Lights of Mahonri Moriancumr

By Phyllis Gunderson

Book Overview

Author: ?+ Phyllis Gunderson Description: Archaeologist Mathilda Howard believes in solid scientific facts and proven history. Not mythical stories about shining stones or prehistoric advanced civilizations. But when an old Tibetan monk shares his experience of the "lights that do not die," Mathilda knows she has to find out more.
Then, when at an archaeological dig a student gives a Mathilda a little black book that contains a story about shining stones-- a story that happens to match a legend-- she finds herself on a journey to uncover the truth. From a sacred mountain in China to a lost civilization in Brazil, Mathilda finds that she is digging up more than just archaeological artifacts. Her search for the shining stones leads her to some startling discoveries, as well as to a new religion. Product Details: Format: Paperback Print: Black & White Size: 5.5x8.5 Page Count: 180 ISBN: 9781599550190 Imprint: CFI Books Office Use: 1M932

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599550199
• ISBN13: 9781599550190
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Cedar Fort
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Love it, Love it, Love it!

Loved reading it from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down and everybody I've recommended it to said the same thing. I hope there's a sequel!

"Indy"-Annette Jones and the Missing Glowstones

I just finished reading this book five minutes ago. So when does the movie come out? It blew me out of the water. This is an engaging, speculative story about the missing Jaredite glowstones (See The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and An Approach to the Book of Mormon (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 6) for more details). The heroine is a crotchety sexagenarian ethno-archeologist named Mathilda "Matt" Howard. Its story follows two lines--one is the archeological aspect of the legends of glowing rocks, and the other is her conversion to the Gospel. As expected, both dovetail as tightly as a DNA helix. The archeological aspect is pure fun. You have probably heard of similar types of glowstones. Gilgamesh, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Special Edition), and even The Silmarillion and The Lensman series (Galactic Patrol (The Lensman Series, Book 3) mention such rocks. The Book of Mormon, however, depicts the substance behind the legendary shadows. Gunderson picks up these threads and weaves a tight tapestry of intrigue and soul-searching. Yet the conversion aspect is more interesting. Mathilda is a situational ethicist. She gets ahead in life by telling little white lies. Once she converts, this all changes. Gunderson does a wonderful job of subtle characterization. Her hand is a steady as a good phlebotomist--you barely notice the pricking of the Holy Ghost and Mathilda's conscience. My only criticism is that Mathilda's conversion begins intellectually, noticing colophons and such. But after the incident in Brazil (no spoilers here!), I think the human heart would be softer--and more compelling--than the brain. As Plato pointed out in Republic book I, it took Thrasymachus some time before he gave in to reason. A woman who is so adept at little white lying would also have the mental ingenuity to evade The Book of Mormon's obvious facts. Her mind, yes, but not her heart. Dr. Gart is a fun mirror for Mathilda. She is what Mathilda used to be. On a literary level, Gunderson has a good eye for word selection, and for writing what needs to be written and leaving out the unnecessary. She would make Strunk and White proud! "Vigorous writing is concise." Even so, she is still able to mint these eye-catching phrases: "I dissolved into ashes at high school but rose again after college. Not like the Phoenix bird with a new life and bright plumage, but as myself, newly fascinated by the world and thrilled with discoveries of the ancient past." I've ready Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1), and I can't remember any thing so poetic in that book. So, does she have any plans for a sequel? With Mathilda doing the mental tally of the missing stones, Gunderson leaves an opening for more books. Of course, the problem would be funding her globe-trotting. Maybe Mathilda can hit up Steve Young for grant money.

Engaging from start to finish.

"The Lights of Mahonri Moriancumer" is truly engaging from start to finish. Phyllis Gunderson has a creative gift of inspirational and adventurous story telling. My only disappointment with this wonderful story, is that it ends - leaving me wanting more. My hope is that she's inspired to write similar works. I have recommended and read this book to many friends and family, whom have all enjoyed it just as much.