Hope you enjoyed reading Day of Remembrance. This is the place to share your thoughts and ask some questions. The comments section below is all yours.
Old World 600 B.C.: Under mandate from their prophet-father, the sons of Lehi face treachery and lethal danger as they seek to secure the brass plates from the ruthless Captain Laban. Meanwhile, Zoram and Elizabeth work feverishly to smith new plates and engrave the prophecies of Jeremiah--a vital task that must be completed before the Feast of the Trumpets, celebrated on the Day of Remembrance.
Old World, 19th Century: In his home built above the remains of Laban's treasury, Sephardic Jew Reuben Kessler anticipates the marriage of his son Danny on the Day of Remembrance. When tragedy strikes on the blessed day, the devastated fathers of the bride and groom must cling to their faith that God will remember His covenant people.
New World, 19th Century: Commissioned by the Angel Moroni, Joseph Smith Jr. endures harrowing challenges as he prepares to receive the plates of Gold and translate them into the Book of Mormon. The fulfillment of ancient promises draws near as Joseph returns each year to the Hill Cumorah on the Day of Remembrance.
Three families, three stories—yet in the grand design of the Lord, they intertwine as one. This fourth volume in the Promised Land saga bridges ancient and modern times to reveal the unfolding of a marvelous work and a wonder.
Cover Back Liner
Jeremiah held his hand to is mouth and coughed before saying, "Hidden in the calendar given to Moses is the appointed day for the record to come forth in the fullness of times...I must ready the brass plates to have part in that future Day of Remembrance, and curse any man who seeks to stop me, curse him to death."
Emotionally thrilling, spiritually uplifting, and richly satisfying, Day of Remembrance is the powerful story of the restoration of a timeless principle...kept alive in a brass-plate record sequestered deep in the treasury of Laban, captain of the Israelite guard at the turn of the sixth century before Christ.
This magnificent fourth volume in the Promised Land series takes the reader on a journey that is bold and sweeping in its scope, from the dangerous and intriguing politics of Jerusalem in 589 B.C., to the travails of Lehi and his family in the Sinai wilderness, to a nineteenth-century setting in the Old City of Jerusalem, and on to a young prophet in Palmyra New York, poised on the brink of the most significant events of the latter days.
This is David Woolley as his best. A matchless mixture of robust writing and meticulous research that deftly weaves together the human and divine strands to produce a tapestry of faith, obedience, and courage against all odds, where success seems impossible, but failure is unthinkable. The stunning impact of this story will linger long after the last pages have been turned.
33 comments:
I was fortunate to get a copy of Day of Remembrance at the LDS Bookseller's convenation about a month before it was released. I finished it in three days.
I enjoyed Day of Remembrance most of all because it contains a powerful message of the overwhelming importance of covenants. I was also impressed by the enormous sacrifice of families to preserve the covenants and bring them forth for the world both ancient and modern. The book is held together by love stories which are sweet, pure and tender.
I'm interested to find out what other readers think of Day of Remembrance. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I could hardly wait to read Book 4 as I quickly read the first 3 books as soon as I discovered them. I was not disappointed.
I was intrigued to read of the common thread that not only runs through the book but throughout time of God's covenants with Israel. This book in particular weaves the thread of Lehi's family, Old Jersusalem, and Joseph Smith. Having lived in various states, and amoung Orthodox Jews, I could understand completely the sacredness of the Holy Days. I found it significant and wonderful how all three stories related in this book centered around the Feast of the Trumpets, Day of Remembrance, and the Day of Atonement. I was reminded that there are no coincidences.
If you were to pick up this book you would love the humanity and the struggles of the characters. Nephi matures and gains confidence and becomes a leader. Sariah is a mother, but her heart softens, and her convictions are strong. She too sees the hand of the Lord in dealing with her family. Laman comes into his own, and makes decisions despite Lemuel. Aaron, who joined the family in their journey comes to peace with his role.
Zedekiah is not to disappoint, his character remains on the downward spiral he has taken. Miriam stands firm in her resolve. Jeremiah is able to fulfill the command to record his prophesies and is able to do that through miraculous means. Elizabeth takes a role that is quite courageous.
Through it all, as these events unfold, you read and understand the emotions Jospeh Smith endured in receiving the plates. As the plates are preserved in one time you can witness the reason in another time.
Even though one knows the outcome, from the Book of Mormon, I still wondered as I read the pages as to how the author would bring the events to pass. There is an explanation to Lehi's wealth that I had not considered. Ishmael lays the ground work for what will become of his family. It is a wonderful story from beginning to end. Even if you have not read the preceding books, you would enjoy this one immensely. Although it would wet your appetite as to what preceded these characters.
Day of Remembrance is my favorite in The Promised Land series thus far. I loved it! It is an incredibly readable book, one you find hard to put down. I particularly enjoyed the frequent dialogue -- it feels like you are there as an observer as all the scenes unfold.
As a reader you are taken behind the familiar Book of Mormon stories and given the opportunity to imagine how Lehi's family are feeling as they live in their wilderness valley. The added bonus I didn't expect, was the insight I gained into the also familiar story of Joseph Smith. I loved the way the author explored Joseph's feelings as a young man called of God to perform an incredible work in the latter days.
The interplay between the story in ancient Jerusalem, and the two stories taking place in 1823 serve to highlight the focus in this volume on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the Lord remembering his covenants with Israel. To see Jeremiah's anxiousness to prepare the plates; Nephi's efforts to obtain them as commanded by the Lord; and Joseph's preparations to receive them in his day, really makes the reader realise how the Lord works throughout time to bring to pass his purposes.
Readers who have already come to know and love the fictional characters from the first three volumes will not be disappointed with volume four. The family of Jonathan the Blacksmith continue to play a significant role and we are drawn ever further into their stories right along with the historically based characters.
My only complaint about Day of Remembrance is the way it leaves you desperate for more! Roll on volume five ...
I have gotten Lamen and Lemuel mixed up since I began reading the Book of Mormon. I liked the parts of the book where they wager and cheat each other. I liked how that further defined who they were. I apologize if I mixed them up!
If I could only tell you three things.....Hmmmm. I would tell you that it is worth reading to see how all of this ties together with the restoration of the Gospel. I would tell you that Nephi will further amaze you. I would tell you that it is worth reading to see how family loyalty plays into things. I always wondered how that worked because it is definitely implied but not explained in the Book of Mormon, and I finally got how it might have worked. There is so much more, but those are the three things that I would choose. It is worth every minute it takes to read it. It is hard to put down so be prepared.
Hi Norma, LDCM and Francie:
Thanks for your posts. I'm really pleased you enjoyed the remembrance of covenants. That was a powerful theme in this volume.
LDCM: Did you mean that Lemuel begins to think for himself? I only ask, becuase it was Laman who was the decision-maker for both of them and in this volume Lemuel defies Laman, finally, and comes clean with his brothers with regard to their relationship to the Captain of the Guard...Laban.
I was captivated researching the prophetic ties of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the ancient feast of trumpets celebrated on the Day of Remembrance. It makes Joseph Smith's decree that the gold plate record was the New Covenant, even more powerful.
I was also fascinated on the details of the Smith family and the struggles leading up to the evenutal loss of their property. Moroni wasn't kidding when he instructed Joseph Smith about the indigenous circumstances of his family. Smart guy.
So, a question. If you could only tell a propspective reader who is considering reading Day of Remembrance three things about the novel, what would you tell them?
David G. Woolley
Dates, time, timing all matter. There's nothing random in God's plan or His calendar. Day of Remembrance presents a powerful picture of the preciscion with which God organized the earth, the heavens, and made covenants with the people who inhabit this earth. Over and over I kept hearing in my head as I read "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
A second event that impressed me, perhaps because of my recent call to be a temple ordinance worker, was the tragic accident the young couple in Jerusalem suffered, their desire for a marriage that would endure through eternity in keeping with an ancient covenant, and the shared grief of their fathers. It made me want to do their temple work.
The third reason I would suggest for reading Day of Rememberance and possibly the one I should have mentioned first is that it's a great story. I like stories and this one is told well. It kept me wanting to sneak back to read a few more pages when other responsibilities called. It's not only an absorbing story, but the copy is clean, the characters well-developed, and the background so real I could almost smell it. It was a bonus to learn fascinating new details about that period of history and hear testimonies echoing down through the years.
I read the first three books of The Promised Land series one right after the
other and just last year. Then knowing I had to wait until September 2008 to
find out what happens to the characters it felt like forever. When I finally
got Day of Remembrance in my hands I was thrilled to get started and even more thrilled to
see where it led. I couldn't wait to submerge myself into its pages and as we
all do in our reading, forget life for awhile and move in with the characters.
To suggest several reasons why someone should read Day of Remembrance it really
limits me. There are many reasons. I found it captivating to follow the story
line in history. It made the Book of Mormon come to life in a way it never has
before. I feel I know the characters intimately and it has strengthened my
testimony immensely. The fictional characters tie in incredibly well with the
historically based characters. It was truly easy to follow and understand and
very hard to put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the historical notes after finishing each chapter. I am intrigued and amazed at the amount of time and
the research it took to write a book of this magnitude. Reading the historical
notes helped bring it all together for me. The book wouldn't be the same
without it. I highly suggest reading them. I learned things from them I wonder
if I may not have learned otherwise.
Reading Day of Remembrance, as well as the previous books in this series has
been rewarding. It holds truth and understanding and I like to think the author
was inspired to write them to help others, not only is this book entertaining,
it is uplifting and faith promoting. Thanks for your incredible talent Dave -
can't wait to read the next one!
As for the new comer to these novels - I can guarantee you will enjoy them!
Hi everyone:
Thanks for your comments. If you have any detailed questions about Day of Remembrance, don't hesitate to ask. I'd love to answer them.
Jennie: You are the review master. If some of you don't know, Jennie Hansen is the LDS book reviewer for a number of online magazines. She was awarded a lifetime achievement award last year by the Whitney Awards panel. We're delighted to have you join the book club and please come back and join us often.
Tamara: The historical notes are pretty detailed, and they take far too much time to piece together. Actually months of preperation, long after all the reserach is done. But they do add a whole new dimension to the book.
The reason I started writing this series (and completely inundated my life by taking on something so unthinkably ginormous as this) was to bring to light for members of the church (and non members too) the vast amount of historical information that has come available the past twenty plus years. So much of it is technical in nature that many readers of the Book of Mormon simply don't have time to glean through it all.
And what better place to bring that information to life than in the pages of a historical fiction. So yes, the historical notes will continue in all their detailed glory. Oh boy. More work.
Francie: You mentioned that this book is very readable. What exactly did you mean by that? Its a comment I'm hearing a lot about this particular volume from nearly all unscripted comments. Any thoughts on why you commented on its readability. I'd really like to know. It may just make me a better writer.
Thanks everyone. And please comment again with any questions, comments, or insights.
All the best,
David G. Woolley
Dave:
When I say a book is 'readable', it has to do with how it flows. A readable book is one that is written in such a way that you move through its pages virtually effortlessly. Mentally there's no stopping to figure out what was meant or wonder where the author was coming from. You are wrapped up in the story and before you know it, you've whipped through and its over! (That's the sad part.)
I've read books I do not consider so 'readable'. Some because they are badly written and others because they are written in such a way as to make you stop and think and maybe even re-read to ponder "what just happened there?" (Charles Frazier's 'Cold Mountain' would be a classic example of this for me -- one of my favorite books ever, but it was more of an effort to read than most books. Does anyone get what I mean?)
I also think the frequent dialogue in Day of Remembrance was one thing that made me use the word 'readable' to describe this book. When you read such great dialogue it really adds to that flow of the story. I'm not one who sees a movie in my head as I read, but there's definitely a movie-like storytelling going on through the passages of dialogue.
Has that helped? Call me if you want me to try and define it any further. Not that I'm sure I can ... :)
Thanks Francie:
I actually used some of your comments about "readability" at a conference this week with bookstore managers from around the country. I had to introduce Day of Remembrance to them. I even quoted some of your comments directly from here at the Promised Land Book Club and put them on a Power POint slide for all to see. Francie Jenson in lights. Can you believe it?
David G. Woolley
I told the kids that I am blaming you for me leaving the house late this morning. I was really just going to read one chapter while I ate breakfast. That would have been ok, if I had read only one chapter.
And I am not happy about the ending of Ch.21
So blame me, Sandra. I checked Chapter 21. You're right. Its a real bummer. From beginning to end. Really sorry about that. But did it draw you into the story deeper, or what?
David G. Woolley
You're right, it is a bummer chapter, but most of it is historical, the ending could have been different- no? And yes, when I was done being mad at you, it drew me deeper into the story.
Now I am beginning ch. 28 and I notice that I am not far from the end of the book. I keep having one horrible, recurring thought: I have to wait 12 long months before the next book!
Editor's Note: The Promised Land Book Club Staff is pleased to post LDS Fiction Critic Jennie Hansen's review of Day of Remembrance that appeared Friday, September 19th at Meridian Magazine, an LDS online magazine. Her review is posted below for your convenience.
LDS Fiction to Fall For
By Jennie Hansen
Those of us who were enthralled by David G. Woolley's first three books of the Promised Land series were excited to learn that a fourth volume, Day of Remembrance, was to be released this month. Five years has been a long time to wait; ironically Day of Remembrance is about time, the time of the Lord.
There are three separate stories contained in this volume, all linked together by the Day of Remembrance, a significant date on the Jewish calendar also know as Rosh Hashannah, ha-Zikkaron, ha-Teurah, Feast of Trumpets, or the Jewish New Year. This is a day set aside to remind men of their covenants with God and to remind God of his promises or covenants with his children.
The first story continues the story of Lehi, his family, and a few close friends in the sixth century before Christ, hiding in the wilderness, waiting for the day when the Lord tells them to continue on their journey. Instead of continuing the journey, the Lord instructs Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem for the brass plates. This is not a simple matter for multiple reasons; Labon claims the ancient records as proof of his birthright to rule and guards them with fierce determination, political intrigue is rampant in the city, Lehi and all of his family are wanted by the military and elders of the city, and the brass plates will not be complete until Jeremiah's pages are added to the codex. A collision of motives and intrigue bears down on the Day of Remembrance.
The second story is that of a father and daughter, Hassidic Jewish refugees from Russia who have come to Jerusalem in the nineteenth century to escape the persecution of Jews in that land. And it's the story of a Sephardic father and son who live above the ancient ruins of Laban's treasury. It's also the story of a young man and woman's desire for marriage, the kind of marriage meant to last for eternity as promised in the old covenants. They met on the Day of Remembrance and vow to marry on the next Day of Remembrance.
The third story is that of a young farm boy in upstate New York who asks God which church he should join. His quest unleashes a fury of hate and persecution leading up to one more Day of Remembrance.
David Woolley is a storyteller who lends not only his aptitude for storytelling to Day of Remembrance, but he is also an historian with a master's degree from the University of Iowa and a doctorate from Brigham Young University . Together these two aspects of his background produce meticulously researched physical and spiritual details to enrich his writing. The story is compelling, but the interwoven day to day picture that is painted of historic events and the everyday business of life brings the story a depth of reality not often found with such richness in historical fiction. The footnotes found at the back of the book are interesting and verify his research.
Major characters are well-developed, the plot has an even flow, and the copy editing is pretty near perfect, all-in-all, it might be called a quality product, certainly a reading pleasure. Even the background details are a fascinating education. But more than that, Day of Remembrance provides an intense spiritual journey for the reader. Because Woolley doesn't go back and pick up many details from the previous books, but just jumps into the story, readers may want to go back to the earlier books to refresh their memories, but even without reading or reviewing the earlier books, this one is a satisfying read.
As I read this book several refrains ran through my mind, first the well-known verse from Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” and Alma the Younger's words to his son, Helaman concerning the brass plates which were incorporated into the golden plates that they would be “kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation.” I was left pondering the reasons God instructed his ancient prophets in the natural laws concerning the calendar and time and those things yet to come to pass according to God's time and covenants. I also checked the calendar to see when the Day of Remembrance falls this year. My calendar places that significant date as September 29, beginning at sundown. This is a novel that entertains, then does much more, and one I highly recommend.
__________________________
Join author David G. Woolley at his Promised Land Website.
I couldn't believe it last week when I saw that Vol. 4 was available! I ordered it immediately after pulling out Vol. 1-3 to make sure that it really was true - same series - Vol. 4 FINALLY. I just received my copy of "Day of Remembrance" in the mail today. I have waited 5 long years for this volume, somehow missing the memo that it was coming and for many years wondering if we were ever going to get Vol. 4. Now I have discovered this wonderful website and see that 1 year of waiting for Vol. 5 will not be so torturous. At least I know there is more to come! Thank you David. My reading begins right now . . . . !
Hi Sheri:
Glad you found us here. And I'm really excited to hear what you have to say about Day of Remembrance.
It looks like you've already found the Promised Land website and the Top of the Morning blog. So welcome. And be sure to ask any questions or make comments, or offer feedback and critiques. A little back and forth is always a good thing.
Happy reading.
David G. Woolley
David, After Hurricane Katrina left us with a slab for a home, I started tryng to replace books that we had lost by going on line. Going through Chemo at the same time it gave me alot of time to read. That is when I found your series. They are a wonderful look into the lives of the people that I love from the Book of Mormon. Sariah having to leave the home that she loved, and now the Smith family and their stuggle to keep their home and then lossing it. It has been a very special look into these lives in a way that I had not seen before. So many have given so much more than what we have had to go through, but yet a reafirming that the God of Heaven has a special clock for each of us and it does matter what happens, it happens when the Lord what it to happen and there is indeed a reason and a time for everything if we will be turn our lives over to the Lord and his time clock. There is a "Day of Remeberance" that we all need to find.
Mississippi Pam:
Thanks for joining us here at the Book Club. You are amazing. Hurricane. Cancer. And you find a way to write a note. You're very right. God is very much aware of the timing of events in each of our lives. And there is a Day of Remembrance for each of us.
Take care,
David G. Woolley
I have just finished "Day of Remembrance" Volume4 and loved the Historical Documentation with Jeremiah and his Prophecies going into the old Jerusalem.Laban and his treachery with Zadock. Zoram and his love for Elizabeth. Such good stories.I love to follow the Maps as I read and feel like I have been taken back in time. Very spiritual and well written. The stories tie in together. Nephi going to the Mt Snai. I have read Volume 1-4 and loved every minute of them. I recommend them to my friends. I always read the notes first and go to my Scriptures and it helps me to understand and put me back in that era of time. Anxiously waiting for Volume 5 "The Compass of God" and any more that will be out.
Hi Donna:
Thanks for reading and thanks for joining us here at the book club. I enjoyed reading about the story lines that most inspired you and drew you into the series. Zoram and Elizabeth are certainly an interesting pair and their story comes to climax in volume five, compass of God.
I am sorry to tell you that there will be many more volumes. That means I have a lot of work to do.
Hope all is well with you and please stop by here or at my blog, Top of the Morning and visit often.
All the best,
David G. Woolley
I just finished reading Day of Remembrance. I could not put it down. As I turned the page 327 I was shocked to see it was the end. I was like- what? so many loose ends? I immediately jumped online to make sure there will be a volume 5. I found this blog and now it is a big sigh of relief. I was reading some of these blog posts and I have to say that I agree- the message of remembering covenants has beautifully shown. I had a recent experience where sitting and going specifically over temple covenants in my head brought me great comfort.
Thanks for your contribution to great LDS literature.
I just finished reading Day of Remembrance. I could not put it down. As I turned the page 327 I was shocked to see it was the end. I was like- what? so many loose ends? I immediately jumped online to make sure there will be a volume 5. I found this blog and now it is a big sigh of relief. I was reading some of these blog posts and I have to say that I agree- the message of remembering covenants has beautifully shown. I had a recent experience where sitting and going specifically over temple covenants in my head brought me great comfort.
Thanks for your contribution to great LDS literature.
I just received Day of Remembrance and I'm soo thrilled I can't wait to start reading it!! And to know that there is a 5th book in the works and I can read a preview!! How exciting and wonderful!
I have enjoyed your prior books thoroughly!
Every time I read them I am transported back to the days of Lehi and into their world.
Thank you so very much! You are a truly inspired and talented writer. I thank you for sharing your gift and entertaining us with your words. I hope there are many many more to come!
God bless and keep you!
Hi Suzi:
Thanks for your comment. So glad you're excited to read Day of Remembrance. I can't think of a better book gift :)
Let me know what you think of the novel once you've had a chance to read.
Happy reading!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Promised Land series the moment I got my hands on it, and I've read it several times now. In terms of an engaging story and plot, Vol. 4 did not disappoint.
I have to disagree on the clean copy, though. Perhaps it's my career as a proofreader that frames me, but when inconsistencies pop up throughout the book, it tends to taint my reading experience. I don't see how an experienced copy editor could have missed them.
But thank you, thank you for writing such a detailed, historically-based series. It makes me go to the scriptures and ponder about the people behind the verses. My husband and I like to talk about the lived they might have led.
Hi Julia:
Thanks for joining us here at the Book Club, and many thanks for taking the time to post some of your thoughts.
I would be very interested to know what plot lines and what history you enjoyed. And, of course, I'd like to know the copy editing problems you picked up. There is always room for improvement. And having some trained eyes like yours can only make us better in the "next printing". So share, share, share!
No one is perfect. Not even in your comment above:
"My husband and I like to talk about the LIVED they might have led."
No one catches them all. Not even the trained copy editor. Doesn't it always turn out that way. The moment you complain about copy editing, you see the wart on your own writing. Sorry. I shouldn't have pointed that out. But you've got to admit...it is funny.
LOL. Mote, meet beam.
Good call, David.
David, you are killing me! Where is book 5????? I need my fix and I need it NOW!! HELP!!
I have enjoyed all of the books especially the last one, Day of Remembrance. I learned so much more through reading all of the books. Will there be more books, #5, etc.?
Yes Anonymous. Volume 5 will be out later this year. The title will likely be COMPASS OF GOD. Send me an email and I will send you an unedited version of chapter one. There will also be a volume 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
My email address is davidgrantwoolley at yahoo dot com
Thanks.
David, My 36 year old son and I are avid fans of your books. We both recommend them to everyone!! (he started reading as a returned missionary in 2000. I'm beginning to realize though, that at the current rate.... I may not live long enough to read books 6-10. At about 5 years between each book, it's looking kind of grim. Do you think they have your books on the other side? I am 61 and in good health, but another 15-25 years for the next 5? I was in my mid 40's at volume 1. My son re-reads all the previous volumes because it has been so long... but he hasn't read volume 5 because he is a busy CPA in a huge company now, and must find time to read 1-4 as well as #5... plus all his other reading. I think he will wait for 6 so he can do a 2 for 1. Any idea when and if there will be a Volume 6? It has been over 4 years since Volume 5. I haven't read 5 either... waiting so that I'll be able to read two in a row and not forget everything. Thanks, you're awesome though.
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