Not long now! Less than one week to go!

There's less than one week until the release of From the Dust #1: Things to Come!

This merchant from Arabia is but one example of From the Dust's unique scriptural world.

What is it?  From the Dust is a comic book series much like Spider-man or Batman, but instead of superheroes it tells the stories of prophets in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. See www.bookofmormoncomic.com for more details.

Specs: 

• 96-page full-color volume jam-packed with over 150 illustrations (over 100 in full-color!) 
• Contains the 16-page full-color first chapter of the From the Dust storyline!
• Introduces readers to the new and exciting world of From the Dust, where readers can walk alongside prophets of old and understand more of what it was like to live in their ancient world
• Quotes over 50 scriptures in its educational section and shows how they directly inspired the From the Dust storyline
• Gives an overview of the world, empires, and nations of From the Dust (including maps!)
• Introduces the main cast including Jeremiah, Lehi, Sariah, their family, and some evil kings and priests from the Old Testament that fought against them

Where to buy: Smaller LDS retailers will carry From the Dust #1 starting early December and larger LDS retailers will follow (not yet certain when). We will have an updated list of retailers posted on www.bookofmormoncomic.com.

How much does it cost? $14.99

When does the next one come out? From the Dust #2: Jerusalem's Darkest Hour, which will have over 30 pages of full-color story, will be released in the spring of 2013. To be the first to know about From the Dust product releases and promotions, sign up for our newsletter.

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What if I own From the Dust #0? Owners of the Special Collector's Edition From the Dust #0: Things to Come will find over 30 pages of all-new content in From the Dust #1, including an additional 7 pages of full-color story!

Prophets of Old...

Jeremiah blesses Nephi as a kitten.

Most people think of prophets as old guys. History doesn't support this concept. Numerous prophets have been called in middle-age. Others still were called while in their youth.

Jeremiah is one that was called while still young. Daniel, Ezekiel, David, and others--these people were young when they performed much of their work. Why do we insist on giving them big gray beards all the time? In reality most of these people that have interacted with Deity were middle-aged or younger, including Jesus and John the Baptist, and if you're Mormon, let's not forget Joseph Smith. Get with the program people. Being young is cool. People over 30 are boring.

The "laying on of hands" was an established practice for blessing or conferring authority during Biblical times. Moses and numerous other prophets and patriarchs are recorded having done so.

The Melchizedek Priesthood

Lehi prays fervently for the welfare of his people.

At the beginning of Season 1, we spend ample time getting to know Lehi and his family in their land of inheritance. One of the important events that happens here is Lehi's call to the ministry by Jeremiah -- in other words, his ordination to the priesthood. Lehi's experiences and visions--which are comparable to Moses'--would have merited such a call.

Lehi travels to Jerusalem to be ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood by the hand of Jeremiah. In those days very few people held the authority of the higher priesthood, and fewer still were worthy to wield its power.

This being a pivotal moment in Lehi's life, he chooses to bring his four sons to witness the ordination. The older boys have been to Jerusalem numerous times and have even dwelt there for extended periods to be taught and trained by their father.

Nephi, however, has been sheltered in his family's land of inheritance during his youth. He is experiencing the fallen nation of Judea for the first time. It is a dangerous place. The land is ripe with iniquity, a dark world defiled by the many curses Moses pronounced would follow the breaking of the Covenants.

One morning of the journey Nephi wakes up to find his father missing. Concerned, he searches for his father only to find him in solitude praying for the welfare of his people--and begging Yahweh for strength to live up to his call. It is a tender moment where young Nephi sees the true character and faith of his father. Nephi's true character, however, will remain hidden from his father's view for quite some time.

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Come back next Tuesday for my next "best effort" at creating this amazing world! 

The Weeping Prophet - Jeremiah 13:17

This image is an actual page from the comic book. 2! 2 pages! Mwa-ah-ah! Only 2000 more to go.

 Jeremiah, the Prophet

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An unconventional but highly charismatic prophet that never gives up.

Ever.

Quirky, small, and funny-looking, Jeremiah has never been popular with the ruling class, despite the fact that he has been an advisor to multiple kings. While still a tadpole, Yahweh called him as a prophet. The weight of his assignment--to cry repentance during Jerusalem’s darkest hour--has forced him to cling to all things lively and fun just to guard from eternal depression. He is not only a prophet, but the prophet, and the remnant of loyal followers of Yahweh follow his divinely inspired lead. His patience and long-suffering are truly inspiring.

Jeremiah's father, Hilkiah the Priest, discovered lost scripture in the Holy Temple while Jeremiah was still a boy. Known now as the Book of Deuteronomy, these scriptures contained the prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the horrors that should befall the Holy City should the Covenant People fall from grace. Someone had hidden these records from the people. But why?

Now, knowing the destruction of his people (and the temple) is eminent, Jeremiah and the last few loyal followers of Yahweh dedicate themselves to collecting and preserving what is left of their sacred records, but it is not easy. Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe and loyal friend, helps Jeremiah record his own words, and others of Jeremiah's followers help him find and collect truly inspired writings. Their dream is to one day combine these sacred histories into a single volume and preserve them for future generations. They call these writings the "Holy Books."

But time is running out. Will they accomplish their task before the foretold destruction? Will anyone even survive it to read them?

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Jeremiah is a European Green Toad, which is endemic to Israel. He is often referred to as a frog...a bullfrog.

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Jeremiah 1:5-10

     Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Jeremiah 13:17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.

Valentine's

Dear Fans,

1. I'm sorry--I don't have Jeremiah finished yet.
2. I have a really good excuse!
3. My day job is awesome and has had me working *very* hard helping to pass an important "government spending bill" through our state congress (it's meeting resistance from people that are irresponsible with state funds).
4. Jeremiah's post would have been really sad anyway, which is not very heartening on Valentine's Day. A lot of scholars think he didn't even have a sweetheart (wife) but I don't think that's the case.
5. I will make up for it this weekend and the posts will continue every Tuesday!!!! PROMISE!
6. Expect Jeremiah on Saturday--and either Laman or a Sariah pic next Tuesday!

Click this link for more info about SJR22 ("The Government Spending Bill")

On a side note, it has become apparent to me that I will need to learn Hebrew to really take this comic where I want it to go.

See you this weekend!