Swept up in the drama of an infant Church expanding westward into Ohio and Missouri, the fictional Steed family members become eyewitnesses to mira...
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reviews
Jul 29, 2011
Allyson
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I was somewhat resistant to the idea of reading these books - I didn't take the time to really see what they were all about, I just assumed that since they seemed so 'trendy' at the time, they would probably be 'light' reading or even 'corny.' I was SO wrong... and I'm SO glad that I realized that if my mom was enjoying them so much and recommending them to me, they must be worthwhile.
This series, along with the Kent Family Chronicles (by John Jakes, about the United States), made me More...
This series, along with the Kent Family Chronicles (by John Jakes, about the United States), made me More...
Feb 14, 2011
Heidi
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I'm not in love with the series, but I am in love with reading A series--if that makes sense. I'm hooked enough that I know I will keep reading. But I wish I could have the time and mental energy to read the print because the narrator is really annoying me. But as I probably wouldn't plow through a print as I am with the audio, either, I'll stick with his irksome voices and odd pronunciations.
I'm "eh" with the writing style. So many of the historical stories he is telling More...
I'm "eh" with the writing style. So many of the historical stories he is telling More...
Jul 23, 2010
Courtney
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Such a heartbreaking time in church history--I felt heavy in my soul and had to go read some scriptures after some of the chapters on persecution in Independence, MO. But this volume also contains some of the most glorious accounts of spiritual manifestation in church history, so it is faithbuilding even if sad at times. This particular volume is interesting to me because it covers much of the Kirtland period, the place where I'm living. These books would be a great supplement to anybody visi
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Jun 08, 2011
Christine
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Wow, again. I couldn't put this book down until I finished. I stayed up late last night and only slept because I finally had to. I loved how Lund told of Zion's camp, that part was really interesting. I also enjoyed his description of the day the Kirtland temple was dedicated. It saddened me to read when the saints were abused so much in Missouri. They went through so much and most of them stayed strong in their faith. That's always been amazing to me. I have really loved hearing how the Steed f
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Oct 27, 2011
05mckenna
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Work and the Glory: Like a Fire is Burning.
This is the second book in the Work and the Glory books.
It is about Nathan and Lydia and there life and moving to Kirtland and having kids. Joshua and Jessica and trying to have kids and he is mean to her. Ben and Mary Ann move to Kirtland and they help built the temple Joseph is told to make.
I really enjoyed this book it was really good. I like it because I really like the first one, so it is like it and follows along with it. More...
This is the second book in the Work and the Glory books.
It is about Nathan and Lydia and there life and moving to Kirtland and having kids. Joshua and Jessica and trying to have kids and he is mean to her. Ben and Mary Ann move to Kirtland and they help built the temple Joseph is told to make.
I really enjoyed this book it was really good. I like it because I really like the first one, so it is like it and follows along with it. More...
Jul 14, 2010
Anna
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Lund's writing has definitely improved by this book, although I'm still not crazy about it. I also don't really care for many of the characters, even the ones I'm supposed to like. Also, the passage of time goes way too fast, at least for me anyway. I kept feeling like I was missing things. For example, since we were hardly given any details about Melissa and Carl's courtship, I felt like she was marrying a total stranger. On the other hand, I did like Lund's inclusion of letters and journal ent
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Dec 17, 2011
Maggie
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Okay. Here is volume two of my favorite book series, The Work and the Glory. I really liked this book. But I have one major problem with it. I felt like it went too fast. I didn't get a chance to know the newer characters, and I didn't get to know Carl at all. But we'll get to him in a minute. I loved it. Sigh. I really did. It was great for me to learn more about this period in church history-the golden days of Kirtland, when the church expanded from New York. I still love Nathan and Lydia (sig
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May 12, 2010
Justin
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I got about half-way through this book and I just couldn't handle it anymore. The writing is unbelievably dry and the characters are so two-dimensional that you lose all interest in them, they're nothing more than a way to try and force LDS "history" down your throat. If you want to, or feel that you should, learn about LDS history, go read some of the wonderful first-hand accounts - you'll find that the reality is far more entertaining than this fiction.
Mar 04, 2011
Debbie
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I was able to force myself to read through the first 6 books, the original length of the set. There were only 2 interesting characters - Will and Joshua. Everyone else was cardboard, two dimensional and entirely predictable. Very interesting to those who love reading about the early days of the Mormon Church and some of the harrowing events that happened to them as long as you don't care about characterizations or plot lines.
Apr 25, 2010
Tanya
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Same review for all nine books (which I read in the years 1999 and 2000). I really enjoyed this series of historical fiction which tells the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The author does a great job of creating a fictional family who knows everyone. This allows the history to be told in a way that can be more interesting than a history book, while preserving historical information.
Sep 13, 2010
Carrie
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 30, 2008
Deanna
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Gerald Lund does a wonderful job of researching Church history and remaining faithful to the events that happened -- but his cliches and repetitive dialogue, unbelievable characters, and storylines that bog down in too many characters made finishing the series a teeth-gritting chore. But the three stars are for all I learned -- it was maybe worth it.
Apr 16, 2009
Rachel
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I liked the first book a little better because this one gets a bit bogged down with details of church history. I still loved it though. It is really horrible what the early saints had to endure. I love how the author includes so many little stories of miracles that happened during this time in church history.
Jul 23, 2008
Cordell
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This entire series is wonderful. It takes a fictional family and places them in the middle of the story of the Mormons (the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and moves them through the early history of the LDS Church tell the story of the growth of the church as well as the growth of the Steed Family. I learned a lot and it put a lot of things into context for me as well. For example after reading several books one of the members of the Steed Family who was Wealthy bought a new and wo
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Mar 09, 2011
Julie
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I started and got halfway through this book about four or five times before finally choosing by will alone to finish it. I only ever did finish because people kept telling me it gets better as you go on in the series. I never had any desire to read number 3 when finishing this one.
Sep 29, 2009
Melanie
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I liked this book because I got to "learn" the history of the early saints in a real people context. It's not every time I read a book for leisure that I feel the Spirit testifying the truthfulness of certain things. However, the interactions between the characters are so hokey. It's hard for me to swallow, much less believe. I know Lund can write better than this. I am now eager to read something totally different.
Nov 27, 2010
Rick
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Lund's writing is improved from the first book. The characters have more depth in this book and the book effectively includes events that happened in different places in the history of the church (which is hard to do). It's a good filler read between 'heavier' books.
Aug 15, 2009
Laura
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I read this when I was a teen; I just re-read it recently... I remember liking them a lot more as a teenager. The history is good to read and very educational, but the story of the family... Some of the love stories are too cheesy for me.
May 22, 2009
Sierra
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While reading this book my testimony of Joseph Smith grew so much. Rather than reading about him in history books or in church, this book put me in history and put me in the lives of people I could relate to. Loved it!
Jan 29, 2009
Nicole
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IT's hard to review these books because I am not LDS but I do think that the storys told are well written and there is alot of drama in this one. Wars and more violence and familys being affected.
Jun 08, 2010
Ranee
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I loved this book! It's a great continuation of the first volume. I love seeing the transformations that occur in people as the gospel continues to touch their lives.
Feb 11, 2009
I was skeptical at first, because Im really not into historic books, but I fell in love with these quickly and read the entire set in a matter of a few weeks.
Jan 22, 2009
Susan
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I read the whole series and loved it. A good way to get some Church history. I saw all 3 movies, but of course the books are way better.
Feb 09, 2011
Odetta
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This was a hard decision, 2 stars or 3. I didn't like the killing & I didn't like the way they treated the women, but I did like learning more about the early history of the church.
Dec 27, 2010
Emily
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I am just really loving these books!!!! They are my favorite series I have ever read! I do not think that will ever change, but it might.
May 03, 2009
Jake
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Not sure how I had missed this one for so long. I really liked this one. Great mix of a page turning novel and historical reality.
Feb 22, 2009
Melissa
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Vol. 2 in this massive series... such a great way to learn about church history through fictional characters. Love love it!
Nov 19, 2010
Audri
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WOW, just wow!!!! There was so much in this book that I wasn't even aware of before. It contained a lot of the events that took place in that time. It really is a wonderful read, if you go and read it you will know what I mean. Enjoy!
Oct 28, 2009
Angie
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This book is not as good as the first one. It is a little slower and in parts kind of drags
Jan 11, 2010
Mark
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Great characters, good adventure, blended with historical facts. Awesome LDS fiction.
