When Souls Had Wings

I have read several of Terryl Givens’ books, but not this one yet.

Basically he has two kinds of books. Many of his older books (like this one) are more academic in nature and examine things like early Christian beliefs compared to modern Christians and Mormons. His older books also delve into Mormon cosmology – Mormon beliefs about the universe, its origins and the heavens in general, also compared to early Christian and Jewish beliefs. Joseph Smith and other early church leaders (the Pratts for example) delved into this stuff fairly extensively. Examples of those books are Wrestling the Angel, Feeding the Flock (a follow up to Wrestling), and People of Paradox. I believe When Souls Had Wings is in this category.

The other kind of books he writes, often coauthored with Fiona, are what I would call faith promoting books. These are the ones people are more familiar with, partly because they’re generally more recent (although he does still do the other type) and because they resonate with people like us (those who question or color outside the lines). They are also generally shorter and lighter reading than the other type. Examples of these books include Crucible of Doubt, The God Who Weeps, The Christ who Heals, and All Things New.

I have read all the books mentioned here and some others except When Souls Had Wings. Were I to recommend any one book by Givens it would be All Things New, Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between because it so clearly outlines core Mormon beliefs as they really are (or should be). If I could recommend two books, the second would be The Christ Who Heals. This book really wraps up what is taught in Crucible of Doubt and The God Who Weeps, but you don’t need to have read either of them to benefit. Nothing I have ever read so clearly states the true mission and purpose of Jesus Christ.

I’m afraid that this book may read like a college textbook.

There are certain topics I have difficulty putting my thoughts & beliefs together & explain it to a non-member.

This is one of the topics.

Probably not quite college textbook, but definitely lots of footnotes and an extensive bibliography. The book lists as 400 pages. Probably not a casual read, although undoubtedly enlightening.

Were I to recommend one of the more academic books I’ve read by Givens it would be People of Paradox, which does does touch on the pre-earth existence and ancient Jewish and Christian beliefs on the topic.

It is my understanding that most Christians (and Jews) believe we came into existence at birth, or perhaps conception. We Mormons do have the teaching that we have more or less always existed, as intelligences and then spirits. Other than some passages in the Doctrine and Covenants, teachings of Joseph Smith and other early church leaders, and vague references in the Bible and Book of Mormon, there doesn’t seem to be a concise explanation of these beliefs or what constitutes an intelligence. For example, Pres. Oaks and some of his parrots like to teach that gender is eternal but other than him stating such there doesn’t appear to be any evidence of this belief.