Customer Reviews

Dynasty of the Holy Grail

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What an incredible work! Swanson not only adds significant new sources, knowledge, and insight to the body of "Grail" studies, he adds, without apology or compromise, amazing revelations from Mormon mysticism and tradition. Rigorous scholarship. Beautiful art and illustrations. A marvelous contribution.

If you are fascinated by both religious and scholarly concepts on why we, Humankind, are here on Earth, Dr. Swanson's Dynasty of the Holy Grail is a major contribution to us all on both levels. Dr. Swanson's research on the meaning of and probability of a Living Royal Bloodline descending directly from Christ, and in all liklihood Mary Magdalene, is convincing, up-lifting and provocative. It is not fiction, but a careful and faithful study and commitment to following all information on the subject of the Holy Grail. It is for certain the most comprehensive book on the subject to date. I enjoyed learning about the Morman religion, a religion most of us really know little about, but the sheer magnitude and variety of references collected by Dr. Swanson makes this book a broader and more convincing view than if it was written strictly with the alloted information from one religion. That's what makes these remarkable ideas exciting and credible. You feel that the author has taken the greatest effort to study and include every known work or reference made to the Holy Grail throughout history from inumerable religious and scholarly texts...down the actual geography and placement of many religious and historical events. The book is also visually beautiful with wonderful and inspiring illustrations from the world of art.
Sherry L. Ross
NJ

I have read most of the spin-off books on the Holy Grail as a lineage of Christ, since the 1982 publication of--- "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." I recently acquired a copy of Dr. Vern G. Swanson's new book on the "Dynasty of the Holy Grail: Mormonism's Sacred Bloodline," and found it so interesting that I could not put it down. At 540 pages, with two columns per page, the book is the largest, most comprehensive and scholarly study yet published on the subject of the "sacred marriage."

While it does deal with the LDS Church's contribution to the field, it covers a wide array of research possibilities. I was amazed at the number of new ideas, fresh sources and broad perspectives the book offered. The book is wonderfully footnoted, giving sources for each idea regarding the Marriage of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. Also the book is finely illustrated with many color plates, few of which have been seen before. Most assuredly, the book is a MUST HAVE publication.

This is a fascinating read, especially for the open-minded. If you love to contemplate religious topics, this volume will give you plenty of things to ponder. A refreshing view of a history that has been lost. All I can say is, Dan Brown, eat your heart out.

Swanson's did an excellent work in putting together as astounding collection of facts, legends, tales, works of art and other relevant information into a coherent and compelling argument. It is better understood by those really familiar with the LDS theology and history and who are mature readers. It is NOT to be regarded as official LDS doctrine and it can be considered speculative. As of myself, I do find it very reasonable. The general argument about the role of the Messiah's bloodline makes complete sense in the context of everything else in which we believe. I was utterly delighted with the reading. So far I haven't found any rival to this book on the subject. Thank you Dr Swanson!

The book is an example of excellent craftship and present a new view of the what could be the gift of Christ. It took me three weeks to get my Wife let me look throughit. A wonderful book

I agree this book has great value as a resource for linking together valuable information on the subject of the Holy Grail. In general the author does a great job but in one area he totally missed the boat. And, unfortunately, his faulty conclusions will steer people away from very important truths about Christ.

He concludes that the messianic servants represented as the "Stem", "Rod" and "Branch" (See D&C 113) are as follows:

Stem = Jesus
Rod = Jesus' direct son
Branch = Joseph Smith Jun.

This is not possible by even what his own research clearly pointed out. When the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith Jun. he was told that the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1 was to be fulfilled imminently and another part was soon to be fulfilled thereafter. Thus, since Jesus fulfilled the "Stem" (which actually means "stump" per E. W. Bullinger's Companion Bible) that leaves the "Rod" and the "Branch" as the two portions yet remaining to be fulfilled at that time. This precludes Jesus' direct offspring from fulfilling the role of the "Rod".

Thus, the correct conclusion to reach is the "Rod" was fulfilled by Joseph Smith Jun. and the "Branch" is the King-Messiah yet to come. These three are representative of the House of Judah (Jesus), the House of Ephraim (Joseph Smith Jun.) and the House of Joseph (the One like unto Moses yet to come). One of the plates in the book was very supportive of this where the "Rod" is concerned. It shows a picture of a tree stump with a "rod" (which means "sprout" according to Bullinger's Companion Bible) coming out of it. It is behind the Ephraimite lady in the background.

There are other scriptures the author did not mention supportive of the implications of Isaiah 11 where the "Rod" is concerned. When a tree is "stumped" the first place new growth generally comes from is the place of severance, just as the plate depicted. This is called a "shoot" or a "sprout" which in Isaiah is translated as "rod". But when the "Branch" is spoken of it has to come fourth from the "root" "out of a dry ground". (See Isaiah 53:2) What happened to the stump and the sprout? By implication they were further destroyed such that only the root remained for the "Branch" to grow from. Also, notice two people are referred to in Isaiah 53:2. This is the Elias/Elijah and the King-Messiah being described. Most people do not notice this and make it all apply to Christ. The one who has "no beauty" is the Elias/Elijah forerunner the "Branch" grows up before, not Christ.

Thus, with the "Rod" being broken and eliminated, contrary to the author's opinion, it is unlikely the physical posterity of Joseph Smith Jun. will play any significant role in the future. (See D&C 93:48) Ephraim is blotted out as a tribe for backsliding per the terms of Deut. 29:18-20. The Christians and Mormons have rejected their Messianic servant by laying aside the kingdom he was authorized and endeavored to establish. Apparently the Lord's Prayer fell on stony ground. This is why when the Kingdom comes in victorious Revelation chapter 7 makes no mention of Ephraim as a tribe. The tribes of Joseph and Manasseh are there so the omission of Ephraim is deliberate. They were the "rod" that is broken and they are soon to reap "gall and wormwood" with only a small remnant to survive who regain their standing in Israel as children of Ephraim received into Joseph's tribe if they fully repent of their backsliding. Unfortunately, few shall.

Thus, the story of the last of the three Messianic servants is he has all the odds stacked against him but he will grow up as a tender plant in dry (apostate) ground and fulfill his destiny to be "the one like unto Moses" who shall come forth and deliver the House of Israel out of bondage as their King and High Priest. Prior to his coming there will also be an Elias/Elijah figure who will nurture and assist the "tender young plant" to grow and reach maturity as well as have the proper authority and ordinances to anoint the "Branch" as "King of the Kingdom". He must "make a restitution of all things" so that the King-Messiah from the House of Joseph can receive the proper ordinances and bear rule with divine authority.

Thus, it is important to recognize this "Branch" servant is YET TO COME from the House of Joseph, who is partly a descendant of Jesse (via Jesus). Confirmation of the "Rod" being broken is given in Isaiah 14:29. He is the servant that dies a transgressor (See D&C 132:60) and thus has to be redeemed from hell (See D&C 122:7-9) (thus acquiring the keys of hell or the keys of the bottomless pit). In this way he becomes a stumbling block to those of little faith or understanding that the Gentiles (and Mormon Ephraim) have rejected. The "Rod" that gets broken is also spoken of in Isaiah 57. He is marred and "cut off" and dies a transgressor but God will heal him and restore him.

Also, of curiosity, to further support my criticism of this author's conclusions, look how the lives of these three servants dovetail in terms of the years of their ministries. When their lives are merged together we see a single life emerging that taken together fulfill all prophecy concerning "Christ".

Stem: Jesus has his birth and early years celebrated up to about age 13, then he goes entirely off the radar screen until his brief ministry around the age of 30. His crucifixion by the Jews was essentially them "stumping" their hopes of receiving the kingdom in their time.

Rod: Joseph Smith Jun. has no recognition until at about the age of 13/14 he went into the sacred grove and received the "first vision" and from then on we have the history of his ministry. There were some times when he was locked up in prison and otherwise "out of the picture" to give place for the brief ministry of Jesus to dovetail with.

Branch: Joseph Smith's death at about 39 years old leaves the entire remaining portion for the third servant who is to "be like unto Moses". How old was Moses when he had his encounter with God? He was about 40 years old! Thus, the third servant's life also dovetails in with the lives of Jesus and Joseph Smith Jun.

So, one of the great mysteries of the life of Christ is It is spread across 3 distinct servants lives who each fulfill various aspects of Christ's mission. Many Torah scholars have held to a 3-Messiah theory. This "Grail inquiry" confirms it. It is only ONE life in three distinct roles played by three distinct persons. They are also reflected in the 3 animals of the "Day of Atonement" sacrifice where there are two goats and a ram offered on behalf of the people. (See Lev. 16) This is the true trinity people have not yet considered and it is at the core of the entire Law of Moses. Each creation cycle is held up by these three pillars of deity fulfilled by Christ.

Reading the Bible literally, getting the metaphors straight, yields:

Eloheim:
Comes at the very beginning of the new creation with its foundation in place.

Jehovah:
Comes in the meridian of the creation to overcome physical death and secure the victory in the end times.

Michael:
Comes at the end of the creation to lay the foundation of the next creation cycle and to overcome spiritual death (hell) via his Savior Jehovah (Jesus).

The Eloheim of the next creation cycle is actually the Jehovah and Michael from the previous creation resurrected. That is why Eloheim is a plural title and why we see language in the creation account such as "Let us", "we", and so on.

Anyway, I hope this helps to compliment the wonderful material in this book and to help the reader avoid some of the pitfalls in the author's conclusions. The book is well worth the purchase price. I was surprised at how big and heavy the book is. Hopefully you have a large bookshelf.

Da Vinci Code show us a world of fiction where real characters was used to background, Dynasty of the Holy Grail is a real book, not a fiction, where a real history can be true.
Using the mormon book, bible and others manuscripts, Vern G. Swanson is a true and inspirated man, who published your long timed studies.
To me, a must buy book for anyone who belives in Christ in your doctrine.

It is a pleasure to see real books still being produced. Not all of us want to take another electronic device into our home. There is nothing like a real paper and ink book. Every new contribution to the Arthurian legend and the Holy Grail is worthwhile and welcome particularly one as unique and good looking as this. Having said that everybody wants to be the 'New Israel' that is until the ovens are lit.