Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Passing the Heavenly Gift” as Want to Read:
Passing the Heavenly Gift
by
Mormonism has undergone four distinct phases. The first began in 1820 and ended with Joseph Smith’s death in 1844. The second began upon Joseph Smith’s death and ended with abandonment of plural marriage, publicly in 1890 and privately in 1904. In the third phase Mormonism denounced as apostasy its practice of plural wives, marking the first time an orthodox practice becam
...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 528 pages
Published
August 30th 2011
by Denver C. Snuffer Jr.
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Passing the Heavenly Gift,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Passing the Heavenly Gift
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Passing the Heavenly Gift

My hubby read this book and this is what he had to say.
I began this book with trepidation; concerned that Denver had gone too far in his willingness to "steady the ark of God." This book claims to be a possible alternative historical narrative based in discrepancies in dates and a lack of historical comments that support the current narrative. Although well written and interesting as a thought experiment, many readers would find that the work lacks a balance in positive comments that support the ...more
I began this book with trepidation; concerned that Denver had gone too far in his willingness to "steady the ark of God." This book claims to be a possible alternative historical narrative based in discrepancies in dates and a lack of historical comments that support the current narrative. Although well written and interesting as a thought experiment, many readers would find that the work lacks a balance in positive comments that support the ...more

Oct 13, 2011
Melonie
is currently reading it
a heck of a ride!!!!!!!!!!! Denver does it again.

While in a sacred place a month ago a friend asked what I thought about “Passing the Heavenly Gift.” I confess that I had not heard of the book or the author, Denver Snuffer. I assume he asked my opinion because he knows that I have reviewed similar books on my blog that focus on controversial issues facing the LDS Church. Denver’s books are not advertised. People learn about them only by word of mouth or through online reviews on sites like mine.
I purchased the book and posted on Facebook that ...more
I purchased the book and posted on Facebook that ...more

Sep 27, 2013
Caitlin Whetten
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Liberal Mormons
Shelves:
nonfiction,
mormonism
Make it through all the way to end and it's a rewarding read.
First off, if this book "ruins your testimony," then you really haven't studied your religion's history very well and this was not the book to start with.
So I heard of this book through the Bloggernacle and I heard the whole story about it, so being a bit of a rebel, I decided that I had to read it. When I started it, I felt like this:

About halfway through, I was like:

And at the end of the book, I was like:

and

Though it's incredibly ...more
First off, if this book "ruins your testimony," then you really haven't studied your religion's history very well and this was not the book to start with.
So I heard of this book through the Bloggernacle and I heard the whole story about it, so being a bit of a rebel, I decided that I had to read it. When I started it, I felt like this:

About halfway through, I was like:

And at the end of the book, I was like:

and

Though it's incredibly ...more

Denver Snuffer Jr's "Passing the Heavenly Gift" was a pleasure to read. Full disclosure, I am a former Mormon. I do not believe in the truthfulness of the Mormon Church (nor the Book of Mormon/Bible/Joseph Smith). I read this book with that background. I did, however, attempt my very best to suspend my disbelief while reading this book. Looking at the facts while suspending my belief was an exercise that initially helped me leave the church in the first place. I felt it only fair to do the same
...more

This was an interesting read. Mr. Snuffer puts forward a very different view of the Latter-day Saint church. He is calling for a return to what he deems as the core teachings that were originally part of the Church, but have been diluted or removed over time. He provides a good argument for many of his views with scriptural backing, however I did not find them as compelling as many of the others who have read his works. See other reviews. While I am quite skeptical of many of his thoughts I did
...more

Don't stop reading it. Finish to the last chapters and it all makes sense.
...more

I almost finished this book, quitting on page 462 out of 499 pages. I should have finished it, but I just lost interest.
His preface begins with, "History is comprised of pretty rough stuff. The neat contours we tell one other after the events are not actual history, but myth attempting to explain what happened in hindsight. The more important the historical topic, the greater the tendency to replace the rough, contradictory, failings of the past with an overall message of triumph or redemption." ...more
His preface begins with, "History is comprised of pretty rough stuff. The neat contours we tell one other after the events are not actual history, but myth attempting to explain what happened in hindsight. The more important the historical topic, the greater the tendency to replace the rough, contradictory, failings of the past with an overall message of triumph or redemption." ...more

I wasn't sure how to rate this book. At times I liked it a lot, and at other times it really challenged my thinking. I couldn't put it on the shelf for long when the urge was to leave it and walk away. This is the most revealing of Snuffer's books that I have read, and I am not sure how I feel about it yet. In the beginning he says something like, "if you this bothers you, put it down and walk away.... but if you choose to read it, you must read it to the end." I took him for his word and I am g
...more

A couple of my children consistently went to Bro. Snuffer's study group for years and introduced me to his books 7 years ago. I tried to read 2 of them but hated them and stopped. Then they recently told me about this one that was "really interesting" but it is a difficult read because it contains little-known negative history about the Church with the caveat "if you start reading it you better not stop--finish it and it will all make sense." I read it quickly because a. the negative history fel
...more

I appreciate new angles and interpretations, but I was pretty underwhelmed by his arguments and their supporting evidence. He has a very contrived and narrow interpretation that he seems to try and convey as "the only true and living" view of the church's history. It doesn't help that he, in other places, claims to have seen Christ and received revelations about the Church falling into apostasy. Not to mention his completely ridiculous (historically impossible) opinion regarding Joseph's polygam
...more

I'm not sure I agree with everything written here . . . but it certainly made me think. Not only that, I learned something (actually, a lot of things), and that hasn't happened at church since I was in Primary, personal desire and longing for learning notwithstanding. I can't speak for everyone but this was just what I've needed for longer than I've even known I needed it.
...more

I think it's not a book that many practicing Mormons would feel particularly comfortable reading, but I found it to be very interesting.
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
News & Interviews
Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day.
To create our...
21 likes · 10 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »