Life Before Life: Origins of the Soul...Knowing Where You Came from and Who You Really Are

I am really of two minds about this book. Really, my heart goes one direction, and my mind is going in two directions. So if this review is awkward, it is because three are three people writing it.I feel that this is a great book explaining a principle or concept that is very dear and absolutely revolutionary to Mr. Eyre and myself. We are members of the same Christian denomination, and one of the reasons why our denomination exists is to tell people about our life before life.Mr. Eyre explains this idea without going into the High Restoration Theology of The Prophet Joseph Smith behind the idea. He presents this High Theology in terms of personal intuition, with a very calm, conversational, reassuring, affirmative and an encouraging voice. It is the tone that makes this book so sweet. By reading this book, you would never guess there is so much weight behind the concept.So that is my heart. This book feels good. Now my mind goes in two directions.First, he introduces this idea on terms that an person who has never heard or considered the idea would readily accept. This is the best starting place for anyone who is unfamiliar with an idea. He uses literary and philosophical sources to illustrate and support this idea, and he follows up by discussing there implications of the idea.By discussing the implications of the idea of life before life, he should get the Congressional Medal of Honor. A lot of people have good ideas, but a genius knows the implications of the ideas. This "implication analysis" is probably the best argument for reading the book.However, the other half of my mind has concerns. The first concern has to do with "stolen concept." He teaches an idea, but he does not cite the source of the idea. As I said, there is a lot of High Theology behind what he says, and yet he does not cite these sources. In essence, he presents a counter-factual rational for believing what he believes.Mr. Eyre does not believe in life before life because he read a poem by Wordsworth, or liked a passage from Plato. He believes what he believes because of the revelations of a modern-day Prophet.The benefit of this approach is that people can look at the idea with our having to worry about being hustled into a religion, or pressured to join a denomination. The idea can be studied without any emotional baggage.The downside is that we are being very secretive about revelation and prophets, and indeed, the entire Restoration itself. If I can be so bold, and yet say this with an Everest of respect, this smacks of being ashamed of the gospel of Christ.I do not want o condemn Mr. Eyre. In a certain way, I understand why he chose the approach. There are advantages in presenting the doctrine this way: building on common beliefs, no pressure to join the denomination, and so forth. The problem I foresee is that people will start teaching a doctrine independent of the prophetic source. Taught this way, the doctrine loses its force and imperative.

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the origin of the human spirit. It cuts through eastern mysticism, reincarnation, karma and other popular but immplausible notions and presents a concept which has roots in ancient Judaism and Christianity, but which has been forgotten for nearly two thousand years. The ideas in this book will change the way you view yourself, others, God and the universe in which we live!

I have been on a quest to find my soul....this book provided the missing link. It will be a streatch for anyone who has not been reading simular material but consider yourself lucky.....you found some of the best first. Take your time and enjoy !!!!!