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THE FIRST BATCH OF NEW HYMNS IS LIVE!!!!!!!!!!
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mormonbooks · 1 year
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Daughter of the Deep Review
Alright, it's been a little while since I finished this book but I'm finally writing the review.
4/5 stars!
This book is by Rick Riordan, and while he's not a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- so this book doesn't technically fit my "by mormons about mormons" criteria -- I wanted to include this book because it's one of the only pieces of mainstream media that has casual mormon rep that I've ever heard of.
Summary - Ana Dakaar's freshman finals trip gets turned into a life-death situation when Harding-Pencroft (the school she and her friends attend) is destroyed. The freshmen are the only ones left standing and they discover that there is more to their school than they originally thought -- Captain Nemo from 1000 Leagues Under the sea (also known as Prince Dakaar) was a real person, and their school was built to honor his memory and continue researching the incredibly advanced naval and marine technology that he had invented. Ana has to trust her friends Esther, Nelinha, and Gemini (as well as herself) while they try to win a war they never realized they were a part of.
Gemini Twain is the only Mormon character and he is great. Spoilers under the cut.
Well written - 5 Stars.
Listen, it's Rick Riordan. He's good at writing, what am I gonna say?
2. Fun Level - 5 Stars.
The story is just jam packed with fun and entertaining moments and ideas. The advanced technology is intriguing and silly at the same time, the characters are engaging and their relationships are fun! I had a great time jumping from suspenseful action moments, to heartfelt friendships, to tender introspection, and back to silly sci-fi. It's just a blast.
3. Complex Faith - 4 Stars.
Gemini's faith isn't explored very much, because he's not a POV character. That being said, he is one of the main characters that Ana interacts with, and we get hints that his relationship to his religion is complex. His parents are hippies, and he never knew them because he was raised by his grandmother. She is the one who introduced him and his brother to the church. His brother is on a mission, and Gemini is the only Mormon at HP. He's a really lonely kid. We don't get the sense that he's close with a faith community in the area. Although we don't know Gemini's personal relationship with God, his backstory makes him a unique enough Mormon character (basically, not a Peter Priesthood) that I think he warrants a high score in this regard.
4. Homophobia Scale - 4 Stars.
There is absolutely no romance in this book. I know people like the ship Ana and Gem and there is certainly room for that (and the difference in religion would be interesting to explore) but there is also room for all the characters to be ace, or literally whatever. So, while there are no gay characters, there are also no straight characters. Everyone is just ... trying not to die actually.
5. Mormon Weird - 1 star.
Because Gemini isn't a POV character, we don't get a lot of Mormon specific things. There is a moment where Gemini unthinkingly talks to a Nelinha (who is from Brazil) about his brother who is on a mission in Brazil, as if Nelinha would somehow know his brother even though Brazil is a huge place, which seems like a specifically Mormon Moment to me (in an affectionately, "Oh yikes, we do that don't we" way), but yeah. Not a lot of Mormon Weird included in this book.
6. Diversity of Characters - 5 stars!
Ana - Indian American, Hindu, multilingual (English, Irish, ASL, Bundeli, etc)
Nelinha - Brazilian, bilingual (English, Portuguese)
Esther - European American, Autistic (and written very well from my opinion), has an Emotional Support Dog
Gemini Twain - African-American, Mormon,
Plus lots of other characters who show up throughout the novel, all with their own backstories, ethnicities, and personalities. I love them all.
7. Other Problematic Stuff - 5 stars
Nothing to report. It was just great.
Conclusion - Please read this book!! It's just so much fun, the cast is so great, the world is fascinating, and the plot is engaging. I love Gemini Twain with all of my heart and I want everyone else to know and love him too. It's also just so refreshing to read a book that acknowledges our existence, and allows a Mormon to be one of the heroes in a sci-fi story, just like ... casually. I love him.
I said in my goodreads review that:  "I didn't necessarily see myself in Gem, but I saw all the boys I grew up with in Sunday School, the guys I served my mission with, and the men I met at BYU." He's a good one.
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rogers-the-musical · 3 months
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Just a quick reminder that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. When something doesn’t work out, there is always a reason.
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thecagedsong · 1 year
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Just had my Sunday School lesson for teenagers go off the rails in the best way possible.
The lesson was the entirety of the last supper. My plan was to frame the events before the Garden in a "what would you do with your 'last' day/this is what Christ did with his 'last' day"
We were reading through the hints Christ was giving to tell Judas that Christ knew what he was going to do and wasn't going to stop Judas, which incidentally set the apostles into a fit of self-reflection, when a boy asked.
"Why did Christ let Judas become an apostle then, even if they were planning on capturing Christ anyway, why let someone be so close if they were just going to betray him?"
I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED!!!
They struggled for a bit. Maybe because he did more good as a follower than evil as a betrayer? Maybe to make the story more dramatic and memorable?
Then one kid said there wasn't a point to Judas' story except don't betray Christ because he didn't feel guilty. (Good kid, good parents that read scriptures and have gospel discussions with him and his sister, usually knows the stories better than the rest of class, pleasure to teach him something)
Another kid corrected him and said he felt so guilty he hung himself.
(Sister of the one kid with the good family was shocked and aghast, hadn't remembered that part)
I explained how Judas's story is recorded (running out of time to read). And I asked them what could Judas have done.
All my usual smartypants were stumped. He died, he tried to give back the silver, and wasn't he going to hell anyway, that's what the apostles made is sound like and what the Catholics teach.
I said, "That's not what Christ said, remember when we talked about Christ washing their feet, and how you need him? What did Christ say he should have done?"
Kids thinking it over
Then a kid that was quiet the whole class, only reading when called upon, said "Repent"
I could see them get it. The good kid actually said "Wait, the atonement covers even betraying Christ?" despite hearing about how the atonement covered everything his entire life.
Yes, even that. The whole lesson made me so happy. I hope these kids remember it, I sure will.
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onedayillbeasaint · 1 year
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A new Easter message from President Nelson! ❤️🌿🌷🌸🌼✝️
ComeUntoChrist.org
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nottskyler · 1 year
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“I have not spoken in secret;” 1 Nephi 20:16
“Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the ​​​mouth​ of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad” Alma 13:22
“And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.” Alma 32:23
President Dallin H Oaks declared the word of Gd when he declared the overturning of the policy of exclusion, but then he and the other apostles failed to have faith in the workings of Gd and rejected the core of Gd’s message. What these apostles and prophets failed to understand is doctrine taught in the scriptures above.
As declared from the pulpit at General Conference (followed by a stupor of thought until the teleprompter helped Oaks wrap the revelation in legalese in order to avoid having to repent), the Lord declared “treat homosexuals the same as heterosexuals” period. No exceptions, no limitations, no qualifications. And whether or not I qualify for exaltation, I will be at the judgement bar as a witness that the current apostles and prophets ignored the word of Gd due to a lack of faith and a refusal to repent.
“For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word.” Alma 13:24
I am one of those who were prepared just in time for the truth to be declared at the pulpit. I had to listen to the truth from braver pioneers and repent before I was given the same truth right before it was declared from the pulpit. Gd prepared me, someone who adamantly abided by the letter of the law, to be prepared for this revelation. If the prophets felt like the Church wasn’t ready to hear it, they lack faith that Gd can do His own work.
The authority to speak for Gd to humans does not mean that the apostles and prophets are the only ones Gd talks to, just that they are accountable for passing on the truth to those who are not ready to hear from Gd Himself. Gd does not want people who blindly obey, He wants a people who think for themselves. He wants those who choose to obey in order to see if Gd will keep His promise.
“and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” 3 Nephi 24:10
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” Moroni 10:4
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rabbitcruiser · 2 years
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After 17 months of travel, Brigham Young lead 148 Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley, resulting in the establishment of Salt Lake City on July 24, 1847.
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kevinthescoutblogger · 2 months
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Getting Ready to Head out on the Mission
By Kevin V. Hunt Gratitude, History and Heritage, Inspiration, Mission Service Adventures in Scouting Entertainment For Youth Gratitude History and Heritage Inspiration Mission Service Nostalgia Scouting's Best Training & How To's Tributes Uncategorized Zany and Fun Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt preparing for Missionary Service April 1, 2024 Getting ready to head out on the…
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bestseasonsoflife · 2 months
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Christmas Lights at the Mormon Temple 2023-5
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Christmas Lights at the Mormon Temple 2023-5 by Amaury Laporte
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headlinehorizon · 7 months
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Farewell to M. Russell Ballard: A Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
M. Russell Ballard, a prominent leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has passed away at the age of 95. Learn about his legacy, his position within the church, and the upcoming changes in this latest news update.
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lindawclarke · 11 months
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It’s Important to Preserve Our Heritage 
July is pioneer month, a time to think about our ancestors and how they influenced our lives. It’s a time to remember your great grandparents and to be proud of them. We are the people we are because of our ancestors. Thomas S. Monson said, “I admonish all families: search out your heritage. It is important to know those who came before us. We discover something about ourselves when we learn…
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rph36 · 1 year
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Beyond Theology, Beyond Science
This is not one of my sarcastic posts, so if that’s what you came for, you may want to move on. Also, please excuse grammatical errors. This post is heart-driven. I’ve been thinking about pain a lot lately. As someone who suffers from chronic migraines, it frequently passes my mind. Friends who know me well, know that I am religious. I’m not the perfect example (sometimes I wonder if I’m even a…
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gwmac · 1 year
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The 'Leader in Me' Program: A One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Leadership Development?
Introduction The “Leader in Me” program has gained considerable popularity in American schools as an attempt to instill leadership skills and character development in children. However, numerous criticisms have emerged, calling into question the program’s effectiveness and its potential consequences on student development. As educational philosopher John Dewey once said, “Education is not…
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heathersdesk · 3 months
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There are a lot of adults going to church today who are going to be Pikachu-face surprised when they get to judgment and are handed a millstone to place around their necks because of how unsafe they've made this world for children.
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mormonmew · 11 days
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Maybe the queerstake can give their input on this because a thing that happened in my Sunday School class kinda ruffled me the wrong way. Someone in the class (not the teacher, thankfully) commented something along the lines of "People seem to say 'I'm a child of God but I'm also [this other thing], so I'm going to filter the gospel through [this other thing]' but really, those things are supposed to be swallowed up in Christ. And I've seen so many people fall away from the gospel because of it."It was like the guy was implying that people "fall away from the church" because of this mindset and that prioritizing anything about ourselves other than being a child of God means we won't, or maybe even can't, stay on the path to God.
But like... Aren't we also all diverse individuals? Don't we all have such different life experiences? How can we do anything other than filter the things we learn, even gospel topics, through those life experiences? And yes, it's part of progressing to try and see things from God's point of view and see things from a higher perspective, but like... We can't truly erase those differences about ourselves even while being on the path of Christ, right?
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