Abinadi by H.B. Moore

I don’t know why, but I’ve always had a hard time relating to the story of Abinadi. It is very powerful and it holds some beautiful messages; but, I’m just no Abinadi, ya know?

While I love the power of the scriptures, I fully admit I wouldn’t make a very good ancient prophet, or prophet’s wife for that matter. I’d be far more likely to run and hide under my bed than become a martyr for the gospel. I think that’s part of the problem with Abinadi. The scriptural account, accompanied by the few popular artist depictions make him out to be someone that is miles beyond me in far too many ways. He feels like an old man making his last stand as he preaches before King Noah. You know, like the older gentlemen in your ward whose held every calling, and knows the gospel inside and out, and has more to say on any subject than you have ever even thought of—that type of guy.

The fact of the matter is that like so many things in the scriptures we miss a lot of the “back story”. When you look at the account of Abinadi, no where does it hint at that “wise old high priest” status. This is something that author H.B. Moore takes advantage of to tell a very different version of the story than the one I’d been seeing in my mind’s eye for so many years. I for one am extremely grateful that she did. In her latest novel, Abinadi, Ms. Moore takes a lot of “what ifs” and creates a life for the prophet that suddenly made him feel more real and complete for me.

While being fastidious with detail and spirit, H.B. Moore places an Abinadi before her readers who is young and happy. Abinadi is living a life full of hope and blessings. What if Abinadi was taking more chances than I naively assumed? What if, in order to preach the messages God put into his heart Abinadi had to kiss his wife and young child goodbye with a fairly certain understanding that his chances of seeing them again were slim? Nope, not me—see that reference to hiding under the bed.

Abinadi as told by H.B. Moore is an artfully crafted story of hope, faith, love, loss, and the gospel that would rival almost any situation that you and I could face in this day and age. It was so easy to see myself in Ms. Moore’s portrayal of the high priest Alma, and in many other characters. I could see for the first time how so many pieces could have come together to work the miracles Heavenly Father needed for His people during that time period. It made me examine my own life a little more closely. No, I’ll never measure up to Abinadi but maybe, just maybe, I could learn to be a little better than I am by paying attention to more than just the fact that Abinadi gave his life for the gospel.

Because I know how thoroughly the author researches her material, I read her descriptions and details with interest. The marriage ceremony was particularly fascinating to me. Plus, for those of us who’d like to know more about where her thoughts and ideas came from, the author provides a special set of notations in the back of the book. Under headings for the chapters, you will find some of the author’s notes and references that she used to reach her conclusions about settings, traditions, and more to help bring the scriptures to life for her reader. It’s a fun added bonus to go through and pick out these things and learn more about them, but not feel pressured to know more while you are immersed in the actual story.

Well, done Ms. Moore, for providing me with an engaging story that made the scriptures come alive in a way that kindly prodded me to keep praying and to look for sources of peace no matter what the world may throw my way.

Abinadi will become part of a new series for H.B. Moore, the next book feature Alma will be out in 2009.

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Room for Two by Abel Keogh

I have to be honest with you. Room for Two is a book I was almost unable to review. It’s not that the writing was bad, or that the storyline stunk; no, Room for Two is very well written and the story is exceptionally compelling. It is definitely one that needs to be shared. But, this true story can also be very emotionally taxing. Abel Keogh makes no apologies (nor should he have to) for very vividly and very accurately describing the events surrounding his wife’s death by her own hand.

I knew exactly what this book was about before I agreed to review it during Abel’s virtual book tour. I knew it would be hard, but I also knew that many, many people needed to read it. I thought that I would be able to handle it. I almost could not.

You see, the first chapter is very well written and because of this it had an unexpected affect on me. I’m afraid that in my former life as a nurse I became very familiar with the type of scene that played out for Abel. It was not an easy thing, but it could be done. Unfortunately, I found that as Mr. Keogh’s compelling writing continued I was not only walking his nightmare with him, but I was also carrying with me the names, faces, and cases of those I had treated many years ago. These were not memories and feelings that I had thought of in a long time, nor were they ones I was eager to re-live. By the end of the first chapter I was emotionally spent. I closed the book and had a good long cry— for Abel Keogh, for his wife, for myself, and all those other faces I had carried with me as I read.

The story had moved me, and I was compelled to find out what the rest of the pages held; but, it was still a full day before I was ready to pick up the book and move beyond chapter one. Then, I soon had to mourn a little more for another set of circumstances I knew all to well and another set of patients I had the honor and pain of caring for. The first third of the book was hard, very hard. Even so, I do not think this story could, or should, have been dealt with any other way. It is honest, sincere, and powerful. If you are one of the many who have personally dealt with this type of nightmare, and when you are ready, you will appreciate Abel’s candidness and understanding for the things you face. He makes it very clear that you are not, and will never be, all alone in those dark hours. Even when no one else can understand, the Savior weeps with you.

Rest assured this story has a satisfying ending, but the path taken is not always easy. If you have the courage to learn from Abel Keogh’s life you will be a much better person for it. You will definitely walk away with greater compassion and empathy.

That being said, Room for Two is not a book that I can globally recommend for every reader. Rather, it is one that I would prayerfully consider for anyone who has had to deal with this type of loss within or outside of an LDS belief system. It is also very appropriate for those who have the special responsibility of reaching out to these people. Prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the experience and you’ll walk away with some powerful insights. Come to its pages with a lot of baggage and it may take a while longer to catch the messages of this story.

Room for Two is about choices, and understanding that even a seemingly small decision can impact many lives greatly. Most importantly it shows kindness and understanding for those who have faced serious consequences from badly made choices. Ultimately, this is a story of pain, suffering, repentance, renewal, peace, and forgiveness. It’s about finding yourself at the most horrid spot in your life you can ever imagine and finding a way to climb out of that quagmire. Room for Two offers hope. It carries the message that even when someone thinks they are beyond reach and have used their last chance with the Savior, they are still in His hand. Though He will not change or take away the consequences that must be faced, God still guides His children to the best blessings He can offer them. Still, in the end the choice is ours, once again, whether we will accept or turn away from His love.

Well done, Abel Keogh, for having the personal strength to endure, and to share, a very timely and compelling message.

Room for Two by Abel Keogh

Trade Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Cedar Fort (August 2007)

ISBN-10: 1599550628

ISBN-13: 978-1599550626

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Follow Abel Keogh’s Virtual Book Tour at http://www.abelkeogh.com/blog/

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Forged in the Refiner’s Fire by Elizabeth A. Cheever and Candace E. Salima

What is your greatest challenge? What is the hidden sorrow that brings tears to your eyes every time you try to express your worries and concerns to your Heavenly Father?

No matter what trial, station, or stage of life you may be in Forged in the Refiner’s Fire can offer a source of understanding, hope, and comfort. Co-authored by Elizabeth A. Cheever and Candace E. Salima, Forged in the Refiner’s Fire is a collection of true stories. On every page and in every chapter you will read of real people with a variety of very real problems who have learned to rely on the Lord and come out stronger than they were before.

The opening pages of Forged in the Refiner’s Fire include the following quote:

“In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a Refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from our souls. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.” James E. Faust

The book itself is definitely a testimony to the truthfulness and power of those words. It’s a great place to look for understanding and perspective as we each struggle with our own trials of fire.

I carried Forged in the Refiner’s Fire with me to the library in order to snag some reading time while my children were in an activity. Because of my great love for Candace and the poignant way she tells her own story in “Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding”, I’m afraid I made a complete spectacle of myself bawling my eyes out in front of a bunch of wary strangers.

“My Journey of Journeys”, “He Loves Me in Spite of My Weakness”, and “Working Under the Hand of the Lord” were also stories that touched the deepest parts of my nature, sharing several messages I personally needed to hear.

If you feel rushed when you begin to read, a couple of the stories might seem to be a little long and drawn out. I don’t feel this is actually such a bad thing. The individual author is just trying, the best way they know how, to help you experience their thoughts and feelings. Just as you wouldn’t interrupt a dear friend’s train of thought as they were sharing such things with you, read attentively. It’s worth it. Though Forged in the Refiner’s Fire shows high quality work, this book is definitely one that is to be read and understood through the heart. Its greatest strength is its ability to portray emotion and support, not literary acclaim. It’s one of those books you want to take a highlighter to so you don’t forget where to find all the little gems of wisdom. Forged in the Refiner’s Fire deserves an honored place on your bookshelf. You’ll want to know you can easily reach out and grab it when ever your heart needs comfort.

I’m thrilled to also provide you with this video spotlight of Candace Salima sharing her own thoughts and feelings about Forged in the Refiners Fire. Take a moment to watch her spirit shine through and inspire you.




Candace is currently doing a virtual book tour. You can follow her progress and gain more insight into Forged in the Refiner’s Fire on her own blog, Dream a little dream with me . . .

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Learn about our amazing monthly, quarterly, and annual giveaways by clicking here.

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The Peacegiver and The Holy Secret

Have you read The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell? This book quickly became a bestseller among LDS fiction and rightly so. It’s a sweet book of redemption. It tells the story of a man, a simple man just like many of us, who needs to understand who his Savior really is. He needs to learn what Christ is capable of accomplishing in his life if given the chance.

That’s a lesson most of us need to learn. It’s easy to forget, or feel unworthy of what we see or read about the Savior. It seems like another place, another time, another more humble and deserving individual. That’s the place the main character, Rick Carson, finds himself. He is lost in his own sorrow and bitterness for what feels like a failed marriage and a failed life.

At least for me, there some moments in the story where the descriptions of Rick’s feelings and memories become a little cumbersome, but I think Brother Ferrell does this for specific purposes. I think he wants to make sure we can see ourselves in the life of his character. He wants us to notice our own feelings of despair and worry then discover our own path to the Savior. Brother Ferrell wants us to come to the end of the book with a renewed sense of hope and faith in the Savior’s ability to heal our homes and our individual lives. In the end, that’s what he accomplishes.

The Peacegiver is a story about trying to heed Christ’s call to “Come Unto Me” that gently guides the reader through eternal gospel truths that can uplift and replenish anyone’s spirit. For this reason alone, it’s worth the read for anyone who wants to develop a closer relationship with the Savior.

The Holy Secret is James L. Ferrell’s second book along these same tones. This time the reader is drawn into the life of another Latter-day Saint with some questions. These are questions many of us probably entertain at sometime time on our spiritual journey. In The Holy Secret, Michael is pricked by the words of an older gentleman in his ward. The man states with such clarity and firmness that he loves the gospel and the tools of holiness Heavenly Father has given each of us. Michael wonders why his faith own seems to be void of such conviction and passion for righteousness. He goes through the motions, knowing at some comfortable level that the church is right and good, but not really feeling the depth of testimony he would like.

The Holy Secret is another book full of thought provoking questions and gentle instruction that can lead each of us on a spiritual quest to truly love the gospel of Jesus Christ and find its true place in our lives.

Now, do you want to know the best secret about The Holy Secret? It’s available to read online, for free. Yep, free. Just follow this link and read along.

If you have yet to read either of these books, this is a good place to start. The chapters are short, easy reading. It only takes a few minutes each day to give yourself hours of thought as you go about your life. A new chapter is posted every Wednesday, so pencil it in. I encourage you to add this bookmark to your weekly “surfing” session. See if The Holy Secret speaks to your heart. If is does, make sure you read The Peacegiver as well.

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