Chris Heimerdinger

Novelist/Filmmaker/Artist

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

LET ME SHARE AN UPDATE on another project I'm working on. Namely, the revised and enhanced edition of Book 2 in the Tennis Shoes Adventure Series: "Gadiantons and the Silver Sword."
It's been great fun revisiting Provo and BYU, circa 1990, the Bernardian UFO club, and the correlations the story has with "Lord of the Rings." Back when I originally wrote it, many people already intimately knew Tolkien's trilogy, but Peter Jackson's movies have made its themes commonplace throughout the world! This prompted me to address the similarities--and the differences--more directly in the updated version. Over time the sword of Coriantumr (or sword of Akish--your choice) certainly evolves into something distinct, but this newest update has given me a chance to imbue the sword with a few more interesting characteristics.
I'm a little over halfway. No estimate on a completion date. Before I even release the book, I will release (for the first time) the unabridged audiobook. In the beginning I thought my rewrite would just be cosmetic. However, I might as well confess, this rewrite will introduce even MORE revisions than in Book One: "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites." Soon, I'll post a segment of the updated novel for readers to compare changes, if they want to.
Over the years a surprising number of readers have told me that "Gadiantons and the Silver Sword" is their "favorite" book in the series. A part of me is inclined to agree. All I can say is, the rewrite will transform this story, objectively, into a much stronger read than the original. Don't worry. Suspense, plot twists, character arcs--all of that will be preserved.
Fact is, I'm a better wordsmith than I was at 26 years old. Change can be a very cool thing.

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

I'M DONE WAFFLING or striving to see "both sides" on issues like Ukraine and Iran. For months I've listened carefully to alternate voices, such as Tucker and Meagan and even, occasionally, Nick Fuentes, whose opinions and rhetoric have been interesting and thought-provoking, but ultimately I'm returning to my FIRST INSTINCTIVE POSITION to fully support Ukraine (against Putin's Russia) and fully support the United States and Israel (against Iran).
WHAT CHANGED FOR ME? In the case of Ukraine, Russia's consistent duplicity was a major factor. Their false flag "truce" surrounding the Orthodox Easter was sickening. I also highly recommend two documentaries to better grasp the Ukrainian world view: "2000 Meters to Andriivka" and "Winter On Fire."
With regard to the war against Iran, and the constant trumpeting and banging of the drums against Israel and how Trump is Netanyahu's puppet, yada, yada . . . I felt I just had to put myself in the shoes of an Israeli for one minute. Suddenly, it became crystal clear. See, I was led to believe, by the media, etc., that Iran was nowhere close to having a nuclear weapon or the means to deliver it. Then, with things like the missiles fired at Diego Garcia and the fact that they still possess a large stockpile of enriched uranium (likely buried), it became, again, crystal clear how little it would take for Iran's nuclear ambitions to be reconstituted, or even for an enemy of the U.S. to just say to Iran, "Here, take this one. Do with it what you will." I'm convinced that WITHIN MERE HOURS of having the capability, Iran would, indeed, drop a nuclear weapon on Tel Aviv--no hesitation, no equivocation--just total, guiltless genocide and annihilation. That's what a nation governed by religious zealotry does. So I DON'T BLAME Israel for doing EVERYTHING IT POSSIBLY CAN to convince allies like the U.S. to come to its defense. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE. It's a matter of self-preservation. Literal survival.
So I'm FINISHED carefully contemplating both sides and considering alternate perspectives--ON THESE TWO ISSUES. Formerly, I often enjoyed the intellectual complexities of considering both sides. I'm DONE with all that. Place me squarely in the 100% PRO-UKRAINE camp and 100% ANTI-IRGC camp (which I see as being very different from being anti-Iran).
If I were to EVER revisit, intellectually or morally or spiritually, these two issues, something absolutely EXTRAORDINARY would have to change. For now, my positions are FIRM and my conscience is CLEAR on both of these political and global matters.
May God save and protect those of righteous intent across and throughout the earth.

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

I'm feeling NO LESS CONFUSED about this ceasefire in Iran as everyone else. There seem to be two separate factions trying to represent what is left of the IRGC. One of the those factions is proclaiming victory, and one of those factions is trying to open the strait and stop the bombing. The media right now are obsessed with the celebratory faction who are claiming victory and establishing themselves as the "toll booth" for ships going through the Straits of Hormuz. Those "ten points" that the administration seemed to feel justified the ceasefire are downright embarrassing. Who can deny it? And then there's a 15 point plan. I'm so confused!
Trump's goal? Open the Strait. It's that simple. Get those ships moving and unclog the shipping lanes. Americans are whiners. However, when it comes to paying high gas prices, I BECOME ONE OF THEM! I don't like paying such high prices. It HURTS! So if the ceasefire releases some of the pressure on gas prices, I'm all for it . . . but I don't really expect the ceasefire to hold for long, not if Iran actually expects the United States to agree to all ten of those silly bullet points. That really would be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

A certain Bible verse has baffled me for decades. It's Isaiah 4:1 which discusses the last days: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

I've scratched my head at this. Women in the modern day seem especially picky about the men they choose to be with--perhaps more than any women in history. It's commonly reported on dating apps, for example, that 80% of women perpetually date 20% of men, meaning a large percentage of today's men are left high and dry and can't find partners.

What if the answer is . . . robots? Women's heads might spin to realize how EAGER many men are for female robot companionship. Just to be clear, that ain't me. I can't imagine a companion whose behaviors are utterly predicatable with no surprises. However, I fear I might be in the minority. I suspect there are a WAY LOTTA MEN who ARE looking for exactly this. Men are rather simple creatures who might be perfectly satsified by an Optimus-style partner.

Okay, maybe there are ALSO many women who look forward to having a "dreamboat" robot companion. However, I suspect men and women are just "programmed" (to borrow a term) differently in this regard. Human women seem to have a different internal template when it comes to love and sociality, and the idea of a male robot partner? . . . Ehhh, I don't think it's quite as attractive to women as it is for men. Maybe I judge my own gender incorrectly. But then I think about this prophecy from Isaiah and well . . . hmmm . . . Maybe robots could cause this to happen!

So there ya go, Isaiah! A vision of the future that might bring to pass this ancient prophecy.

Is it possible?

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

JUST WANTED TO SHOW everyone that I am working on Book 14: "Thorns of Glory, Part 2". The ideas are flowing. Just had to be free of certain publishers. No doubt I'll rework the words here and there. Thought this might be suitable for the season. This snippet is from the POV of Jenny. ENJOY!

"There was much fidgeting and whispering. I sensed that it would not have taken much to incite this crowd to riot. Many were angry, bitter. It was a strange irony. Less than a week ago these people–many of whom were surely the same people who had shouted “Hosanna!” and laid palm fronds before the hooves of His donkey, now wanted answers. They might have felt their emotions had experienced a terrible whiplash. How was it possible that this miracle man, this Rabbi, this prophet whom they had welcomed into Jerusalem only days earlier, presently knelt before the Temple Priests in such a pitiful and disheveled state? This was not how a true Messiah would have appeared–not any Messiah whom they’d ever learned about from their Rabbis and learned men. Somehow they’d made another mistake.
No, worse! It was not a mistake so much as they were victims. They were the victims of yet another cunning and serpent-tongued deceiver. Yet in this instance the deception was particularly painful. They’d been so sure! So many had been convinced. So many had turned out to praise Him and welcome Him and worship Him. This time the disappointment sliced too deeply. The embarrassment. The sheer humiliation. How could they have been so gullible? How again? Ah, but there had been so many promising signs!
The air was heavy, a furnace of human breath and smoke from the braziers that lingered between the high walls and the press of bodies. The suspense was even heavier. The people wanted–needed–to hear what Jesus of Nazareth had to say. But could He really say anything? Could any words from His lips quell their bitterness? The true Messiah would have declared Himself days ago, during His triumphal entry. He’d have dismounted that ass’s foal and shouted it from the Temple mount. It was too late now. What they seemed to need for Him to do was confess. Confess His deception. Confess His guilt. And if the High Priests succeeded in drawing this out of Him, they could finally demand the one thing that they had been so oft denied.
They could demand justice. And demand it swiftly."

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

Opening minute of "Shadows of Absaroka" created with Grok Imagine. (Harder than it looks! Took me hours and hours to wrangle Imagine to give me something usable. But I can definitely see how crews on location will soon become a thing of the past.)

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

Audio Clip from Chris Heimerdinger's new novel, "Shadows of Absaroka."

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

Audio Clip from Chris Heimerdinger's new novel, "Shadows of Absaroka."

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

As the Church continues to move forward, penetrating every climb and sounding in every ear, one thing is certain: the future WILL NOT BE DULL! #lds #ldsshorts #latterdaysaints #ChurchofJesusChrist, Chris Heimerdinger, Dallin H. Oaks

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

As the Church continues to move forward, penetrating every climb and sounding in every ear, one thing is certain: the future WILL NOT BE DULL! #lds #ldsshorts #latterdaysaints #ChurchofJesusChrist, Chris Heimerdinger, Dallin H. Oaks

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

The passing of Russell M. Nelson and the sustaining of Dallin H. Oaks as President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ is a testament to the fact that as much as things change, some things remain reliably the same. #LDS #LDSShorts #LatterDaySai

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

The Church of Jesus Christ will never find perfect peace or bliss as long as the adversary is stirring things up. Just don't let YOU be a source of contention. #lds #ldsmessages #ldsshorts #LatterDaySaints #ChurchofJesusChrist, Chris Heimerdinger, Ch

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

When replying to toxic rhetoric online, always ask, "How would the Savior respond to maximize feelings of peace?" #LDS #LDSShorts #LatterDaySaints #ChurchofJesusChrist #Mormon, Chris Heimerdinger

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

In late September a Church of Jesus Christ meeting house in Grand Blanc, Michigan was attacked by a lone gunman who left death and bloodshed in his wake. #LDS #LatterDaySaints #ChurchofJesusChrist #Mormon #antiMormons, Chris Heimerdinger, Tragedies i

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

When does the abundance of visceral hatred against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints naturally, logically tell honest onlookers, "Maybe these guys are onto something special?" #LDS #LDSReels #LatterDaySaints #ChurchofJesusChrist #Mormon #LDSChurch #ChristianPersecut

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

At Christ's Second Coming the "Times of the Gentiles" will come to an end. Will the Jews accept the Savior before or after this sacred event?

#LDS #LDSShorts #LDSReels #LatterDaySaints #ChurchofJesusChrist #SecondComing, Mormon Doctrine, Chris Heime

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

The scriptures tell us that, in general, the House of Israel will only start to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ after the "times of the Gentiles" are fulfilled.

#LDS #LDSShorts #LatterDaySaints #MormonDoctrine #DoctrineandCovenants #Doctrine&Coven

[Chris Heimerdinger @frostcave]

What is the gathering place of the children of Israel? The Book of Mormon and President Russell M. Nelson help us to better understand this concept.

#LDS #LDSShort #LDSReel #LatterDaySaint #GatheringofIsrael #BookofMormon, Chris Heimerdinger, Russel