Into the Light: A Novel

Out of Darkness #2

by Keith Terry

Stephen Thorn, who was converted to the Church as a result of his involvement with the Book of Mormon project, has been hired by the project's administrator to help organize the next event of the project--a symposium to present external evidences of the Book of Mormon. Having been baptized two weeks earlier, he begins his work enthusiastically. Meanwhile, Stephen's wife, Anney, is outraged that he has embraced the Mormon religion, and feels that his conversion will tear their marriage apart. They love each other deeply, but this obstacle seems insurmountable. Stephen, who has spent his entire career as an assistant to Anney's televangelist father, has lost his job as a result of his joining the Church. Now the entire family seems hopelessly at odds because of Stephen's new religion.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Religion, Lds, Novels, Church, Mystery

335 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[Stephanie]

Sometimes I like to rant. Problem is, most of my rants are rambling and incoherent, so I was quite pleased when author Brian Clegg succinctly summed up one of my all-time favorite rants in his book Before the Big Bang:

If it is impossible to test a theory aganst data from experiment or observation, then arguably that theory is not science. That is why many people would argue that science and religion have no great intersection, nor any need to attack each other. Science has no remit to comment on religion, nor should religion attempt to shape science. Religious beliefs are by definition taken on faith without scientific evidence...This doesn't mean that science has to dismiss religion, simply that scientific methods can't be used to comment on religious dogma.

I was disinclined to like the first book in this series, Out of Darkness, because it violates the logic described above. In that book, a group sets out to examine The Book of Mormon scientifically, to prove or disprove its truthfulness. The "proofs" they found were interesting but meaningless, because in the end, accepting a religion (or a philosophy or the existance of God) requires a leap of faith. The scientific method cannot get you there.

To my relief, Out of Darkness came to that conclusion on its own, redeeming the book in my eyes. Then along comes this, the sequel, Into the Light, and within the first few chapters, the men are doing the same thing all over again, planning another project that will collect evidence in support of The Book of Mormon!

Did we learn nothing from the first book?!?

It may be that this book redeems itself as well, but I just couldn't bring myself to read any further.

Please don't get me wrong. I thought the evidence in favor of The Book of Mormon was interesting, even somewhat compelling. We just shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking that it will bring people into the LDS church. That step requires faith, not science.

[CynthyB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first and last book in this set, it was nice, light reading.

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough meat in this one. I have read the series and I think the third one gets back on track I haven’t listened yet. But this one is mostly about the main characters troubles and his family life, a little about the build up of the project but the little taste here or there takes a backseat to his life.

[Sherry L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

I learned a lot about forgiveness and how much happier all of us would be if we could do what Stephen did. And I loved learning about evidences supporting the Book of Mormon. But I would really like to know which are true and which are fiction in that regard.

[Steel · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this vigorously awful sequel to the abysmal Out of Darkness, Keith Terry proves that he is no fluke. He is genuinely a terrible writer, writing an apologetic novel aimed at exploring the veracity of the Book of Mormon through the latest technologies. I couldn't put this book down, but constantly wished that I could. I would never recommend this book unless it was a question of the absolute greatest necessity, such as if they were suffering from a terminal illness that could only be prolonged through reading, and this was the only book handy. Even then, my recommendation would be slightly tentative.

[Tawny · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure why the author felt the need to embed scholarly findings in his novels. But now I realize those research results will probably reach more of us this way. Fascinating stuff! I even took notes. Favorite lines:
1. "The price of your pride is too high if it means losing the love of your life" (188).
2. "Youth. We never figure that the realities of living will tear at our human frailness" (221).

[Kevin Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out very much like the other one by Keith Terry. At first I was just going to stop reading it because I wanted to know how his wife would react and if they would get back together. I jumped to about half way thru and started to read again. This time jumping over the parts that i didn't want to read and finally made it thru to the end and a happy ending. It took me a while longer to read because I would not read for a couple of days.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sequeil to the book "Out of the Darkness".
This one was a little harder to read and keep my focus. I really wanted to read it because it was the continue of the previous book but I felt the author wanted to tell the story and had allot more facts to share. It was so full of info that I felt the flow wasn't too smooth. Still, interesting read.

[Kristi Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Out of the Darkness which I can't seem to find on goodreads. They are about a group of scholars trying to prove that the Book of Mormon is true. Both books are excellent! Great stories and great facts!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not as good as the first in the series. It focuses more on the characters and less on the subject matter, which from the first book was evidences in the Book of Mormon that lend to its truthfulness as a ancient text.

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion to the first novel of this series. I listened carefully to all the details of the Book of Mormon information and wondering what was going to happen to Stephen Thorn and his family. It was a great story and idea.

[Barbara Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd volume of 'Out of Darkness' and continues the excelant research into the Book of Morman. Very enlightning.

[Shandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow-up to first book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 of an interesting series of books. Fiction yet seeks to prove the Book of Mormon is true.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information in this is good, but the plot, characters, and writing style are TERRIBLE.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading about some little known facts that help substantiate what the Book of Mormon records.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Out of Darkness

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know there was a first volume until I had finished this one. It stands alone and thought-provoking, exciting and worth reading.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing sequel to Out of the Darkness - read both many years ago. Enjoyed both and have considered the principles that were presented very mind enlarging...

[Amy Budge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books. They were very well written.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting, but it was more of a tale than research about The Book of Mormon.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel I need to read more of his books. This one was good.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

LDS novel verifying locations mentioned in Book of Mormon

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personally, I enjoyed the first book better because of the detailed description of the research.

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I learned a lot about the Book of Mormon!

[Vickie]

Line upon line