Out of Jerusalem by H B Moore, Books Two and Three

Friday, April 18, 2008

Book Two
A Light in the Wilderness
This book gives a possible explanation for why Lehi's troupe wandered for eight years in the wilderness before finding Bountiful. Because of Moore's experience in the Middle East and her research, she is able to create a story that makes sense based on the cultures and landscape of the southwestern portion of the Arabian peninsula. I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first because most of this story is not included in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon mentions the travails of the group's journey, the birth of children and the constant rebellion of the two older brothers. Moore fills in that outline with some wonderful conjecture such as the enslavement of the party for five years, Sam almost being captured by cannibals, and Laman and Lemuel leaving the group including their wives and children to become marauders. Along the way, Ismael dies and we witness the grief of his wife and daughters. Even though this book is definitely fiction and not to be taken as scripture, Moore gives the reader an educated glimpse into how life was lived in that time and also captures real emotions and feelings that make the story come alive.
Rating: 4.5
Book Three
Towards the Promised Land
Anyone who has read the Book of Mormon knows the famous story of Nephi's determination to obey the Lord and build a ship. I found Moore's description of that process as well as life in Bountiful to be believable and fascinating. Modern research have found many facts that corrobate the original story, such as the iron deposits located in the mountains north of a place that could very well have been Bountiful. Again, Laman and Lemuel rebel, are rebuked and then fall in line. Each time, the family rejoices as they become humble and righteous; but still wary of a possible return to the dark side. The description of the ship building and life on the boat as they venture out on the unknown waters really helped me to picture those events in my mind. There are some side stories of various members of the family that Moore has created to push the story along. These people are portrayed as very human with real emotions that are not black and white. Even Nephi is shown to struggle with anger, doubts (not in the Lord but about his family and himself), and frustrations. I was very moved by the description of Sariah's grief at the rebellion of Laman as she remembers him as her cherubic little boy. What mother couldn't identify with that.
Rating: 4.5
Posted by Framed at 8:23 PM

3 comments:
Booklogged said...
Sounds like interesting books. I wonder if Candleman would enjoy these.
4/19/2008 1:40 PM
Tristi Pinkston said...
I also really enjoyed these books.
4/20/2008 11:56 PM
Heather B. Moore said...
Thanks for reviewing my books. I hope you'll like #4 just as much. I should thank your mom too, for buying them for you :) I think I'm going to be hooked on this blog now, since I love reading and I'm always looking for the next great book.