I can not believe the wonderful things that Gerald N. Lund can do! The more I read this book, the more I could not put it down and even more important, the more I LEARNED about Christ and Judaism. I have read several of Mr. Lund's books and he has opened more doors for me with each and every book. I can't wait for the rest of the series just so I can read them all again. I highly recommend this book to whomever has wondered how a small Jewish baby born to become the Lord and Savior of the world, grow to fulfill that prophesy, and began Christianity. I guarantee it will make you want to read it over and over again to make sure you didn't miss anything.

Gerald Lund is such an excellent author. This is the second book in the new series The Kindom and the Crown. This book picks up where Fisher's of Men left off, and is just incredible. Although there isn't as much about Christ in this book, he really draws you into the fictional characters and creates a wonderful story line. I can't wait for the third book to come out!

Yes I grew up going to church hearing and learning all of the stories. You can only get so close to these stories. I did not live in the time of Jesus' ministry, so imagine how amazing it would be to actually experience the culture, the Sermon on the Mount. What Gerald Lund does is he takes history and throws in a family or two to experience the situations. In the front and back there are drawings of what the actual cities would have looked like back then. At the end of each chapter there is a brief explanation of what was the authors' rendition and what is actual facts and where you can find them. I learned so much about the different cultures. This series brought me closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. And has changed the way I think about most things.

I had the privilege of meeting the author and hearing him speak. Although he is a learned man, he is also very humble and genuine. I had the chance to thank him for writing this series and his answer was that it held a special place in his heart also.

Geruld N. Lund makes his point very obvious in this book. Our Government should not be messed with. The way he depicts the significance of the US Constitution is amazing. He really shows just how America could be without our Constitution and how the Constitution should not be messed with. This book is a must read. When you finish this book, you'll look at our country and our Constitution a lot differently. You will see just how thankful you should be for it.

Hey Everyone! This is an awesome book. I read it whe I was 12 and I couldn't put it down. It really makes you understand church history.

This book would have been great, i'm sure, if i had read it. I've been stuck on every book i've read the gerald lund has written (except for one, but that's because it was about something i'm not all that interested in). Anyways, whoever is reading this should read is bestselling searies, the work and the glory. they're really good. that's all i have to say about that.

This collection of three adventure novels includes "One In Thine Hand", "The Alliance", and "Leverage Point". These are three of my favorite books.
The first book is the story of a returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS)that goes to Israel after a tour in Vietnam and meets a Jewish girl. He also meets a Palestinian on the plane who has converted to the LDS faith. It has great explanations of the differences in the three religions and cultures and an exquisite example of why Christ, the Son of God, had to descend below all things while he himself was free of sin, something very incompressible to the Jewish characters.
The second book is a science fiction story of survivors of a nuclear war. One group is led by a scientist who implants the members of his community with emotion controls so that they may not get angry and therefore can never commit the acts that resulted in the destruction of civilization. It explores the importance of free agency and the results when it is taken away.
The last book tells of an LDS professor who is chosen by a very successful businessman to help in negotiations of an arms deal with Saudi Arabia and the efforts of Israel to thwart the deal. It explores the "third alternative" to resolve difficult situations while remaining true to one's faith and ideals. It also has the characters take a hard look at priorities...family and business responsibilities.
These are excellent books with lots of "meat" to them. They are currently out of print so I was lucky to obtain a used copy at a great price after giving my copy to a friend. Now that Gerald N. Lund has become a General Authority of the LDS Church perhaps Deseret Book will consider re-releasing them. I really hope so!!!

I've enjoyed reading Gerald Lund's The Work and the Glory series. Having just finished All is Well (Volume 9), I now know more about LDS Church history and I've come to better appreciate the sacrifices that my ancestors made for their faith and beliefs. As a member of the LDS Church and as a history buff, I believe that The Work and the Glory series is a valuable means by which one can learn more about Church history.

All is Well (Volume 9) deals with the initial migration of the Sainits to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. I knew very little about the details of this historic event until I read this book. For instance, I didn't know that the number of Saints making the initial entrance into the Salt Lake Valley was so few in number. I also knew little about the Mormon Battalion and the Donner-Reed party's disaster. Because of this book, I now feel compelled to learn more about the West's rich history, in addition to the history of early Mormon Utah.

I agree with other reviews that The Work and the Glory series lacks a certain authentic element. In a way, the characters seem to be modern LDS Church members transported back in time. And I think Lund could have made more of an effort to make the characters not come across so perfect. However, I do understand that the context in which Lund wrote these books is one that is faith promoting, and I have no problem with that.

I'm an aspiring writer, and have wondered how to bring my religious beliefs into my writing, yet keep my own style. Gerald Lund has succeeded in this challenge admirably. He has preserved the historical context of the early Church, yet has created a personal aspect that could make any artist cry. Joshua's personal trials and growth kept my continual sympathy, and I smiled to read of the simple family joys of the Steeds. The sorrows were there too, and the shattering conflicts--the deaths, poverty, and sickness of the most-loved characters, and their sympathy with actual historical figures. I also admired this author's ability to insert fictional characters into real events with minimal interference, adhering closely to all known occurences and headcounts. I, along with others, am sometimes disappointed by the Steeds' role on the sidelines, but so many other families--like my own large collection of LDS ancesters--were little-mentioned in the records we have, out of the many who traveled west with and after Brigham Young. I appreciate that the author lets us know when he changes anything, and even gives his sources. These books are truly a work of art, simply good to read for members and nonmembers. I'm sad they're over, but will always say to the author, well done!

Hi, I am 13 yrs. old. The work and the Glory series are the best books in the world. I have read them all atleast 4 times each. Once o got out of 5th grade, i was what, 11 yr old, I took them off our self and read them and have read all of them in 3 weeks!
These series are not only wrote by one of the Quorum of the Seventy, but beats Harry Potter, And Lord of the Rings.
This Series are about a family living in Pennsayaia, Just a little after Joseph Smith has recievced a vision on hill cumorah, and is four years of learning are nearing to an end.
Any way, the family listens to Joseph and 1 member hates him and turns, well, goes really bad. 1 doesn't hate him but won't let his family talk about it, and the rest find it to be true. This series goesthrough the period of time from a little before the Book of Mormon is published, through Joseph Smith Marytr, and ends were The Family enter the Salt Lake valley and is starting to settle there. This book is so detailed, it's like you are actually there in the story wacthing all these people get, what the word? Suffer through the trial the mormon has face, but you can't do anything about it. You see the Hauns Mill Incedant, Joseph Get killed, The suffers and pains Emma smith goes through. Gerald N. Lund has made the History of the Latter Day Saints come to life in these 9 books. I think he sould be awarded for the best author of the year! Not to be mean, Yea, Harry Potter is Cool, Lord Of the Rings shows Courage, But there is no book That is Like this, with the Exception of the scriptures. Go and get yourself lost during where the church is brought back to the earth. And this book is not just for grown up, and members. This book is for every one no matter what age, It is like a story. A really good story. I just can't stop saying things about it

Summary:
Brad Kennison has just returned from Viet Nam. Before that he served a mission for the Mormon Church. Now, at 24, he isn't sure what he wants to do with his life. Feeling like he needs to get away from Utah, he takes the money he saved up while in the service and heads to Israel - he doesn't know why nor does he know what he is looking for, but Israel is where he feels drawn to. On the way he becomes acquainted with a newly converted Mormon, Ali, who is from Jerusalem, was [type of religion], but was converted to Mormonism while studying in the U.S. Brad and Ali become good friends and Ali helps him get situated in Jerusalem. Brad didn't really have any plans, but hoped to stay in Israel for a couple of months and hopefully find a job.

With Ali's help, Brad is introduced to Levi Shadmi, who owns and runs a hotel. But the person that is really relevant to the story is Levi's daughter, Miri (short for Miriam). Miri is a fireball and ardent Israeli ... Miri and Brad start out as arch enemies, but as they get to know each other better their relationship becomes romantic and they fall deeply into love. But, there is a major problem - Miri is [type of religion] and Brad is Mormon. Both religions look down upon marrying someone outside of the faith, so Miri and Brad have to work that out before their relationship can move ahead.

My Comments:
I gave the book two stars for being fairly well-written and accurately portraying a Mormon mentality. Though I am no expert on the Middle East, it appears that Gerald Lund does have some knowledge of Israel and uses it throughout the novel to good effect. The story itself isn't too bad, though there are some pretty incredulous occurrences (specifically the Rambo-esque scene when Brad, Miri, Nathan, Sarah, and Ali break out of an Egyptian military camp). For the most part, the book makes sense.

As for the drawbacks... Well, the first is the actual premise - that Brad was guided to Israel to find Miri specifically. In a sense, that philosophy does represent the beliefs of some Mormons (among other religious groups) that there is one person that we are destined to find and marry, but, since I no longer believe it, it's kind of a silly plot device. Also, the book is subtly laced with Mormon patriarchal/traditional gender ideology. Especially when Miri pretty much gives up her life, her religion, her family, and her homeland to become a Mormon ... stationed in Salt Lake; feminists would have a heyday with this novel.

But the major criticism I have of the novel is that it is written from a 'Mormons are right' perspective. Though I think Lund is trying to capture the idea that Mormons consider marrying outside of the Church, in the end, Brad would rather give up what could potentially be a wonderful relationship for religion. There are multiple problems with this (perhaps not with the story but with that mentality). First, why does the [type of religion] have to give up her religion to pacify the Mormon? Why can't it be the other way around? Or, why don't they just love each other and continue to believe what they believe? Of course, Lund would argue that both religions, being as exclusive as they are, would punish such an arrangement. He is right, but that leads to my next point - the divisiveness of religion. Throughout the book, whether intentional or not, Lund continuously illustrates how divisive religion can be. Ironically, he portrays Mormonism as being as divisive as say, Judaism and [type of relgion], but the point is that religion is still problem causing. And the last point concerning the 'Mormons are right' perspective is that, though Lund does an accurate job of portraying the Mormon perspective, I don't really know enough about Jews or Muslims to know if he is accurately portraying their perspectives - but I have a sneaking suspicion that he is not. What's more, because Mormonism tends to be as exclusive as it is, Mormons that read this book may actually think that all Jews and Muslims think the way they do in the book and, of course, that they will all eventually convert to Mormonism. Well, in case anyone reading this thinks that way, the chances of all Jews and Muslims converting to Mormonism is between pretty slim and none.

Overall, though the book is interesting, unless you are Mormon, it will leave a nasty after taste - the religious idea that only Mormons are right and everyone else is wrong and must eventually convert. Perhaps the book does some good for Mormons by helping them begin to see other perspectives, but ultimately, the book just argues that the other perspectives are wrong. If you're Mormon, you'll probably enjoy it. If not, well, read it at your own risk.

Gerald Lund has produced a book that looks into three distinct religions, Judaism, Islam and Mormonism and surprisingly, brings them all together in a way that will do nothing but help one procure love for their fellow men. The main character, Brad Kennison, comes to Jerusalem following the Vietnam War hoping to find some meaning and direction in his life. Through his friendship with Ali, the friendly and proud Arab to his love-hate realtionship with Miriam, the shopkeeper's spitfire daughter, Brad finds a lot more than expected and learns lessons about life and religion that change his life...and will change yours as well.