Holy mother of Joseph!!
931777
This author came highly recommended by a friend of mine. (Thanks Ash!) Baabbyy! Let me tell about the whirlwind of emotions Ms. Belvin took me on!! This book made me angry, made me sad, and even made me  shed a tear. (And I'm a self proclaimed gangsta and we don't cry) The descriptive words she used, the ease of how the book flowed, and the storyline behind it.  I was "wowed" I finished this book in about 6-7hrs. I started it and stayed up way past my bedtime because I couldn't put it down. I'm anxious to read book 2 because I feel so connected to Zoe. Ms. Belvin you have gained yourself a faithful reader. I hate I took so long to read it but now that I know better, ill do better. This is definitely a book I will recommend to anyone.
12110
I am more than happy to have read this book in the middle of my LDS-philic book hysteria and during the bicentennial celebration of Joseph's year of birth. As you can see from my other reviews,  I have read Signature books a lot and would like to recommend theirs "The prophet puzzle" and "Making of a prophet". In these books several new aspects of Joseph Smith Jr are described and his rather multifaceted profile is acknowledged.

Fawn can easily be misunderstood depending on the ideological stand of the reader. I for example found Hugh Nibley review/criticism of her book disgusting. Hugh Nibely, whose scholarship I admire and find amazing, has written an awful attacking review, "No ma'm, that's not history". In some way, critics (mostly conservative LDS but also scholars in autobiography) has seen her book as an effort to prove her own understanding of Joseph. If she wanted to prove that he was false, than she was subjective enough to chose the sources she wanred. Of course, every biographer has to do some filling in of details. When Fawn writes about how Joseph thought or felt in some situations, she guesses of course, but there is always a novellist in the historian and especially in Fawn, with her beautiful literary style. The book should be read as a historical novel, rather than a footnote-stuffed diary encyclopedia - by the way, it has footnotes.!

I believe, from what I have read about Joseph and from Joseph, that Fawn hasn't at all exagerated her sources or manipulated them. What she has done, is not believing that Joseph wanted to be a prophet. She clearly shows a knowledge of how to handle different sources. The way she has gathered all the newspaper articles or read all the affadivits, good or bad, shows that she has wanted to give an optimally correct picture of Joseph. Many scholars have agreed about her evolutionary view of Joseph and that Joseph was a child of his time.

I believe - being a scholar myself - that Joseph full heartedly wanted to be a prophet and he also became one, for himself and for others! He wanted a united Christianity, a more powerful Christianity. I don't agree with Fawn about him wanting to magnifying himself thru religion, no, he could have managed well, by becoming a politician - which he also tried. I see in Joseph a boy with a spiritual mind.

At the same time, she is right about Joseph being the one behind the revelation. He was sure about the fact that his feelings were the same as god's. Brodie managed to refute the Spauldig theory about the origins of Book of Mormon and also the epilepsy diagnosis of Joseph. She introduced the View of the Hebrew as a plausbile source to Book of Mormon, something which BH Robert, the great LDS historian, also had noticed some 10 years before (1930s). She has managed to create a whole person - but too paradoxal, I had a difficulty to understand Joseph thru her.

Joseph becomes the one that smoked and drank, but also the one who healed, who cried and suffered with his people. The one who went from woman to woman, but kept in the centre of his heart, Emma, his first wife. The one who was afraid of dying, but who knew that the end was near. Capturing this personality is not easy and Fawn has done an excellent job. But there are answers still to come about this remarkable man.

Fawn shows thru her book, that Joseph was a human, not a prophet, but a strategic master in folklore, religion and charistamic leadership. For her, he was a strategic deciever - still in 1971 she couldn't udnerstand why Joseph chose religion for achieving his leadership dreams.

Even though Fawn wanted to see an irreligious Joseph behind the "Thus saith the Lord", she has for me confirmed my picture of a highly spriritual Joseph.
2139690
Having converted from the Protestant faith and being introduced to Mother Angelica from a U.S. Navy ship during my time with my Catholic religious studies mentor, I must say that this story was awesome and powerful. The story showed me that I must remain faithful and strong despite the powers of darkness that can surround us and even the Church.  I was moved at the strength that Mother Angelica showed forth with such dignity and such grace. Young men have been inspired by her strength and story.  I thank God for this wonderful woman who has touched my heart and faith.  I look at my own personal crucibles in life and humilitions  and it does NOT even come close to this "wonderwoman".  This book tells her story and wonders to come from her inspirations and work for the Greater Glory of God and His Blessed Mother.  God bless !!! Thank you Mother Angelica !
1340526
From track one ( All That I Can Say ) to track 14 (Let No Man Put Asunder), I was truly blowned away. Mary has stolen my heart once again. I'm so glad to see Mary growing along with myself and I can't wait till the  sequel Mary Part II. Killer tracks : Deep Inside, Beautiful Ones,Time,  Memories, Your Child, The Love I Never Had, and Let No Man Put  Asunder(which I feel was a major step and standout track on this album ).  She will go all the way over the top with this one. And for those who say  she lost it, well let's just say she lost you and found her true fans who  wanted to go on a uplifting ride. Ready, set, go !!!
4013931
If I could, I would put this as a10 star! I could not put this book down! Anyone who is hungry for more of Jesus or just wants to know the Fathers heart...read the book!!! Now I want MUCH MORE...
12016
I love this ministry so much! I LOVED the Wise Woman Stays and can't wait to start doing this one.
HCFM has been such an enormous blessing in my life. Deb and all these amazing women have spoken such truth into my heart. These Bible Studies challenge us not only to be better moms, but also wives and daughters of Christ.
3625186
I agree with many reviewers that Michael's "Joseph" is a little subdued.  Donny Osmond's Joseph is superior.  HOWEVER...I would buy only this version because of the superiority of the remainder of the cast.  I LOVE THIS CAST.  No one sounds cartoony...which for some reason I dislike for this musical.  The brothers are all delightful, the narrator superb, and PHAROAH...wow...the best.  I do believe this Pharoah was the same used in the video version of Joseph with Donny Osmond.  I don't know...I don't mind the lackluster Joseph...because the rest of the cast just beams from this album!  Go Go Go Joseph!
3365678
What a wonderful Blessing for Eve and Joe to have a baby. Now I just hope the whole family stays safe and happy and that Kosgav causes no problems for their future. Can't wait to find out if Ciras gold is ever found and for Eve to get back to sculpting her busts!
3289702
Thank you Briana for allowing God to use you!  Worship to the father.  I shed tears every time I listen.
1625709
This book is beautifully illustrated, and the walk with Jesus through the Scriptures touches me every time!  Mother Mary always points us to Christ.
2382177
A review that will bring you to tears ,,,,, SHE is like a MOTHER with a baby she has taken her own life and bared her SOUL!!!!  How many could do that , she has imported a movement of woman ! I am one of them , her story is just not a story it's a life of many challenges that SHE BELLA is still standing and reaching to help with her heart OTHERS !! In a world that can be so cruel and judgemental she had the courage to stand up and share her journey ! Post Tramatic Stress is a big deal , child abuse is a big deal but so is SHE!!!! I adore admire and love with my whole heart the fact that's she connected a new movement to help people outside of herself !!!  Humbling and inspiring is what I say !!!!
802751
I have never seen or held a more stunning rosary than this one in my life!! I AM SO HAPPY with it!! It is absolutely breath taking and the beads are so  beautiful and heavy and just gorgeous wow I fell in love with it!! Thank you very much for such a  beautiful piece!! 10 stars by far :)
3506214
Once again what can I say. This is what  the love of Christ Jesus sounds like to His daughters. This gracious prophetess of Jesus Christ in her obedience to Christ has been a inspiration throughout her life and after her death. Now she with God smiles down on us as we take hold of the depth of the "Bishop of Our Souls"! Girls this is a treasure far richer than what the world offers as it is with The written word Of Christ Jesus of the greatest riches ever given in His life burial and divine resurrection. Lay hold of His word and the awesome inspirations of those who have gone on before us.
2044784
I bought this set as a Christmas gift for my niece & her husband. He is a preacher, she's a Sunday school teacher, and they have five children. Needless to say they are all very active in their church. The adults could not believe the beauty of each piece and the children were so excited to see how the entire set so closely resembled the story of the bible. Everyone began discussing all the ways they could display the pieces and/or use them at church.  It was as if the pieces brought it all to life right before their tiny little eyes. We are a large family and it seemed to stop us all as we revisited the story of the birth of  baby Jesus this year on Christmas eve. Some of our most precious moments in life are not planned or rehearsed and this gift certainly delivered that for all of us this Christmas. A must have, thank you Amazon!
2003771
This is a great book with great insights on the life of Joseph!  I recommend this book to anyone who teaches, ministers or preaches the Word of God!  I have a few books on my list of books to read...if that weren't the case of me I would read this book over again!
4246823
If St Joseph doesn't come through for me soon, I'm going to have to turn every penny of my paychecks to pay mortgages!  Come on St Joseph !  Do yo thang!
1662770
Whoooo Lord!!! Casey J is the absolute truth!! I heard Fill Me Up on the Yolanda Adam's Morning Show and raced to purchase the single. The Radio version on this CD with the mini reprise is straight from The Throne Room. I'm not even sure how I found her full album but I am so glad that I did. I made the mistake of listening to this CD as I was trying to get some work done. HUGE MISTAKE!! How could I possibly type when my hands were constantly raised in worship? When Have Your Way came on I broke down in tears as I attached my self to the Holy Ghost that was on the track. Journal was a tear jerker, Let It Be Known and The Truth made me lose 10 pounds from jumping around, and Better (The Benediction Song) let me put my dance on it. None of these songs  save, deliver, or set you free. It is the Jesus who is so heavily worshiped throughout this entire album that permeates the heart and breaks down the walls of sin. This CD is so slippery with the anointing oil that I can barely keep it in my hands. I expect big things from Ms. Casey as her authentic worship continued to edify the kingdom.