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Religions of the World: A Latter-Day Saint View
This book presents a wealth of vital information for people seeking greater understanding of the peoples of the world and the beliefs that motivate them.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
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180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 8, 2020
I was really helpful to learn about other religions this way.
December 2, 2017
A wonderful book comparing major religions of the world to the LDS faith. I️ have a new appreciation for the many similarities in beliefs and an understanding of how religions began.
March 19, 2024
Intro
"Intolerance is a sure sign of weakness. Only the confident can afford to be calm and kindly; only the fearful must defame and exclude." - President Kimball pg. 4
D&C 90
"15 And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people."
D&C 88:79
"79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms "
"What could be more foolish than to reject such gifts because they are found outside the Church? Just as the King James version of the Bible is worthy of our reverent attention until the day when we can excel it, so it is no disgrace that the Church has not produced a Bach, Michelangelo, or Shakespeare--the whole world has hardly produced a handful of such men in a thousand years. We Should receive their gifts with gracefulness before we presume to supplant them with our own poor talents." - Hugh Nibley pg. 11
South Asian Religions
"Adherents to some religions--Jains, Theravada Buddhists, and Hindus of some traditions--believe that no gods exist who can assist them off the wheel, that all persons have to work out their own salvation. Others--Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhists, Hindus of some traditions, and Sikhs--hold that there are helping beings or gods who assist in the salvation process. One tradition, Sikhism, believes in one all-powerful, inclusive God, who is both monotheistic and monistic." (Monotheistic- only one God exists within a tangible realm of universe and time. Absolute monistic- there is only one God and everything else--the universe, space, time--are non-existent and mere illusion.) pg 15
Hinduism
"It is extremely difficult to form a comprehensive definition of Hinduism. Actually, Hindu was the term used by persons living outside India to designate those persons who lived "beyond the Indus." It was a geographical designation initially and had virtually nothing to do with religion. A more correct term for the religious traditions [racticed by the majority of persons living in India would be dharma, meaning "the way." Each person has his or her own individual way to follow and one way may be very different from some other way." pg 17
"Vishnu is close to the world and is directly involved in it. This involvement manifests itself in nine incarnations (avatars) through which Vishnu has come to earth to preserve the world and its people... In the abundant lore of Hinduism there is a heroic god who will yet descend to earth and deliver humankind from darkness and evil. His name is Kalki, and he is the (10th) future incarnation of the god Vishnu. Like all other solar deities, Vishnu is likened to a white horse. In the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Kalki is either a hero, mounted on a white horse and bearing a blazing sword, or a giant with a white horse's head... Compare this to a portion of the Revelation of John in the New Testament:
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he doth judge and make ware. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (Rev. 19:11-12)" pg 19-20)
"Monoism is the fundamental concept toward which the Upanishads move. It is the belief that all things are one. To hold to a dualistic view of the world, in which it is believed that some things act against other things is maya (illusion). Ultimately, people themselves are only illusions, for they are no more than waves on the ocean of existence. They have no independent identity of their own; because of illusions born of the five senses, they only believe that they do. Until that illusion is broken and they understand their true identity, they will continue to be reborn." pg 23
"The salience of law in the eternal progression of mankind is clearly pointed out in the Doctrine and Covenants:
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20-21)
It appears from this and other revelations that the Latter-day Saint 'law of the harvest' is more specific and personal in its cause-and-effect relationships than the karma of Eastern philosophy. The violation of specific commandments brings specific punishments, just as obedience to a law entitles an individual to a personal blessing. Hindu karma, on the other hand, tends to respond to evil deeds indirectly. For example, one of the Hare Krishna faithful might maintain that people who eat meat are doomed to violent death in war." pg 27
Jainism
"... a famous Jain parable, told by a sadhu to a prince in order to explain the basic Jain view of the evils of the physical world and the need to gain freedom from it. Latter-day Saints familiar with the many metaphors expressed in Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon should be intrigued by the philosophy of this grim little story:
There, to the east of him, he saw a great banyan tree....
And he ran quickly, and reached the mighty tree.
But his spirits fell, for it was so high that even the birds could not fly over it,
And he could not climb its high unscalable trunk....
Until, looking round, he saw nearby an old well covered with grass.
Afraid of death, craving to live if only a moment longer,
He flung himself into the well at the foot of the banyan tree.
A clump of reeds grew from its deep wall, and to this he clung,
while below him he saw terrible snakes, enraged at the sound of his falling;
And at the very bottom, known from the hiss of its breath, was a black and mighty python
With mouth agape, its body thick as the truck of a heavenly elephant, with terrible red eyes.
He thought, 'My life will only last as long as these reeds hold fast,'
And he raised his head; and there, on the clump of reeds, he saw two large mice,
One white, one black, their sharp teeth ever gnawing at the roots of the reed-clump.
Then up came the wild elephant, and, enraged the more at not catching him,
Charged time and again at the trunk of the banyan tree.
At the shock of his charge a honeycomb on a large branch
Which hung over the old well, shook loose and fell.
The man's whole body was stung by a swarm of angry bees,
But, just by chance, a drop of honey fell on his head,
Rolled down his brow and somehow reached his lips,
And gave him a moment's sweetness. He longed for other drops,
And he thought nothing of the python, the snakes, the elephant, the mice, the well, or the bees,
In his excited craving for yet more drops of honey.
This parable is powerful to clear the minds of those on the way to freedom.
Now hear its sure interpretation.
The man is the soul, his wandering in the forest the four types of existence.
The wild elephant is death...
The banyan tree is salvation, where there is no fear of death, the elephant,
But which no sensual man can climb.
The well is human life, the snakes are passions,
Which so overcome a man that he does not know what he should do.
The tuft of reed is man's allotted span, during which the soul exists embodied;
The mice which steadily gnaw it are the dark and bright forenights.
The stinging bees are manifold diseases,
Which torment a man until he has not a moment's joy.
The awful python is hell, seizing the man bemused by sensual pleasure,
Fallen in which the soul suffers pains by the thousand.
The drops of honey are trivial pleasures, terrible at the last.
How can a wise man want them, in the midst of such peril and hardship? pg 41-42
"Somewhere between the Eastern and traditional Christian concepts of reverence for life falls the Latter-day Saint position. The Latter-day Saint attitude toward animal life is founded on the belief that animals are subjects of salvation, an idea that goes well beyond the mainstream Christian position that animals have no 'real rights.' Animals do have rights in Latter-day Saint theology, but these rights are limited. Thus, the Latter-day Saint view of the animal kingdom is not as egalitarian as the Eastern philosophy, which downplays the distinctions between higher and lower species to allow for the cross-species mobility required by reincarnation. Latter-day Saints see humans and animals not as coequal, but rather as coeternal." pg 43
"No man or woman, no boy or girl, who has any kind feelings will inflict unnecessary pain upon any creature.... [God] will condemn and punish them for so doing. - George Q. Cannon" pg 44
"Heber J. Grant, at age eighty, gave partial credit for his good health to an almost meatless diet:
I think that another reason why I have very splendid strength for an old man is that during the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel, I have not with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind. On these special occasions I have mentioned I have perhaps had a small, tender lamb chop. I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom, and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health." pg 45
"Intolerance is a sure sign of weakness. Only the confident can afford to be calm and kindly; only the fearful must defame and exclude." - President Kimball pg. 4
D&C 90
"15 And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people."
D&C 88:79
"79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms "
"What could be more foolish than to reject such gifts because they are found outside the Church? Just as the King James version of the Bible is worthy of our reverent attention until the day when we can excel it, so it is no disgrace that the Church has not produced a Bach, Michelangelo, or Shakespeare--the whole world has hardly produced a handful of such men in a thousand years. We Should receive their gifts with gracefulness before we presume to supplant them with our own poor talents." - Hugh Nibley pg. 11
South Asian Religions
"Adherents to some religions--Jains, Theravada Buddhists, and Hindus of some traditions--believe that no gods exist who can assist them off the wheel, that all persons have to work out their own salvation. Others--Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhists, Hindus of some traditions, and Sikhs--hold that there are helping beings or gods who assist in the salvation process. One tradition, Sikhism, believes in one all-powerful, inclusive God, who is both monotheistic and monistic." (Monotheistic- only one God exists within a tangible realm of universe and time. Absolute monistic- there is only one God and everything else--the universe, space, time--are non-existent and mere illusion.) pg 15
Hinduism
"It is extremely difficult to form a comprehensive definition of Hinduism. Actually, Hindu was the term used by persons living outside India to designate those persons who lived "beyond the Indus." It was a geographical designation initially and had virtually nothing to do with religion. A more correct term for the religious traditions [racticed by the majority of persons living in India would be dharma, meaning "the way." Each person has his or her own individual way to follow and one way may be very different from some other way." pg 17
"Vishnu is close to the world and is directly involved in it. This involvement manifests itself in nine incarnations (avatars) through which Vishnu has come to earth to preserve the world and its people... In the abundant lore of Hinduism there is a heroic god who will yet descend to earth and deliver humankind from darkness and evil. His name is Kalki, and he is the (10th) future incarnation of the god Vishnu. Like all other solar deities, Vishnu is likened to a white horse. In the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Kalki is either a hero, mounted on a white horse and bearing a blazing sword, or a giant with a white horse's head... Compare this to a portion of the Revelation of John in the New Testament:
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he doth judge and make ware. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (Rev. 19:11-12)" pg 19-20)
"Monoism is the fundamental concept toward which the Upanishads move. It is the belief that all things are one. To hold to a dualistic view of the world, in which it is believed that some things act against other things is maya (illusion). Ultimately, people themselves are only illusions, for they are no more than waves on the ocean of existence. They have no independent identity of their own; because of illusions born of the five senses, they only believe that they do. Until that illusion is broken and they understand their true identity, they will continue to be reborn." pg 23
"The salience of law in the eternal progression of mankind is clearly pointed out in the Doctrine and Covenants:
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20-21)
It appears from this and other revelations that the Latter-day Saint 'law of the harvest' is more specific and personal in its cause-and-effect relationships than the karma of Eastern philosophy. The violation of specific commandments brings specific punishments, just as obedience to a law entitles an individual to a personal blessing. Hindu karma, on the other hand, tends to respond to evil deeds indirectly. For example, one of the Hare Krishna faithful might maintain that people who eat meat are doomed to violent death in war." pg 27
Jainism
"... a famous Jain parable, told by a sadhu to a prince in order to explain the basic Jain view of the evils of the physical world and the need to gain freedom from it. Latter-day Saints familiar with the many metaphors expressed in Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon should be intrigued by the philosophy of this grim little story:
There, to the east of him, he saw a great banyan tree....
And he ran quickly, and reached the mighty tree.
But his spirits fell, for it was so high that even the birds could not fly over it,
And he could not climb its high unscalable trunk....
Until, looking round, he saw nearby an old well covered with grass.
Afraid of death, craving to live if only a moment longer,
He flung himself into the well at the foot of the banyan tree.
A clump of reeds grew from its deep wall, and to this he clung,
while below him he saw terrible snakes, enraged at the sound of his falling;
And at the very bottom, known from the hiss of its breath, was a black and mighty python
With mouth agape, its body thick as the truck of a heavenly elephant, with terrible red eyes.
He thought, 'My life will only last as long as these reeds hold fast,'
And he raised his head; and there, on the clump of reeds, he saw two large mice,
One white, one black, their sharp teeth ever gnawing at the roots of the reed-clump.
Then up came the wild elephant, and, enraged the more at not catching him,
Charged time and again at the trunk of the banyan tree.
At the shock of his charge a honeycomb on a large branch
Which hung over the old well, shook loose and fell.
The man's whole body was stung by a swarm of angry bees,
But, just by chance, a drop of honey fell on his head,
Rolled down his brow and somehow reached his lips,
And gave him a moment's sweetness. He longed for other drops,
And he thought nothing of the python, the snakes, the elephant, the mice, the well, or the bees,
In his excited craving for yet more drops of honey.
This parable is powerful to clear the minds of those on the way to freedom.
Now hear its sure interpretation.
The man is the soul, his wandering in the forest the four types of existence.
The wild elephant is death...
The banyan tree is salvation, where there is no fear of death, the elephant,
But which no sensual man can climb.
The well is human life, the snakes are passions,
Which so overcome a man that he does not know what he should do.
The tuft of reed is man's allotted span, during which the soul exists embodied;
The mice which steadily gnaw it are the dark and bright forenights.
The stinging bees are manifold diseases,
Which torment a man until he has not a moment's joy.
The awful python is hell, seizing the man bemused by sensual pleasure,
Fallen in which the soul suffers pains by the thousand.
The drops of honey are trivial pleasures, terrible at the last.
How can a wise man want them, in the midst of such peril and hardship? pg 41-42
"Somewhere between the Eastern and traditional Christian concepts of reverence for life falls the Latter-day Saint position. The Latter-day Saint attitude toward animal life is founded on the belief that animals are subjects of salvation, an idea that goes well beyond the mainstream Christian position that animals have no 'real rights.' Animals do have rights in Latter-day Saint theology, but these rights are limited. Thus, the Latter-day Saint view of the animal kingdom is not as egalitarian as the Eastern philosophy, which downplays the distinctions between higher and lower species to allow for the cross-species mobility required by reincarnation. Latter-day Saints see humans and animals not as coequal, but rather as coeternal." pg 43
"No man or woman, no boy or girl, who has any kind feelings will inflict unnecessary pain upon any creature.... [God] will condemn and punish them for so doing. - George Q. Cannon" pg 44
"Heber J. Grant, at age eighty, gave partial credit for his good health to an almost meatless diet:
I think that another reason why I have very splendid strength for an old man is that during the years we have had a cafeteria in the Utah Hotel, I have not with the exception of not more than a dozen times, ordered meat of any kind. On these special occasions I have mentioned I have perhaps had a small, tender lamb chop. I have endeavored to live the Word of Wisdom, and that, in my opinion, is one reason for my good health." pg 45
July 27, 2021
This is a really excellent book that I think all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and many others) would benefit from reading. It gives a survey of 12 major world religions and in each case does a great job presenting key facts such as the origin or founding of the religion, its history, major changes in the religion over time, how many adherents of the religion there are worldwide and where, key beliefs and practices, sacred places, rituals, books of scripture, beliefs about ultimate reality, the purpose of life, afterlife, etc. Then at the end of each chapter there is a section identifying points of common ground and points of divergence with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
The tone of the book is very respectful of other religions, the truths that they teach, the good that they do, the things that we as members of the church can learn and appreciate from other faiths, etc while also in the final chapter emphasizing what really sets the restored gospel and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart and makes it unique and different from all other world religions.
I chose to read this book because I took a Gospel and World Religions institute class a few years ago and I learned some good things in that course but felt that I had hardly even scratched the surface of what I could learn and should learn about the major religions of the world. When I discovered that this book existed I knew I wanted to read it and I am really glad that I did. Obviously this book is just a survey and doesn't go into incredible depth about any of the world religions that it covers, but I felt like it did a very good job providing a survey of each religion, and the bibliography lists many sources for each world religion that interested readers can look into to study further.
Each of the chapters of this book taught me something new and valuable, but the chapters on Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism taught me a great deal of new and very valuable information. I was already quite familiar with Christianity and knew a fair amount about Judaism and Islam, but I learned some good things in those chapters as well. Reading this book strengthened my respect for devout and faithful people of other world religions while also deepening my appreciation for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This was an eye-opening and perspective enhancing book and I highly recommend it.
The tone of the book is very respectful of other religions, the truths that they teach, the good that they do, the things that we as members of the church can learn and appreciate from other faiths, etc while also in the final chapter emphasizing what really sets the restored gospel and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart and makes it unique and different from all other world religions.
I chose to read this book because I took a Gospel and World Religions institute class a few years ago and I learned some good things in that course but felt that I had hardly even scratched the surface of what I could learn and should learn about the major religions of the world. When I discovered that this book existed I knew I wanted to read it and I am really glad that I did. Obviously this book is just a survey and doesn't go into incredible depth about any of the world religions that it covers, but I felt like it did a very good job providing a survey of each religion, and the bibliography lists many sources for each world religion that interested readers can look into to study further.
Each of the chapters of this book taught me something new and valuable, but the chapters on Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism taught me a great deal of new and very valuable information. I was already quite familiar with Christianity and knew a fair amount about Judaism and Islam, but I learned some good things in those chapters as well. Reading this book strengthened my respect for devout and faithful people of other world religions while also deepening my appreciation for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This was an eye-opening and perspective enhancing book and I highly recommend it.
May 10, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. I set out wanting to know more about the basic beliefs of the major world religions, but I got so much more than that. I really appreciated how at the end of each section, the authors outlined the common ground between the beliefs my own religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and that of other religions. It was a beautiful thing. I learned SO much, and feel that I’ll be a better global citizen for having taken this journey.
“This knowledge of the fullness of the gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints should not breed arrogance or exclusiveness… Wherever truth is found, we should rejoice, for there the hand of God has been at work. Where there is truth, we should build on it, strengthen it, and deepen it. Latter Day Saints should rejoice in all that is beautiful and good, for that is the essence of the last sentence of the thirteenth Article of Faith: “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
“This knowledge of the fullness of the gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints should not breed arrogance or exclusiveness… Wherever truth is found, we should rejoice, for there the hand of God has been at work. Where there is truth, we should build on it, strengthen it, and deepen it. Latter Day Saints should rejoice in all that is beautiful and good, for that is the essence of the last sentence of the thirteenth Article of Faith: “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
August 2, 2020
A very interesting and updated book on the greater religions of the world from a Latter-day Saint perspective. Rather than pointing out what is "wrong" with these religions, it focuses on the commonalities of our faiths and is presented in a very neutral and non-judgmental way for both religions (the religion discussed and the LDS religion).
Though originally written for BYU students, it is now available for all members of the LDS church to buy and study this book.
Although written for an American audience, I think a lot of missionaries, wherever they are from, this book would highly benefit them to find common ground to teach the restored gospel without putting the other persons religion down.
Highly recommended read for all those who are interested in other faiths, but not planning to leave their own. Also very interesing for people from other faiths to see how our religion views their faith.
Though originally written for BYU students, it is now available for all members of the LDS church to buy and study this book.
Although written for an American audience, I think a lot of missionaries, wherever they are from, this book would highly benefit them to find common ground to teach the restored gospel without putting the other persons religion down.
Highly recommended read for all those who are interested in other faiths, but not planning to leave their own. Also very interesing for people from other faiths to see how our religion views their faith.
August 20, 2022
It is relatively impossible to write a concise textbook about all world religions, each of which could fill their own textbooks. However, this book felt like a perfect introduction to the history and theology of each religion. I’m sure, having read and been frustrated by summaries of my religion (LDS) in several books, that there are plenty of skewed misrepresentations of beliefs. I accidentally purchased the previous addition and expect, with the help of the two additional authors, the book has an even more accurate depiction of these religions. I appreciated the overviews as well as the focus on elements that relate to the LDS faith for the purpose of comparing and contrasting these ideas. I love the idea of eternal truths that permeate throughout religious history.
December 5, 2020
I don’t have the words to explain how much I have loved and been changed by this book. What a fascinating, respectful, insightful exploration of other religions. I have been humbled and had many things put into perspective. I have misunderstood so much about other faiths and have learned more about my own faith in the process. Highly recommend!
March 25, 2024
this was my favorite book as a mormon missionary- an invaluable resource for me exploring other spiritual philosophies
May 6, 2024
Felt like reading the old college textbook again from one of my favorite classes. It was fun. I wish it was a little more in depth though. And the Islam section is very apologetic.
January 14, 2013
Although by no means exhaustive or overwhelmingly extensive, this Institute manual does give an interesting survey of the "major" (or at least "influential") religions of the world. I would recommend this as a useful starting point for understanding the diversity of religions in the world. Having served a two-year mission in Malaysia and Singapore, I can testify that there are many, many different types of religions as well as interpretations/ways to practice them. I wish I had read this book before my mission; there is much to be gained from studying the faith of others. It is admittedly a difficult task to put forth a manual containing the "religions of the world" considering the nearly endless number of folk religions and divisions among the major traditions. That is to say, just as there are differences among Christian denominations, there are vast differences of worship and belief among Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews.
This study manual does succeed in shedding some light on the complexity of religious beliefs and traditions as well as giving a foundational understanding for core beliefs and terminology for major world religions. If one desires a more complete understanding of any one religion, say the Catholic Church or Sunni Islam, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Furthermore, the book does cater to a Mormon audience so there are concluding sections in each chapter that highlight similarities and draw comparisons to Mormon doctrine: just a heads up. I thought they were somewhat interesting.
This study manual does succeed in shedding some light on the complexity of religious beliefs and traditions as well as giving a foundational understanding for core beliefs and terminology for major world religions. If one desires a more complete understanding of any one religion, say the Catholic Church or Sunni Islam, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Furthermore, the book does cater to a Mormon audience so there are concluding sections in each chapter that highlight similarities and draw comparisons to Mormon doctrine: just a heads up. I thought they were somewhat interesting.
December 20, 2009
As the foreword says, there are plenty of good general books on world religions, so this one's main purpose is to place Mormonism (a term I don't particularly care for) in the context of other faiths. Each chapter covers a major tradition (Sikhism, Buddhism, Shinto, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Jainism, Taoism and Zoroastrianism), goes over it's basics, as well as the role of women and family life in it, and compares it to LDS parctice/belief. It's good for any Mormon who would like to learn how their faith fits into the rest of the believing world, or for someone who would like to know how their faith is viewed by Mormons.
May 30, 2012
For a textbook, this is a delightful read. It helps if you're a latter-day saint (I am), because this is an exploration of the similarities between world religions and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
What makes this book really great is that it actually applies positive aspects of all the religions discussed. It does NOT rip them to shreds, discrediting the religion and its followers. Rather, it demonstrates the truths found in the religion, and how it has helped its adherents.
What makes this book really great is that it actually applies positive aspects of all the religions discussed. It does NOT rip them to shreds, discrediting the religion and its followers. Rather, it demonstrates the truths found in the religion, and how it has helped its adherents.
December 1, 2016
This book is a great overview of the major world religions. It discusses their history, practices, beliefs, and even has a small section devoted to similarities between the LDS faiths and these faiths. There is so much to learn from other religions, and this book motivated me to study more. This was for a world religions course I was taking. Now, having had a good overview, I will dive deeper into the religions in particularly interested in, read their texts, and try to further my understanding of them.
January 28, 2010
My daughter suggested a few years ago that I read this book. It lay on my shelf for months untouched until last winter. I read it with a couple young men nearing missionary age. What I thought would be interesting was beyond fascinating. In this day and age it is good to understand and respect our neighbors, if we are to remain strong in our own faith. This book delivers an unbiased positive view of God's children who are not of our faith.
July 9, 2013
I like seeing the commonalities between my religion and others. BUT I still think if we really want to know about other religions we should read their texts and talk to disciples. Because I would rather someone read the Book of Mormon and talk to me than read a summary of my beliefs written by someone not of my faith.
June 22, 2014
This was on my currently reading shelf for so long because I ended up skipping two chapters in the middle and I didn't want to mark it read until I'd finished those. Then I only had time to read one of the two. So I still need to read the chapter on Buddhism.
This is a fantastic resource, though, for any LDS person who wants to better understand world religions.
This is a fantastic resource, though, for any LDS person who wants to better understand world religions.
September 5, 2009
This is a book that must be read slowly. It is rather dry (all textbooks are), but well worth the effort. I especially enjoyed how the book tied certain aspects of each religion to Mormonism. It made the reading/understanding a lot easier.
May 13, 2013
A decent book, but I have a feeling I would have really enjoyed the updated version. I'm not very knowledgeable about eastern religions, but even I could tell some of the things this book said were pretty dated.
April 1, 2016
This is a fantastic book and one I think should be read by everyone. I loved this class. When I taught high school geography I referred to this book often to help my students understand other religions.
May 26, 2008
I used this book for World Religions at BYU. My 2nd cousin, Roger Keller, was a professor of religion at BYU and co-authored this book!
September 29, 2008
A very good overview of each of the major world religions from the LDS perspective. I used this book in the Institute class I taught back in 2003-04.
October 7, 2014
I've read through the four religions that began in the Middle East -- still have two thirds to go. Facinating. I will get back to it later.
July 2, 2009
Concise, accurate, enlightening
October 12, 2010
Very informative and I loved how it showed the similarities of my religion to other religions.
June 18, 2012
Very interesting book learned a lot
August 10, 2025
absolutely the best book on religions of the world. enjoyed it much more than I expected. have suddenly gifted it to many people
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews