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This isn’t a review, more a request for reviews. My brother is aware I’m struggling a bit (not the full extent) and recommended this book the other day. He’d read it and praised it thoroughly.
I’ve a lot of time for Terryl Givens so may buy it anyway, but would welcome other views.
Here’s the publisher’s blurb:
“”Whether by design or by chance,” Terryl and Fiona Givens write, “we find ourselves in a universe filled with mystery. We encounter appealing arguments for a Divinity that is a childish projection, for prophets as scheming or deluded imposters, and for scripture as so much fabulous fiction. But there is also compelling evidence that a glorious Divinity presides over the cosmos, that His angels are strangers we have entertained unawares, and that His word and will are made manifest through a sacred canon that is never definitively closed. What we choose to embrace, to be responsive to, is the purest reflection of who we are and what we love. That is why faith, the choice to believe, is in the final analysis, an action that is positively laden with moral significance.”
As humans, we are, like the poet John Keats, “straining at particles of light in the midst of a great darkness.” And yet, the authors describe a version of life’s meaning that is reasonable—and radically resonant. It tells of a God whose heart beats in sympathy with ours, who set His heart upon us before the world was formed, who fashioned the earth as a place of human ascent, not exile, and who has the desire and the capacity to bring the entire human family home again.”
I have heard excellent things about this book but haven’t read it yet. I ordered the book. . . . can’t remember if there’s a reason it’s taking awhile. DBMormon posted “Terryl Givens – Letter to a Doubter” on October 18th and there were some responses there to Givens’ ideas. I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s thoughts on the new book. Ann wrote:I ordered the book. . . . can’t remember if there’s a reason it’s taking awhile. DBMormon posted “Terryl Givens – Letter to a Doubter” on October 18th and there were some responses there to Givens’ ideas. I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s thoughts on the new book.
The letter to a doubter is excellent. It’s getting lots of buzz in the ‘bloggernacle’ (what a funny word, I’d not even heard of it until my faith challenges).
I also appreciated his balanced comments in the PBS documentary.
Just finished this book, and I love it. It comes from a very “Liahona” perspective rather than a TBM “Iron Rodder.” I’d recommend it to anyone, but particularly to other Liahonas. Just for a little background, the book was written after Bro. Givens made a comment about Deseret Book being a barren wasteland of spiritual pablum – or something with that basic meaning. One of the top leaders of Deseret Book heard about the statement and asked Bro. Givens personally to write something that didn’t match that description so DB could publish it. As I’ve said, I see quite a few things that indicate an attempt to cause a cultural change in the Church, and the way this book came to be written and published is one of them.
My husband and I were discussing this book today I told him I thought it might be even more impactful to traditional believing members then some of us who have already begun a reconstruction of our fundamental beliefs. I see that as a very necessary in road. I think Brother Givens has been working for a while to affect the direction the stream is running. Five or six years ago we were visiting my in-laws who live in Utah, I picked up a paper that had an article about an address Givens gave at Education Week or a Symposium, anyway he was putting his beliefs out even then. He referenced that Joseph Smith was struggling to define where on the religious map Mormonism fell. In one sense we were clearly different, in another we sounded very much like many of the other denominations. He used the articles of faith as his reference point. I remember liking his thinking when I read it. At that time I had no idea about disaffections, etc. I wish Brother Givens much success.
I’ve got it, read first chapter and so far so good. I’m also reading Why I Stay, which is awesome – I heartily recommend it to everyone here.
Old-Timer wrote:Just for a little background, the book was written after Bro. Givens made a comment about Deseret Book being a barren wasteland of spiritual pablum – or something with that basic meaning. One of the top leaders of Deseret Book heard about the statement and asked Bro. Givens personally to write something that didn’t match that description so DB could publish it.
Ray, I heard the same thing – it was from a newspaper article interviewing Brother Givens. He told the story himself, and said it was Sherri Dew from DB he was speaking with. He said he was actually pleasantly suprised that DB published it.
This is on my christmas wish-list. Here’s hoping! I ordered The God Who Weeps for my husband. Which means I’ll post a review in January once I get my turn at it. LOL 
Teryl Givens to me is the perfect post faith crisis LDS. Check out his interviews on Mormonstories. He put the gospel in a beautiful way that makes it easy to buy in. In the interview in part 3 i believe he talsk about the church going into and coming out of the wilderness…..it’s beautiful and worth every LDS’s time no matter where on the spectrum you are. My favorite quote
> “the church manuals are deplorable”. He acknowledges the church is awesome but has a ways to goDb- I loved his Mormon Stories podcast. I was a huge Truman Madsen fan, and have missed him. Terryl Givens is quickly taking over that space. I know they are not synonomous but both of them could describe the gospel I saw better than anyone. I remember listening to Truman Madsen one time explain how gospel art doesn’t do justice to events. Anyway – I am so glad Givens book was published and sold through Deseret Book. I am hoping it will be a better bridge than anything yet presented between traditional practicing members and liahona type members. We all could use the healing it could produce. Mercy and Grace – I’m in the same boat. It’s my husbands Christmas present. I have to wait in line.
I am reading this now. It is so profound that I am having to read it slowly, which is unusual for me. There is so much food for thought and so much stated so beautifully. This book is a good read for anyone. I have someone in my life who is really struggling with belief. I think this person will be happy to read this book since it is not a preachy book and leaves room for exploration of thought. Great recommend! So I did get for christmas… I just need to stop posting on these blessed boards to make some reading time…
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