When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence in Western Thought

The idea of the pre-existence of the soul has been extremely important, widespread, and persistent throughout Western history--from even before the philosophy of Plato to the poetry of Robert Frost. When Souls Had Wings offers the first systematic history of this little explored feature of Western culture. Terryl Givens describes the tradition of pre-existence as "pre-heaven"--the place where unborn souls wait until they descend to earth to be born. And typically it is seen as a descent--a falling away from a happier and untroubled state into the turbulent and sinful world we know. The title of the book refers to the idea put forward in antiquity that our souls begin with wings, and that only after shedding those wings do we fall to earth. The book not only traces the history of the idea of pre-existence, but also captures its meaning for those who have embraced it. Givens describes how pre-existence has been invoked to explain "the better angels of our nature," including the human yearning for transcendence and the sublime. Pre-existence has been said to account for why we know what we should not know, whether in the form of a Greek slave's grasp of mathematics, the moral sense common to humanity, or the human ability to recognize universals. The belief has explained human bonds that seem to have their own mysterious prehistory, salved the wounded sensibility of a host of thinkers who could not otherwise account for the unevenly distributed pain and suffering that are humanity's common lot, and has been posited by philosophers and theologians alike to salvage the principle of human freedom and accountability. When Souls had Wings underscores how durable (and controversial) this idea has been throughout the history of Western thought, the theological dangers it has represented, and how prominently it has featured in poetry, literature, and art.

Religion & Spirituality

Terryl Givens

New Age & Spirituality

Oxford University Press

"What is it that the Restored Church of Christ offers that nowhere else can, and how might that help us stay strong in our faith? The poet Thomas Traherne said: "no man...that clearly seeth the beauty of Gods face, . . . can, when he sees it clearly, willingly and wittingly forsake it." In this collection of writings compiled from a series of lectures given at BYU, author Terryl Givens teaches that the surest route to an enduring faith is a "witting" understanding of Christ and his gospel. Terryl Givens bears a strong personal witness of the many unique aspects of the restored gospel, arguing that the Restoration provides us with the most morally compelling, intel-lectually satisfying, and aesthetically appealing account of the universe and our place in it. And such a knowledge is a powerful catalyst to a love--a witting love--of Christ that will endure"--

The Doors of Faith

BYU/Maxwell Institute/Deseret Book

Agency: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants

Christian Books & Bibles

BYU Maxwell Institute/Deseret Book Company

Reading this book is like experiencing Mormonism in high definition. Whether you know a lot or a little about Latter-day Saint doctrine, this book will both educate and inspire you. - David E. Campbell, author of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites us. 
 A work of theological reflection that has much to offer intellectually and morally serious men and women of every religious persuasion. - Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton 
 An elegant meditation on the basic tenets of the Mormon faith written with precision and poetry. The Givens' literary and religious references are unusually rich and varied, with prose at times urgent and even soaring. - Helen Whitney, producer of The Mormons and Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero. 
 In the Givens' masterful hands, the Mormom view of God comes alive in fresh and challenging ways. Mainstream Christians have much to learn from Mormonism, and this book is the place to start. - Stephen H. Webb, author of Jesus Christ, Eternal God

The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life

Fiona Givens

Ensign Peak

The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections on the Quest for Faith

Faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So what happens when a person has doubts? Questioning is not the problem, according to authors Terryl and Fiona Givens. After all, they write, the Restoration unfolded because a young man asked questions. The difficulty arises when questions are based on flawed assumptions or incorrect perceptions, which can point us in the wrong direction, misdirect our attention, or constrain the answers we are capable of hearing. This insightful book offers a careful, intelligent look at doubt at some of its common sources, the challenges it presents, and the opportunities it may open up in a person s quest for faith. Whether you struggle with your own doubts or mostly want to understand loved ones who question, you will appreciate this candid discussion. You ll come away feeling more certain than ever of the Lord s love for all of His children.

The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections On the Quest for Faith

Deseret Book Company

Faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So what happens when a person has doubts? Questioning is not the problem, according to authors Terryl and Fiona Givens. After all, they write, the Restoration unfolded because a young man asked questions. The difficulty arises when questions are based on flawed assumptions or incorrect perceptions, which can point us in the wrong direction, misdirect our attention, or constrain the answers we are capable of hearing. This insightful book offers a careful, intelligent look at doubt at some of its common sources, the challenges it presents, and the opportunities it may open up in a person s quest for faith. Whether you struggle with your own doubts or mostly want to understand loved ones who question, you will appreciate this candid discussion. You ll come away feeling more certain than ever of the Lord s love for all of His children.

The Christ Who Heals: How God Restored the Truth that Saves Us

In a world increasingly prone to doubt, a foundation in Christ is the only sure basis of a durable discipleship. And for Latter-day Saints, the Jesus Christ revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smithy is, in some very significant ways, a different kind of Christ than the Jesus of modern Christianity. The Christ of the restore gospel collaborated with Heavenly Parents for our salvation even before the foundation of the world, "does not anything" save it be for our benefit (2 Nephi 26:24), and is determined to patiently guide and nurture every one of God's children into an eternal heavenly family. Most significantly, this Christ does not rescue us from a condition of original sin or depravity. Rather, He is primarily a healer of the wounds incidient to a long-planned sojourn, one intended to immerse us in the trials, pains, and soul-stretching of this mortal schoolroom. He is not only the most remarkable being in the history of religious through; He is, in fact, The Christ Who Heals.

"The Givenses are never confrontational or aggressive in their presentation of Mormonism’s contribution to the discussion nor do they ever whip out a trump card of why the Mormon perspective is to be crowned king. The result is a very readable, reasonable and thought-provoking experience." —Bryan Buchanan - Association for Mormon Letters "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.

In Let's Talk about Faith and Intellect, Terryl Givens, who has written broadly to both academic and general audiences, examines the sometimes-tense relationship between these seeming opposites, arguing that intellect and faith work hand-in-hand to draw us closer to Christ and His gospel. Faith is not just a hopeful leap into the dark or wishful thinking against the grain of evidence. A thoughtful, reflective faith considers the findings of science, the lessons of history, the insights of philosophy, and the best reasonings of our intellect. Then it adds to those an openness to other faculties and agencies, a receptivity to the Spirit and intimations of the heart, and trust in the moral intuitions of the soul. This refreshing, faithful analysis from a trusted scholar will lead readers to appreciate the ways faith and intellect work together to strengthen our spirits and bring us closer to God. 
Let's Talk about Faith and Intellect is part of the Let's Talk About series—small, approachable books on important Latter-day Saint topics, written by trusted, faithful scholars who can thoroughly explain crucial issues in a digestible way. For people who have sincere questions and are seeking answers, this series provides access to some of the best thinking in the Church. 
Other books in the series: 
-Polygamy 
-Religion and Mental Health 
-Book of Abraham 
-Law of Consecration

Let's Talk About Faith and Intellect

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Terryl Givens. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Terryl Givens

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Terryl Givens. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

When Souls Had Wings: Pre-Mortal Existence in Western Thought

The Doors of Faith

Agency: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants

The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life

The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections On the Quest for Faith

The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections on the Quest for Faith

The Christ Who Heals: How God Restored the Truth that Saves Us

The Christ Who Heals: How God Restored the Truth that Saves Us

The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life

Let's Talk About Faith and Intellect