Come unto Me (Volume 2 of the Kingdom and the Crown series) by Gerald N. Lund

 The plot thickens in Volume 2 and resolves a lot of the issues that were pending in Volume 1. I enjoyed watching how the strategic Simeon was able to outwit the thieving robber's band. The military maneuvers got too complicated and I frequently got lost in the detail, but I read on and was able to grasp the outcomes easily.

Much of this volume happens in Rome, at least the second half of the story. Miriam is in Rome with her father, and as she experiences Rome and its striking culture, in contrast to her own Jewish culture, we are captivated right along with her. It really made me want to remember my Western Civilization history and to put some of the pieces together. There is so much to this culture and I am pretty ignorant of it at this point in my life! I'm motivated to explore more of that.

Now that we're at the end of Volume 2, and the robber band has been dealt with, we are left with Miriam and Simeon (and the former slaves Livia and Drusus) traveling back to Israel from Rome. 

Christ is teaching, and David's (Simeon's father) family frequently discusses his parables and other teaching. We see the famous biblical stories played out and we hear what the people are asking and wondering. There are some very enlightening discussions about what these parables actually mean, They often deal with difficult issues and paradoxes, and as the family members wrestle with their meaning, we are enlightened by their interpretations.

One thing that I especially liked was Simeon's friend noticing how much he was impressed by Jesus' miracles. And what about his teaching? It's a good reminder about how faith is built--not by miracles, but by trying out the ideas and living them.. There are many discussions about the violence proposed by the Zealots in contrast to Jesus' peaceful teachings... many contradictory moments that the author deals with beautifully, I think that was the part I appreciated the most about this book. Despite the characters' superficiality and lack of development. I could still appreciate their interpretation of Christ's doctrine. Now it's on to Volume 3!

Fishers of Men (Volume 1 of the Kingdom and the Crown series) by Gerald N. Lund

 I read this volume several years ago, and I remember liking it, but not enough to continue the series. However, our Stonebridge Ward Relief Society is reading this series this summer, so I decided to give it another try, and this time to read all three volumes. It felt like a good thing, especially when I found all three books at Deseret Industries for a dollar or two each! Woohoo!

As before, I found Lund's characters rather superficial and either good or evil, without a lot of nuance. And there's a certain tone that Lund has, as I remember, from his Work and the Glory series that is a little pedantic, a little ueber-righteous. And this book has the same tone. However, he is a good story weaver, and I began to care about the characters despite their flatness. 

I also kept reminiscing about my time in Israel and tried to remember the places that come up and are described. Unfortunately, my memories are fleeting and flashing. Not much detail. Still, it's fun to remember what I can...For example, I still remember Ceasarea as a beautiful coastal city, and part of the story takes place there.

Jesus is introduced, as are his apostles, and their relationships and personalities give context to his life and teaching. It's speculative, this context, but Lund does an excellent job in citing his sources and making clear what is historical and documented vs. his imagination. His notes at the end of each chapter help clarify this as well. So along the way of reading this story, you learn a lot about the culture of the time...what they were eating, how they slept, what they were talking about. This is an enjoyable way for me to learn history!

I'm also making connections to "the Chosen" video series which is SO EXCELLENT! The two genres have similar goals, and kind of reinforce each other. 

This volume ends with a skirmish between Roman soldiers, Zealot warriors, and a band of thieves. It helps give context to the varying groups vying for power in Israel during Christ's time. What made me anxious to get on to Volume 2 was to find out how the Zealot leader, Simeon, is able to overcome this terrible loss, and what happens to the Great Council leader's daughter, Miriam, who gives away part of the secret plans. These characters and their families are interesting and their relationships and conversions and rebellions are good at moving the story along. 

In the Hands of the Lord - The Life of Dallin H. Oaks by Richard E. Turley

 Len surprised me with this book, and I was annoyed. He insists of buying me books that I don't like, but that HE thinks I SHOULD read, To be honest, he also buys me books that he thinks I would like, but anyway... After my initial reluctance, I decided to be less of a brat and at least give it a try. Len knows I used to consider President Oaks too strict and serious, but that my opinion of him has softened lately. So, I was ready to enter this biography with a positive mindset.

I found his story interesting and compelling. He has led a fascinating, hard-working, and consecrated life. I didn't know how brilliant he is...the way he studied as a teen to pass his radio engineer license and how that dedication led to jobs that helped him through high school and college. He didn't serve a mission; the Korean war interrupted that plan. He worked hard and studied hard and succeeded splendidly at almost everything he undertook, from law school to BYU president. It was interesting to read about the trajectory of his career, much like I enjoyed President Nelson's history in medicine. 

The author, Richard Turley, writes very directly and simply, and isn't afraid to praise and recount quite often the characteristics that led to President Oaks' success. It can be a little tiresome, but it isn't unearned. I LOVED Elder Maxwell's biography so much because his love shone through, and there was a lot of doctrinal development and church history woven in. This biography doesn't do that at all; it's more pedantic and simple. Still, there's lots of admire here, in the way President Oaks lives his life. 

One hammer that Turley continually hits, at every stage of President Oaks' life, is how stretched and busy and overwhelmed he is. No down time. Ever! Lots and lots of hours are needed to succeed in his challening professional and then ecumenical responsibilities. It gets tiring to read about. If it's true (and I assume it is), then he is some sort of superman and must exist on very little sleep! So when I got to the chapters about his marriage and family life, I wondered how he had fit any of that in. It sounds like his first wife, June, was the responsible parent. There are quotes from his children that indicate they have good memories, but there can't be too many of them considering the schedule he has kept over his lifetime. 

I thought it was interesting that he disliked administration and was eager to move on from being president of BYU. And that he was interested in being on the Supreme Court...It gives more dimension to him. I also enjoyed the story of his meeting and courtship of his second wife, Kristen. It shows how tricky it would be to meet and date women as a General Authority, and it sounds like he did it right! The Lord blessed him with only having to meet ONE prospect because she worked out so beautifully. I liked the part of the book, too, where Turley describes their two years in the Philippines and what they were able accomplish there. Apparently the church was struggling there, with lots of converts, but few retentions. They shored up the local wards and branches and closed outlying ones and focused on strengths. I didn't really understand before reading this book what the purpose of his time there had been. It sounds like he can take any hard situation and turn it around. 

I also liked seeing the development of his life over time. I liked how each step prepared him for the next; and the hard things helped him hone his intellectual gifts. It was good to read about and see how God prepared him for the present era...and there's more to come!