Book Review: Alma the Younger

Heather Moore's newest volume in her fictionalized Book of Mormon series is Alma the Younger. I read this a few weeks back and was really impressed with the boldness of the plot line. It is one of Moore's more creative plots (if not the most creative)--but maybe this is due to the lack of detail the scriptures contain regarding Alma's life before his repentance. Still, I really admire Moore's writing abilities; her characters are strong and well-rounded (I both liked and disliked Alma for a variety fo reasons). And she is able to emphasize the forgiveness aspect of the gospel without sounding preachy.
From the back of the book:

"As night falls, a scarlet-robed man emerges from the temple and a hush falls over the waiting crowd. Studying the hooded figure with enmity, Alma recognizes that this is the man who incites rebellion among the people of Zarahemla. This is the man who dares preach from the very place where King Benjamin uttered his final blessings upon the people of the church. Defiling the tower with his very presence, the man who embodies evil raises a hand to silence the drums, then calls to his followers through the eerie quiet. And that's when Alma realizes the terrible truth: this man is his son. Alma the Younger, son of the aging high priest, once was taught by the wisdom of prophets. Now the young man is a thief ensnared by the wiles of strong drink and harlots; a bitter dissenter determined to overthrow the church, to lead the people into new freedoms. He has gathered a strong army to create a revolution, which only begins with the desecration of the temple and will escalate to calamity once he captures King Mosiah s daughter. But en route to his malicious mission with his royal henchmen, Alma is halted by an unexpected opponent: an angel of the Lord, a messenger of the very God he has sought to defame. And what unfolds is a story of miraculous redemption, a story building on the poignant Book of Mormon account to show how even the vilest of sinners can be transformed by the Savior's amazing grace."

Alma the Younger is very much a worthwhile read and makes me look forward to Moore's next book, Ammon.

Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 64:9

New Mormons Made Simple Video

The Mormons Made Simple videos are so great! And here is their latest and greatest: Joseph Smith and the Restoration. It makes for a wonderful missionary tool, as well as a nice supplement to a family home evening lesson. My kids have enjoyed them and I have been able to use these videos to answer their questions about basic gospel questions. Enjoy!

Scripture of the Day: D&C 8:5

Note to Self

Never wear a red top and tan pants while shopping at Target--unless you happen to be in the mood to answer other shoppers' questions about where the coffee is or if Target happens to carry motor oil.


Scripture of the Day: Deut. 8:2

Saturday Morning Cartoons #44

Have a great weekend everyone!

Scripture of the Day: Mosiah 4:11

Thank You Note

Dear Macaroni Grill Waiter,

Just a quick note to thank you for the great job you did waiting on our table Tuesday evening. We were there to celebrate my mother's 10 year anniversary of being in business for herself. (She is a CPA and has worked her tail off these past 10 years.) Your quick service and fun attitude made the evening all the more fun.

I especially wanted to thank you for not giving me the evil eye when I special ordered my pasta as whole grain and then asked for half to be brought to the table and half to be placed in a to-go container to take home. You did not blink an eye (which, believe me, is highly unusual). Additionally, I was so surprised the next day when I opened the to-go bag to eat my remaining pasta for lunch and found a whole loaf of your yummy bread also sent home! This added touch was much appreciated. Although I only ate a small slice of it myself, my family loved having the rest of it for dinner that night.

Again, thanks for your hard work. It made our night out (and the day after) wonderful. We will definitely be heading back to the Macaroni Grill in the near future. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Irvine


Scripture of the Day: 1 Nephi 15:11

A little online shopping

Just a few things I wanted to buy while "window shopping" online today. It's always nice to dream a little!

This darling beehive cake pan would be fun to use to make goodies.

Crown rings have been tempting me lately. This one is found here.

This skirt from Down East Basics. Yum!

Something new to read anyone? This would do.

Maybe a new DVD to watch for the weekend?

Scripture of the Day: Psalms 77:11

The Talk that Wasn't

Four weeks of preparation

Several hours of pulling notes together

Three conference talks quoted

Two and a half pages of notes

And...

Only two minutes of sacrament meeting left in which to give my 15 minute talk.

So I didn't give it.

Instead I just shared a brief personal exprience, bore testimony, and sat down. I know I made the right decision, so why do I feel such a let down?

Scripture of the Day: D&C 109:72