Review
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Title:  Christopher Columbus: "A Man among the Gentiles"
Author:  Clark B. Hinckley
Publisher:  Deseret Book
Genre:  History
Year Published:  2014
Number of Pages:  276
ISBN: 978-1-60907-920-8
Price:  $25.99

Reviewed by Gabi Kupitz for the Association for Mormon Letters

Christopher Columbus has been the subject of many books--so many in fact, that "If all that has been written about Columbus were brought together in one place, the load would easily sink the small boat that carried him to America."

What makes this title by Clark B. Hinckley so unique is that it captures the historical Columbus and weaves in the religious leanings possessed by this explorer--leanings that Columbus tried to describe, but which Nephi saw in vision hundreds of years prior to Columbus' birth.

While historians may scoff, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embrace I Nephi chapter 13 verse 12 in "The Book of Mormon : Another Testament of Jesus Christ"  as describing Nephi's vision of Columbus:

"And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land."

Given that Nephi received this great vision around 600 B.C., Columbus' venture to the new world fulfilled more than the desires of his heart and that of his sponsors.  It fulfilled prophecy.

Born in 1451, Columbus defied monumental odds during his young life.  "By 1484, Columbus had sailed all the known seas of his age..."  He was uniquely qualified to set sail for "Asia by sailing west..."  And, he did.

Columbus was not perfect, but he was chosen.  Like all humans, he made mistakes.  Some modern historians and college professors have cast doubt on the motivations of Columbus and have emphasized his brutal manner in the treatment of the people he found in the new world.  Columbus has become the subject of jokes and derision, but in this book, the author paints a more balanced picture of a unique man and his date with history and prophecy.

Maps, a time line, chapter notes, source notes, bibliography, and index all point to a vast amount of research done by Hinckley and others.  Besides the welcoming writing style and the background materials which set Columbus in context is something I find fascinating:  "Appendix 2.  Temple Ordinances for Columbus and Crew of the First Voyage."

If all you can remember about Christopher Columbus from school is the little poem/song that begins, "In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue..." or the names of his three ships, you are in for a pleasant surprise with this well-written book on a very great man.  "Christopher Columbus : 'A Man among the Gentiles'" is a worthy addition to any library.  Kudos to Clark B. Hinckley for tackling the subject of Christopher Columbus and breathing life into the man and the times in which he lived.

Review
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Title: The Crucible of Doubt
Author: Terry Givens and Fiona Givens
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
45 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Genre: Nonfiction
Year Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 168
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN 10: 1609079426
ISBN 13: 978-1609079420
Price: $17.99

Reviewed by Lynn Parsons for the Association for Mormon Letters.

Modern life has brought with it a complex worldview. The advent of social media allows us to reinforce connections with friends and family.  However, it has also created artificial relationships cemented by the free exchange of information. Facts and information ebb and flow in a tide without the restraints of the past.

The sheer volume of worldly opinions bombards the faithful, often causing them to doubt their convictions. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and other religions are not immune to this uncertainty. The Givens have written a volume to address not only different sources of doubt, but how people can resolve their concerns.

A number of topics are discussed relating to how doubts develop and are manifested. The authors describe how logic is not always the best method of evaluating truth, the differences between a church and a religion, and the perils found in worshiping leaders. They wrap it all up with recommendations for living a dedicated life despite our doubts.

In these times of science and technology, we rely heavily on our ability to reason when seeking truth. Peer-reviewed studies and facts often form the focus of our faith. These practices create a shallowness that allows us to form surface beliefs, susceptible to change as new information becomes available. The authors note that we must learn the appropriate time to apply logic and when we need to learn to listen to our feelings. While many may teach that emotions are whimsical and unreliable, the inward impressions we experience in our spiritual journeys are expressions of the Holy Ghost confirming the reality of God and His will for us.

Confusion and doubt also persist concerning what constitutes a religion and what is a church. Religion involves action, and is a manifestation of what a person does based on his or her beliefs. The Givens identify a church as an institution with two specific purposes --  fellowship and ordinances. Churches exist to provide a community in which to worship. This association was geographical in early churches, and that has largely been lost as congregants worship where they will. The localized boundaries of the LDS Church provide unique opportunities to form ward families where service is provided, relationships forged and challenged as we learn to love God as we love each other. Churches also provide us with the opportunity to participate in ordinances such as the Sacrament. Taking part in these sacred rituals helps us realize our part in something larger than ourselves and provides hope during the darkest of times.

One area of concern for the authors is the peril of hero worship. There are those who join the LDS Church because of the charisma or example of particular members. They may later develop doubts when viewing others’ feet of clay. The Givens explain that while leaders aren’t perfect, their flaws do not diminish the truthfulness of the LDS Church or the individual’s rightness for a particular calling. God does not want us to idolize others, but to forgive their shortcomings while sustaining and upholding them.

The authors wrap up their work with a discussion of doubt and discipleship. They assert that we can learn to live with faith that has been damaged, or even absent. We can live our lives in a faithful manner by taking the higher road of committing ourselves to show what we love by spending our time and efforts in that area. If we love our neighbors, we will serve them. If we love our families, we will take the time to teach them correct principles. If we love God, we will love His Gospel and appreciate what He has provided for us.

Those who have read and been challenged by the Givens’ previous volume, “The God Who Weeps,” may feel intimidated because of the challenging nature of that material. This book is more accessible, faster to read, and easier to comprehend. While there are many points of view that may be new to even the most experienced Latter-day Saint, each is explained comprehensively in an interesting and logical way. This is not to say that this is a shallow or simple work—there is much meat here, and this volume is one I plan to return to again and again to increase my understanding.