Life is a journey. For many Christians, including members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, part of that journey includes spiritual rebirth at some point. “The journey of faith is a journey with a set destination, one that leads the earnest seeker to a divinely administered spiritual baptism that leads to actual salvation through Christ and a perfect knowledge of God,” the authors write. In the Gospel of John, Jesus taught that this spiritual baptism, or “being born of the Holy Spirit,” is essential to “entering into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
By telling the heartfelt stories of nine people who came to know God through this “similar” experience, LDS author Stephen Anthony Bishop’s new book, “Putting on Christ,” highlights Christ’s doctrine outlining the steps to receive spiritual baptism, or “baptism by fire.” Described by one reviewer as “soul-expanding and heart-breaking,” the book aims to guide readers on their journey to knowing God in “full brilliance” and clarity.
“Put on Christ” is intended to inspire sincere seekers of truth, and for a limited time, the eBook version is available free to KSL.com readers.
The author testifies, “We can and should have the same experience that the first apostles had on the day of Pentecost and the revelation they received in Kirtland: God does not discriminate. All that is needed is to seek Him earnestly, with a diamond-hard desire, will, and determination, until we find Him.”
If you’re a fan of uplifting religious and spiritual works, and awe-inspiring personal stories of real-life salvation, you’ll want to add “Putting on Christ” to your bedside reading shelf.
Heaven is not far away
Stories of people who have had life-changing near-death experiences have long fascinated the world. In the past decade alone, three New York Times bestselling memoirs (one of which was made into a movie) were published, all based on near-death experiences that proved the existence of God and heaven.
In a country where many say they’re no longer interested in religion, the success of these stories shows that’s not the case.
Gideon Lichfield wrote in The Atlantic that “Many NDErs report that the experience did not feel like a dream or a hallucination, but rather was, as the saying goes, ‘more real than reality.’ People who have had NDEs tend to be significantly changed afterwards and have difficulty readjusting to everyday life.”
But what if you didn’t have to have a near-death experience to have such a profound experience that you knew without a doubt that God is real? The stories told in Putting on Christ are stories of people who came to know Jesus Christ with the same certainty as those who have seen heaven.
Bishop says, “In both scenarios, afterwards, people are never the same again. Each experiences a ‘major change’ or conversion of heart toward God.'” Bishop emphasizes that rebirth is not the same as a near-death experience, but that the “knowledge of God” gained during a near-death experience is the same or comparable to that of many people who have come to know God through rebirth.
Perfect knowledge
One of the nine stories in Putting on Christ is part of Bishop’s own experience, which is recounted in the introduction.
“The sense of oneness I experienced was not just one with God as we know him, who is real,” he writes, “but also, it seemed, with all the natural, physical and spiritual worlds around me.” It was this experience that ultimately inspired Bishop to begin writing this book and telling his story.
The author’s hope is that readers will not just read this book but use it as a study guide to help them in their personal journey to know the Lord, along with the appropriate doctrine of Christ. Diligent seekers of truth can gain a perfect knowledge of the Lord through spiritual manifestations brought to them by the power of the Holy Ghost, the bishop said.
One story in “Put on Christ” is that of Lorenzo Snow, president of The Church of Jesus Christ. Another tells of a man who hit rock bottom in prison as a teenager, cried out to God and found salvation. Another tells of a man who lost his son to suicide and found spiritual immersion in God after hearing an unmistakable voice and turning to God in deep suffering.
“This is not simply a book to be read, but a book to be experienced and lived. Writing is my life’s mission,” Bishop writes in the preface.
how to get
If you are on your journey to knowing Christ or would like to hear more of the stories above, you can order your own copy on the book’s website or on Amazon. You can also subscribe for free on the website and read the full introduction first.
“Putting on Christ” has been a #1 national bestseller in nine Amazon categories and is the top-selling Latter-day Saint-authored book on Amazon. All proceeds from the book will go toward resales and providing food and shelter to the homeless.
In the author’s words, “The way is real, and the Lord is coming. Don’t waste your time.” Get your copy of Putting on Christ today.
