What do you think?
Rate this book
A Thousand Souls
This novel-based on Lee Nelson's actual LDS mission to Germany is a pleasing, uplifting journey of self-discovery. The plot twists and heart-touching scenes rival any of those found in the author's Storm Testament series. The powerful message will serve as motivation for young readers to serve missions themselves. Elder Spencer W. Kimball laid his warm, strong hands on my head and in a raspy voice, proceeded to set me apart as a missionary. He blessed me that I would be protected from harm, that I would enjoy good health, and that if I kept the commandments and remained faithful I would be instrumental in bringing a thousand souls to the truth. That promise weighed heavily on young Lee Nelson as he began his mission to Germany in the 1960s, but also served as a motivator for him in accomplishing the work of the Lord.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2002
About the author
Lee Nelson
121 books29 followersLee Nelson's historical novels have sold hundreds of thousands of copies since his first novel was released in 1981. Nelson has also published a score of non-fiction works including the top-selling Beyond the Veil series.
Nelson is widely respected for his historical research which includes killing a buffalo from the vack of a galloping horse with a bow and arrow.
Nelson was born in Logan, Utah, but spent most of his childhood in California. After serving an LDS mission in Germany, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and a Masters Degree in Business, both from Brigham Young University. He was a speech writer in Philadelphia and a car dealer in Montana before beginning his career as an author.
Lee lives on a small farm in central Utah. His hobbies include team roping, big game hunting, and finding and exploring ancient Indian ruins.
Nelson is widely respected for his historical research which includes killing a buffalo from the vack of a galloping horse with a bow and arrow.
Nelson was born in Logan, Utah, but spent most of his childhood in California. After serving an LDS mission in Germany, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and a Masters Degree in Business, both from Brigham Young University. He was a speech writer in Philadelphia and a car dealer in Montana before beginning his career as an author.
Lee lives on a small farm in central Utah. His hobbies include team roping, big game hunting, and finding and exploring ancient Indian ruins.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 26, 2024
I have to say, this book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I was anticipating there to be more stories of spiritual experiences rather than shenanigans. However, as with all autobiographical content, if that’s what happened, then all you can do is tell the story, no matter how unconventional.
I did appreciate how candid and real Nelson’s retelling of his story was. I also liked that everything that seemed weird and irrelevant in the moment came together in the end. It does turn out to be an interesting and unique story.
The organization of the book seemed a bit weird. There often times weren’t transitions and I had a hard time determining whether this book is a compilation of sequential events or a big story with a sort of plot. It seemed like it tried to be both and it just felt a bit scrambled.
Once again, I can only be so critical of true (for the most part) events that actually took place, but some of the things that Nelson did as a missionary—and those very things he felt were relevant enough to include in his book—didn’t sit very well with me. Being a missionary isn’t about publicly showing the world who is better; it’s about humbly following Christ and sharing His gospel, in a modest, personal way. I don’t know if Nelson endorses his past behavior but I didn’t love the way it portrayed the church and its missionaries and members. It came across as a bit “us vs them.”
Overall it was an okay read. As a former missionary myself, I had plenty of my own experiences having fun and maybe even fooling around a bit; but I have also had many other experiences that strengthened my testimony; experiences where I saw the Lord’s hand guiding me and helping me grow and become better, helping my companion and me know how to find people and teach, showing me mini day-to-day miracles, etc. The latter is much more important and sacred to me and what I choose to remember when I look back on my mission. I just can’t get past the fact that Nelson refused to focus on those stories but rather chose to highlight the humorous, unorthodox side of his mission experience. I have to say though, how he found his “thousand souls” is quite the story, I have to give him that.
I did appreciate how candid and real Nelson’s retelling of his story was. I also liked that everything that seemed weird and irrelevant in the moment came together in the end. It does turn out to be an interesting and unique story.
The organization of the book seemed a bit weird. There often times weren’t transitions and I had a hard time determining whether this book is a compilation of sequential events or a big story with a sort of plot. It seemed like it tried to be both and it just felt a bit scrambled.
Once again, I can only be so critical of true (for the most part) events that actually took place, but some of the things that Nelson did as a missionary—and those very things he felt were relevant enough to include in his book—didn’t sit very well with me. Being a missionary isn’t about publicly showing the world who is better; it’s about humbly following Christ and sharing His gospel, in a modest, personal way. I don’t know if Nelson endorses his past behavior but I didn’t love the way it portrayed the church and its missionaries and members. It came across as a bit “us vs them.”
Overall it was an okay read. As a former missionary myself, I had plenty of my own experiences having fun and maybe even fooling around a bit; but I have also had many other experiences that strengthened my testimony; experiences where I saw the Lord’s hand guiding me and helping me grow and become better, helping my companion and me know how to find people and teach, showing me mini day-to-day miracles, etc. The latter is much more important and sacred to me and what I choose to remember when I look back on my mission. I just can’t get past the fact that Nelson refused to focus on those stories but rather chose to highlight the humorous, unorthodox side of his mission experience. I have to say though, how he found his “thousand souls” is quite the story, I have to give him that.
January 8, 2019
A THOUSAND SOULS
Lee nelson,
The book is about a college kid (which is himself)who decides to go on a mission. And when he gets set apart by Elder Kimball (then he was only an apostle.) And when he gets his blessing he says, “Elder Kimball invited me to sit in a cushioned straight backed chair in the center of an open area. He and I were the only one in his office. Stepping behind me, he laid his warm ,strong hands on my head and in a raspy voice, proceeded to set me apart as a missionary. He blessed me that I would be protected from harm.that I would enjoy good health.and that is I kept the commandments and remained faithful I would be instrumental in bringing a thousand souls to the truth.” and on his mission he mets nuns preachers and has a strange connection with them and he gains a testimony and much faith.
The theme of the book is that is to go on a mission ;). He didn't even know the church was true until 3 days of fasting and he converted a lot of people into the church. And he helped a lot of people with personal stuff and actually saves a man's life.
I would rate this book a 8 out of ten. Liked the way it was written really well it made me want to not stop reading. I like stories from missionaries but the one thing I didn't like was all the romance not Lee Nelson dont worry well a little but still gross.
Lee nelson,
The book is about a college kid (which is himself)who decides to go on a mission. And when he gets set apart by Elder Kimball (then he was only an apostle.) And when he gets his blessing he says, “Elder Kimball invited me to sit in a cushioned straight backed chair in the center of an open area. He and I were the only one in his office. Stepping behind me, he laid his warm ,strong hands on my head and in a raspy voice, proceeded to set me apart as a missionary. He blessed me that I would be protected from harm.that I would enjoy good health.and that is I kept the commandments and remained faithful I would be instrumental in bringing a thousand souls to the truth.” and on his mission he mets nuns preachers and has a strange connection with them and he gains a testimony and much faith.
The theme of the book is that is to go on a mission ;). He didn't even know the church was true until 3 days of fasting and he converted a lot of people into the church. And he helped a lot of people with personal stuff and actually saves a man's life.
I would rate this book a 8 out of ten. Liked the way it was written really well it made me want to not stop reading. I like stories from missionaries but the one thing I didn't like was all the romance not Lee Nelson dont worry well a little but still gross.
February 4, 2021
This is considered an autobiographical novel because while most is true, certain timelines, places, conversations & events are altered for privacy and other reasons.
Great book! Read it! I must admit i enjoyed Brother Nelson's youthful missionary "hijinks" but the spiritual growth and insights he attained while striving to fulfill the exhortation to bring a thousand souls unto God was very moving to me. Interesting historical and cultural background of a mission in Germany in the '60's.
Great book! Read it! I must admit i enjoyed Brother Nelson's youthful missionary "hijinks" but the spiritual growth and insights he attained while striving to fulfill the exhortation to bring a thousand souls unto God was very moving to me. Interesting historical and cultural background of a mission in Germany in the '60's.
April 28, 2016
This is the story of the mission of Lee Nelson. Because he wrote it so many years later and he was writing from memory he called it a novel. His mission took him to Germany. He had been blessed by Spencer W. Kimball before leaving and he literally took the words given him in the blessing with him.
He was always looking for ways to accomplish what he had been told......An interesting story and a mission that seemed so different from ones today. Lee said "the events that happened in Germany between 1962 and 1965 changed my life forever". An enjoyable story.
He was always looking for ways to accomplish what he had been told......An interesting story and a mission that seemed so different from ones today. Lee said "the events that happened in Germany between 1962 and 1965 changed my life forever". An enjoyable story.
June 5, 2016
A great read. Things have changed over the years for missionaries. Some events sound crazy and could not be carried out today. A wonderful account of a man doing what is right in a most unconventional way. Reading this story will entertain and encourage.
Entertaining and funny! Be true to yourself and God will guide you, even if that means taking a not so straight path.
Entertaining and funny! Be true to yourself and God will guide you, even if that means taking a not so straight path.
February 22, 2008
This book is about of LDS missionaries. It's been a while since I've read it but I absolutely loved it. I remember there were a few questions I pondered about the gospel before reading this and they answered them in the greatest way. I think they are still underlined in my copy. A very easy read.
August 14, 2008
Quick and easy read - Story of a young man on a mission to Southern Germany.
November 15, 2009
A mission experience in Germany. Having also been a missionary in Germany myself I could relate about almost everything that happened in his story.
December 4, 2009
Another great book from Lee Nelson.
August 5, 2010
GREAT storyteller. loved this book. It is a short read and so worth it!
August 23, 2010
I loved this book. Its a great missionary story.
March 17, 2013
A fun, easy read. It's interesting to see how Nelson describes serving a mission in Germany in those days. Very inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews