Daniel and Nephi: Eternal Friendship in a Land Ripening for Destruction Paperback – August, 1993

by Chris Heimerdinger

In a world of infinite mystery, when caravans rule the sun-swept deserts and mighty empires grapple for ultimate power, the lives of a young prince named Daniel and a trader's son named Nephi become entwined in an adventure that takes them along the razor's edge of danger and suspense as they struggle to save the life of a king and the fate of a nation.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Historical Fiction, Lds, Young Adult, Fiction, Religion, Adventure

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Chris Heimerdinger is an author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who has presently written sixteen adult and young adult novels, most of which center on religious themes familiar to LDS members. Most are published with Covenant Communications in American Fork, Utah. One title, A Return to Christmas was also picked up by Random House/Ballantine in 1995. When the title was released by Ballantine in 2004, it was republished by Covenant Communications.

Reviews

[Andrew Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I dug up this review I wrote in 1996 from the AML archives).
Daniel and Nephi falls outside of the "Tennis Shoes" series, this is just historical fiction, no time-travel involved. Heimerdinger creates a chain of events which thrusts together Nephi (son of Lehi) and Daniel (of the Lion Den fame) together for a series of adventures around 609 BC (nine years before the opening of the BofM, and three years before Daniel is taken to Babylon).

Daniel, the nephew of the (mostly) righteous King Josiah of Judah, is caught up in a palace coup, and is left in the desert for dead. He is discovered and rescued by Ishmael, winds up at Lehi's estate, and goes with Laman and young Nephi to Egypt for his own safety. The two boys, after a rocky start, become strong friends. The climax is Josiah's disastrous defeat at Meggido at the hands of the Egyptians (2 Chronicles 35), which the boys witness and participate in.

This book succeeds where Poulson's "Samuel: Moroni's Young Warrior" failed, characterizations.
Heimerdinger is no literary master, but his characters are at lest interesting, and we are allowed to see what motives drive both the good and the bad. Lehi develops from being simply an observing Israelite to an acting servant of the Lord. Laman, who is in charge of Lehi's caravans to Egypt, becomes enchanted with the variety of religions and philosophies existing along the caravan route, becomes a moral relativist, and ignores the laws of God. Lemuel is a religious zealot and patriot, but after Judah is defeated at Meggido he becomes bitter against the Lord. The boys are rescued at one point by a pair of Greeks, with whom they discuss the roles of science and religion. The leaders of the coup against Josiah act in order to preserve their trade relations with Egypt. The boys themselves are able to overcome their own pride and fears to accomplish important tasks.

Heimerdinger's presentation of the politics of the period is especially interesting. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it at least lines up with the accounts in the Old Testament. I hadn't noticed before that the defeat at Meggido occurred only 9 years before the opening of the BoM, and its inclusion in a book about the pre-BofM years of Lehi's family makes for a fascinating "how might it have been?" experience. King Josiah is presented as a righteous person, but one who ultimately fails because he tries to get the Lord to submit to his will, rather than the other way around. We also get cameos by Jeremiah, Laban, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I found myself going to the Old Testament and checking how much of what he presents is actually there, which certainly was one of his aims.

Heimerdinger's dialogue is fresh and believable, and managed to keep my interest throughout. I liked that he didn't try to create a completely happy ending. Daniel is placed under house arrest, and the boys are never able to meet again. But we are reminded of the great future both have ahead of them.

I have only a few criticisms. As with "Samuel", girls play little to no role. He includes a couple of what I would consider "cheap" miracles, particularly a scene where, during a parade of the Egyptian army, a sacred bull stops in front of the boys and collapses, a sign that Jehovah is stronger than the gods of the Egyptians. Even for future prophets, I doubt that the Lord ever makes things so obvious. Also, the amount of wisdom and the strength of character that two 11/12 year old boys display is a bit much to believe, even conceding that people grew up quicker in those days. But in order to fit it into the chronology, they couldn't be much older (could we imagine Nephi being any older than 20 in 600BC?).

None of these things do much harm to the book, however. It isn't going to overwhelm too people above 16, but as a work of juvenile historical fiction, it is quite satisfying. Thumbs up.

[Elisa]

ok so the boy on the left is my neighbor... he is like 18 now. when they painted this he was like 9

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Nephi and Daniel knew each other? They were both living in Jerusalem, they were both close to the Lord, you never really know. I know this is historical fiction and not real events but I love the thought of the possibility of two great prophets knowing each other. This story takes place when they were both 11, about 3 years before Daniel was taken to Babylon.

[Luke Mehner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Setting my expectations aside it's a great story that was well thought out. It was entertaining and wasn't as predictable as some others stories. There are a couple of conversations between characters that have insightful ideas and thoughts. The book itself a very interesting concept and I wish it was taken in a different direction. It didn't meet my expectations.

[Brian Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the time frame of Nephi's record and his life, there is a chance that he might have known specific Old Testament prophets before his family left Jerusalem. This book explores the idea that Nephi of the Book of Mormon and Daniel of the Lion's Den met each other as children and have to go together on a shared adventure. An enjoyable and fun read.

[Aaron Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's quite the story. What if Nephi and Daniel had met in real life? They certainly had quite the adventures together in this story as young children before their recorded scriptural adventures began. The author did a great job describing the characters' personalities and how they talked and acted. Though written in modern language, he also captured the culture of the story.

[Stephen Greco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting concept and ok story.

[Elise Derr Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the hypothetical connection between these boys before they are led by the Lord to different parts of the world!

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nephi and Daniel lived at the same time in Biblical history and so the author has created a story of how they might have some in contact with each other despite the great difference in their status in life. This was a really good story.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book for the second time. We are reading it for an Enrichment reading group. I like the idea of Daniel and Nephi meeting each other and sharing a story. Until I read this book, it never dawned on me that they lived during the same time period. It is easy to forget that Nephi and his family left Jerusalem just before the Babylonian occupation.

There is a little poem written in this book that I feel applies for us today. Daniel and Nephi go on an adventure, not of their own choosing but because of the wicked forces that are conspiring against Daniel. They come upon a Greek caravan and ask what they could do to repay them for their kindness and help. One of them said "Virtue is a thing that none can take away, but money changes owners all the day." We live in a time of greed and low viture. It brings to my mind the importance of living the best that I can, and to be virtuous. I can't do anything about what others do, and the ecomonic problems, but I can live my life the best that I can and still be happy.

[Palmyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this one passage in the book where Nephi ponders on his brother Laman. He says something to the effect that some people search knowledge and the more they look for it the less they find. I never thought about this before, but it sounds about right. Unless we have the humility to know that "we really don't know", we may never really get it right. That's probably one of the many reasons Heavenly Father chooses young people to accomplish his works. People like Nephi, Daniel, King David, and Joseph Smith. People who would seek his counsel first before their own.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, hence the three stars. It was interesting but not gripping. I enjoyed reading about the fictional relationship between Daniel and Nephi, but didn't quite get into all the background rituals and details of the day. I guess when I started reading it, I thought it would center more on their dealings with each other. Instead, it was Daniel and Nephi set in 600 BC, with all the goings on of that time. Just a perception thing, but all the "goings on" wasn't why I read the book. It was easy to put down and read three other books before finishing it...

[Linnae · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Daniel, the great Old Testament prophet, and Nephi, prophet from the Book of Mormon, knew each other as kids? From this basic premise, Heimerdinger recreates Jerusalem in the years before the Babylonion captivity, and gives a story of two boys who must learn to put their trust in the God of Irael while chaos and intrigue swirl around them.

Excellent. Highly recommended.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Chris Heimerdinger and how he can bring the scriptures to life by bringing the people to life. This book was really fun and entertaining. When a historical fiction book makes you want to go and find out more about the characters and the time period you know the author has done a good job. Loved it, and it has definitely already been added to my at home library!

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is off the beaten trail of the Tennis Shoes books, but just as good. All Books by Chris Heimerdinger are exciting and an easy read. I always enjoy them. Its been a while since I've read them, but I always love the adventures they unveil.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Chris Heimerdinger books. It is not related to his Tennis Shoes series. I enjoyed this book because it showed possibilities for understanding Laman and Lemuel in the Book of Mormon.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time since it'd been long enough I couldn't remember much. I really like all of his books because of the religion, history and events occurring around them that it brings it more to life. Interesting concept.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Chris Himerdingers books! He is a very good LDS kids authors(which tends to be so good that is sucks adults right in...like me). I acctually have this on tape also and it never gets old to listen to it while driving in the car.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I like the Tennis Shoes series but it wasn't nearly as good as I thought I would be. I didn't hate it but I remember finishing it and thinking it wasn't the greatest. Maybe if I read it again I would feel differently...but maybe not.

[Breena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think it is important to remember that it is a novel and not based in scripture that Daniel and Nephi knew each other. I have had people tell me that before and now that I have read this book I think I know how they are coming to that assumption.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, awesome book. It was fun to think that Nephi and Daniel might have known each other. Had lots of adventure and great lessons. I learned alot about both these great men. I learned real things and then also it was fun to think what they could of been like (personalities and such).

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in Jerusalem and has Daniel (from the Lion's Den) and Nephi (from the Book of Mormon) as friends.

[Samuel Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great and touching story of two of the greatest prophets as children.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be my favorite of Heimerdinger's. Just the idea of Daniel and Nephi knowing each other was so neat to me. And the adventures he creates for them had me so engrossed in the book.

[G (galen) · Rating 2 out of 5]

His story telling just didn't measure up to what he accomplished with the tennis shoes series.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. It's been a while though, I'll have to re-read it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story of two prophets Daniel and Nephi. It was a fun read.

[Camilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool crossing of paths I never thought about. A neat book.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it! Great story that imagines that Daniel from the Old Testament and Nephi from the Book of Mormon were friends in 600 BC before Nephi sailed to America.

[Deni Torrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Chris just knows how to turn them out..