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Messiah
Turmoil grips Zarahemla. Wickedness abounds despite the humbling famine, and the Gadianton robbers are increasing in strength. While deserted by his rebellious father, Kiah is raised in righteousness by his mother and grandfather and finds guidance in the teachings of Nephi, their prophet and friend. Growing into manhood, Kiah sees his family torn apart by dissension regarding the prophesied Savior, but as he remains courageous in the face of deceit and betrayal, his faith becomes firm. And while his desire to fight the infernal robbers remains, Kiah comes to know his true to be a warrior of God. Consecrating his life as a missionary, Kiah labors among Nephites and Lamanites caught in destructive cycles of pride and sin. He testifies of Christ amidst fierce persecution, witnessing the miracle of redemption as well as the brutal murder of loved ones. And as the Messiah's advent draws near, Kiah must face the bitterness of unrestrained corruption before tasting the sweetness of a promise fulfilled.
497 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 9, 2021
I loved the Messiah. I had previously read a similar book, also by Toni Sorensen, called Master, which follows Christ's journey in Israel. This one follows the life of a specific follower of Christ throughout most of his lifetime, and ends when Christ leaves the Nephites after his resurrection. This includes a famine, multiple wars with the Gadiantons, Samuel the lamanite’s prophecies, the bringing back to life of Timothy, and Christ's short visit to the Nephites. After all of this, you find out his actual full name when he is called to be an apostle by Christ, and he becomes one of the three Nephites. Throughout all of this he makes friends, raises a family, and deals with human emotions. This book is truly amazing and gives an awesome perspective of the Lord’s influence among the nephites during this time period.
June 29, 2015
I had high expectations for this book based on how much I enjoyed the author's other book, Master. Let this be a lesson - I need to stop reading books with high expectations because inevitably I am disappointed. This book could have easily been split into two books which I would have enjoyed much more because the second half covered 33 years worth of stuff. The first half on the other hand only covered 7 years, maybe. Another big annoyance was the character "nicknames"... That's all I'm going to say otherwise it will spoil the "surprise" ending.
The story itself was pretty slow moving. I did enjoy learning more about the different customs that were intwined into the Nephite's lifes (whether they really were or not, I did recognize them from other customs around the world).
The story itself was pretty slow moving. I did enjoy learning more about the different customs that were intwined into the Nephite's lifes (whether they really were or not, I did recognize them from other customs around the world).
December 5, 2012
Umm! Lets see:interesting? mostly, good story line? yes, except covers way too much time, characters? not up to my imagination of these BofM prophets, setting? not well developed,historical facts? okay as far as is actually quoted from the BofM, the rest far fetched using Mayan and other ancient tribes.
It starts with the main character Kiah as a 14 year old and follows him for about 7 years and 375 pages, then jumps to him as a married father with children and ends with him as grandfather.
It was a book that was to easy for me to lay down and read a couple of other books in between finishing it.
It starts with the main character Kiah as a 14 year old and follows him for about 7 years and 375 pages, then jumps to him as a married father with children and ends with him as grandfather.
It was a book that was to easy for me to lay down and read a couple of other books in between finishing it.
April 16, 2011
Excellent book!
July 7, 2021
That is one misleading cover. Spoiler alert, 3 Nephi 11 does not happen until the third act of this 497 page brick of a book. Page 466 to be exact. It is spiritual, of course. I can't snark on the most celebrated appearance of the Lord in scripture but like this author's third book, "Peter" it felt like she was checking off a laundry list of required 3 Nephi scenes when Jesus appears to the Nephites and then, just like that, it's THE END. All that build up for just 31 pages of the MAIN REASON we bothered picking this book up for.
So, yes, be prepared to have some issues with the author's pacing.
Our story opens in 17 BC yet the reader will have to wait until page 365 before the three days of darkness arrive. The main character is not a girl named Kiah (Kee-yah) as I'd been pronouncing in my mind all this time, knowing he was a boy as this story is told in first person, but his name is pronounced Kiah (ki-yuh, and his full name won't be revealed until act three) and he is a young boy at the opening who wishes for a war as he is desperate to prove himself in glorious battles, as long as it doesn't involve snakes. He hates snakes. Remember that.
He also has little desire for reading and studying scriptures in synagogue school, preferring to be out exploring the jungle hills or hunting game so his humble Nephite village might have food. His parents divorced, you might say. Father abandoned the family leaving Kiah and his older brother to care for their mother who is a faithful member of the church. Their grandfather also provides for the family and does his best to atone for his wicked son's rejection of the Proclamation to the Family. These family dynamics will be further dramatized later, especially when it is revealed that deadbeat dad's full name is Giddianhi but for the purposes of this story he might as well be Darth Vader. For those that haven't studied their Book of Mormon for awhile, Giddianhi was chief of the Gadianton Robbers who wrote that ridiculous, self-congratulating letter to righteous Governor Lachoneus in 3 Nephi chapter 3. "Join me," he urges Kiah who is now firm in the faith, "and I will complete your training as a true warrior!" (p. 426) Kiah, of course, tells dad where he can go and he dies on the battlefield while Kiah lives to see another day.
The only reason to keep turning pages is to find out what age and what kind of family Kiah will have created by the time the Messiah arrives. He'd better come soon because by the time Kiah decides to take a wife and start popping out babies he'll be a grandfather by the time Jesus gets here. Author REALLY should've started her story at 5 BC with Kiah as a young teen instead of a young boy who won't reach single adult age until Samuel the Lamanite finally shows up. I always imagined many of the twelve, even the prophet Nephi himself, all being thirtysomething age men who get to hang out with the Savior and witness all the heavenly manifestations, not fifty year old grandfathers.
Well, read this book and then go back and review your Book of Mormon stories. The author does try to make her story exciting but was all that Hollywood drama really necessary?
So, yes, be prepared to have some issues with the author's pacing.
Our story opens in 17 BC yet the reader will have to wait until page 365 before the three days of darkness arrive. The main character is not a girl named Kiah (Kee-yah) as I'd been pronouncing in my mind all this time, knowing he was a boy as this story is told in first person, but his name is pronounced Kiah (ki-yuh, and his full name won't be revealed until act three) and he is a young boy at the opening who wishes for a war as he is desperate to prove himself in glorious battles, as long as it doesn't involve snakes. He hates snakes. Remember that.
He also has little desire for reading and studying scriptures in synagogue school, preferring to be out exploring the jungle hills or hunting game so his humble Nephite village might have food. His parents divorced, you might say. Father abandoned the family leaving Kiah and his older brother to care for their mother who is a faithful member of the church. Their grandfather also provides for the family and does his best to atone for his wicked son's rejection of the Proclamation to the Family. These family dynamics will be further dramatized later, especially when it is revealed that deadbeat dad's full name is Giddianhi but for the purposes of this story he might as well be Darth Vader. For those that haven't studied their Book of Mormon for awhile, Giddianhi was chief of the Gadianton Robbers who wrote that ridiculous, self-congratulating letter to righteous Governor Lachoneus in 3 Nephi chapter 3. "Join me," he urges Kiah who is now firm in the faith, "and I will complete your training as a true warrior!" (p. 426) Kiah, of course, tells dad where he can go and he dies on the battlefield while Kiah lives to see another day.
The only reason to keep turning pages is to find out what age and what kind of family Kiah will have created by the time the Messiah arrives. He'd better come soon because by the time Kiah decides to take a wife and start popping out babies he'll be a grandfather by the time Jesus gets here. Author REALLY should've started her story at 5 BC with Kiah as a young teen instead of a young boy who won't reach single adult age until Samuel the Lamanite finally shows up. I always imagined many of the twelve, even the prophet Nephi himself, all being thirtysomething age men who get to hang out with the Savior and witness all the heavenly manifestations, not fifty year old grandfathers.
Well, read this book and then go back and review your Book of Mormon stories. The author does try to make her story exciting but was all that Hollywood drama really necessary?
April 7, 2018
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. It was gripping how the story twists unfolded. It made me want to study the Book of Mormon more.
July 19, 2025
This book kept me fully entertained so hence the 5 stars.
August 24, 2012
What an amazing story. It took a little for me to get "into" the book, but once I got going I couldn't put it down. This book takes place in Ancient America/Book of Mormon times - Lachoneus is Chief Judge, Nephi, son of Helaman, is prophet and the Gadianton Robbers are rampant. The story follows one young man, as well as many others involved in his life, into late adult life - trying to decide if he is a believer or non-believer regarding the prophecies of the birth of the Savior and even if their is a Savior. Tells a griping story of what the people are dealing with on a day-to-day basis, divisions of families, struggles during the famine, then their story of conversion as they witness the signs of the Savior's birth and then his death and visitation to the Bountiful Temple. I was so touched by this author's representation of life of the people and how she directly quoted from the Book of Mormon regarding what the prophets said and how some still remained unbelievers. It was difficult to put this book down, I am grateful I had the time to read it. This story strengthened my testimony of the divinity of the Savior and His importance in our lives and to always trust Him and have faith in Him no matter what is happening around you. Hold to your teachings. There was a neat surprise at the end that really added to the story - it also had me weeping as I looked forward to the 2nd Coming of the Savior. In my opinion a must read book. I am going to look for more of her books.
April 7, 2013
I read the other book in this series, Master, before Christmas, and that was timely reading. This one, I was finishing in the weeks around Easter. I am grateful that I was reading it during this time! Set in the New World in the times just before Christ's birth, Toni Sorenson helped make the events of the wars involving the Gadianton robbers and the decline of the Nephites because of pride more real to me. I think that I actually preferred this historical novel to Master. The story did not have the lulls that I felt Master did. The characters in Master were more endearing, but I felt even more engaged in this book. I found myself emotionally engaged so often. It made me want, more than ever, to be worthy to be there when the Savior comes to the world again and to be living my life in such a way that could be possible for me.
August 2, 2011
7/2011 From Weber Library. I thought this was the book for June for South Weber Book Group after I got it I found out it was the Master that they had read. This was a great book. Gave a lot of insight of what the people in that time would have to go through. It had a lot of scripture reading also. I love the BOM so this was a new insight to me. Sometimes we just read and study to try to get the message of the sciptures that are meant for us and we do not take the time to think of the people in those time periods and the many sacrifices that they had to endure for us to have the wonderful knowledge that we do have. Story form makes it easier to read even when it is such a big book. Thanks to Rachel for introducing this author to me.
February 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I LOVED "Master" and was excited to read this book that tells of the Savior in the Americas. I liked how the author intertwined real historical figures with her fictional characters - it created quite the shock sometimes! I felt it truly helped create a vivid depiction of what life was actually like for the Nephite people in the years leading up to the Savior's visit to the Americas. I had anticipated the book focusing more on the Savior - like "Master" did, but the bulk of this book took place in the years prior to the Savior's visit. However, even though it wasn't what I expected - I was very pleased with the book and value the message and story it portrayed.
October 29, 2011
This book was a fictional story about the gadianton robbers and the Nephites during the time before Christ came, which was a bit long, but still good reading and had good insights as to how it could have been back then. It was also interesting to see the spiritual growth of the main character, Kiah. I empathized with his anger towards those who were evil, but he had to overcome that to get to a higher spiritual level and love our enemies as Christ would. Kiah has grandchildren by the time Christ comes, but it was good reading.
May 3, 2011
I was expecting this to be a lot like her book Master. This series is set in Book of Mormon times and was very hard to get into. I was disappointed because I love Toni Sorenson's book Master and a non fiction book Defined by Christ. If you decide to read this book, just know that it will take awhile to get into the story and to get used to the charcters. It took me 13 days to read this book, which tells you how slow it reads, I can usually finish a book this thick in three to four days.
July 6, 2012
I thought parts of it were really good, but it wasn't anywhere near as good as "Master."
The biggest issue I had was the timing. I felt like the pacing was slow. It started too early, or something. A long hunk of time happens when Kiah is a young man, and then all of the sudden BAM he's old, but then BAM he's even older? And it was very hard to figure out all that.
Still good, just not as good.
The biggest issue I had was the timing. I felt like the pacing was slow. It started too early, or something. A long hunk of time happens when Kiah is a young man, and then all of the sudden BAM he's old, but then BAM he's even older? And it was very hard to figure out all that.
Still good, just not as good.
August 31, 2012
This is a novel set in the ancient America's when the Savior appears to the Nephites/Lamanites. As I am currently reading the Book of Mormon during the days of Nephi and Lehi (Sons of Helaman) it really made these scriptures come alive for me. There are so many parallels to our days as we, too, are waiting for the coming of the Savior and dealing with our own Gadianton robbers. I actually finished the book with tears running down my cheeks so my hats off to the author.
October 3, 2012
This story starts about 17 BC on the American Continent. It is told by a boy named Kiah, as he struggles with his situation in life and the choices that are laid before him as he matures into a man. The story is captivating and shows the good and bad that he encounters. Key people in scripture are woven into his life, many as relatives, so we can understand his heartache and joy as Kiah becomes a warrior to bring souls to the Messiah.
April 25, 2011
it took me a while to get used to reading in first person. once i became comfortable with that the story seemed to move along a bit faster.
i have to say i was a little disappointed; but only because i was expecting another master. now i know i shouldn't hold this book up to the first one because they are two different stories, but i did and still do. sigh.
i have to say i was a little disappointed; but only because i was expecting another master. now i know i shouldn't hold this book up to the first one because they are two different stories, but i did and still do. sigh.
January 21, 2013
The book was good but quite slow. It did however allowed the reader to understand that even though you are a believer and doer of Gods words doesn't make it so you are free from trials and turmoil. It also shows us that we are all given multiple chances for repentance but we shouldn't wait to long.
May 23, 2016
Although somewhat reminiscent at points of "the Testaments" (a LDS movie) this storyline is uniquely one of a kind as you follow a story of faith & hope through Kiah. The character development is well-done & also foreshadows how some of the characters will be the rest of the book. My favorite part/section is when Kiah gains his own voice & testimony of the Messiah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2011
Once again Toni Sorenson has paired her masterful writing skills with her deep faith to bring to life the setting and people of a beloved book of scripture. "Messiah" deepened my appreciation for everyone past and present who stands up for truth and righteousness.
November 17, 2014
Dito (read what I said about "Master" by Toni Sorenson). I did predict the ending to the character Kiah just from reading the first lines in the book (I'm sure my background knowledge of the BOM helped).
April 20, 2015
This book was so long getting to the good part. . . by the end I understood why Sorenson meandered through her story--it was to prove a point at the end: that all of us can change and can be ready to serve our God.
The last 100 pages is the best part of the book--keep a tissue handy!
The last 100 pages is the best part of the book--keep a tissue handy!
April 3, 2014
Loved this book. It gave me a better understanding of the people and the time period of the nephietes and lamanities. It felt like you were there. Also you got feel how it may have felt when Christ visited the people.
May 13, 2011
I liked the story, but it felt long to me. Maybe I was comparing it to Master, which was amazing. It gave me insight as to how the Nephites might have lived at that time.
May 16, 2011
This book made the Book of Mormon come alive for me. I will never read the scriptures in the same way again. I love Toni's books and this one is my favorite so far.
May 31, 2011
Loved this book, Would suggest that everyone read it.
August 6, 2011
This was a great book! Even though it is a novel, it weaves the story through the scripture accounts and becomes very real.
September 5, 2011
Much better than the Master and that was a great book.
March 9, 2012
I loved it!
August 17, 2013
Inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews