Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites - Chris Heimerdinger

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

03 May 2007 11:32 AM

In the novel that launched LDS author Chris Heimerdinger's successful career, we meet Jim Hawkins, a teenage boy who's been in a lot of trouble lately. He's causing heartache to his parents and grandmother with his attitude toward church, and he needs a wake-up call in the worst way. His grandmother, ever vigilant about her family, says a special prayer that something will happen to Jim that will bring the spirit into his life.

Garth Plimpton is Jim's exact opposite. Nerdy where Jim is cool (or at least, where Jim perceives himself to be cool) Garth has studied the scriptures voraciously and even has parts of them memorized. He's also read his fair share of books on archeology and how it relates to Book of Mormon times.

When Garth tells Jim that the Nephites from the Book of Mormon really did exist, and that evidence of them can be found in the carvings and other antiquities found in South America, Jim thinks that's a mildly interesting theory. But then something incredible happens . . .

While exploring a cave in the mountains of Wyoming, Jim, Garth, and Jim's little sister Jennifer discover an incredible room full of color and light. Going just a bit deeper, they find themselves transported back in time to the actual land of the Nephites. They meet Teancum, Captain Moroni, and Helaman, interacting with them face to face. Because they can somehow understand and communicate with every group of people they come in contact with, they act as interpreters for these great heroes as they go forth to fight the Lamanites. The kids also encounter the Gadianton robbers, and soon their lives are in jeopardy too. Join them as they go on the most incredible adventure of their lives, and learn more about Book of Mormon times while you're at it!

(This book was published in 1989 by Covenant Communications.)

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Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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