500 Little Known Facts in Mormon History

500 Little Known Facts in Mormon History, AUTHOR: George Givens, CATEGORY: LDS Non-Fiction/ History

Key Features:

• The book's chronological format allows readers to feel they are progressing through the early years of the church.
• Each fact is filled with rich history.

Do you know?

• What happened to the stone box that held the gold plates?
• There were once two other sacred buildings scheduled to be built in Kirtland?
• Which apostle died before he knew he had been called to the Quorum of the Twelve?
• Why Relief Society Meetings were suspended for 23 years?
• The name of the Indian chief who consecrated all of his tribe's property to the Church?
• Who was ordained an apostle at age eleven?
• How Teddy Roosevelt tried to help the Saints?
• Plus hundreds more interesting facts from LDS Church history!

Review-
"These fascinating moments in church history add an unexpected touch to seminary classes on church history, liven up a quiet afternoon of reading, and send the serious student off to learn more!"

Against All Odds, AUTHOR: Shirley Bahlmann, CATEGORY: U.S. History

Key Features:

• This collection of fact-based adventures will appeal to readers of all ages.
• The stories put the reader right in the middle of the action, alongside the pioneers as they overcome dangerous challenges.
• The author has thoroughly researched each story, and skillfully brings to life these heroes of the American West.

"Facing death was a common element of pioneer life. Each of these true action-packed stories draws you into that world of danger, where you can share in the triumphs of courage that helped the early settlers survive. This book is an unusual find and a fascinating read for people of all ages."

How would you respond to these challenges?

• Poisonous snakes in your bed
• Watching an Indian chief take your two-year-old cousin hostage
• Facing a cornered, enraged bobcat without a weapon
• Indian warriors galloping toward you while your wagon is helplessly stuck in the snow

These are only a few of the life-threatening situations that confronted courageous pioneers. In these remarkable true stories of survival, you can experience these and other exciting adventures. Think about what you would do, then open the book and discover how these pioneers and Indians survived the challenges that were a daily part of the settling the American West.

Review-
"These stories will capture your hearts and imaginations, allowing you to see a side of pioneer life seldom explored."

Ancient America Rediscovered, AUTHOR: Veytia, CATEGORY: History

This is the first English translation of a portion of "Historia Antigua de Mexico" written originally in Spanish by Don Mariano Fernandez de Echevarria Y Veytia (Mariano Veytia) 1720-1778, a celebrated Mexican historian.

He relates the history, religious practices, calendars and astronomical calculations as he developed them from the charts, diagrams and paintings of the Native Americans. Fortunately, many of these records were hidden from the destruction of the early Spanish conquistadors.

Read the fascinating history of the peoples who first came to the Americas, beginning with a group of seven families who left the Tower of Babel at the time of the confusion of tongues. The people of Guatemala recorded that their ancestors were Jews who had left Palestine, or that part of Arabia which is contiguous to the Red Sea.

Read of the great civilizations that developed therefrom covering a period of approximately 2400 years. Consider their worship of the great creator God, their ceremonies, doctrines and practices that conformed to Christianity. Study the visit and teachings of a white, bearded man whom they called Quetzalcohuatl.

Read of the eclipse and terrible earthquake at the time of the death of Jesus Christ. The reader acquainted with the Book of Mormon will find similar events and practices.

Reflect on the ancient system of time as counted from the creation of the earth with specific years cited for the universal flood, the Tower of Babel, and the birth and death of Christ. Read also of the methods of counting the 13 day weeks, and the 28 week years. The regular year, similar to ours, had 365 days and the leap year, 366 days. These first Americans were far from sometimes designated barbarians.

Size: 219 pages, 6x9" Paperback. Qty.: Special $12.95

Brigham Young's Journal, AUTHOR: Compiled by Lee Nelson, CATEGORY: LDS Non-Fiction

This volume destroys once and for all the popular, but false image of Brigham Young as a tough, unspiritual colonizer who had no business calling himself a prophet of God. A very different man is found in his journal writings-- a simple man who liked to work with his hands, a humble man constantly seeking guidance from his God, a strong man ready to wrestle or fight in defense of his friends, an intelligent man who could debate effectively with professors and lawyers, an affectionate man with many friends, and a loyal man who could be depended upon by his God and his people.

This volume is a compilation of the first person writings in Brigham Young's manuscript history. There has been no attempt to edit or rewrite. However, many of the repetitive or uneventful writings have been eliminated in order to fit Brigham Young's own story, in his own words, into a single volume.

Size: 223 pages, 6x9" Paperback. Qty.: Special $13.95

David W. Patten: Apostle and Martyr, AUTHOR: Linda Shelley Whiting, CATEGORY: Biography

Key Features:

• This touching biography shares the life of David W. Patten, the first apostle to be martyred in the Last Days, and gives a glimpse into the early LDS Church.
• Readers will love and appreciate David W. Patten’s fierce loyalty to the Prophet Joseph Smith and to the gospel.
• Linda Shelley Whiting has masterfully collaborated many sources to write this powerful book on an amazing man.

David W. Patten was one of the most influential and dearly-loved leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in its formative years of 1832 -1838.

Patten joined the Church in 1832 and was immediately sent on a mission. He soon performed his first priesthood healing, and word quickly spread about his ability to heal the sick. People approached him daily to be healed. Over the next six years he served eight missions, where he blessed thousands of people and baptized hundreds into the Church.

His spirituality and personality propelled him to leadership positions, and he participated in many major events, including:

• Marching in Zion’s Camp
• Being called as one of the Twelve Apostles
• Speaking in tongues during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple
• Valiantly standing by Joseph Smith during the dark days of apostasy in 1837-38.

Patten was the Captain of the Cavalry of the Mormon Militia at Far West. He led his men in assisting families driven from their homes during the Missouri persecutions, earning the nickname of “Captain Fearnot” among his people.

On October 25, 1838, he commanded the Mormon Militia against anti-Mormon forces at the Battle of Crooked River. Patten was mortally wounded during the battle, but his legacy of faith in Jesus Christ lives on.

Review-
"I very much appreciated the author's thorough scholarship. Everything is well documented and there are extensive footnotes that by themselves are extremely interesting. The flow of the writing never pulled me along smoothly, but it was clear, very readable, and packed with information."

Discovering Lehi, AUTHOR: Lynn Hilton & Hope Hilton, CATEGORY: LDS Non-Fiction/ History

This "fascinating Mormon odyssey" was first commissioned by The Ensign. But no mention was ever made in that work of the Lihyan (Arabic transliteration for "The People of Lehi") civilization and the remarkable possibilities found in its Arabian ruins. In addition to the Hilton's original research, they have discovered volumes of new evidence and new possibilities.

The findings in this book may just be the sign saying "I, Lehi, was here." It is possible that Lehi and Nephi were actually great missionaries; that they converted thousands as hinted at in D&C 33:8-10.

This new evidence suggests that Arabian converts of Nephi and Lehi grew in number and influence and prospered over a period of 100 years until they actually ruled Arabia for an additional 300 years.

This work may be the most remarkable evidence currently available that Lehi and Nephi actually existed and may be the only research to date to actually pinpoint Book of Mormon geographic locations with any degree of accuracy.

Here within our very grasp may be the first physical and historical evidence that Lehi and Nephi, lived, breathed, struggled and taught the gospel as marvelous and influential prophets of The Book of Mormon.

Size: 205 pages Paperback. Qty.: Special $9.95

Edward Partridge - First Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, AUTHOR: Hartt Wixom, CATEGORY: LDS Non-Fiction

Perhaps no man faced a greater challenge in the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, save Joseph Smith himself, than its first bishop, Edward Partridge. It was he who was sent by the Mormon prophet to establish the New Zion in Missouri. Little did either man likely know at the time what a firestorm of opposition awaited Edward in the discharge of his duties. Probably even Daniel of the Old Testament did not require more courage in the Lion' s Den than did Edward in trying to acquire and distribute fairly Missouri lands for the saints in fulfillment of Doctrine and Covenants, section 57.

Yet, in spite of his position as first bishop of the "Restored Church," the man labeled by Joseph Smith as a "pattern of piety . . . pure in heart, a man without guile as was Nathanael of Old," Edward died in relative obscurity in the early days of Nauvoo. For 157 years there was not even a grave marker placed over his burial site. It would seem that a man so prominent in LDS history just "dropped out of sight" and was forgotten. Edward Partridge, for whatever reason, has only recently begun to receive a modicum of the recognition he deserved during his life span of 46 years.

Size: 183 pages, 6x9" Paperback. Qty.: Special $12.95

Greatest Amazing Conversion Stories, AUTHOR: Compiled by Troy Davis, Richard Nelson, David Salmons, CATEGORY: LDS Non-Fiction

Key Features:

• Compiles previously hard-to-find accounts of angelic visitations and miraculous dreams of such men as Wilford Woodruff.
• Shows the great spiritual heritage found within the LDS Church.
• This uplifting collection naturally prompts readers to remember and record their own conversion experiences.

This extraordinary book brings together some of the most striking conversion incidents recorded in the history of the LDS Church.

There is the authentic account of an unknown preacher who describes himself as having been ordained by Jesus Christ "in eternity" and had been preaching for approximately 1800 years. After converting a small town in Tennessee to the restored gospel, he vanishes mysteriously without a trace. One early Saint describes the experience of being chastised by two of the three Nephites.

From angelic visits to miraculous dreams, these true stories will amaze and enlighten you. But they do more than entertain; they remind us of our own conversions and of our great spiritual heritage.

Size: 244 pages, 6x9" Paperback. Qty.: Special $13.95

Hidden Treasures of Ancient American Cultures, AUTHOR: John Heinerman, CATEGORY: Archaeology

Key Features:

• Weaves together a riveting story of ancient American cultures.
• Contains photographs of author's actual on-site discoveries.
• The author's careful research is enhanced by his personal anecdotes.

Review-
"... absolutely fascinating! John Heinerman takes us through ancient caves, legends and scriptural resources in weaving together a story of the remnants of our ancient American ancestors. Written in anecdotal style, the careful research is enhanced by personal stories of intrigue and danger, and many thoughtful observations. You can view for yourself pictures of his personal findings in different caves."

Isn't That Odd?, AUTHOR: Shirley Bahlmann, CATEGORY: US History / Pioneers

Key Features:

• This is the entertaining sequel to the best-selling Against All Odds.
• This collection of fact-based stories from pioneer life puts readers in the middle of the action and appeals to all ages. Step into a world of near-impossibility

These odd, amazing pioneer stories will leave you alternately laughing and shaking your head in wonder. Besides being uplifting and inspirational, these unusual stories are sprinkled with humor.

Read about:

• A funeral for a person's body part
• A crop planted too late that turned out to be just in time
• An unusual cure for a baby's vivid red birthmark
• Creative spiders and snakes, and some geese that lost their feathers

Shirley Bahlmann lives in Manti, Utah. She is also the author of the best-selling book Against All Odds.

Review-
"These remarkable stories about the early settlers of Utah deal with unusual hardship, yet are laced with humor. I couldn't keep from smiling as amazing dilemmas found unique solutions. I marveled at the odd, sometimes dangerous situations, losing myself in true stories that read more like great fiction. These stories are not only faith-promoting, but entertaining as well-an exceptional quality that is not easy to find."