Added Upon: A Story

by Nephi Anderson

Nephi Anderson was a Latter Day Saint writer who wrote short stories, poetry and nonfiction. Added Upon, published in 1898, is his most well known work. Added Upon tells the story of man's pre-mortal life through his death and the celestial glory awaiting. Anderson preaches the beliefs of his Mormon faith through his characters. This is a book full of inspiration and faith.

Genres: Religion, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds, Church, Christian Fiction, Classics

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1898

About the author

Norwegian-born American author of Mormon literature.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Do NOT pay attention to the drab official book description!!! Whoever wrote it needs to be slapped upside the head!***

This book is about the journey of souls. The story follows individuals throughout the span of eternity, from before the world was - to the joys, tribulations, romance, and spiritual growth of mortal life - to the hereafter and beyond.

Added Upon is the truest of true love stories, encompassing love in it's different forms - God's love, family love, romantic love, friendly love.

The characters are tangible. Their earthly experiences are real and relatable. Fiction, Doctrine, and Love are masterfully woven together like a braid of three fine satin ribbons.

I crave reading this book every few or so years, and savor the beautiful prose, poetry, and scripture that make up this story that is more than a century old.

Download this book FREE here: http://www.manybooks.net/titles/ander...

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure why there is such a lame description for this amazing book on Goodreads. It is one of the first LDS Fictions ever written (1898). I found this book in my Grandfather's bookshelf (I believe a first edition)and it was one of the first LDS fictions I ever read. I was a very young teen and it had a profound impact on me. I couldn't put it down. The story follows a romance between a man and woman from their premortal existence, through their lives on the earth and into postmortal life. I believe Added Upon served as the model for Lex de Azevedo's musical Saturday's Warrior. It is definitely a book worth reading!

[Jan Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot believe that although I heard about this book most of my life, I had not read it before now.
It is strangely captivating and although the style can be tedious, I found myself carried along with
not just the story line, but the symbolism and LDS doctrine logically woven throughout.
It made me think a lot about this earth life and all the potential each one of us holds to
become the best we can be and use all that we have been given as gifts to achieve a truly
wonderful and joyous life.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1898, this is early LDS novel attempts to clothe in detail the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a group of people from the pre-existence, through mortality, and into the spirit world beyond this life, it brings together fact and fancy, doctrine and speculation. While much of it is arguable, and some is clearly not well-established in latter-day prophetic utterances, it is nonetheless a thought-provoking and inspiring story. Recommended.

[Terrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem is available as a free eBook download. This 1912 hardbound edition (originally published in 1898) came to me at the death of my Grandmother. As it is inscribed it was given by my Grandparents to his Mother on Christmas 1942. As a child I loved to browse my Grandma's bookshelf, read this as a teenager, and requested it at her death. It has great sentimental value to me.This is an LDS fictional account of the Plan of Salvation. We follow several characters from the Pre-existence, thru mortality, the Millennium, and Exaltation. No, it isn't the best writing in the world, but it is sweet and inspiring. I loved in the Millennium when the characters were gathered in Zion to place the cornerstone on the 100th temple. yes 100. In 1898 that seemed a long way off, I am sure.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over 15 years ago, for the first and only time, when I was a teen. I was really touched by this love story and the thought that those we know on earth were also a part of our lives in the pre-mortal existence. I am so excited to see it in print so that I can read it again.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot:
Added Upon is a story that takes place during the three phases of a person's life: Pre-existence, mortality, and life after death. Homan and Delsa are caught up in the events that led to the casting out of Lucifer and his followers from Heaven, and are later given the opportunity to come to Earth. Having forgotten all they must follow the events of their lives that will help them return to the presence of their Heavenly Father.
Although the characters of this book are fiction Nephi Anderson does an incredible job at writing out things that have happened, and showing an interpretation of what the world could be like in the future. When I was reading this the story filled my heart with hope and refueled the fire in me to do my family history and genealogy. I loved how Anderson suggested that even though things will be different in the future with the Savior ruling in Zion people will still be able to create in the arts, including writing. Even if you don't agree with some of the beliefs of the author you will love the story for its imagery and the feeling of hope.
Caution:
The word hell is used once, but only in its proper form. Some people are said to have been drinking, but are not seen.
Lessons:
What is sealed on Earth will be sealed in Heaven. Death will not be the end of us. With faith in Jesus Christ anything is possible.

[Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book in my apartment and read it a few years back on my mission. The story of the King of Poland was an interesting insight into what the author imagined a zion-like society would look like, and how that society would function on a day to day basis.

It can get a bit drab sometimes as the author chronicles doctrinal questions and answers, but as a missionary I was studying that already so no big deal there. Although, if you're looking for that, I'd say Day of Defense will be more handy as the setup is more conducive to analyzing doctrine. It is a decent effort to incorporate principles into the story.

While the book wasn't bad, I agree with other reviews. It seems to be a precursor to Saturday's Warrior, but if you liked that than this book is right up your alley.

[Hillari · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has been many years since I read this book, but I disliked it so strongly that I have never forgotten it. I read this book for a course in college and I wish I still had the paper I wrote back then, because I ripped it pretty good. One of the highlights of my life (haha) was having the teacher read my paper aloud to the class which was held in an auditorium.
My main problem with the book was how every conversation turned into a question and answer series, with the only point being to lay out the good news of the gospel. Just poorly written all around.
With so much good fiction out there, why waste your time with this rubbish?

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lazy Washington Post writer cited this as evidence for Mormons' cultural love of sci-fi. It's...not remotely sci-fi. There's a mention of etheric technology, and a few pages at the end take place in the future

This is a novelization of the Plan of Salvation, the Latter-day Saint concept of pre-birth and post-death spiritual life. It shares some connective tissue with Saturday's Warrior. It's a theologically didactic frontier romance, too thin to be a novel, too thick to be a tract. It's not sci-fi.

It's not bad, but it's not great literature, it's not even good Mormon literature. It's cohesive well-narrated, but there's no drama, no conflict.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a very precious gift that was just given to me. The copy I received used to belong to my grandmother, who passed away about 15 years ago. She had lent it to a friend during a hard time, and it was forgotten about and moved around and the friend found it after all these years and realized she knew someone related and wanted to return it. It was so special to have my grandma’s book in my hands that she had read on her mission as a young missionary. This really is a neat story of pre-earth life, earth life, and the hereafter. I liked how it intertwined all the characters and made it all seem more real and easier to understand.

[Gerrit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allegory about the three main periods of life: pre-mortal, mortal, and post-mortal, as based on Mormon theology. If you like CS Lewis' allegorical fiction (like Lion, Witch & Wardrobe) and you are Mormon you will probably really like this--in many ways it is a precursor to pop-Mormon productions like Saturday's Warrior--though much more thoughtful.

If allegorical didacticism is hard to swallow, you will probably only appreciate it for its broad speculations about the Millennium and the Celestial Kingdom.

[Rene' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nephi Anderson is an absolute favorite of mine! I have many of his books and am happy to share them with one and all! Added Upon is about friends who knew each other in the pre-existence and were married on earth after being born in different countries. The Gospel is what brought them together. It's a sweet book.

[Amy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So after 15 years hearing about this book in my husband's family, we finally read it as a family! It was fun to have a fictional story intertwined with some LDS church doctrine. And we all enjoyed watching how the pre-existence, earth-life, and after-life stories came together!

[Liz Busby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book much more readable than I expected to. I am constantly referring to it as one of the first works of speculative fiction in the Latter-day Saint tradition, but I was hesitant to actually read it because I don't tend to enjoy the more didactic fiction of the home literature period. In case you aren't familiar, Added Upon was the first Mormon novel to use the format of following characters from the premortal life through their life on Earth and following up with their eternal destinies. You could consider this a distant ancestor of Saturday's Warrior. There are multiple versions of this novel as Anderson worked on it over time; I read a late edition printed by Bookcraft. (I don't have my book handy, but I feel like it was the 5th edition.)

The story has a few interesting twists. Using different names for the characters in the spirit world turned out to be a good idea even though a bit confusing, as Anderson got me thinking that the schoolteacher was actually the destined soulmate of our protagonist, only to pull the rug out from under me. I didn't expect some of the other rough patches that the characters went through on their journey to the gospel either. The dialogue is stilted and Victorian, but the interior life of the characters is a bit better in terms of quality.

The real surprise of the book was the fourth section that takes place during the millennium and for some reason features the king of Poland visiting the millennial city. I was fascinated to get a glimpse of the way Anderson envisioned a utopian society working. There are even some science fictional hints at a power system based on "ether," which is never explained. But the best part was how Anderson argues that fiction writers are just as necessary in this future Zion as craftsmen, and the society supports them by allowing them free time and houses full of inspiring art and nice views. Isn't that the dream, Nephi?

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a young boy, and was deeply moved. It is so interesting to revisit now as a "not so young boy".

Although written early in the 20th century, it is still fresh and instructive. I loved it all over again. This time, not as a paper book, but as an ebook via Gutenberg download.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the main character of this book is the plan of salvation and that's an interesting exploration. The writing has been critiqued as subpar, and I think that's fair, but also unfair. It was interesting and challenged the way I view eternity, and that's what I wanted out of it, so it succeeded as a book for me.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. I really liked the beginning though. It struck a familiar chord and was written in a surprisingly appropriate and tasteful manner for such a sacred topic. However, I felt the body of the work was rushed and jumbled and I wasn't entirely interested in the story. The last portion I just couldn't get into...the author was treading on pretty thin ice anyway and I just couldn't bring myself to read it. I'd rather read section 138 in the Doctrine and Covenants and satisfy myself with pure doctrine.
Like I said, the first part of the book was interesting and I enjoyed it, but the rest of it had a funny Saturday's Warrior feel about it.

[Cevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a great-grandson of Nephi Anderson, I was practically required to read this novel. I like it for several reasons. First, there is an element of pride in being related to a somewhat famous (at least in LDS literature circles) author. Second, it really is an interesting novelization of the plan of salvation. I like to think of it as a nineteenth century version of "My Turn on Earth" or "Saturday's Warrior." Finally, I'm a big sci-fi buff, and it's fascinating to consider the description of the millennial city in terms of utopian science fiction.

I realize the writing style seems old-fashioned, but the book is worth reading. How many other LDS novels have had over 20 printings?

[Kimberly Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a touching story aimed at people belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. I preface this way, since, unless you are a member of this church, the book will be hard to follow and confusing, as a great deal of the plot relies on past events the readers are assumed to know. While I enjoyed the story told, and it definitely made me think, it's not particularly well written, nor has it character depth. I wish the writer had explored the plot more. However, since this is a rather old book, the didactic, straightforward way of this work is understandable.

[Kaylin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to read a book where characters stand as moral lessons and not real people. Not to mention the frustration I felt realizing that this was the book that started a lot of false doctrine in the church. Example: Women needing to rely on men’s testimonies because they are the weaker sex.

Good parts: I think we all gravitate toward a story of the pre-earth, earth, and post-death worlds. It helps us imagine ourselves as eternal. And this was a prolific book in that way. I also made visible some of my favorite quotes that did touch me.

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little story that was first published in 1898, that answers questions such as, "Who am I, where did I come from and why am I here?". Intriguing questions we all have, they are discussed through stories about a wonderful plan created in Heaven above, called the "Plan of Salvation." It illustrates the lives of several fictional people, from their state of pre-existence through their mortality and into the future, after death. What a marvelous book!

[Leigh Statham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this little book is a gem! Any Latter-day Saint will get a kick out of Mr. Anderson's 1890's view of the big picture. Especially his ideas about technology in the millennium. Plus the characters, while not fully developed, are still endearing and it's nice to be reminded of the eternal perspective once in a while. Great little book.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was at times irritated by the awkward cadence of the writing, I still felt the story had some powerful points. The beginning was the best part for me, premortal life. At times I felt deeply emotional. I didn't connect as viscerally during earth life and after death, but overall left me with some great thoughts to ponder.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Added Upon is LDS fiction written in 1898, and was the author's first and most popular novel.

Added Upon follows several characters from the pre-mortal realm, through life on earth, and into the life after death. LDS beliefs are central to the story. This was very enjoyable reading for me and had me pondering many thoughts, including how short this mortal life really is.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

An older LDS fiction classic in which the author mixes gospel doctrine with supposition regarding our premortal life and how we came to be here on earth. I am actually distantly related to Nephi Anderson by marriage.

[Amber Hicken · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandma gave this book to me from her collection when I was a teenager, so it has some sentimental value to me. I liked it as a teenager more than I did as an adult. I enjoyed the first half more than the second.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

29th printing 1969. First read 1912 addition as a teenager. this was the first "church" book I ever read. It opened the door to reading for me and started me on my way to understanding the meaning of life.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little Church book with tender presentation of the Plan of Salvation. I read it in the 1970s and really liked it. Maybe I should read it again because I don't remember much more than I liked it.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this right after Mary was baptized. I think either one of the missionaries gave it to her or maybe a member of Beaumont Ward. Always uplifting and edifying to read about the gospel covenants, promises we can/do enjoy the blessings from.