernabog!