Wrestling the Angel

The Foundations of Mormon Thought: Cosmos, God, Humanity

By: Terryl L. Givens

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

In this first volume of his magisterial study of the foundations of Mormon thought and practice, Terryl L. Givens offers a sweeping account of Mormon belief from its founding to the present day. Situating the relatively new movement in the context of the Christian tradition, he reveals that Mormonism continues to change and grow. Givens shows that despite Mormonism's origins in a biblical culture strongly influenced by 19th-century Restorationist thought, which advocated a return to the Christianity of the early Church, the new movement diverges radically from the Christianity of the creeds.

Mormonism proposes its own cosmology and metaphysics, in which human identity is rooted in a premortal world as eternal as God. Mormons view mortal life as an enlightening ascent rather than a catastrophic fall, and reject traditional Christian concepts of human depravity and destiny. Popular fascination with Mormonism's social innovations, such as polygamy and communalism, and its supernatural and esoteric elements - angels, gold plates, seer stones, a New World Garden of Eden, and sacred undergarments - have long overshadowed the fact that it is the most enduring and even thriving product of the 19th century's religious upheavals and innovations.

Wrestling the Angel traces the essential contours of Mormon thought from the time of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young to the contemporary LDS church, illuminating both the seminal influence of the founding generation of Mormon thinkers and the significant developments in the church over almost 200 years. The most comprehensive account of the development of Mormon thought ever written, Wrestling the Angel will be essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the Mormon faith.

©2015 Oxford University Press (P)2014 Audible Inc.

great research on ideas before the restoration

although I'm no longer LDS, I still believe in the restoration and the BoM, so we have some different beliefs about JS and what I believe he actually taught, as I bring out some here https://seekingyhwh.com/resources/lds/ . But I think you did a fantastic job at researching what others believed before the restoration showing these ideas and beliefs are not new.

Good overview of LDS doctrine

Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in context of history and theology. Some of the author's assumptions, conclusions and suggestions are, well, his theories - could be true, but necessarily. But most of the text are just facts. Very valuable and enjoyable to listen to (great voice!).

A detailed scholarly study of Mormon thought

This is an excellent, in depth study of the foundations of Mormon thought, and how the doctrines of the church have evolved over time. It is extremely detailed and requires a decent amount of effort on the part of the listener, but it is worth the effort to more fully understand the material presented.

Great Overview of Mormon Theology

Any additional comments?

This was the best book on Mormon theology I've ever read. By providing a historical overview for each topic, Givens avoids the problem of merely providing his personal views on Mormon theology. This book has enough depth to be interesting for those already familiar with Mormonism, but I believe he has also succeeded at creating an overview that is accessible for the novice.

Most Interesting!

I found this, like Givens' other books, to be incredibly thought provoking. Being LDS myself, I was not always comfortable with the things he had to say, but I am very grateful for the straight forward way he writes and researches. No sugar coating here. No excuse making or spinning, just the facts, ma'am. In the end, even the things that made me squirm seemed understandable, which understanding is exactly what I was seeking when I chose this book. Now I have the option of pondering so many questions I had before and which have arisen because of this book. I feel that I have a firmer base on which to form or reform my opinions. After all, it is all about choice.