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The Burning Book: A Jewish-Mormon Memoir
Jason Olson felt God’s presence in the Jewish tradition he was raised in. So what was he supposed to do when he also heard God’s voice in the Book of Mormon?
The Burning Book traces Jason’s spiritual journey from aspiring rabbi to Latter-day Saint missionary, from Brigham Young University student to Israeli immigrant, and from Jewish Studies scholar to military chaplain. It’s a memoir about one man’s experience finding God: in two faiths, in two countries, and in the lives of other people.
Co-written with novelist and poet James Goldberg (author of The Five Books of Jesus and A Book of Lamentations). The Burning Book offers readers a glimpse into Jewish and Mormon cultures and asks what it means to seek the voice of prophets in a modern, multicultural world.
The Burning Book traces Jason’s spiritual journey from aspiring rabbi to Latter-day Saint missionary, from Brigham Young University student to Israeli immigrant, and from Jewish Studies scholar to military chaplain. It’s a memoir about one man’s experience finding God: in two faiths, in two countries, and in the lives of other people.
Co-written with novelist and poet James Goldberg (author of The Five Books of Jesus and A Book of Lamentations). The Burning Book offers readers a glimpse into Jewish and Mormon cultures and asks what it means to seek the voice of prophets in a modern, multicultural world.
262 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 24, 2022
I heard a brief version of Jason’s story on a podcast and knew I wanted to hear more. Jason was raised in and loved his Jewish faith, so when he was introduced to the Book of Mormon by some friends, he was conflicted. Through a series of strong spiritual experiences, he felt compelled to join the Church of Jesus Christ, but didn’t want to abandon the Jewish culture and heritage that he still valued and loved. I appreciated hearing how he worked to not replace, but to add to his faith, and how this process helped him respect religious diversity. I also loved hearing about the LDS faith from a Jewish perspective…those aspects that are common ground that he valued and felt drawn to from his upbringing (the importance of temples, covenants, the gathering of Israel, the priesthood, etc…). Lastly, I appreciated the Q&A at the end of the book where he answered a lot of questions about Judaism that helped expand my understanding.
Some favorite quotes:
-“To me, being a Jew meant hearing the beat of a divine drummer. The law, so often viewed with derision by Christians, brought a divine calibration to our people.” p. X
-“The book itself was addressing me, asking me to believe things. Experiencing scripture is more than just reading it: it meant wrestling with it.” p. 26
-“There are moments in life that transcend the limits of our understanding. Moments that fill the heart, enlarge the soul. Moments when God writes his will on us, when the flesh of our hearts becomes his tablet…I was filled from the crown of my head to the soles of my feel with the spirit of God. I felt full of light. Like I was glowing with it.” p. 30
-“If I had seen the spiritual beauty in a thing, whether it was the Torah or the Book of Mormon, you couldn’t make a file thick enough to take away those moments. My mental models about an issue might change over time, but I would hold on to the core experience I’d been given…I could relate far better to a sincere believer of another faith than to someone from my own traditions, Jewish or Mormon, who didn’t care about the beauty of the sacred. I have little patience for debunking any religion, whether in the service of your own faith or for reasons outside of faith. In the end, what Rick gave me was a growing commitment to religious pluralism. A resolve to make room to see the good another person experienced within their own convictions.” p .69
-“In the temple, you step out of time. On that day, we were Eve and Adam, leaving the garden together. We were Sarah and Abraham, receiving blessings like the stars and the sand. We were promised all heights and all depths. Promised time, and eternity.” p. 171
-“While we have a duty to share what we’ve experienced, religious diversity is part of God’s plan. In his presence, we’ll recognize how the truths he gave to all of us fit together. In the meantime, striving to do good works is at the center of what he expects from us, and what we should expect from each other.” p. 186
-“You never forget your spiritual native language.” p. 192
-“Love expresses itself both in the desire to share a joy you’ve known with others and in respect if they choose to live within the joy they’ve found.” p. 192
-“My interest in what they believed gave them permission to be interested in what I believed. And we were edified together…I gained a testimony that their God was my God: I felt it. I bowed down with them and prayed, unafraid to worship my God in their way.” p. 208
-“Simply stated: Christianity recognized Jesus. Judaism retained the temple and covenant. Mormonism felt to me like a beautiful synthesis: a restoration of Abrahamic religion in a modern context.”
Some favorite quotes:
-“To me, being a Jew meant hearing the beat of a divine drummer. The law, so often viewed with derision by Christians, brought a divine calibration to our people.” p. X
-“The book itself was addressing me, asking me to believe things. Experiencing scripture is more than just reading it: it meant wrestling with it.” p. 26
-“There are moments in life that transcend the limits of our understanding. Moments that fill the heart, enlarge the soul. Moments when God writes his will on us, when the flesh of our hearts becomes his tablet…I was filled from the crown of my head to the soles of my feel with the spirit of God. I felt full of light. Like I was glowing with it.” p. 30
-“If I had seen the spiritual beauty in a thing, whether it was the Torah or the Book of Mormon, you couldn’t make a file thick enough to take away those moments. My mental models about an issue might change over time, but I would hold on to the core experience I’d been given…I could relate far better to a sincere believer of another faith than to someone from my own traditions, Jewish or Mormon, who didn’t care about the beauty of the sacred. I have little patience for debunking any religion, whether in the service of your own faith or for reasons outside of faith. In the end, what Rick gave me was a growing commitment to religious pluralism. A resolve to make room to see the good another person experienced within their own convictions.” p .69
-“In the temple, you step out of time. On that day, we were Eve and Adam, leaving the garden together. We were Sarah and Abraham, receiving blessings like the stars and the sand. We were promised all heights and all depths. Promised time, and eternity.” p. 171
-“While we have a duty to share what we’ve experienced, religious diversity is part of God’s plan. In his presence, we’ll recognize how the truths he gave to all of us fit together. In the meantime, striving to do good works is at the center of what he expects from us, and what we should expect from each other.” p. 186
-“You never forget your spiritual native language.” p. 192
-“Love expresses itself both in the desire to share a joy you’ve known with others and in respect if they choose to live within the joy they’ve found.” p. 192
-“My interest in what they believed gave them permission to be interested in what I believed. And we were edified together…I gained a testimony that their God was my God: I felt it. I bowed down with them and prayed, unafraid to worship my God in their way.” p. 208
-“Simply stated: Christianity recognized Jesus. Judaism retained the temple and covenant. Mormonism felt to me like a beautiful synthesis: a restoration of Abrahamic religion in a modern context.”
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July 3, 2025Fascinating memoir about a man's journey to a new religion, and his desire to stay close to his heritage.
August 8, 2022
This compelling and fast paced story takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of the flavors of Judaism today in both America and Israel. It has good insights into Islam, the Israel-Palestinian problems, and explains Mormonism. I recommend the book to Jewish people, Muslims, Mormons and those who would like a fast and authentic overview of the aforementioned topics.
This is the exciting true story of a precocious and lovable teenage sleuth on a quest to find his personal identity. He is surrounded by parents and family who give him great support to hold firmly to his Jewishness, that he loves and embraces. He has friendly peers who are kind, intelligent, and supportive: a group of young Mormon boys who give him a Book of Mormon; college mates at BYU who study Hebrew and are from Jewish families; mates in Israel who recruit him to stay; college professors; Rabbis; and a wonderful Muslim friend. This is a story of friendship and love.
Jason has solid knowledge and belief in the foundations of Judaism. Yet he finds the story of the Book of Mormon compelling and he believes it as well. He seeks to challenge and investigate this apparent inconsistency and tells us what he finds. He has the integrity, energy, curiosity, and family encouragement to support him. It is exciting as he appears to flip and flop. It also is a love story.
Fortunately, Jason does not waste his time investigating other Christian religions and he does not give up on Mormonism merely because it appears to be a Christian religion. – What he discovers (which does distinguish Mormonism from any other Christian religion) is that Mormons do not worship Jesus. Mormons worship and pray to the same God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses to whom the Jewish people pray. The Mormons believe Jesus is the Messiah and will return as such and pray in his name but he is separate and apart from their God.
Bravo to this modern Jason who takes us on an exciting voyage to the edge of his world.
NB by Reviewer - Apparently, modern Mormon "prophets" no longer have talks with God and his angel-messengers the way Abraham, Jacob, Moses and founder Joseph Smith did. - Current Mormon leaders appear to be preoccupied with demanding obedience and expelling challengers asking for change rather than embracing, modernizing, and amplifying the powerful mythology that was the legacy of Joseph Smith. Let's be on the lookout for Jason epilogue!
This is the exciting true story of a precocious and lovable teenage sleuth on a quest to find his personal identity. He is surrounded by parents and family who give him great support to hold firmly to his Jewishness, that he loves and embraces. He has friendly peers who are kind, intelligent, and supportive: a group of young Mormon boys who give him a Book of Mormon; college mates at BYU who study Hebrew and are from Jewish families; mates in Israel who recruit him to stay; college professors; Rabbis; and a wonderful Muslim friend. This is a story of friendship and love.
Jason has solid knowledge and belief in the foundations of Judaism. Yet he finds the story of the Book of Mormon compelling and he believes it as well. He seeks to challenge and investigate this apparent inconsistency and tells us what he finds. He has the integrity, energy, curiosity, and family encouragement to support him. It is exciting as he appears to flip and flop. It also is a love story.
Fortunately, Jason does not waste his time investigating other Christian religions and he does not give up on Mormonism merely because it appears to be a Christian religion. – What he discovers (which does distinguish Mormonism from any other Christian religion) is that Mormons do not worship Jesus. Mormons worship and pray to the same God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses to whom the Jewish people pray. The Mormons believe Jesus is the Messiah and will return as such and pray in his name but he is separate and apart from their God.
Bravo to this modern Jason who takes us on an exciting voyage to the edge of his world.
NB by Reviewer - Apparently, modern Mormon "prophets" no longer have talks with God and his angel-messengers the way Abraham, Jacob, Moses and founder Joseph Smith did. - Current Mormon leaders appear to be preoccupied with demanding obedience and expelling challengers asking for change rather than embracing, modernizing, and amplifying the powerful mythology that was the legacy of Joseph Smith. Let's be on the lookout for Jason epilogue!
September 19, 2024
Interesting read, but the story dragged slightly. It does however highlight the obvious cultural and theological tie that Mormonism has with Jewish tradition.
February 2, 2024
I enjoy reading conversion stories and have heard of Jason before from remarks made by Elder Dieter Uchtdorf. I had a hard, a really hard time with Jason making a commitment and being baptized, but vacillating back and forth with wanting to live as a Jew, but one foot in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.
As the book neared the end, he did finally decide to commit as a member to one church, the restored church, while honoring his Jewish heritage and his family.
As the book neared the end, he did finally decide to commit as a member to one church, the restored church, while honoring his Jewish heritage and his family.
July 6, 2022
A fascinating look at a man’s search for meaning. It’s almost like he’s a living representation of the declaration in the 13th article of faith: “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Olsen has spent his life searching for those things, and this book is a walk through his journey. I love how, in so many places, he sees good in the people and traditions around him. And I love how he feels such a strong pull to his family and ancestors.
This is an especially good book for LDS people to read this year as we study the Old Testament in church. Seeing the thread of covenants unbroken from ancient Judaism to the modern Gospel is really meaningful to a group of people who place so much importance on the Abrahamic covenant.
This is an especially good book for LDS people to read this year as we study the Old Testament in church. Seeing the thread of covenants unbroken from ancient Judaism to the modern Gospel is really meaningful to a group of people who place so much importance on the Abrahamic covenant.
June 6, 2024
Mormon memoirs at it again!
Very interesting perspective on Mormonism and religious pluralism. Learned a lot about Zionism from the Jewish perspective as well. 4 stars!
Very interesting perspective on Mormonism and religious pluralism. Learned a lot about Zionism from the Jewish perspective as well. 4 stars!
October 31, 2022
This is an interesting and helpful story of one man's faith journey through Judaism and Christianity, and his particularly powerful experience reading the Book of Mormon and recognizing the covenants and promises of God given to ancient prophets and all of us. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Even though they've been miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, there are always people who get tired of following Moses' vision. Once that happens it's easy to see him not as a prophet, but as an oppressor (p. 4)."
"I heard a Jewish scholar describe my growing up years as being haunted by an idea called Jewish survivalism... if young Jews broke the chain of identity, Hitler could still get what he wanted. The Nazis could still win. You can see why people would feel that way in a world where their kids' peers were still making offhand comments about the gas chambers, where friends would push you to say Jesus was your savior as the only way to avoid eternal damnation (p. 7)."
"We worried Christian missionaries in general might turn out to be just a few steps of civility away from the Spanish inquisition, where thousands of Jews had to choose between forced conversion or death, but felt most upset by groups like Jews for Jesus (p. 7)."
"I could be as quick as anyone to defend Judaism. My friends knew I wouldn't back down if I felt like my identity was under attack (p. 8)."
"The Reform rabbis, who placed a high value on tolerance, did not teach me to view Christians generally as a threat. My view was that we Jews were to live in harmony with the Christians. We were not to try to dismantle their faith (p. 11)."
"I was determined to become the greatest country-missionary Jew (p. 14)."
"I wanted to strengthen myself by seeking out opposition. I believed opposition would lead to growth... I had no idea my Latter-day Saint friends were studying the Old Testament in their early morning seminary class that year (p. 16)."
"'You're right that Jesus has not fulfilled all those prophecies yet... But I have faith that he will' (p. 18)."
"Their patience never seemed to run out. They didn't mind listening to me, being challenged by me. They didn't get defensive (p. 19)."
"I remember thinking that Dave was the sort of person who would like Chanukah candles with me if I invited him. I wanted to show him the same respect (p. 20)."
"Not only was I surprised to find myself addressed as a member of the house of Israel: I was surprised to find this book overtly arguing that God had not abandoned his covenant with us.... the book was written 'to the convincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.' It was an uncomfortable proposition (p. 25)."
"The book itself was addressing me, asking me to believe things. Experiencing scripture was more than just reading a book: it meant wrestling with it... the Book of Mormon kept surprising and engaging me (p. 26)."
"Jesus was real and would come again to fulfill the rest of the Messianic prophecies. He would be lion as well as lamb. He had not forgotten his people... I was intrigued by it. I was annoyed by it. Sometimes I was deeply moved by it (p. 29)."
"I found myself closing my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. The next moment, I was filled from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet with the spirit of God (p. 30)>"
"Who was right--or were they all wrong together?... Joseph Smith immediately felt to me like a prophet. A modern prophet. I thought back on the Torah portion I'd read at my bar mitzvah, about Korach's rebellion against Moses. I'd worried then and since about rebelling against the prophets, but I hadn't thought as much about how much courage it might take to identify, accept, and follow a prophet in my own era (p. 32)."
"The Book of Mormon made it clear that following Jesus involved getting baptized and... baptism led to a forgiveness of sins (p. 32)."
"'Part of being baptized is taking upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ and becoming a member of his church' (p. 34)."
"How could I turn my back on my people, my family?... And yet, how could I do anything else (p. 35)?"
"'I believe Jesus is the Messiah and that I need to be baptized. Can I have your permission?' (p. 38)"
"I'll admit to having some negative preconceived notions about Christian meetings. Even symbols like the cross can be hard for Jews: for centuries, people have blamed us for Jesus' crucifixion, sometimes attacking Jewish communities out of 'revenge' (p. 44)."
"I was impressed by everyone's humility and desire to support one another (p. 45)."
"That desire to belong raised hard questions (p. 45)."
"How much was I willing to give up for the sake of one book that had spoken to my soul (p. 46)?"
"I wanted to walk the path God set before me. Whatever effect it might have on my own ideas and dreams (p. 49)."
"'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill' (p. 52)."
"'I don't have any problem with the Torah. But I find Jesus so compelling and I believe he will be the Messiah. I believe he will be the one coming again to save the Jewish people from our enemies (p. 53).'"
"If I longed for the Messiah, shouldn't I follow him now (p. 55)?"
"That night of heartbreak strengthened my relationship with God and my commitment to the gospel just in time (p. 57)."
"Call it what you will--Holy Ghost, Shechinah, spiritual electricity--but as we'd talk, I'd feel again that God was there (p. 58)."
"'I don't want to give up my family in any way. I want to be with them here on earth and in heaven' (p. 67)."
"'I've read the entire Book of Mormon and I know that it's scripture. I can't prove that, but that's faith' (p. 68)."
"I had started a new life (p. 73)."
"'I just want to connect with my Jewish roots' (p. 79)."
"The Birthright trip wasn't my only option for going. But the confirmation that I'd lost my eligibility still hit home. Had I, like Esau... sold my birthright (p. 80)?"
"The letter, which bore the signature of President Gordon B. Hinckley, called me to serve in the New Jersey Morristown Mission, which also includes parts of New York state. I immediately recognized it as a place with one of the highest concentrations of Jews in the US. Being called to this are felt like a message that God knew me. Somehow this experience might help me clarify my wrestlings with my Jewish heritage and Latter-day Saint faith (p. 82)."
"There's something sacred about just eating, talking, praying with other people. Something sacred in just eating, talking, praying with other people. Something sacred in sharing worries, hopes, ideas, and dreams. Something sacred in taking time to weave lives together (p. 91)."
"When we talked about a restored gospel, or a restoration of Jesus Christ's church, we meant that a covenant had been restored, along with a restoration of priesthood authority for the ordinances associated with it (p. 93)."
"I found myself as a Latter-day Saint missionary in the most Jewish country in the United States, trying to figure out where I fit and what God wanted me to do (p. 97)."
"Faith... is not only a matter of personal choice. Faith also offers people belonging--to God, and to a community of people who care about each other's lives (p. 100)."
"Relationships between people of different faiths also contribute to the great whole of humanity (p. 105)."
"God is certainly big enough to work within the pieces of truth in all kinds of traditions. He has his own plans for everybody (p. 107)."
"Maybe he'd sent me from Arizona out to New Jersey and New York to grow in confidence and to be blessed by the paths I would cross (p. 108)."
"'I know Jesus Christ is the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' (p. 110)."
"At BYU, Latter-day Saints with intellectual ties to Judaism worked to show students the beauty in the faith and its tradition (p. 120)."
"The obligation to remember, which is so important in Judaism, is also a major theme in the Book of Mormon (p. 122)."
"I was in the land of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. The land, too, of Jesus, who I believed would return as a lion Messiah, fulfilling all the prophecies. Even the air felt charged to me, like Israel had a different spiritual humidity (p. 136)."
"I felt that maintaining both identities was basically honest because both were real (p. 141)."
"My closest friend in the branch, Sasha, was a Zionist who had joined the Church in Ukraine (where my own ancestors had lived) before making aliyah (p. 149)."
"Faith anchors us to earth even as it orients us heavenward (p. 150)."
"'Why is getting married in the temple such a big deal in the Church?'... That moment helped me realize that religion was a part of her life, but not a foundation (p. 154)."
"I knew I wanted to be with my family forever. And sometimes forever also means now (p. 166)."
"In the temple, you step out of time. On that day, we were Eve and Adam, leaving the garden together. We were Sarah and Abraham, receiving blessings like the stars and the sand. We were promised all heights and all depths. Promised time, and eternity. All my life, I'd been looking for something. For the grounding of covenant, for the authority of a prophet, for the presence of God. In the temple that day, it all came together. This was what I wanted. This was what I was looking for (p. 171)."
"I don't know how many people live at the intersection of Judaism and Mormonism, but I'm thankful God put some of them into the path of my life (p. 175)."
"Mostafa was clear that he respected the path I was on. He saw that I was committed to living a righteous life, more interested in deeds than in dogma (p. 185)."
"The prophets' message called us all to action. Sometimes we treat truth as a possession and fall into the complacency of the rich when we have it (p. 197)."
"In God's eyes, we're all bumbling around (p. 198)."
"The Biblical prophets say that the measure of a society is how we meet the needs of the widow and the fatherless (p. 203)."
"I hope I always remember how completely God's invitation is open to each of us (p. 209)."
"Mormonism felt to me like a beautiful synthesis: a restoration of Abrahamic religion in a modern context (p. 234)."
"Belief in Jesus as the Messiah is not enough... faithfulness to the covenant through obedience to the commandments is the requirement of God (p. 235)."
"I love God. I love my fellow men. By following the spiritual promptings I received, I've had wonderful opportunities to deepen my own discipleship and serve others. My life hasn't always been simple, but it's been good. Who could ask for anything more (p. 244)?"
"Even though they've been miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, there are always people who get tired of following Moses' vision. Once that happens it's easy to see him not as a prophet, but as an oppressor (p. 4)."
"I heard a Jewish scholar describe my growing up years as being haunted by an idea called Jewish survivalism... if young Jews broke the chain of identity, Hitler could still get what he wanted. The Nazis could still win. You can see why people would feel that way in a world where their kids' peers were still making offhand comments about the gas chambers, where friends would push you to say Jesus was your savior as the only way to avoid eternal damnation (p. 7)."
"We worried Christian missionaries in general might turn out to be just a few steps of civility away from the Spanish inquisition, where thousands of Jews had to choose between forced conversion or death, but felt most upset by groups like Jews for Jesus (p. 7)."
"I could be as quick as anyone to defend Judaism. My friends knew I wouldn't back down if I felt like my identity was under attack (p. 8)."
"The Reform rabbis, who placed a high value on tolerance, did not teach me to view Christians generally as a threat. My view was that we Jews were to live in harmony with the Christians. We were not to try to dismantle their faith (p. 11)."
"I was determined to become the greatest country-missionary Jew (p. 14)."
"I wanted to strengthen myself by seeking out opposition. I believed opposition would lead to growth... I had no idea my Latter-day Saint friends were studying the Old Testament in their early morning seminary class that year (p. 16)."
"'You're right that Jesus has not fulfilled all those prophecies yet... But I have faith that he will' (p. 18)."
"Their patience never seemed to run out. They didn't mind listening to me, being challenged by me. They didn't get defensive (p. 19)."
"I remember thinking that Dave was the sort of person who would like Chanukah candles with me if I invited him. I wanted to show him the same respect (p. 20)."
"Not only was I surprised to find myself addressed as a member of the house of Israel: I was surprised to find this book overtly arguing that God had not abandoned his covenant with us.... the book was written 'to the convincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.' It was an uncomfortable proposition (p. 25)."
"The book itself was addressing me, asking me to believe things. Experiencing scripture was more than just reading a book: it meant wrestling with it... the Book of Mormon kept surprising and engaging me (p. 26)."
"Jesus was real and would come again to fulfill the rest of the Messianic prophecies. He would be lion as well as lamb. He had not forgotten his people... I was intrigued by it. I was annoyed by it. Sometimes I was deeply moved by it (p. 29)."
"I found myself closing my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. The next moment, I was filled from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet with the spirit of God (p. 30)>"
"Who was right--or were they all wrong together?... Joseph Smith immediately felt to me like a prophet. A modern prophet. I thought back on the Torah portion I'd read at my bar mitzvah, about Korach's rebellion against Moses. I'd worried then and since about rebelling against the prophets, but I hadn't thought as much about how much courage it might take to identify, accept, and follow a prophet in my own era (p. 32)."
"The Book of Mormon made it clear that following Jesus involved getting baptized and... baptism led to a forgiveness of sins (p. 32)."
"'Part of being baptized is taking upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ and becoming a member of his church' (p. 34)."
"How could I turn my back on my people, my family?... And yet, how could I do anything else (p. 35)?"
"'I believe Jesus is the Messiah and that I need to be baptized. Can I have your permission?' (p. 38)"
"I'll admit to having some negative preconceived notions about Christian meetings. Even symbols like the cross can be hard for Jews: for centuries, people have blamed us for Jesus' crucifixion, sometimes attacking Jewish communities out of 'revenge' (p. 44)."
"I was impressed by everyone's humility and desire to support one another (p. 45)."
"That desire to belong raised hard questions (p. 45)."
"How much was I willing to give up for the sake of one book that had spoken to my soul (p. 46)?"
"I wanted to walk the path God set before me. Whatever effect it might have on my own ideas and dreams (p. 49)."
"'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill' (p. 52)."
"'I don't have any problem with the Torah. But I find Jesus so compelling and I believe he will be the Messiah. I believe he will be the one coming again to save the Jewish people from our enemies (p. 53).'"
"If I longed for the Messiah, shouldn't I follow him now (p. 55)?"
"That night of heartbreak strengthened my relationship with God and my commitment to the gospel just in time (p. 57)."
"Call it what you will--Holy Ghost, Shechinah, spiritual electricity--but as we'd talk, I'd feel again that God was there (p. 58)."
"'I don't want to give up my family in any way. I want to be with them here on earth and in heaven' (p. 67)."
"'I've read the entire Book of Mormon and I know that it's scripture. I can't prove that, but that's faith' (p. 68)."
"I had started a new life (p. 73)."
"'I just want to connect with my Jewish roots' (p. 79)."
"The Birthright trip wasn't my only option for going. But the confirmation that I'd lost my eligibility still hit home. Had I, like Esau... sold my birthright (p. 80)?"
"The letter, which bore the signature of President Gordon B. Hinckley, called me to serve in the New Jersey Morristown Mission, which also includes parts of New York state. I immediately recognized it as a place with one of the highest concentrations of Jews in the US. Being called to this are felt like a message that God knew me. Somehow this experience might help me clarify my wrestlings with my Jewish heritage and Latter-day Saint faith (p. 82)."
"There's something sacred about just eating, talking, praying with other people. Something sacred in just eating, talking, praying with other people. Something sacred in sharing worries, hopes, ideas, and dreams. Something sacred in taking time to weave lives together (p. 91)."
"When we talked about a restored gospel, or a restoration of Jesus Christ's church, we meant that a covenant had been restored, along with a restoration of priesthood authority for the ordinances associated with it (p. 93)."
"I found myself as a Latter-day Saint missionary in the most Jewish country in the United States, trying to figure out where I fit and what God wanted me to do (p. 97)."
"Faith... is not only a matter of personal choice. Faith also offers people belonging--to God, and to a community of people who care about each other's lives (p. 100)."
"Relationships between people of different faiths also contribute to the great whole of humanity (p. 105)."
"God is certainly big enough to work within the pieces of truth in all kinds of traditions. He has his own plans for everybody (p. 107)."
"Maybe he'd sent me from Arizona out to New Jersey and New York to grow in confidence and to be blessed by the paths I would cross (p. 108)."
"'I know Jesus Christ is the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob' (p. 110)."
"At BYU, Latter-day Saints with intellectual ties to Judaism worked to show students the beauty in the faith and its tradition (p. 120)."
"The obligation to remember, which is so important in Judaism, is also a major theme in the Book of Mormon (p. 122)."
"I was in the land of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. The land, too, of Jesus, who I believed would return as a lion Messiah, fulfilling all the prophecies. Even the air felt charged to me, like Israel had a different spiritual humidity (p. 136)."
"I felt that maintaining both identities was basically honest because both were real (p. 141)."
"My closest friend in the branch, Sasha, was a Zionist who had joined the Church in Ukraine (where my own ancestors had lived) before making aliyah (p. 149)."
"Faith anchors us to earth even as it orients us heavenward (p. 150)."
"'Why is getting married in the temple such a big deal in the Church?'... That moment helped me realize that religion was a part of her life, but not a foundation (p. 154)."
"I knew I wanted to be with my family forever. And sometimes forever also means now (p. 166)."
"In the temple, you step out of time. On that day, we were Eve and Adam, leaving the garden together. We were Sarah and Abraham, receiving blessings like the stars and the sand. We were promised all heights and all depths. Promised time, and eternity. All my life, I'd been looking for something. For the grounding of covenant, for the authority of a prophet, for the presence of God. In the temple that day, it all came together. This was what I wanted. This was what I was looking for (p. 171)."
"I don't know how many people live at the intersection of Judaism and Mormonism, but I'm thankful God put some of them into the path of my life (p. 175)."
"Mostafa was clear that he respected the path I was on. He saw that I was committed to living a righteous life, more interested in deeds than in dogma (p. 185)."
"The prophets' message called us all to action. Sometimes we treat truth as a possession and fall into the complacency of the rich when we have it (p. 197)."
"In God's eyes, we're all bumbling around (p. 198)."
"The Biblical prophets say that the measure of a society is how we meet the needs of the widow and the fatherless (p. 203)."
"I hope I always remember how completely God's invitation is open to each of us (p. 209)."
"Mormonism felt to me like a beautiful synthesis: a restoration of Abrahamic religion in a modern context (p. 234)."
"Belief in Jesus as the Messiah is not enough... faithfulness to the covenant through obedience to the commandments is the requirement of God (p. 235)."
"I love God. I love my fellow men. By following the spiritual promptings I received, I've had wonderful opportunities to deepen my own discipleship and serve others. My life hasn't always been simple, but it's been good. Who could ask for anything more (p. 244)?"
June 4, 2024
Liked the first three-quarters and really liked the last part of the book. My favorite part was the question and answers with the author and his take on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
June 25, 2022
I just finished listening to this book, about the author’s experience from Judiasm to Latter-Day Saint, from the US to Israel, back to the US and then on to becoming a military chaplain. Very interesting experiences, and very respectful treatment of several religious and political views.
January 8, 2023
Jason Olson grows up Jewish, reads the Book of Mormon and is converted to the LDS Church, but still holds on to ties to his Jewish heritage. His family tries to dissuade him from conversion, even employing a cult deprogrammer. But Olson is not dissuaded. After serving a mission and attending BYU, he lives in Israel and becomes an Israeli citizen for a time. In LDS liberal spaces, I've often seen people try to defend Jewish people and customs, but without actually asking Jewish people what they want. This book represents a significant, actual data point of one Jewish-LDS person's opinions are on many topics.
There was a lot of "then I met this person, they affected me this way, and then I did this" kind of writing. I recognized the aggressively neutral style from some of my own Wikipedia writing. I believe that Goldberg (who helped Olson to write this book) has a lot of experience with that kind of historical style of writing that is extremely faithful to historical details. But when I'm reading a memoir, the details don't matter to me as much as the personal experience of the person writing the memoir. I think this memoir could have been improved by focusing less on the narrative, actually, and further developing the interesting themes of religious identity. More essay, less exposition.
Still, this book made me think more about what the Book of Mormon looks like to Jewish people, and what it could mean for them. Olson sees the Book of Mormon as reassuring Jewish people that God's promises to them are still in effect--not replaced with Christianity, as many Christian churches profess. I also thought his comment that the LDS Church goes beyond "primitive Christianity" to be very interesting, since I've heard some apologists align themselves to the idea that the LDS Church restores that primitive Christianity. But Olson has an important point; when you look at LDS rituals and scripture, there is a lingering, real emphasis on the Abrahamic covenant.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I could relate far better to a sincere believer of another faith than to someone from my own traditions, Jewish or Mormon, who didn't care about the beauty of the sacred." (69)
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is at its best when it is a link between old traditions and new insights, rather than as a total replacement for what people had before." (86)
"Orson Hyde and Joseph Smith prayed for a day when Jews would be able to make homes in Israel, but without viewing Israel as the only promised land." (115)
"[The Jewish people at Ohr Somayach yeshiva] were people who believed that keeping the commandments was more than a personal moral protection, but a way to sanctify and heal the fractured creation of the world." (161)
"People who approach a conflict often try to get a neutral, objective view of events, but I learned so much more by also getting their subjective lenses." (183)
There was a lot of "then I met this person, they affected me this way, and then I did this" kind of writing. I recognized the aggressively neutral style from some of my own Wikipedia writing. I believe that Goldberg (who helped Olson to write this book) has a lot of experience with that kind of historical style of writing that is extremely faithful to historical details. But when I'm reading a memoir, the details don't matter to me as much as the personal experience of the person writing the memoir. I think this memoir could have been improved by focusing less on the narrative, actually, and further developing the interesting themes of religious identity. More essay, less exposition.
Still, this book made me think more about what the Book of Mormon looks like to Jewish people, and what it could mean for them. Olson sees the Book of Mormon as reassuring Jewish people that God's promises to them are still in effect--not replaced with Christianity, as many Christian churches profess. I also thought his comment that the LDS Church goes beyond "primitive Christianity" to be very interesting, since I've heard some apologists align themselves to the idea that the LDS Church restores that primitive Christianity. But Olson has an important point; when you look at LDS rituals and scripture, there is a lingering, real emphasis on the Abrahamic covenant.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I could relate far better to a sincere believer of another faith than to someone from my own traditions, Jewish or Mormon, who didn't care about the beauty of the sacred." (69)
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is at its best when it is a link between old traditions and new insights, rather than as a total replacement for what people had before." (86)
"Orson Hyde and Joseph Smith prayed for a day when Jews would be able to make homes in Israel, but without viewing Israel as the only promised land." (115)
"[The Jewish people at Ohr Somayach yeshiva] were people who believed that keeping the commandments was more than a personal moral protection, but a way to sanctify and heal the fractured creation of the world." (161)
"People who approach a conflict often try to get a neutral, objective view of events, but I learned so much more by also getting their subjective lenses." (183)
July 18, 2022
Jason's story resonated with me and I found parts of his life journey similar to my own. His honest and direct approach to sharing his faith in Judaism and then his conversion to becoming a Latter-day Saint had me glued to the pages. His conversion wasn't easy, in fact it caused lots of family struggle. I could identify with this. In Chapter 6 Jason shares how he handled the pressures and even the aggressive approach to telling him he was joining a destructive cult. Jason responded to the barrage of accusations and insinuations of being brainwashed by Mormons in a manner that speaks of true goodness. He said his experience taught him, "A resolve to make room to see the good another person experienced within their own convictions." We could all learn a lesson or two from his responses and the manner in which we handle opposition.
I especially liked chapter 16 "Space to Breathe", as a Chaplain Jason was able to help individuals find their acceptance in their own journey's. He wrote, "My goal wasn't to teach people a certain set of beliefs, but to help build on whatever they believed to find strength and comfort. If a person didn't think of themselves as spiritual at all, we might work on reconnecting with the five senses. Appreciating the gifts of sight, sounds, smells, tastes, touch. We'd talk about how boring death might turn out to be and how the spark of life was worth fighting for."
In today's world we see so much strife and despair and in this chapter I felt Jason shows us a perspective we all could benefit from.
Thank you Jason for sharing your story. It has made a positive impact on me and I found value in each written page.
I especially liked chapter 16 "Space to Breathe", as a Chaplain Jason was able to help individuals find their acceptance in their own journey's. He wrote, "My goal wasn't to teach people a certain set of beliefs, but to help build on whatever they believed to find strength and comfort. If a person didn't think of themselves as spiritual at all, we might work on reconnecting with the five senses. Appreciating the gifts of sight, sounds, smells, tastes, touch. We'd talk about how boring death might turn out to be and how the spark of life was worth fighting for."
In today's world we see so much strife and despair and in this chapter I felt Jason shows us a perspective we all could benefit from.
Thank you Jason for sharing your story. It has made a positive impact on me and I found value in each written page.
September 26, 2022
The Burning Book tells the story of Jason Olson's conversion to Mormonism from a background of reform Judaism, his service as an LDS missionary, and his subsequent efforts to honor his Jewish heritage while being a practicing Latter-day Saint. As a born and raised Saint myself, the first part of his story was the most fascinating to me: Jason's mother does not approve of his decision to be baptized and so engages several people to talk him out of it, from his local rabbi to an "anti-cult specialist". Despite these interventions, Jason develops a witness of Jesus as the Messiah and senses a familiarity in the Restored Gospel of Mormonism that he doesn't see in traditional Christianity.
The middle section, Jason's missionary service, was the most familiar. Jason decided not to live Torah as a missionary, out of deference to the the Church and the local members who feed the missionaries. However, a part of me wished that he had been vulnerable with his fellow Saints, giving them the opportunity to accommodate his unique background and views.
The Q&A at the end of the kindle edition was an unexpected gem. Jason shares several thought-provoking ideas, for example, that Latter-day Saints who characterize the Torah as a "lesser law" are missing something important.
The middle section, Jason's missionary service, was the most familiar. Jason decided not to live Torah as a missionary, out of deference to the the Church and the local members who feed the missionaries. However, a part of me wished that he had been vulnerable with his fellow Saints, giving them the opportunity to accommodate his unique background and views.
The Q&A at the end of the kindle edition was an unexpected gem. Jason shares several thought-provoking ideas, for example, that Latter-day Saints who characterize the Torah as a "lesser law" are missing something important.
September 27, 2022
The Burning Book is Jason Olson’s unconventional story about seeking God. Jason Olson was raised in the Jewish tradition and felt a strong presence of God in his life. But there were spiritual draws from other directions, even from early on—first with an encounter with messianic Judaism, and then with an unexpected hearing of God's voice in the Book of Mormon. He felt compelled to follow that path and was baptized a Latter-day Saint. This is a memoir about his experience in finding a path to God: in two faiths, in two countries, through the lives of an array of other people, and through a variety of twists and turns. I found the narrative to be both fascinating and inspirational, and the treatment of honoring his native tradition of Judaism and bringing parts of it with him to inform and shape his experience not only as part of “latter-day Israel,” but also as part of the modern state of Israel. This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in ecumenicalism, spirituality, or just a good personal narrative. I got the chance to meet Jason personally after reading his book, and I had a very pleasant time following up on what he sets forth in the book.
February 7, 2023
Jason Olson has a very interesting story and his unique perspective led to a lot of inlightening thoughts.
What I liked: I liked how the author was able to balance the duality of what others might think of opposing religious views. I liked his thoughts about respecting and learning from other's beliefs. I thought the connections he drew between Jewish and Mormon docterine were interesting.
What I didn't like: I would have liked more background on the Jewish faith. I didn't always know the customs or vocabulary he referenced. I was listening to the audiobook and I think he said there was a glossary in the print version of the book, so that was partly to blame. At times, I didn't feel like the writing was very organized and I would have liked to have heard more about topics like his wife and family, or how his parents managed their relationship coming from different faiths. The book also seemed to end somewhat abruptly.
What I liked: I liked how the author was able to balance the duality of what others might think of opposing religious views. I liked his thoughts about respecting and learning from other's beliefs. I thought the connections he drew between Jewish and Mormon docterine were interesting.
What I didn't like: I would have liked more background on the Jewish faith. I didn't always know the customs or vocabulary he referenced. I was listening to the audiobook and I think he said there was a glossary in the print version of the book, so that was partly to blame. At times, I didn't feel like the writing was very organized and I would have liked to have heard more about topics like his wife and family, or how his parents managed their relationship coming from different faiths. The book also seemed to end somewhat abruptly.
November 25, 2024
I enjoyed learning about Jason’s personal experiences with religion and his Jewish heritage. I got lost in his scholarly descriptions of Judaism and the studies he was doing. Probably because I don’t know enough about the history of the Jewish people. I have great respect for his courage to convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based on his testimony of the Book of Mormon. I also admire his ability to stay connected with his Jewish heritage and his desire to always celebrate that part of his legacy in his everyday life.
November 28, 2023
What a beautifully written book! I found Jason's story sincere and meaningful. My husband and I read this book out loud together. I often had a hard time reading because I was crying...it struck a chord in me. So much beauty and truth. Jason's perspective on worship and covenants is refreshing. His experience is rather unique, coming to Christ and His gospel from Judaism. His experience informed mine and reminded me that truth is found in many places if we have eyes to see.
November 20, 2024
The Book of Mormon's title page reveals its intended audience: "Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile." In Sunday school at the beginning of this year (2024), one member commented, correctly, that that covers everyone. While the question "Does order matter?" conjures up nightmares from Econ 378 about the differences between combinations and permutations, I believe in the case of the title page, the answer is yes: First Lamanite, then Jew, then Gentile.
Theory becomes reality in this book. This is a memoir written by Jason Olson, with the help of a writing pro, James Goldberg, both American Jews who are Latter-day Saints. Olson received a Book of Mormon from an LDS friend in high school, decided to burn the book (not out of disrespect, but because he couldn't find a place for it without offending his family), but hears a voice warning him against it. He eventually joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but hangs on tenaciously to his Jewish identity, remaining a staunch Zionist, studying the Torah, and making Aliyah.
The BOM's title page declares its role: "convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ." While secular critics persistently decry the image of Christ in 3 Nephi destroying cities, for Olson that made the proposition that Jesus is the Messiah more credible, because the Hebrew Bible and Jewish tradition both hold the Messiah to be coming as a lion, not just as a meek and lowly lamb as portrayed in the New Testament.
Olson serves a mission, goes to BYU, becomes an Israeli citizen, gets a PhD at Brandeis, and becomes a chaplain. This book primarily concerns how he navigates dual identities. Sometimes there's tension between the two, and he often had to hide his Mormonism temporarily. But sometimes they're mutually reinforcing. For example, I think that the Jewish emphasis on law made him take modesty and chastity more seriously. It made me think about my own cultural background--my Confucianist upbringing made me more loyal to the Church as an organization (exmos talk about "loyalty" to the organization like it's a bad thing; Olson also asserted in his book that white LDS don't grasp how strong the spirit of Elijah is for minority peoples).
Olson is wired a lot like me, always considering anything that happens as part of the bigger picture. He talks about two Jewish Latter-day Saints in this book, David Luna and Aaron, one who committed suicide, one who converted back to Orthodox Judaism, because the Church does not have a concept of "sacred time," (I concur to a degree; I mean look how lax Sabbath observance is for church members). Much of Olson's narrative easily relatable, like choosing classes and majors at BYU.
Read this book if you want to see prophecy fulfilled in real time. As a complement, if you want to read about a "Lamanite" reception to the Book of Mormon to complete your title page collection, you should read the chapter, "We're Going to Take Our Land Back Over: Indigenous Positionality, the Ethnography of Reading, and the Book of Mormon," by Stanley J. Thayne, in Americanist Approaches to the Book of Mormon (Fenton & Hickman, eds.)
One last thing: James Goldberg looks like a hippy and the cover font looks like it came from the Brady Bunch. Maybe it's a play on Burning Man?
Theory becomes reality in this book. This is a memoir written by Jason Olson, with the help of a writing pro, James Goldberg, both American Jews who are Latter-day Saints. Olson received a Book of Mormon from an LDS friend in high school, decided to burn the book (not out of disrespect, but because he couldn't find a place for it without offending his family), but hears a voice warning him against it. He eventually joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but hangs on tenaciously to his Jewish identity, remaining a staunch Zionist, studying the Torah, and making Aliyah.
The BOM's title page declares its role: "convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ." While secular critics persistently decry the image of Christ in 3 Nephi destroying cities, for Olson that made the proposition that Jesus is the Messiah more credible, because the Hebrew Bible and Jewish tradition both hold the Messiah to be coming as a lion, not just as a meek and lowly lamb as portrayed in the New Testament.
Olson serves a mission, goes to BYU, becomes an Israeli citizen, gets a PhD at Brandeis, and becomes a chaplain. This book primarily concerns how he navigates dual identities. Sometimes there's tension between the two, and he often had to hide his Mormonism temporarily. But sometimes they're mutually reinforcing. For example, I think that the Jewish emphasis on law made him take modesty and chastity more seriously. It made me think about my own cultural background--my Confucianist upbringing made me more loyal to the Church as an organization (exmos talk about "loyalty" to the organization like it's a bad thing; Olson also asserted in his book that white LDS don't grasp how strong the spirit of Elijah is for minority peoples).
Olson is wired a lot like me, always considering anything that happens as part of the bigger picture. He talks about two Jewish Latter-day Saints in this book, David Luna and Aaron, one who committed suicide, one who converted back to Orthodox Judaism, because the Church does not have a concept of "sacred time," (I concur to a degree; I mean look how lax Sabbath observance is for church members). Much of Olson's narrative easily relatable, like choosing classes and majors at BYU.
Read this book if you want to see prophecy fulfilled in real time. As a complement, if you want to read about a "Lamanite" reception to the Book of Mormon to complete your title page collection, you should read the chapter, "We're Going to Take Our Land Back Over: Indigenous Positionality, the Ethnography of Reading, and the Book of Mormon," by Stanley J. Thayne, in Americanist Approaches to the Book of Mormon (Fenton & Hickman, eds.)
One last thing: James Goldberg looks like a hippy and the cover font looks like it came from the Brady Bunch. Maybe it's a play on Burning Man?
September 5, 2023
I really lovely story of faith and how a multitude of beliefs and religions can live in one person. The first half held my attention better than the second but overall, an important story for me to hear.
October 13, 2023
This was a very interesting story. I always find personal stories like this interesting, and Olson did an excellent job sharing his in a casual, yet powerful, way, as if we were sitting in some comfortable chairs while he shared some of his life experiences. I recommend this book.
December 28, 2025
The best way to learn about oneself is to learn from an outsider. This book has caused me to reflect on covenants, religious diversity, the sacrament, and temples in a new way. Beautiful writing and stories.
November 3, 2022
A fascinating and very well written book. I loved learning about the unique faith journey of Jason Olsen. And in my experience, anything James Goldberg writes is worth reading.
February 25, 2023
A fascinating story of a young man’s quest for truth and meaning. I binged it!
May 24, 2023
I really, really enjoyed this. It gets a little esoteric at times and some parts that move the narrative along are better than others but overall, I really liked it.
September 5, 2023
Fascinating conversion story. The first half was super interesting, the last half dragged a bit for me. Beautiful balance between upbringing and new faith.
January 2, 2024
An intriguing glimpse into a man’s faith journey balancing his Jewish roots and Mormon conversion.
January 7, 2024
Just fascinating! I loved this so much. Cannot wait to reread it since there is so much insight in here aside from just the story of Jason’s life.
September 16, 2024
I heard the story of the title of this book on a podcast and thought it might be interesting. It was. I enjoyed reading it.
December 31, 2022
Memoir is one of my favorite genres. There is something sacred about traveling through another person’s complex experience (one quite unlike my own) with such depth and breadth, challenging assumptions and one-note stories we might harbor consciously or unconsciously. This interesting memoir immersed me in Jason’s complex world as this earnest, seeking narrator navigates his devotion and loyalty to Judaism alongside his conviction of truth he finds in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Jewish teen. This book illuminates and challenges the boundaries we place around different traditions, and ourselves, on the path to belonging while—most importantly, as Jason shows— finding peace and integrity within ourselves, settled with our hard-won personal truths.
Every person’s journey is unique, but this is one of the most unique I’ve ever encountered. I’m honored I got to meet this soul on the page.
Every person’s journey is unique, but this is one of the most unique I’ve ever encountered. I’m honored I got to meet this soul on the page.
March 11, 2023
Valuing the gospel and the tradition that brought us to the gospel.
There is value in our cultural and family history even when it isn’t steeped in less truth. Also it is good recognize that the Church has its tradition as well that may only be a step closer to truth and not all the way there…yet. very enjoyable and thought provoking.
There is value in our cultural and family history even when it isn’t steeped in less truth. Also it is good recognize that the Church has its tradition as well that may only be a step closer to truth and not all the way there…yet. very enjoyable and thought provoking.
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