Monday, November 10, 2008

Abinadi - By H.B. Moore

Today I feel inspired to post a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. This address to the LDS Church members is both inspiring and very, very fitting, especially at a time when this country is facing, and will yet face so much turmoil.

'Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

'This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
'Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive.. Concern over
the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.'

This address was given in 1985.

So, are we there yet?

I think the answer is obvious.

There is so much opposition in the world to fight against, but fight against it, we must! We must be strong in our resolve to do the Lord's will. Which brings me to a wonderful book I read this week.
Abinadi by H.B. Moore is a great novel that really strengthened my love for the prophet, Abinadi and it strengthened my testimony of the gospel and the knowledge that the Lord's work must go forth no matter what.

The Book

Raquel has a secret. As the daughter of one of King Noah's priests, she enjoys a luxurious life and the admiration of powerful men. But her heart belongs to a commoner, a man with no earthly wealth but rich heavenly gifts. When King Noah demands that Raquel join his harem, she flees the only life she has known and marries her secret love. His name is Abinadi. The couple finds abundant joy in their community of believers and in their firstborn son. But when the Lord calls Abinadi as His prophet, their faith is tested to the outermost limits. Abinadi's commitment to the Lord requires them both to give their all-even unto death. Yet if Alma, the newest priest in King Noah's court, chooses to overcome his troubled past and cleave unto the truth, their sacrifice may yield rich fruit. With vivid detail and poignant emotion, this historical novel pulls readers into a fiery tale of love, courage, and faith that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget.

Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I loved H.B. Moore's Out of Jerusalem series and I can't wait to read the next one in this series as well.
Abinadi can be purchased at Seagull Book, Deseret Book, and other bookstores.
Find out more about this Whitney Award winning author by visiting her wesite at hbmoore.com

Also, experience The Journey by logging onto jadamsnovels.com

3 comments:

Heather Moore said...

Thanks, Jewel. I'm happy to know you enjoyed the book!

Laurie LC Lewis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurie LC Lewis said...

Jewel, some author I am. I mispelled my comments and erased them in embarrassment! Anyway, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed you post today. Very timely and well said. Thanks!