IN SUPPORT OF COLUMBUS

One lesson I've taken away from my historical research is this: we should judge people within the context of their own time. Columbus, the Founding Fathers, and other great innovators of the past are victims of the same curse--having a magnifying glass held up to their errors, their flaws, while blinders obscure their vast, world-defining accomplishments.

Columbus is in the cross-hairs of public opinion--a man even kindergartners are being taught to dislike and revile.
Take, for example, a recent headline for an article about Christopher Columbus: "Kids Study the Dark Side of Columbus. " Wow. It's a far cry from my grade school days when each classroom had a portrait of Washington, Lincoln and Columbus hanging right up front.

Few regard the vision behind these giants without measuring them against today's social sensitivities, in which case they fall short and are damned. Columbus's noble personal motivations for his voyage are all but lost these days. It's sadly true that like so many European explorers, Columbus's party unknowingly carried germs for which the indigenous peoples had no resistance, tragically spreading diseases that killed many. But in the court of current opinion on the Great Columbus, the explorer is treated as if he had come with full knowledge of what that first contact would bring, reducing his accomplishments to mere footnotes in our day.

They same is true of most innovators throughout history. If we hold these historical figures to today's morays, and judge their actions against today's wisdom and understanding, we will reduce most, if not all, of our historical giants to erred mortals at best, and in some cases, miscreants. And that's exactly what's happening today in classrooms and newsrooms across America.

Most bold actions have negative repercussions. Today we have the means to predict, study, and measure those outcomes before we make a move, and bad things can and do still occur. In 1492, Columbus's day, just pulling up anchor was a life-or-death proposition, and leaving your safe harbor was barely more than a coin toss as to whether or not you'd reach your destination. There was no NIH group to forewarn about the medical risks of mingling with indigenous peoples; no UN to set protocols for that first meeting of nations; yet today's textbooks paint Columbus as if he were a premeditated agent of medical and social genocide.

At this pace, there may be no future generations that will study this great explorer in a positive light--as a brave visionary who sided with scientists against the narrow-minded thinking of the general populace who argued the flat-earth belief; or as the explorer who connected east and west, setting the pace for the colonization of the Americas. Can we not mourn the casualties cut down by the ignorance of the times while still honoring those who pushed the envelope of knowledge that would eventually alleviate such suffering?

It appears not in today's finger-pointing. Today, the enlightened thing . . . the politically-correct thing to do is to tear away at our heroes, our founders, our giants. Instead of embracing the good, we scrutinize for flaws. Instead of celebrating the triumphs of the past, we attempt to incriminate them for the woes of today. And when they are all gone, what will we offer in their place?

Allow me to run counter to current culture and celebrate some fascinating information about Christopher Columbus--to again see him the way we once did when we were young, when names like the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria rolled off our tongues like magic words.

*Christopher Columbus was an anglicized version of his Genoan name, Christoffa Corumbo. In Spanish, his name as Cristobal Columbo.

* He was a missionary and a visionary man, literally, who believed he had received a call from God through the Holy Spirit to bring witness of the Christ to those who had not yet heard of Him. This was the underlying motivation for his exploration--to spread the Gospel of Christ.

* His 'Libro de las profecias', was a book of apocalyptic prophecies he experienced and recorded. Many of them detailed some of the circumstances that would need to occur on the earth before the Second Coming of Christ. They included: 1) The doctrines of Christ would need to be spread throughout the world 2. A final, great battle would reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims. 3) Christ will return to Jerusalem, 4) A great leader will rise and come to the forefront. And many others.

* The impact of his contact with the native peoples of Hispaniola was so significant that periods of historical time bear his name--the Columbian period, the pre-Columbian period. . .

* A major world capital was named after him to celebrate the 300th anniversary of his voyage to the Americas--The District of Columbia.

So happy Columbus Day! And may we pass the legacy on. . .

WHY WE WRITE

I love discovering what motivated an author's decision to pick up that pen or strike that first keystroke to begin their first book. For Anna Del C. Dye, writing children's fantasies restores part of her own lost childhood, and hopefully enhances those of a growing generation. I'll let her explain in her own words.

Anna Del C. Dye:
My life started on a September spring morning in South America. I was born exactly fifteen minutes after my non-identical twin sister. Life was happy enough for my siblings and I until one day, right before my sixth birthday, my mother left in an ambulance and never came back home. I grew up with my four siblings and my father who never re-married. He has been a hard man to please and love, for as long as I can remember.

I graduated from high school and became a professional seamstress. I love to sew and it was obvious that I had a knack for needles and patterns. I had learned how to create and alter patterns, how to do beadwork and tailoring. This has given me the opportunity to help with the cast of four theater productions and I love every second of it.

Though reading was not very tolerated in my home, my father would bring home some books and we devoured them. In them, we were introduced to imaginary places that no one could take away from us.

At nineteen I met my husband a native from Idaho. He brought me to the States and introduced me to his large family. Every one of them accepted me, and soon his mother took me under her wing. I did not speak any English then and life was interesting at times, especially trying to plan a wedding in a tradition that was unknown to me. Still everything was perfect. Well… as perfect as it could be with two weeks to have it all done.

About a year later our first son was born. Right before he turned one, we returned to my country where our second son and our only daughter were born. We returned to the U.S. when it was time for our oldest son to start pre-kinder. It was at this time that I fully learned English and how to drive, because the kids needed to get to school. My husband went back to the University full-time and graduated two and a half years later, in accounting.

It was about this time that Hardy boys and Nancy Drew become my favorite books and I built my own collection. It helped me greatly with my English and the love for books. I had always had a good imagination and my husband has asked many times to write books for children, but I did not felt secure enough and put it off.

We soon bought our home and started to do foster care. We wanted to adopt more children. One day, a little boy came to our lives and we loved him so.

I write fantasy because life is too real and serious already. Our imagination is the limit and living the life of one of the characters in a book, is a great therapy. It usually motivates us to try things that we may not do other wise. To have the guts to stand up to what is right and to make wise choices in our own real lives. Most of all… that this is a great way to teach a mass of young adults in a fun way that we do have choices in our lives, no matter where we start. We can be born in the humblest of circumstances and rise above all. No one can take away from us our minds, our imagination, our integrity, nor our resilience. Is when we give up, that we tell other that they can live our lives for us. For as long as it is a book to be read and something to be learn, no one can stop us from doing so. The moon is the limit and all we have to do is to learn how to touch it. It will not come to us, so we must learn how to go to it.

Years ago my second son had introduced me to the world of Tolkien. It took me a while to get the hang of it because it was a different English than what I was accustomed to. But, soon, I was hooked and loved it. Then, “The Lord of the Rings” movies came out and I was taken to the world I had envisioned in my mind. They left me hungry for more. What happen to Legolas, to Gimly? when they went home. What of their families? Their kingdoms? I was so taken with their world that I wanted answers Tolkien could not given to me, so… I started to created lives for them and found very real people. That is how The Elf and the princess was born, to answer my question and to have them live new adventures through the pages of my books.

How is Emerine’s Nightmare different from your other published books?

It has a boy protagonist and the theme is darker than I am accustomed to.
Since all know me as the sweet young adult author who writes Elf series and Princess Romances, this Halloween-y tale really breaks the mold.

It is about an 11-year-old boy who is a genius and his parents don’t know it. He is so bored with the pretence of his normal life that he decides to have an alternate life. His genius helps him create an almost human robot and the two of them travel the galaxies investigating crime.

But what about your Elf series?

No. My elf series is too close to my heart and, like I have said before, there are 7 books in that series. The next stand-alone book, the fifth in that series, is called “The Royal Elf of Abalon.”

When will we see it on the market?

It is in the editing process right now and will come out about April of next year. It is so fun to write that I can’t help it. And I do appreciate your time and that of your readers.

My pleasure, Anna. Where can readers find Emerine’s Nightmare?

You can find Emerine’s Nightmare in the following electronic formats:

Barnes and Nobles
Kindle
Nook
e-book
The Kindle and Nook are only $3.99
and the e-book $2.00.
The first two are available at the normal sites, the e-book from my website. Enjoy.
…And to you, Happiness forever!!!

FREEDOM IS A GODLY PRINCIPLE

Iranian courts have handed down a death sentence to an Iranian pastor of a Christian church. Yusef Nadarkhani converted from Islam to Christianity at the age of nineteen. Now in his thirties, Nadarkhani founded a small Evangelical Christian congregation named The Church of Iran, but in October of 2009, he was arrested for heresy.

Both his first trial and his appeal ended in convictions. Nardakhani is now appealing to the nation's Supreme Court. If that appeal also returns a guilty verdict, Nardakhani must renounce his faith or be put to death under Sharia law. His wife is currently out of jail on her own appeal, and Fox news reports that Nadarkhani's defense team, though active muslims, also fear for their own safety and for the safety of their families, simply because they've chosen to represent this Christian man.

Speaker of the House, John Boehner, was the first U.S. official to issue a public outcry regarding this case. Bravo Speaker Boehner. Four hundred years ago similar religious freedom-seekers found themselves worshipping under penalty of imprisonment for daring to question the Church of England. Since the King of England was regarded as both the Britain's political leader and the conduit to heaven, rebellion against the church was also considered treason. Many of these religious rebels left their homeland as banished exiles, arriving in America, a barren land that grew into this great nation on the engines of liberty and free thought.

We still have our own struggles with this issue. Remember John F, Kennedy's need to delineate his faith from his governance? Remember Mitt Romney's statement in 2009 when the former Massachusetts governor felt a need to assure America that if elected president, he would serve "no one religion, no one group, no one cause and no one interest." But he did not backpeddle on his convictions, boldly adding, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Savior of mankind . . . My church's beliefs about Christ may not all be the same as those of other faiths. … These are not bases for criticism, but rather a test of our tolerance."

Yes, even we still struggle with religious tolerance at times, but what is happening in Iran is unconscionable. Perhaps the underlying themes of liberty and freedom prevalent throughout Christianity, and woven thoughout God's inspired word in many lands, are what terrify tyrants. Read these passages from the Old and New Testament, and from the Book of Mormon.

Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

James 2:12
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Nephi 10:11
11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.

Alma 46:12
And it came to pass that [Moroni] rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

Isaiah 61:1
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Alma 56:47
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

Doctrine and Covenants 98:5
5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.

Alma 61:14-15
14 Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God . . . according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them.

"...the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in each of His children."

May God bless you, Mr. Nadarkhani. We are praying for you.

*******
Laurie LC Lewis's upcoming release is book 5 in her FREE MEN ans DREAMERS series, "In God Is Our Trust."

BOOK NOOK REVIEW

NO ANGEL

by

Therea Sneed

Debuting author, Theresa Sneed, chose an ambitious project for her first novel, a spiritual fantasy titled No Angel, and I’m pleased to report that it delights on many levels.

Sneed’s No Angel opens in a heavenly realm, moves into mortality where good and evil spirits impact humans, and then she thrusts her readers into a frightening underworld where even good spirits can become trapped through error. Each world is filled with complex characters and governed by strict rules—rules Sneed’s main character, a reluctant Guardian Angel named Jonathan Stewart, hasn’t bothered reading.

Jonathan was sorely disappointed by his own mortality and in an effort to make this second earth experience, (required by all post-mortal spirits), quick and painless, Jonathan selects an EMD client, Early Marked for Death, knowing his client will die young, allowing him to complete his assignment early and quickly exit earth once and for all.

What Jonathan failed to learn from that unread handbook is that special conditions surround the exceptional spirits assigned to be EMDs—their goodness makes them prized targets of the dark spirits.

Jonathan’s poor attitude is a disappointment to the more dedicated Guardians, but more importantly, it also places him in the cross-hairs of dark spirits who pose a threat to his successful completion of his mission, and to Faith, the child, he has been sent to guard.

But Jonathan has two allies, a loyal Guardian Angel named Grace, who takes a special interest in him, and Celeste Knight, the premortal spirit of Faith. Their interest in Jonathan is not accidental.

Sneed does a wonderful job of fleshing out heaven and the underworld with rich, vivid description that drives the theme of good versus evil deep into the reader. Still, the book is not dark and eerie. Sneed successfully slingshots between humor and drama during Jonathan’s bumpy, spiritual evolution, providing a change of pace that makes this book suitable for YA as well as adults, while also endearing this disgruntled soul to the reader. Without those humorous passages, No Angel would have been a dark, eerie tale. And though that was not Sneed’s purpose in writing this book, she proves she has the talent to go that direction if she ever chooses.

The explanations of the rules of each world slow the read in places, but they are essential to the ensuing tension, and there is plenty of tension, which intensifies until the conclusion, which leaves the reader unsure about the outcome of many of the characters until the very end.

NO ANGEL is fiction, but its powerful themes of good versus evil, spiritual promptings, choice and accountability, family, friendship, and loyalty, make it a valuable springboard for family discussions on these topics, and therefore makes this book one to be read together as a family, and worth having in a family library.

This is a first-rate read that quickly earned Theresa Sneed a Whitney Award nomination. Sneed is a talented writer who should find No Angel a contender for Whitney’s “Best Novel by a New Author” award. She is already completing a second project, proving that great things are ahead for her, and those who pick up her imaginative, tender books.

NO ANGEL is available LDS bookstores, at Barnes and Nobles, and on Amazon.

LIFT CONFERENCE VIDEO w LIZ EDMUNDS.m4v

Announcing the LIFT Conference for Women on Saturday, Oct. 29th!

This one day conference will feature prominent speakers that will inspire, educate and of course upLIFT. The event will be held in the Orem High School auditorium (175 South 400 East, Orem) and go from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (with an hour lunch break - lunch will not be provided by event. Doors open for seating at 8:30am).

Topics include improving spouse communication, letting go of anxiety and regret, and having hope when life brings its challenges. Liz Edmunds (star of the popular TV show, The Food Nanny) will be the hostess. Other speakers include Dr. John Lund, Hank Smith, Meg Johnson, Sheldon Martin, Kathy Jenkins, Kim Nelson and a performance by Amy Hansen.

Tickets are: $19.99 (early bird registration) and $29.99 after Oct. 20th or at the door. All participants will receive a tote bag and chocolates with registration. Please bring your printed ticket to the event..Click here to register!

The War of 1812 Tease Press Tour

This looks as if it will be a film worth watching, as PBS separates the history from the myths about the War of 1812. I can appreciate that struggle after threading through the letters and historical accounts while researching Free Men and Dreamers.PBS launches this series in October.

SEPTEMBER BLOG HOP

Thanks Tristi, Pinkston, for organizing this blog hop!

Welcome to the September Blog Hop! Celebrate the beginning of fall with me and my blogger friends by hopping around, visiting our sites, and entering our contests! There are no limits - you can enter the contest on every blog. With over 40 blogs participating, that's over 40 prizes you could win. Just click on the links below to move on to the next blog.

On my blog, you can win a nice prize package:

An autographed copy of any of my books,
(check out my web site at
http://www.laurielclewis.com/
to choose a title),
plus I'll throw in a an extra book from my shelf

of must-read titles--that's 2 books!

To win this prize package you just need to do two things.

1. Become a follower of this blog. If you're already a follower, sign up to "Follow by Email" in the block to the right. And if you've already done that, then sign up in the "Follow me on Twitter" box. Just do one.

2. Leave me a comment in the trail and tell me why you'd like to win this prize.

That's it! You are now entered. The contest ends on Saturday night, September 24th, at midnight MST, and the winner will be contacted shortly thereafter. Please either leave your e-mail address in the comment trail or make sure it's visible through your profile so I can contact you to tell you that you're the lucky winner.

Now go visit my other friends ...
September Blog Hop Participants

1. Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author 2. Joyce DiPastena 3. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 4. Mandi Slack 5. Michael D. Young 6. Six Mixed Reviews 7. Pam Williams 8. Laurie Lewis 9. Kristy Tate 10. Marilyn Yarbrough 11. Stacy Coles 12. Kristie Ballard 13. Lynn Parsons 14. Pushing Past the Pounds 15. Sheila Staley 16. cindy Hogan

17. Jamie Thompson 18. Jaclyn Weist 19. Cathy Witbeck 20. Secret Sisters Mysteries 21. Tamera Westhoff 22. Tina Scott 23. Lynnea Mortensen 24. Danyelle Ferguson aka Queen of the Clan 25. Jeanette A. Fratto 26. Bonnie Harris 27. Melissa Lemon 28. Mary Ann Dennis 29. Stephanie Black 30. Jane Still 31. Janice 32. Laura Bastian

33. Tamara Bordon 34. Betsy Love 35. Maria Hoagland 36. Amber Robertson 37. Debbie Davis 38. 39. Christy Monson 40. Carolyn Frank 41. Rebecca Birkin 42. Melissa Cunningham 43. Emily L. Moir 44. Ronda Hinrichsen 45. Lisa Asanuma 46. Joan Sowards 47. Jordan McCollum 48. Diane Stringam Tolley

Learn more about September Blog Hop here.
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