Light from the Dust: A Photographic Exploration into the Ancient World of the Book of Mormon

by Scot Facer Proctor, Maurine Jensen Proctor

Somewhere Nephi built a ship, Chief Captain Moroni dug trenches as fortifications, and a last, desperate battle was fought at a hill called Cumorah. These things didn't happen in a vague nowhere land. Yet, because we do not know their precise geographical locations, it is tempting to read the Book of Mormon as if the people it describes were abstractions in a lost, untouchable world. To add flesh and blood to them, to give their message urgency and passion, Light from the Dust has been created. Using the best existing information, authors Scot and Maurine Proctor have travel two continents with a camera, trying to capture on film the feelings, the light and shadow, the sights that may have been common to the people f the Book of Mormon. What follows is a landmark work, a refreshing surprise. We may not know exactly where Nephi built the ship, but the probable remains of a ship site like the one he described are traced on a remote beach in Oman. We may not know exactly where Captain Moroni's trenches are, but ancient trenches like those he built have been discovered in Guatemala, extending for miles. We may not know exactly where the nephrite nation fell, but a secluded, un explored basin tin the Tuxtla mountains contains the ancient fortifications of a massive battle site. to experience "Light from the Dust is to add a vivid and moving backdrop to the experience of reading the Book of Mormon and to feel again, this time with a visual context, the pleadings of the ancient American prophets to our day to come unto Christ. "We labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ," Nephi said. in that same spirit was this book created.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Cory Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from a friend of mine who said "It wasn't what I thought it was going to be." After reading it, and knowing what the title is, I have often wondered since then what he expected from it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am (selfishly) glad that my friend did not. Not only is it a "Photographic Exploration" of the Book of Mormon, but it is a spiritually enlightening visual trip through an area that has always only been part of my imagination. With true to life accounts of their own journeys of both the Holy Land and the New World, Scot and Maurine Proctor guide the reader through an enchanting area that helps the reader see what might have been the areas that Lehi, Nephi and their descendants lived and traversed.

Naturally, as it is written by humans, there is some conjecture or educated guesswork here and there in the book; however, it does not overshadow the facts gathered concerning the sites in question nor do they supersede the and importance of the message they are bringing tangible light to.

[Cindy Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the series. Beautiful pictures from the lands of the Book of Mormon. Its a fascinating book. I didn't get to read all..but the pictures are just lovely. If I get around to it, I may get the trilogy for my personal library. Its a great book, with pictures I may never get to see in person.