Christopher Columbus

"A Man among the Gentiles"

Over the centuries, the story of Christopher Columbus has become so enshrouded in myth that his life has remained largely a mystery to all but a handful of scholars. Yet the prophet Nephi suggests that Columbus stands out among historical figures as "a man among the Gentiles." In fact, Lehi and Nephi identify only two specific individuals in their prophecy of the latter-day Restoration: Christopher Columbus and Joseph Smith. In a sense, these two men stand as bookends to the Restoration—one at the beginning and one at the end. Columbus himself wrote that he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to undertake his voyage—a claim which some historians struggle to accept. In this candid and revealing treatment, author Clark B. Hinckley uncovers a man with two great dreams. Yet what may be the most remarkable aspect of Columbus's life is the degree to which he understood his prophetic mission and his place in history.