The Lincoln Hypothesis: A Modern-day Abolitionist investigates the possible Connection between Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Abraham LIncoln Hardcover – May 12, 2014

This book really captured my attention with the subtitle after having seen the Sound of Freedom movie based on Ballard's heroic and stalwart efforts as a present-day abolitionist rescuing children from child sex predator N.G.O.s and maybe some G.O.s maybe. I have been studying the Bible for decades and this book is the first one I have ever marked up like I do my Bibles. From the introduction to even some of the index pages as well and the inside covers front and back I have made notes and tangential thoughts based on Ballard's research.The subtitle does say "possible connection" in regard to Ballard's hypothesis that Lincoln was influenced by the Book of Mormon in the enormously significant decisions he made. Still, with exception of the Library of Congress' log indicating that Lincoln did have the Book of Mormon delivered to him at least; there seems to be no instances in which he referred to it in his speeches. I have searched for such and have come up empty. Still, I would recommend this book especially to other Black people. It shows just how close we were to being born in slavery and dumped in shallow slave graves at the end of our lives IF Confederate President Jefferson Davis had led the dark evil South to what he envisioned for American and sadly for Black people.The response of the Union soldiers, Lincoln, and other "Christian" conservatives to Julia Ward's The Battle Hymn of the Republic brought me to tears. "As [Christ Jesus] died to make men holy, let us die to make men free," left me in quiet meditative repose for quite some time as I thanked GOD for Jesus, Jesus for the cross, and GOD for putting into the hearts and minds of these men to do their duty. As many times as I have heard about the Civil War, Lincoln, slavery, the Hymn etc., I have never heard any of the information presented in the way Ballard has. This present-day abolitionist can free minds with this book.

This is an awesome book! A must read for every American.

I have been deeply interested in The Civil War for many years. I have read over a dozen books about Abraham Lincoln. Through my research, I have come to know through spiritual manifestations that Timothy Ballard is correct in his hypothesis about Lincoln and The Civil War. I am so grateful that Mr. Ballard answered the "call" to write this book. Through his unique experiences and access to research materials he is particularly qualified to teach us what he learned through his research. Even though I had surmised much of these truths through inspiration, prayer, and pondering, I am supremely glad that now I have the sources and stories to credibly support my own impressions as I read about the life of Lincoln and The Civil War.This book is a gem. I recommend it greatly. There is, however, one very unique thing about this book. It's uniqueness lies in the fact that the reader will have to do what Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, the other Founding Father's, and Joseph Smith had to do in their lives; the reader has to absorb the evidence, analyze the feelings in their soul, and then Faithfully move forward, or in this particular case, Faithfully recognize both the special nature of The United States of America and the most important fruit of the creation of this nation...the restoration of God's true Church with the required Temples and Priesthood power to fulfill God's Plan of Salvation.Certainly, that is a bold claim. But is it anymore bold than a sitting U.S. President claiming that the War is not the nation's but God's and that the citizens "earned" the war through sin?Both are very bold claims and both are true! My greatest hope is that this book will inspire readers to begin to research The Book of Mormon to find out for themselves what, we now have evidence Abraham Lincoln learned, as he read The Book of Mormon!You will not regret reading this wonderful book!

Gave me a new appreciation for Lincoln and the role he play at a time America really needed to repent of its support of slavery, before it could move forward. Not only slavery, but religious persecution.

To me, Abraham Lincoln is one of the spiritual giants in America's history. I also believe Joseph Smith to one of the spiritual giants of our day. Timothy Ballard compares the lives of these two men and how their worlds cross and parallel each other. Its a documented fact that Abraham Lincoln checked a Book of Mormon out of the Library of Congress and had it for several months. Mr Ballard hypothesizes that the Book of Mormon influenced Abraham Lincoln in his spiritual evolution. At the beginning of the Civil War Lincoln did not intend to free the slaves. That was not his political platform. His intent was to unite the country and leave slavery intact in the South. As the war continued without success Lincoln came to the conclusion that it was God's intent that the slaves were freed and that he was an instrument in the hands of the Lord to do it. He became determined to do God's will. He became convinced that America was being punished by God for the terrible sins of slavery (read his 2nd Inaugural Address). This book details this change of heart and is supported by many quotes from letters and journals from those around Lincoln (Lincoln didn't leave his own journal).I found this book fascinating and difficult to put down. Being LDS would bring a greater understanding to some of the passages in the book, but one doesn't have to be LDS to enjoy it and be inspired by Lincoln's greatness of spirit. He truly was America's "savior."