Giveaway: Enslaved to Saved eBooks

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Long-time MMM contributor Reid just finished writing a reaaaally long blog post. His new book, Enslaved to Saved: The Metaphor of Christ As Our Master, examines the cultural and political background of slavery during the time of Christ and what it means for our modern-day commitment to the Lord. More on the book below, but first ... Reid and publisher Cedar Fort are offering two readers free eBook copies of Enslaved to Saved. Giveaway details below.

Giveaway Guidelines:
• Leave a comment on this post.
• Seven days to enter (closes Tuesday, May 19th at midnight).
• Winners announced Wednesday, May 20th.
• Winners must provide their email addresses in order to receive the eBook.

Enslaved to Saved: The Metaphor of Christ As Our Master

Members of the LDS Church are people that identify strongly with the idea of being servants of the Lord. Yet, where the King James Version of the Bible reads ‘servant of Jesus Christ’ the original Greek in which the New Testament was written invariably reads ‘slave of Jesus Christ’. Although latter-day saints believe the Bible as far as it is translated correctly, most fail to understand the servant/slave translational nuance. This may limit understanding of the original message of these important passages. The saints in the first-century Mediterranean world truly considered themselves slaves of Christ. We as latter-day saints have much to learn from this perspective.

This book reviews the New Testament message that men are transformed from being slaves of sin, to slaves of Christ as they are redeemed by His atonement. It illustrates how frequently the New Testament equates conversion to the gospel to becoming a slave of Christ. It chronicles the many instances in which the early apostles and gospel narrators referred to themselves in this way. It also reviews the extensive Hebraic tradition, which held that man was the slave of God, and numerous instances where theme of slavery is found in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Anciently slavery was a condition that was worse than death, and associated with utter hopelessness and loss of control. Yet enslavement to Christ was paradoxically esteemed to be an essential element of conversion that brought joy, freedom and eternal life. By illustrating this metaphor from the context in which the New Testament was originally written, my book helps the reader gain a new perspective about Jesus Christ. This perspective strives to improve the reader’s relationship with their Redeemer, and inspire them to more completely surrender their will to His.

Enslaved to Saved can be found at LDS bookstores and the usual online booksellers.

Giveaway Winner: Valley Food Storage 72-Hour Kit

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The good folks over at Valley Food Storage recently contacted us about a partnership. After requesting and sampling some of their food, we were on board. What really sets Valley apart, in our opinion, is the quality of their product - see for yourself how they stack up against other food storage companies.

For this giveaway, Valley Food Storage is rewarding one MMM reader with a two-person 72-Hour Kit, valued at almost $150. And the lucky winner is:

Andrea S (see comment here) - congratulations!

Giveaway Guidelines:
• Winner must respond via email with their address by Friday, February 13th to claim the kit.
• Kit will be mailed directly to winner at Valley's cost if within the United States.

Giveaway: Valley Food Storage 72-Hour Kit

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The good folks over at Valley Food Storage recently contacted us about a partnership. After requesting and sampling some of their food, we were on board. What really sets Valley apart, in our opinion, is the quality of their product - see for yourself how they stack up against other food storage companies.

For this giveaway, Valley Food Storage is rewarding one MMM reader with a two-person 72-Hour Kit, valued at almost $150. Giveaway guidelines are below.

Giveaway Guidelines:
• Leave a comment on this post.
• Seven days to enter (closes Sunday, February 8th at midnight).
• Winner announced Monday, February 9th.
• Winner must respond via email with their address by Friday, February 13th to claim the kit.
• Kit will be mailed directly to winner at Valley's cost if within the United States.

Giveaway: Murder By Sacrament, A Signature Books Title

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Signature Books continues to be a friend to MMM. They got in touch recently asking if we'd like to giveaway two advance reader copies of Murder By Sacrament, Paul M. Edwards' highly anticipated follow-up to The Angel Acronym. Of course we said yes.

Murder By Sacrament: Murder in the bucolic town of Independence, Missouri, is not everyday news. Especially when it occurs in the temple owned by the Reorganized Mormons. Once again, philosophy instructor and amateur sleuth Toom Taggart becomes embroiled in a homicide investigation. In this second novel, Edwards re-acquaints readers with the likeable, curmudgeonly professor who shocks fellow Latter Day Saints by drinking coffee. By coincidence, Taggart is called to oversee the Church’s education department, just as the author himself was some years ago. This gives Taggart even more reason to explore the inner offices at Church headquarters—places and hushed conversations are not meant for outsiders—all of which the author describes with a wink and a nod. Taggart is annoyed at having to navigate the political structure of the bureaucracy, but he cannot bring himself to leave. He is able to teach, and he likes his proximity to Church archives, local bookstores, and the woman who, according to fate, is still seeing the policeman from The Angel Acronym. All the major characters are back, and Taggart’s romantic rival is given the new murder case, meaning that he has to rely once again on Taggart for his knowledge of the Church’s secrets. This gives both men a reason to keep an eye on the other, making for entertaining situations in a funny, insider send-up of the RLDS community.

Signature Books is a press specializing in subjects related to Utah, Mormonism, and Western Americana. Signature published its first book, Saintspeak by Orson Scott Card, in 1981, and continues to publish eight to ten books a year dealing with Mormon history, fiction, essay, humor and art. Best-selling and/or award-winning titles from the press include Peterson's The Backslider, Quinn's Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, Compton's In Sacred Loneliness and the diaries of Joseph Smith, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, B. H. Roberts and Reed Smoot, among others. Purchase any of these titles and more through Signature's online store.

For this giveaway, Signature is generously providing two advance reader copies of its forthcoming title Murder By Sacrament. The winners will have a few weeks jump on the rest of you who'll have to wait until the book releases in October. To enter the giveaway, follow the guidelines below.

Giveaway Guidelines:
• Leave a comment on this post.
• Six days to enter (closes Sunday, September 7th at midnight).
• Winners announced week of Monday, September 8th.
• Winners must respond via email with their addresses to claim the books.

Giveaway 32: Church Books Grab Bag Winner

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The Backslider, Levi S. Peterson, (read reviews) (MMM posts)
Standing on the Promises Book 1: One More River to Cross, Margaret Blair Young and Darius Gray (read reviews)
The Gospel and Man's Relationship to Deity, B. H. Roberts, 1946 Edition (read reviews)
Daughters of Light, Carol Lynn Pearson, (read reviews) (MMM posts)
From Quaker to Latter-day Saint: Bishop Edwin D. Woolley, Leonard J. Arrington (read reviews)

And the winner is: EricL (see comment)

Please respond via email by Friday, June 20th to claim the books.

Giveaway 32: Church Books Grab Bag

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Seattle Jon lives a few blocks from one of the few Deseret Industries outside of Utah. With fewer members around to pick over church books, he is constantly buying so these books don't end up in landfills. For this giveaway, we are offering one reader the chance to receive the following gently used church books.

The Backslider, Levi S. Peterson, (read reviews) (MMM posts)
Standing on the Promises Book 1: One More River to Cross, Margaret Blair Young and Darius Gray (read reviews)
The Gospel and Man's Relationship to Deity, B. H. Roberts, 1946 Edition (read reviews)
Daughters of Light, Carol Lynn Pearson, (read reviews) (MMM posts)
From Quaker to Latter-day Saint: Bishop Edwin D. Woolley, Leonard J. Arrington (read reviews)

Giveaway Guidelines:
• Leave a comment on this post.
• Seven days to enter (closes Sunday, June 15th at midnight).
• Winner announced Monday, June 16th.
• Winner must respond via email with their address by Friday, June 20th to claim the books.
• Books will be mailed at our cost if within the United States.

Giveaway 31: Church Books Grab Bag Winner

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Seattle Jon lives a few blocks from one of the few Deseret Industries outside of Utah. With fewer members around to pick over church books, he is constantly buying ... sometimes without realizing he already owns what he's buying. For this giveaway, he is again dipping into his private collection to send the winner below the following gently used church books.

Daughters of Light, Carol Lynn Pearson, 1977 Edition (read reviews)
The Wilderness of Faith, John Sillito, Signature Books 1991 Edition (read reviews)
The Gathering of Zion, Wallace Stegner, 1981 Edition (read reviews)
Among the Mormons, A. Russell Mortensen, 1994 Edition (read reviews)

And the winner is: brandt (see comment)

Please respond via email with your address by Friday, February 28th to claim the books.

Giveaway 31: Church Books Grab Bag

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Seattle Jon lives a few blocks from one of the few Deseret Industries outside of Utah. With fewer members around to pick over church books, he is constantly buying ... sometimes without realizing he already owns what he's buying. For this giveaway, he is again dipping into his private collection to offer the following gently used church books to one lucky winner.

Daughters of Light, Carol Lynn Pearson, 1977 Edition (read reviews)
The Wilderness of Faith, John Sillito, Signature Books 1991 Edition (read reviews)
The Gathering of Zion, Wallace Stegner, 1981 Edition (read reviews)
Among the Mormons, A. Russell Mortensen, 1994 Edition (read reviews)

Giveaway Guidelines:
You have THREE chances to enter. Each entry requires a separate comment.
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Like MMM on Facebook or share this post on Facebook. Leave a comment letting us know you did.
3. Follow MMM on Twitter or share this post on Twitter. Leave a comment letting us know you did.

• 6 days to enter (closes Sunday, February 23rd at midnight).
• Winner announced Monday, February 24th.
• Winner must respond via email with their address by Friday, February 28th to claim the books.
• Books will be mailed at our cost if within the United States.

Beardliness is Next to Godliness: Blog Founders Competition

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The Beardliness is Next to Godliness competition has ended. Now it is up to you to select the winners. The main vote is being hosted over at Rational Faiths. Go vote for your favorite beards!

The founders of Modern Mormon Men and Rational Faiths are not eligible for prizes, but are jockeying for bragging rights. Vote for your favorite founder beard below!

Seattle Jon: The Moses

Michael Barker: The Wilford Woodruff

Scott Heffernan: The Orson Hyde

Paul Barker: The Orson Pratt/Benjamin F. Johnson

Paul Barker: The William Clayton/Brigham Young

Let the voting begin!

Modern Mormon Men Reader Survey

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This post. This right here is Modern Mormon Men's 1,000th post. To recognize the milestone we've created a survey for MMM readers. We want your feedback! Please fill out the brief, anonymous survey below.

Want to win a $25 Amazon gift card? Leave a comment on this post letting us know you completed the survey (we trust you). Your comment will not be connected to your answers.

If you don't see the embedded survey below or are having other issues, click here.

Giveaway 30: Winner

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Seattle Jon lives a few blocks from one of the few Deseret Industries outside of Utah. With fewer members around to pick over church books, he is constantly buying ... sometimes without realizing he already owns what he's buying. For this giveaway, he is again dipping into his private collection to send the winner below the following gently used church books.

Joseph Smith as Scientist, John A. Widtsoe, 1997 Edition (read reviews)

It's You and Me, Lord!, Alan G. Cherry, 1974 Edition (read reviews or MMM posts)

The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff & G. Homer Durham, 1969 Edition (read reviews)
The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment, Hugh Nibley, 1976 Edition (read reviews)

And the winner is: Devin F (see comment)

Please respond via email with your address by Friday, August 30th to claim the books.

Beardliness is Next to Godliness: A Contest

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Rational Faiths and Modern Mormon Men are launching the contest to end all contests, starting this September 1st and continuing until the end of October.

Before we begin, think about what we know about our Heavenly Father. We know he is all-powerful and all-knowing. We know he loves us. From prophetic accounts and artistic depictions, we also know he has a beard, and we know he sent his bearded son to die for us. In other words, beardliness is next to godliness.

We are sure this has been something prophets throughout time have struggled with. Some may have wanted to emulate our heavenly guides by growing beards. Some perhaps have felt unworthy and decided to make a subdued effort, decorating only regions of their face with facial hair, thus attempting to show their humility before God. Some have completely shaved their face, maybe to delineate the separation between man and his creator. The collection of various attempts has left us with quite the gallery.

Which brings us to the beard competition:

• Grow your beard Sep 1st to Oct 31st. (no need to be clean-shaven, you can start with a beard)
• Take a picture on the first day, and if possible include evidence to indicate the date - i.e. a date display on the picture, a newspaper from September 1st in prominent display, etc.
• On October 31st, shave your facial hair into a style similar to any latter-day apostle or prophet
• Submit via email a final picture and a name for the style - "The Wilford Woodruff," "The George Albert Smith," "The Early Lorenzo Snow with Awesome Sideburns," "The Older Pointy Bearded Lorenzo Snow," or "The Heber C. Kimball Comb-Over Sideburns Combo"
• Prizes for both those that start with a smooth face and those that start with a beard.

We'll post the final pictures, with the winners being decided by the number of votes received. The smooth-faced person with the most votes will be awarded $100 in cash, a Sunday School or Illustrated Mormons print from Scott Heffernan, and a Rational Faiths sticker. The person who starts with a beard will be awarded the same but only $50 in cash. That's some good prizes to look totally awesome and be the envy of all of your friends! The more who participate, the more fun we will have. Let the beard growing begin!

Giveaway 30: Church Books 4

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Seattle Jon lives a few blocks from one of the few Deseret Industries outside of Utah. With fewer members around to pick over church books, he is constantly buying ... sometimes without realizing he already owns what he's buying. For this giveaway, he is again dipping into his private collection to offer the following gently used church books to one lucky winner.

Joseph Smith as Scientist, John A. Widtsoe, 1997 Edition (read reviews)

It's You and Me, Lord!, Alan G. Cherry, 1974 Edition (read reviews or MMM posts)

The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff & G. Homer Durham, 1969 Edition (read reviews)
The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment, Hugh Nibley, 1976 Edition (read reviews)

Giveaway Guidelines:
You have THREE chances to enter. Each entry requires a separate comment.
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Like MMM on Facebook or share this post on Facebook. Leave a comment letting us know you did.
3. Follow MMM on Twitter or share this post on Twitter. Leave a comment letting us know you did.

• 6 days to enter (closes Sunday, August 25th at midnight).
• Winner announced Monday, August 26th.
• Winner must respond via email with their address by Friday, August 30th to claim the books.
• Books will be mailed at our cost if within the United States.

Giveaway 29: Winners

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According to Scott Hales, our resident book expert, Aleesa Sutton's self-published Diary of a Single Mormon Female "... is a fun book with a lot of insight into the lives of single Mormons. The book is made up of excerpts from Sutton's journals since the time she was a starry-eyed (and boy-crazy) pre-teen intercut with snarky bits of commentary from her older and wiser self. The combination is hilarious and heartbreaking." The following MMM readers have won a copy.

Gretchen Alice (read comment)
Emily Richardson (read comment)
Karen Peterson (read comment)
Ally Grigg (read comment)
Jenny Lloyd (read comment)

Winners must respond via email with their addresses by Friday, May 31st to claim their book. If you didn't win, buy Aleesa's book.