T.F. man writes book about LDS temples
Living in Utah several years ago, Andrew Weeks started researching for a book about the history of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He'd been reading about spiritual experiences church members had in the temples, and had heard the growing number of announcements of new temples, including Twin Falls'.
"At the time, I heard about all the temples going up across the world, so I wanted to contribute something to that literature,"Weeks said.
He finished the writing of the book, but it sat unpublished.
Then, a year and a half ago, he took a position at the Times-News, moving to Twin Falls where the temple was under construction.
"I'd never seen members so excited about a temple,"Weeks said. "In Utah they seem to be a dime a dozen."
He picked up on that excitement to push for the book's publication.
"It's really inspiring to know a member felt strongly enough about (the Twin Falls temple) to write a book," said Charles Barnes, bishop in Twin Falls' 10th Ward, where Weeks is a member. "Andy gave us a better understanding of the role that temples have played through the history of mankind."
The book, "Spiritual Temples:Heavenly Experiences in the Houses of God," outlines the history of temples, from Old Testament times through the founding of the LDSchurch - but doesn't address the temples of other faiths. Weeks emphasizes the spiritual experiences people have had in the buildings.
"Members have claimed to see angels, or in some cases, the Lord," he said.
Especially in the early days of the church at the Kirtland, Ohio, temple, many of these experiences were described in personal journals or church records, which have since become public. Weeks drew on these historical sources for many of his descriptions. He believes people continue to have such encounters in temples.
"Even though this book is about spiritual experiences that happened years ago in the church, it's my assumption they happen today," he said. "In talking to people, people are not necessarily apt to share their spiritual experiences, because they are personal."
Weeks also addresses how members can prepare themselves for visits to their temple, and looks to the future of the church's temple construction. "I would hope for members of the church that it would inspire them to make the most of their temple visits,"he said.
"Probably the most inspiring thing," Barnes said, "is that he encourages members to seek a higher plateau, that as LDS people we need to seek greater worthiness."
Weeks expects that the book will interest primarily Mormons, but that anyone else will better understand LDS believers after reading it.
"Especially those who have been on the tour (of the temple), they would get a better idea of why temples are so important to us," Barnes said.
The book is not long - just 73 pages, plus a preface and appendices. "This was not meant to be a tough book, it was not meant to be complicated,"Weeks said.
Ariel Hansen may be reached at 208-735-3376 or ariel.hansen@lee.net.
He'd been reading about spiritual experiences church members had in the temples, and had heard the growing number of announcements of new temples, including Twin Falls'.
"At the time, I heard about all the temples going up across the world, so I wanted to contribute something to that literature,"Weeks said.
He finished the writing of the book, but it sat unpublished.
Then, a year and a half ago, he took a position at the Times-News, moving to Twin Falls where the temple was under construction.
"I'd never seen members so excited about a temple,"Weeks said. "In Utah they seem to be a dime a dozen."
He picked up on that excitement to push for the book's publication.
"It's really inspiring to know a member felt strongly enough about (the Twin Falls temple) to write a book," said Charles Barnes, bishop in Twin Falls' 10th Ward, where Weeks is a member. "Andy gave us a better understanding of the role that temples have played through the history of mankind."
The book, "Spiritual Temples:Heavenly Experiences in the Houses of God," outlines the history of temples, from Old Testament times through the founding of the LDSchurch - but doesn't address the temples of other faiths. Weeks emphasizes the spiritual experiences people have had in the buildings.
"Members have claimed to see angels, or in some cases, the Lord," he said.
Especially in the early days of the church at the Kirtland, Ohio, temple, many of these experiences were described in personal journals or church records, which have since become public. Weeks drew on these historical sources for many of his descriptions. He believes people continue to have such encounters in temples.
"Even though this book is about spiritual experiences that happened years ago in the church, it's my assumption they happen today," he said. "In talking to people, people are not necessarily apt to share their spiritual experiences, because they are personal."
Weeks also addresses how members can prepare themselves for visits to their temple, and looks to the future of the church's temple construction. "I would hope for members of the church that it would inspire them to make the most of their temple visits,"he said.
"Probably the most inspiring thing," Barnes said, "is that he encourages members to seek a higher plateau, that as LDS people we need to seek greater worthiness."
Weeks expects that the book will interest primarily Mormons, but that anyone else will better understand LDS believers after reading it.
"Especially those who have been on the tour (of the temple), they would get a better idea of why temples are so important to us," Barnes said.
The book is not long - just 73 pages, plus a preface and appendices. "This was not meant to be a tough book, it was not meant to be complicated,"Weeks said.
Ariel Hansen may be reached at 208-735-3376 or ariel.hansen@lee.net.
| Get a copy "Spiritual Temples:Heavenly Experiences in the Houses of God," by Andrew Weeks, is available at major bookstores, and online at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com for $12.95. Weeks will sign books at the Twin Falls Barnes & Noble, 1239 Pole Line Road, from 1 to 3 p.m. today. RFB 2: Weeks' other books "America in Perspective: LDS Perspectives on America's Past, Present, and Future," 2000. "Psalms, Proverbs and Parables: Doctrinal and Literary Gems," 2001. "America Back Then: A compilation of historic, patriotic literature," 2002. |
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