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The Way Back to Heaven: The Parable of the Crystal Stairs
Our earliest scripture tells the story of those who thought they could build a structure high enough to get to heaven, and of the consequences of that mistaken belief. In contrast, the prophet Jacob dreamed of a ladder sent down from heaven by God, with rungs—steps—that we could ascend to return to Him. In The Way Back to Heaven: The Parable of the Crystal Stairs, award-winning author S. Michael Wilcox helps us discern the "stairs of man" from the "stairs of God." Using the metaphor of a beautiful crystal stairway, he shows us the difference between a focus on "being and becoming" and "believing and doing" in our life's journey. While we may think we know the steps we'll need to take, the author suggests some unexpected—even counterintuitive—yet essential stairs each of us will encounter as we make our way back to our Father in Heaven.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2015
8 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
S. Michael Wilcox
53 books143 followersS. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 14, 2019
This is Nonfiction - Religion and it just so happens that this author is one of my favorites. This book wasn't my most favorite by him, but I don't mind rounding up on this one because I know I'll be reading it again. This author has a thing for stories and parables. He turns them into powerful teaching tools. His presentations and ideas are always new to me and they cause reflection, but in a good way. When I read his books, I always feel hopeful and I try to do better....again, that is in a good way. He is very positive in his applications.
July 10, 2015
The thing I most like about reading gospel related books is the way they make me think. Being a lover of analogies and parables, I really liked the author's presentation of the way back to our Father in Heaven as a staircase. It was a good reminder that there's only one way back to God and that 'staircase' is provided through the Father's plan and the Savior's sacrifice. While many desire to return home building our own staircases based on man-made ideas or philosophies or plans isn't going to get us there. While man-made staircases may contain elements of truth, there is only one staircase that will get us to heaven and it's only by following the perfect example of the Stairbuilder that we can make it up that staircase and go 'home'. Wilcox includes a number of experiences that highlight the points that he is trying to make. I appreciated how vivid these stories are both personal and scriptural in highlighting the importance of loving the Savior. It's only through developing that love that complete submission and obedience will follow. If like me you enjoy looking at gospel principles through the lens of parables and analogies than I can highly recommend this book.
May 18, 2020
Mike Wilcox was so instrumental in helping my husband find his testimony back when he taught institute back in the day at Colorado School of Mines. I also love the way his mind works as we share a love for the same literature. We owe him so much and this book is another thing we owe him for now! I love parables and this one makes so much sense to me. I love the idea of that crystal staircase, with Christlike attributes that we can work on to bring us closer to Him. Here are a few thoughts from the book that struck me.
"That is why we read the scriptures - to know who He is, how He thought, what He did, how He listened, how He shared, how He forgave. The scriptures have no higher purpose. The church has no other purpose."
"We want the stairway that comes from heaven down, not from the earth up."
"We must not live independent of God and must not project ourselves onto God and think He is like us in our self-justification."
"Yoda got it right when he told Luke Skywalker, 'Luminous beings are we; not this crude matter.'"
"The great Chinese sage Confucius told his followers to learn as if they were following someone whom they had no chance of overtaking, but were afraid to lose sight of. As we stand at the foot of the stairs watching the Stair Builder ascend, this is the desire we have."
"I have composed within myself a confession of faith...in which everything is clear and holy for me. This confession is very simple...to believe that there is nothing more beautiful, more profound, more sympathetic, more reasonable, more manly, and more perfect than Christ...Furthermore, if anyone proved to me that Christ was outside the truth, and it really was a fact that the truth was outside of Christ, I would rather remain with Christ than with the truth." -Fyodor Dostoyevsky
"Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once; and He that might the vantage best have took found out the remedy. How would you be if He with is the top of judgement should but judge you as you are? O, think on that, and mercy then will breathe within your lips, like man new made." -Shakespeare (from Measure to Measure)
"Mercy, forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation were major themes in many of Shakespeare's plays, which is one of the reasons he was so great. He had the ability to be whoever he created and thus he sympathized with all humanity. No writer will be great who fails to cultivate that worldview - nor person, for that matter."
"Why should I reject the way of Yao, Shun, Confucius, and the Duke of Zhou? Gold and jade do not harm each other; crystal and amber do not cheapen each other?" -Mou Tzu
"If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept active through use. The lost of these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature." -Charles Dickens
"Paul used a wonderful word when speaking about time. 'Redeeming the time' was his counsel (Ephesians 5:16). Redeeming adds a semi-sanctity to the use of our time."
"Anyone who had experienced just once the perfect understanding of one single thing, and had truly tasted how knowledge is attained, would recognize that of the infinity of other truths he understands nothing." -Galileo
"That is why we read the scriptures - to know who He is, how He thought, what He did, how He listened, how He shared, how He forgave. The scriptures have no higher purpose. The church has no other purpose."
"We want the stairway that comes from heaven down, not from the earth up."
"We must not live independent of God and must not project ourselves onto God and think He is like us in our self-justification."
"Yoda got it right when he told Luke Skywalker, 'Luminous beings are we; not this crude matter.'"
"The great Chinese sage Confucius told his followers to learn as if they were following someone whom they had no chance of overtaking, but were afraid to lose sight of. As we stand at the foot of the stairs watching the Stair Builder ascend, this is the desire we have."
"I have composed within myself a confession of faith...in which everything is clear and holy for me. This confession is very simple...to believe that there is nothing more beautiful, more profound, more sympathetic, more reasonable, more manly, and more perfect than Christ...Furthermore, if anyone proved to me that Christ was outside the truth, and it really was a fact that the truth was outside of Christ, I would rather remain with Christ than with the truth." -Fyodor Dostoyevsky
"Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once; and He that might the vantage best have took found out the remedy. How would you be if He with is the top of judgement should but judge you as you are? O, think on that, and mercy then will breathe within your lips, like man new made." -Shakespeare (from Measure to Measure)
"Mercy, forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation were major themes in many of Shakespeare's plays, which is one of the reasons he was so great. He had the ability to be whoever he created and thus he sympathized with all humanity. No writer will be great who fails to cultivate that worldview - nor person, for that matter."
"Why should I reject the way of Yao, Shun, Confucius, and the Duke of Zhou? Gold and jade do not harm each other; crystal and amber do not cheapen each other?" -Mou Tzu
"If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept active through use. The lost of these tastes is a loss of happiness, and may possibly be injurious to the intellect, and more probably to the moral character, by enfeebling the emotional part of our nature." -Charles Dickens
"Paul used a wonderful word when speaking about time. 'Redeeming the time' was his counsel (Ephesians 5:16). Redeeming adds a semi-sanctity to the use of our time."
"Anyone who had experienced just once the perfect understanding of one single thing, and had truly tasted how knowledge is attained, would recognize that of the infinity of other truths he understands nothing." -Galileo
February 11, 2017
This was a beautiful book from Brother Wilcox. It is full of personal experiences that touch the heart. We are also taught some very true doctrine through the use of a highly personal event in his life through the means of parable.
I also found my heart aching for Brother Wilcox as he talked about the loss of his sweetheart and eternal companion.
I highly recommend this book. It is well worth the time.
I also found my heart aching for Brother Wilcox as he talked about the loss of his sweetheart and eternal companion.
I highly recommend this book. It is well worth the time.
July 19, 2015
The parable of the Crystal Stairs is the subtitle. What a sweet parable. I worked with the author back when I attended the University of Utah. He had a way with teaching gospel principles that reached out and grabbed you. This book is no different. It have me a lot to think about and I loved the personal touches he added to each step of the journey. This parable is a perfect way to describe how one is to return to live with our Father in Heaven. It's is beautifully written and I would recommend it to everyone.
July 22, 2015
Simply beautiful. Meaty. I loved it.
October 26, 2018
What a wonderful book! It really spoke to me, and I loved the way he has conversations with Christ. It was good to know I am not the only one who has this type of thing happen. Though not to the extent he does. I felt as if I was reading things that verified my own thoughts and feelings through most of the book. Really great insight and makes you think. I have been listening to books a lot on my Deseret Bookshelf app. This one when I finished, I knew I had to have a hard copy of my own and I went and bought it. I am excited to read it again, and to highlight things I love. I highly recommend this book to those who are ready to bring your worship to a new level and really DO what Christ would have you do. (The will of the Father)
January 3, 2020
This book came about it seemed from a dream and also from the loss of Wilcox's wife. It is written as it came to Wilcox in his dream, so it's in Parable like form. It was a fairly short listen. Done in a day while on a motorcycle trip. If I remember right it was good, but not something that stayed with me for a long time.
December 30, 2025
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
January 8, 2017
Amazing
Beautifully written. An inspiring way to start a new year. I felt the love of my Savior in the words of this book.
Beautifully written. An inspiring way to start a new year. I felt the love of my Savior in the words of this book.
September 11, 2017
I LOVED this book. Such a well written piece that is full of glorious truth. The parable in this book spoke to my heart and I will read it again, and ponder upon it for a lifetime.
October 31, 2018
Seriously I love his books. It always inspires me to be better.
October 25, 2021
Loved the analogy
June 8, 2022
This is so, so good. Recommend it to everyone!
August 28, 2023
Probably a book that should be reread and notes taken. I enjoy his insights on different matters.
April 27, 2024
So much to ponder and think about. Thank you for sharing these very personal experiences.
May 12, 2025
The author shares his spiritual experiences and gives us an allegory for eternal progression. Benevolence, charity, and compassion abound!
May 28, 2024
Bro. Wilcox uses everyday experiences to lead us to eternal truths and happiness.
September 22, 2016
I've been slowly reading through this book for quite some time, but I've enjoyed the process. Wilcox is a deep thinker and uses a a lot of symbolism in his writing. It's definitely not an easy read, but it is worth the effort. I would read a chapter and then ponder it for quite some time before moving on to the next chapter. Very thought provoking.
July 15, 2015
How blessed we are that S. Michael Wilcox shares his immense knowledge and unique understanding with us...
As this is a "parable of the crystal stairs," Brother Wilcox teaches that sometimes we carry baggage that makes us too heavy for the crystal stairs to hold us...guilt, anger, sadness, envy, etc.
He also gives us insights on things we need to work on so that we might reach each one of the higher stairs.
We don't need to be all perfect all right now...
As we climb stair upon stair we will reach the One who made the stairs...
The One who has climbed before us and now turns to beckon us to come to Him.
So many things to ponder!
A PROFOUND and POWERFUL book!
This one will truly change your thinking and possible your way of doing/believing things.
As this is a "parable of the crystal stairs," Brother Wilcox teaches that sometimes we carry baggage that makes us too heavy for the crystal stairs to hold us...guilt, anger, sadness, envy, etc.
He also gives us insights on things we need to work on so that we might reach each one of the higher stairs.
We don't need to be all perfect all right now...
As we climb stair upon stair we will reach the One who made the stairs...
The One who has climbed before us and now turns to beckon us to come to Him.
So many things to ponder!
A PROFOUND and POWERFUL book!
This one will truly change your thinking and possible your way of doing/believing things.
March 4, 2016
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It is one of the best LDS books I've ever read. It did start out a little differently when he's laying down the idea of the Crystal Stairs. I was thinking, oh great, here we go with a wacky CS Lewis The Great Divorce-esque dreamy allegory (uggggg), BUT, I plugged through the first couple chapters and ***LOVED*** this book. It really did need those first couple chapters of groundwork to build on for the book to make sense. This book had so many moments that spoke directly to me. Nearly every page has a thought that I liked and underlined. This is a book that I will re-read and quote from a ton in the future. It is gold!
August 30, 2015
I love Michael Wilcox. I love his stories and messages, and I particularly enjoy his positive view of God and getting to heaven. I usually really enjoy listening to him speak; he reads his own books. However, in this "read", I found his voice a bit annoying. He reads too slow and with a mystical edge. I found that, along with some of the content, a bit cheesy. Overall, however, there are a lot of great messages and content to digest. I love Michael's insight on the parables, and the way he dissects them.
February 18, 2016
I love everything Michael Wilcox writes because he makes me think deeply about things. He always has great insights, and this book was no exception. The parable of the crystal stairs makes the process (the way back to heaven) more clear to me--and the impediments that result from choosing the world's way. The conclusion has a very tender and personal description of what heaven is for the author.
July 24, 2015
Gives you a lot to think about
July 29, 2015
A good read. Loved it.
September 16, 2015
This was a good book, well written, easy to follow. There were good reminders for me of the "Steps" I still need to master to be ready to Return to heaven.
September 14, 2015
Another excellent book by Michael Wilcox.
November 19, 2015
3.5 stars. Some wonderful thoughts and insights.
November 8, 2015
Beautiful and glorious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews