Message of the Mountain
THE BOOK REPORT Message of the Mountain [pic] Submitted by Gertrude Beatriz Lim 6-6 Submitted to Mrs. Miriam E. Rana Message of the Mountain is a Christian fiction written by Matilda Nordtvedt. The book has 135 pages with 30 chapters. The story takes place in Bellingham, Washington in the early 1900s. It was settled, the Johnsons were relocating to Bellingham, Washington; since Papa cannot sustain the work in the country. John liked the idea of moving to the city, but Hilda and Lois were not so thrilled. Their house in Bellingham was modern, and John was delighted.
From the window, you could see the magnificent Mount Baker. Papa and Hilda started talking about how Mount Baker was like God, making John feel awkward. The girls were a bit worried going to school even with John’s encouragement. After class, John’s classmate, Marvin, led him to the railroad tracks where he got him to smoke a cigarette brought by a fifth-grader named Pete. As they parted, John ran home in dismay, anxious that his parents might find out. When he got home, John saw Mama chopping down some onions, so he ate a piece to take the smell of the cigarette out.
John felt guilty for smoking, but thought that at least he did something to please his father by chopping down some wood. There are some lessons that can be picked up from Message of the Mountain. One is about learning to accept change, because change is the only thing permanent in our lives. Everything changes in this world, so there is no way to resist it anyways. Another is that we should learn to say no. Saying no to wrong things will always be the right thing to do even if doing so means losing everything. Lastly, we should not lie, because lying could lead to broken trust and relationship. I don’t think we have to worry about bears and ghosts, Lois. God protects us from other things we meet each day and accidents maybe, and especially from evil. ” That was what Mama told Lois. It means that God will always guard us from things that may endanger us. It’s one of my favorite lines in the book. It makes me feel secure in the times of trouble knowing God will not leave us, but He will be there protecting us. The best part in the chapters is when they arrived in Bellingham. It was about the time when things were about to change.
It was nice because it described how John felt towards making new friends and adjusting to a new life. Message of the Mountain is a Christian fiction book written by Matilda Nordtvedt. Chapters 5 to 14 have forty-four pages in all. The story takes place in Bellingham, Washington, in the early 1900s. In Chapter 5, the Johnson family went to church. John still could not decide on what to believe in, creation or the theory of evolution; but after Mr. Strom’s discussion, he believed in creation. While in Chapter 6, John was convinced by Mr. William’s lecture that everything evolved from something.
After class, the trio: John, Marvin, and Pete were down by the tracks smoking. Marvin suddenly asked for John’s share of tobacco, but John said he did not afford tobacco and Papa does not smoke. Marvin shrugged and suggested him to steal some at Mr. Thorsen’s store. John was astonished by his suggestion; he could not steal now or could he? In Chapter 7, Mama had a big announcement: Hilda could take piano lessons if Mama would clean Mrs. Lavine’s house once a week. The girls were squealing from excitement but all John felt was hugging someone and getting some tobacco.
In Chapter 8, Mr. Strom showed his complex watch and related it to the wonderful creations of God. John then reconsidered believing in creation. In the next chapter, Lois eavesdropped on Marvin and John’s conversation. She heard all their plans! John made Lois promise to not tell anyone anything but he would have to give her some Life Savers. When Marvin and John proceeded to their plan, John was given a Life Saver. When John went home, he saw Marvin being pushed in a wagon by a police man. That night, Papa talked about the boy who was caught stealing tobacco.
The next day, Marvin did not show up at school. When John came back from school, Lois was curled up in his bed wanting more Life Savers. During supper, Lois was not present. She had gone to Mr. Thorsen’s store and stole a Life Saver. Marvin was back by the next day. John was relieved to know Marvin did not tell on him. Lois and John were going to Mr. Thorsen’s to apologize but did not. They went back home, and Mama told John to ask Marvin to have supper with them. John hesitated but eventually asked Marvin. Our lies will find us out. No matter how we try to hide it; the truth will be revealed.
We should also be a good example to others. Our actions may affect others’ actions. There are some people who do wrong things because of their peer pressure in being called a chicken or whatsoever, but we should learn to be stand up to do the right thing. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” This line affected me most because it reminds me that God is a forgiving God. It assured me that if I confess my sins to Him, I will be cleansed.
