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I love this quote from Amanda out of the text above, “As a religion, we are not satisfied in only asking those around us if what we believe to be true can add to what they already believe. No, we ask it of our dead as well,” and she goes on to explain that, “…our beliefs do not have to be accepted at the edge of the sword, as it were. We believe in giving people time to search out truth for themselves, so much so that the time for seeking truth extends beyond the grave.”
I don’t believe that I have ever heard a more compelling argument for the inanity of the exorbitant time and effort we spend on the dead, except it be that we truly believe we are helping, fostering and encouraging them. She does this by comparing our living missionary work with the temple work for the dead: a sublime analogy.
Overall, this is a really nice review with some extraordinary thoughts interspersed.
Timothy,
Thank you for your kind words! Everyone with whom I’ve had conversations about the book has found the patience in our conception of salvation to be the most compelling point of the book, so I tried to highlight it in my review. I’m glad you gained insight from it.
If it’s Brant, I can’t. 😉
Thank you for this review that covers so much of current importance. I also took the opportunity to read your previous paper, which you mentioned, on voices from the dust in Isaiah 29 and the Book of Mormon. I feel that I now better understand both Nephi and Moroni and better appreciate the curious workmanship of this book.
Stan,
Thanks for taking the time to read both! I loved this book, because it does touch on so much that is currently relevant.