In Binding Earth and Heaven, Gary Shepherd and Gordon Shepherd use early nineteenth-century Mormonism as a case study to examine questions about how new religious movements may, as rare exceptions, survive and even eventually become successful in spite of intense opposition. Initial scorn and contempt for Mormonism—the fledgling creation of the young Joseph Smith—quickly elevated to mob violence as both Smith’s innovative teachings and converted followers proliferated, resulting i...

Grounded in direct, systematic observation by neutral observers, Talking with the Children of God is a unique study of the radical religious movement now known as The Family International. The book draws on extraordinarily candid interviews with the group's leaders and administrative staff. In revealing new information about the organization's history, beliefs, and use of prophecy, Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd offer a highly detailed case study that is both an antidote to sen...

How did Jo Ann Barnett—a Methodist girl born and raised in Hueytown, Alabama, during the Great Depression and World War II—come to be Jan Shipps, a renowned non-Mormon historian and scholar of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? In Jan Shipps: A Social and Intellectual Portrait, authors Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd tell the story of how Shipps not only became an important and trusted authority in a field that was predominantly made up of Mormon men, but also the ...

This book consists of over 40 memoir vignettes that capture significant learning experiences of identical twin brothers—Gary and Gordon Shepherd—as they grow up in Mormon Salt Lake City during the 1950s and 1960s. Their stories in the first part of the book feature shared adventures with a wide range of friends, family, and adult models who shape the brothers' appreciation for basic American ideals of democracy, equality, diversity, cooperation, and tolerance—especially as taught and model...

...Orwell on steroids... Imagine a world where clothing is made of recycled paper and considered worth more than the Man in it! Think about a Government that controls its subjects completely. This is a look at such a society.

This ebook contains chapters 1 though 9.The inexorable movement toward gender equality in the modern world has taken root in the consciousness of many Latter-day Saints and has publicly emerged as a major concern for the LDS Church. Spearheaded by a new generation of internet-savvy feminists, equality issues in Mormonism attained high public visibility in 2013 through online profiles posted by the Ordain Women organization and its plea to Church authorities to pray about an expande...

This is a collection of stories for sports fans and lovers of historical fiction. The stories feature different sports idols from the twentieth century, like Babe Ruth, Jim Thorpe, Jack Dempsey, and Mickey Mantle. Others showcased in these stories - Smoky Joe Wood, Tony Lazzeri, Pancho Gonzáles, and Larry Doby - are no longer household names, but continue to be esteemed by aficionados of their sports and eras of play. Some of the book's erstwhile stars - John Meyers, Charles Bender, George...

Will Kara's heart truly be saved?Kara Gilbert was shattered. She'd been played and betrayed. With tears streaming down her face, she's found herself driving through the night to escape, to who knows where…from a life, where only months before, was happy and fulfilled.She'd lost her career, her inner strength, and worst of all, her best friend and lover, in Greg Sheppard. Heading east, she makes another wrong turn. Entering the little seaside hamlet of Port Fairy, for a pit s...

This research monograph describes a large programming project in which an underwater organism, capable of perceiving, learning, deciding, and navigating, is computationally simulated. The developed computational model serves as a contemporary theory of perceptual-motor performance, embodying much of what is known about human vision and some of what is known about other cognitive processes. This artificial intelligence project has substantial contributions to make to the development of auto...

Unlock the full potential of your German Shepherd with comprehensive training and breeding strategies in this definitive guide. From obedience training to responsible breeding practice, this book equips you with the knowledge and tools to raise a happy, healthy and well-trained German Shepherd. Take the first step towards fostering a lifelong bond with your canine companion.Get your copy now and embark on a journey of discovery and companionship!

Statistical data and evidence-based claims are increasingly central to our everyday lives. Critically examining ‘Big Data’, this book charts the recent explosion in sources of data, including those precipitated by global developments and technological change. It sets out changes and controversies related to data harvesting and construction, dissemination and data analytics by a range of private, governmental and social organisations in multiple settings.Analysing the power of data ...

David Hynes is dutifully following the path laid out for him by a mysterious messenger. He now travels without a map, a star to follow, or a plan. Open to all possibilities, David is led only by the seed planted in his heart, nurtured by faith and a possible destiny. Armed with only a shepherd's staff, David’s journey intersects with others who have either lost their way or have reached an impasse. As his travels lead him to Ohio, David is confronted with his own crisis that threatens to e...