The American Covenant Vol 1: One Nation under God: Establishment, Discovery and Revolution

by Timothy Ballard

This is the LDS version of the very popular book, THE COVENANT which was featured on Glenn Beck show and which shot to #1 on Amazon. This version of the text includes Mr. Ballard's personal Christian testimony of how the Covenant ties into what he calls, the "Restoration of the Covenant in the last days." If you prefer a more non-denominational view of the same research, we refer you to his best selling book, THE COVENANT One Nation Under God. This text is part 1 of a two-part series called The American Covenant series Volumes I & 2. Vol 1 covers this land's sacred history beginning with the discovery of the new world and then takes the reader from there through the Revolutionary War period. Volume 2 picks up from there and walks the reader through the difficult and miraculous period of the Constitutional Convention and on through the Civil War including the "conversion" of Lincoln to the concept of the American Covenant. The author then takes the reader up to our current time, where Ballard asserts what he believes we as citizens of this blessed land, must do in order to preserve those covenant blessings today. Ballard's ten years of research on this masterpiece will forever change the way you view this nation's history. Description
* Have you ever wondered why your heart is so touched when you hear the playing of our national anthem? Or when you read the inspiring words of our founding fathers? Are those feelings not remarkably similar to the feelings you have when singing a sacred hymn or hearing a profound sermon? Are we just overly sentimental and emotional creatures or is there something more going on? * Consider the feelings that permeate your soul whether you are reading the inspired words of Captain Moroni...or General George Washington? Yes, you know this is a "choice land" given by God, but have you ever considered that perhaps there is a deeper connection--even deeper than you ever imagined--between Heaven and America? * This book promises to open your eyes to that deeper connection, the real answer to what makes America good/great. * You will learn how and why ancient prophets-from Jacob (Israel), Jeremiah and Isaiah--foresaw the United States and knew of its divine ordination. * Besides the advent of the Messiah, there were few things that nearly every ancient prophet the establishment of a free nation that would be above all others in the last days, America! * More astonishing, perhaps, is the idea that the fathers of the nation--from the Pilgrims to the revolutionaries, to the patriots of the Civil War--knew they had been seen! * Why else did the early settlers insist they were "New Israel"? * Why was George Washington's scripture of choice an Old Testament prophecy about the gospel destiny in America? * Why did John Adams seek a Restoration, and why did Jefferson directly prophesy that such an event would occur shortly after his death and that it would rest upon the foundation of the Constitution? * These are but samples of the many puzzle pieces that, when properly assembled, reveal the true nature and purpose of America. Other evidences include symbolic images on our dollar bill, miracles in war, a prophet's warning, a president's prayer, scriptures with cryptic meaning hiding in plain sight--pieces, clues, words and symbols that actually fit perfectly together. Upon finishing this book, you will ask, How did I not see all this before? The key to assembling the pieces, to solving the puzzle, is found in the remarkable and divine establishment of "The American Covenant."

443 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

TIMOTHY BALLARD graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University in Spanish and political science, then went on to receive an MA (summa cum laude) in international politics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Tim has worked for the Central Intelligence Agency as well as an agent for the Department of Homeland Security. He is also the author of The American Covenant: One Nation under God. He lives in Southern California with his wife and six children.

http://deseretbook.com/Timothy_Ballar...

Reviews

[Richard L Colemere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dynamic verification of the Book of Mormon

This Hartland analysis portrays a valid argument for the purposes of where the people of the Book of Mormon moved, lived, and worshipped. Determined are the evidences that this land of the United States is indeed the land of promise.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much already had this info, but a good beginning book if you're not familiar with the heartland Model

[Carol Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that asserts where Book of Mormon history took place. I am not 100% on board, but I found it interesting to read.

[Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book overall. Finishes with an amazing paragraph and historical account.

[Bill B · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent foundation for the heartland theory

This book is well written, based on solid logic, and provides excellent theoretical ideas for the geographical location for the Book of Mormon. I highly recommend it.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cover photo on Goodreads doesn't match actual book. Hearing the author lecture on the subject is very interesting, and preferable to reading this particular book.

[Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the Church has never made an official statement on the geographic location of the Book of Mormon setting, this book is offered as a theory -- that the Promised Land referred to in the scriptures is the United States and North America. In my mind, it makes so much more sense.

This book is written more as a thesis, is methodical, and sometimes seems to be off proving an unknown argument. But I fully accept their theory and their sources. I have always questioned in my own mind how the central civilization of the Book of Mormon could be in South America when the Hill Cumorah (and the "room of records") could be brought here all during a time when Mormon and Moroni were hiding from the Lamanites and moving frequently. My thoughts only... The authors provide even more reasons to accept a "Heartland Theory."

The authors resources are (in order of priority and importance): "1) the prophetic evidence found in scriptures; 2) the prophetic statements of the inspired translator, Joseph Smith; 3) the physical evidences [DNA, archeology, cultural anthropology:]; 4) [least important:]geographical [incomplete:] passages.

Foreward by Kieth Merrill (The Testaments Filmmaker), "What I know for sure about the Book of Mormon does not come from architectural remnants, internal references to geography, hypothetical maps or the myriad scholarly efforts in quest for evidence of place. I know the book is authentic through spiritual conviction... My clear conviction about what it is does not include any sure knowledge of where it all took place."

"That said, I must confess, looking north instead of south has reignited my fascination, added to my testimony..."

"I am perceived as one who jumped ship early and swam north... When I sent an email to the authors and scolded them for writing their book ten years too late [referring to when he did The Testaments:]..."

"A reexamination of what Jesus said as he stood on this land is remarkable in clarity. What Joseph Smith said as he walked across what he called the 'Plains of the Nephites' is likewise suddenly monumental. The words of Christ are scripture. The words of Joseph Smith have been called by some 'mistaken.' Really?"

[Bobbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A neighbor urged this book on me, so I read it somewhat out of a sense of obligation. It was a bit repetitive and a little too strident, but makes a reasonable and compelling case for the Book of Mormon lands to be in The United States, not Mesoamerica as many promote. Because of prophecies, scriptures, architectural and DNA evidence (haplogroup X, European/Israeli descent in Native Americans is found only in N. A.), the authors believe the land spoken of in the Book of Mormon is in North America. Many studies by non-LDS researchers are excerpted. I liked the information, just didn't love the writing style.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The material was very compelling and I agree now with most of the theories presented, however, the writing style seemed a bit combative and off-topic at times. The edition I read 2009 had several editing errors which made it more difficult to read.

[Brent McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work in restating original positions regarding Book of Mormon lands and settings.

[Win · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I loved reading it, but it came under severe review in a recent FARMS. And, they convinced me. So, now I have serious doubts as to its truth.