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Out of Jerusalem #3

Towards the Promised Land

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It is time for Lehi's family to leave the place Bountiful for the Promised Land. But Nephi's older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, believe they are already living in a promised land. Why should they leave their newfound abundance? Challenged with following instructions from the Lord while keeping peace within the family, Nephi forges ahead to build a ship that can cross oceans-but storms at sea are nothing compared to the turbulent relationship between Nephi and his older brothers.--From publisher's description.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

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About the author

H.B. Moore

35 books345 followers
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than seventy publications. She writes historical novels and thrillers under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact

Blog: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com

Website: HBMoore.com

Twitter: @heatherbmoore

Instagram: @authorhbmoore

Facebook: Heather B. Moore All About Books

Literary awards: 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner

Alternate Goodreads Page: Heather B. Moore

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5 stars
156 (40%)
4 stars
166 (42%)
3 stars
58 (14%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Heather.
Author 164 books1,628 followers
November 14, 2008
This is my book--and I gave it 5 stars because of a few reasons (I know I'm not the stellar writer . . . yet).

This book wouldn't have existed had I not interviewed Book of Mormon scholars. When I found out that it would have taken Nephi 2-3 years to build the ship in Bountiful, and another 9 months to cross the ocean, I knew this would make up a volume on its own.

I consider this book as the bridge between scholarly research on the Book of Mormon lands and the average reader. Most people don't read works and essays published by FARMS or other publications--articles on smelting tools, the Nephite calendar, duties of the nomadic women, habits of camels, etc. And I didn't either until I started doing my research.

I was able to gain access to the transcripts of the documentary film "Journey of Faith" (FARMS) and added them to my research. My book had gone to press by the time the film was released. So I sat in the audience on the opening night and checked off the research details that I had covered in my book. It was important to me to get it right. Although the Out of Jerusalem series is fiction, I wanted the events that occurred in my books to be as plausible as possible.

So to pick up this book, you'll come away with greater insight of the culture and lives of Lehi and family, combined with some fun entertainment.
Profile Image for No, David! No!.
514 reviews4 followers
January 24, 2020
Similar review to the previous book in the series. I want to be surprised by something. And I want to believe that the story flows accurately.
Profile Image for Heidi.
204 reviews
February 26, 2023
I really enjoy this part of Nephi’s story. The building and sailing of the ship is such a huge part of their journey. I loved how the wickedness on board the ship was told.
Profile Image for Christina.
903 reviews
April 11, 2011
I enjoy these books - I like the characters, the plot moves along, and the information is fascinating - so I've been trying to figure out why I will read some, then put it aside and read something else for a while before I go back to it. As I was nearing the end of this book, the reason occurred to me; the story is such a downer! No matter how many times things work out, you know there is going to be more conflict within the family. No matter how many times Laman and Lemuel repent, you know they are going to get mad and try to kill Nephi again!

In spite of the mild depression I feel while reading, I recommend the books. They are well researched. In this volume, I gained greater insight into trade routes and ship building in this era of history. It's also interesting to see all the things women were traditionally expected to do. Glad I live now!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
703 reviews
March 7, 2011
I am really enjoying this series.

Heather Moore, the author said "I consider this book as the bridge between scholarly research on the Book of Mormon lands and the average reader. Most people don't read works and essays published by FARMS or other publications--articles on smelting tools, the Nephite calendar, duties of the nomadic women, habits of camels, etc. And I didn't either until I started doing my research."

She combines her research with what we know from "The Book of Mormon." Then she fills in the blanks with a fun story. I love learning about the culture and imagining what the women of "The Book of Mormon" may have been like. It makes me think about the scriptures in in new ways.
Profile Image for Idamae Wallace.
50 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2009
I absolutely loved this book series!!! It was wonderful to follow Nephi and his family through their journey to the Americas. The author used the actual story of Nephi and his family but gave their wives names and personalities. It was adventurous as the family encounters the dangers of their journey but it was also emotional to experience the family breakup and all the troubles that brought. I highly recommend this book series!
Profile Image for Andrea.
429 reviews
October 9, 2009
Love this book & love this series! It really brought the Book of Mormon to life for me. I feel like I know the people in the Book of Mormon better & I understand the culture & environment of the time much more than before.
The only problem now is remembering which parts are fiction and which parts are scriptural!
Profile Image for Andrea.
1,271 reviews44 followers
February 16, 2009
I read this yesterday-a fast and enjoyable read. It was a lot more "realistic" in my mind than some of the situations in the previous book of the series. I like how the author portrays the relationships between the characters.
Profile Image for Marj.
274 reviews4 followers
December 26, 2023
Book 3, Lehi and his family, traveling in the boat that Nephi built, begin their journey to "the promised land".

Probably the most challenging read of the four books, this one had all the drama of Laman and Lemuel and their murmurings, tauntings, and violence toward Nephi. The parallel chapters in The Book of Mormon were tame in comparison to Moore's historical fiction.

...on to the last book in the series...
Profile Image for Louise Pledge.
1,292 reviews28 followers
April 11, 2024
Words cannot express how much I loved reading this book for the second time. I just wish that someone would make a movie from this series of fictionalized scriptures. The four go into more detail than we read in the Book of Mormon as to how Lehi and Nephi were directed by God to go and find the Promised Land. Such an entertaining way to study the scriptures, while your mind is filling in the blanks. Thank you, thank you, thank you, H.B. Moore!
Profile Image for Kathy .
1,308 reviews4 followers
June 4, 2024
marvelous

I love how Moore brings the Book of Mormon to life. Based on scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ plus historical and archaeological evidence, this is a tale that captures the imagination. A story of adventure, hardship, endurance, and most importantly- faith. It truly is an exceptional story.
34 reviews
January 12, 2026
Thrilling

It was very interesting with exciting, stressful parts. I also enjoyed the, insightful, and personal, relationships. running into others or seen possible destinations in between where they refilled their water and food supplies was very interesting.
786 reviews6 followers
December 27, 2020
This volume is about the time in Bountiful, building of the ship and their nautical your journey
112 reviews
January 7, 2021
Excellent

I have greatly appreciated this series. Very well researched and written. I enjoy all of H. B. Moores books. They bring scripture to life.
Profile Image for Daryl.
326 reviews
April 26, 2021
Feels like I'm right there with Lehi and his family. That's a good thing, if you were wondering.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,890 reviews45 followers
May 27, 2024
I enjoyed this story.

Content: clean - mild violence
Profile Image for Angieluila Bradley.
331 reviews
December 30, 2020
Oh my goodness I don't know whether to hate it because it goes off in left field or love it because it adds a bit of excitement. The author took a few liberties with this one that is for sure.
850 reviews
January 6, 2015
“Towards the Promised Land” is #3 in the “Out of Jerusalem” series. It continues the journey of Lehi and his family, this time as they build a ship and embark on the voyage to the Promised Land. This section parallels the scriptures found in 1Nephi 17:7-18:23. For those who are familiar with the Book of Mormon story, (which I am) it is most interesting. I especially like this series because I get to be an invisible participant in the lives of an ancient family that faces important historical and spiritual challenges.

I like learning and experiencing the culture, traditions and history of a people that I can only imagine in an age and land far from my knowledge. Religious details and Mosaic laws are explained so I better understand Lehi and Nephi’s incredible faith, and why their journey was so important. I can only add that I’m glad I am part of modern time, and not experiencing the ancient challenges that they faced, not to mention enduring a lengthy sea voyage, which did not seem fun!

I am enjoying this series and especially appreciate the documentation and details in the back of the book. I read a chapter, read the corresponding documentation, then read the corresponding Book of Mormon sections. Also appreciated is the map on the inside cover which gives the most likely path they traveled and sailed.
I shall now read the forth and final installment of Lehi’s family in the Promised Land.
Profile Image for ~Bellegirl91~.
886 reviews94 followers
February 5, 2024
Although we don't really know what exactly happened in between Nephi and his family building the ship and their journey except for his older brothers tying him up to the mast and the major storm happening for a few days until his brothers loosed him, this was VERY well written and as usual I loved this one!

I feel like I'm a part of the family and traveling with them after knowing these stories since I was a little girl. These stories truly come to life for me and now when I read even a portion of the Book of Mormon now I feel I'm actually there with these amazing men and the people and can picture what they see now. Such a good series and sad it's ending after four books.
Profile Image for Nathalie.
1,093 reviews11 followers
July 21, 2013
In this third part of the Out of Jerusalem series, Lehi and his family finally reach Bountiful after their harrowing journey through the desert. They enjoy resting their bodies and souls in the lush and appropriately named bountiful sea-side area. Neighboring tribes are friendly for once and some of the family feel that THIS is the promised land at last. But of course, Nephi gets the revelation that he is to build a ship to sail to the real promised land. H. B. Moore is once more a master story teller as she fills in possible day to day realistic details about life in that time period. The drama of the crossing to the Promised Land had me hanging on to every word. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Doree Burt.
163 reviews13 followers
January 17, 2010
I am making myself finish this book, but I am loathing it. It's the book club choice for the month and we are meeting at my house, so I feel obligated. How do books like this get published?!? Update--I finished it. Horrid dialog, absurd plotting, superficial and shallow characters. Here's an idea--read the real Book of Mormon if you want to know it's contents and the stories therein. But if you want to feel sacrilegious and experience false-doctrine and salacious relationships, by all means, read Out of Jerusalem.
Profile Image for Robyn.
313 reviews
November 4, 2012
I have LOVED reading by this author--her vision and research of the possible day to day living of those who lived in the Americas 500 BC. It has really made the people in the Book of Mormon come to life, given me an idea of the hardships of their lives, yet also, illustrated that they experienced things we do today: falling in love, frustration over others' behavior, harshness of trials, seeing God's miracles. I plan to read all of her books! (She was in Jerusalem with me in 1988 and her father was one of our professors--lucky gal!)
Profile Image for Apzmarshl.
1,863 reviews32 followers
April 22, 2013
Nephi builds the ship. The family travels to the promised land. I can tell a ton of research went in to this. I loved that I could tell Moore knew what she was talking about.
Although well written, I hated the feeling of entrapment that came from them being stuck on the ship! I was so happy when they landed!
Profile Image for Netta.
1,011 reviews14 followers
January 15, 2016
This one was rather long. Meaning that the story dragged on. It was tedious but also interesting and exciting in some places. I love the stories of Nephi and his family. I also enjoyed the love relationship between Isaabell and Nephi and Dinah and Tiars even after they fought so many times. I just love it so much!
Profile Image for Audrey.
17 reviews
May 13, 2008
I really enjoyed this series! I found all four of the books in the series rivetting! I was obsessed about getting them read, and finished them in 5 days.
These books are based on the story of Lehi and Nephi and their family's journey through the wilderness to the promised land.
A great read!
Profile Image for Michele Nell.
135 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2008
Good information on what might have happened aboard the ship built by Nephi and his family. I had never thought about them stopping in the polynesian islands and I thought that this was a good "twist" to the story and very realistic.
Profile Image for Janet Wilcox.
208 reviews11 followers
August 15, 2011
I tried this series once before and didn't quite get hooked, so jumped up to #3. I really enjoyed this, and how life like the whining and animosity of Nephi's older brothers was. Enjoyed it very much.
Profile Image for Elaine.
435 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2013
I continue to love the information shared by the author about the times, the region, the possibilities, but mostly the Spirit and understanding of the need to be true to our covenants and obey the commandments. There are such consequences if we do not.
48 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2013
A very well researched fictional book based upon the story of Lehi and Nephi and their families in the Book of Mormon. Excellent research and writing with research notes on the back. All four volumes had a profound and enlightening effect upon me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews