Title: A Scriptural Discussion of Light
Author: Allen J. Fletcher
Publisher: CFI, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc
Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2006
Number of Pages: 265
Binding: Trade Paperback
ISBN 13: 978-1-59955-032-9
Price: $14.99

Reviewed by Holly Jones

This book was more interesting than its title may suggest. The author, retired CES instructor Allen Fletcher, has discovered a type of Grand Unified Theory, a fusion of scriptural concepts at once simple and magnificent.

The following scripture is used like a Rosetta stone as the launching pad for Fletcher’s theory:

“For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” D&C 84:45

Fletcher extracts the following formula:

Light = Truth = Word = Spirit.

Other scriptures extend the definition of light:

Light = Grace Light = Power Light = Name of Christ Light = Glory Light = Intelligence Light = Matter Light = Love etc.

Now things get really interesting. Since truth, word, spirit, grace, power, etc, are all manifestations of God’s light, Fletcher suggests that the reader temporarily replace these keywords in the scriptures with the word, “light.”

For example, 1 John 1:10 reads, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

This could be now be understood as, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his light is not in us.”

Or…

Moses 5:8 “Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son.” This could be understood as, “Wherefore thou shalt do all that thou doest in the light of the Son.

D&C 20:77 becomes “…witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the light of they Son.”

2 Nephi 2:25 becomes “Adam fell that light may be; Lights are that they might have [more] light.”

Fletcher goes on to analyze many gospel concepts and scriptures in this new “light.” It’s hard to explain, without reading his book, how interesting this becomes. Many abstract-sounding scriptures become immediately clear and relevant, and fit into an overarching theory that does seem to tie all the scriptures together into one unified whole.

Applications range from creation, marriage, transfiguration, resurrection, prayer, Egyptian facsimiles, judgment day, urim and thummim, and the true nature of the throne of God.

Fletcher writes, “[Light] is the very nature and power of God. . . . it is a real substance, and its action upon us is real and significant.” (p. 230) Light is made up of fine matter, which will one day replace the blood in our bodies. Part of the light that shines from God can be seen, and part of it cannot. . . . like the light spectrum that we understand in science, where we have infrared rays on one end which we can’t see, then visible light toward the center, then gamma rays toward the other end which we again can’t see. . .” (p. 4)

The author strikes a very earnest tone, and the reader senses that the author is sharing extremely personal experiences and feelings. In the introduction Fletcher writes, “I worked with the words and concepts of that scripture, trying them over and over in different ways. I made charts and developed formulas and labored to understand their significance, yet I always felt that the real message was just beyond the horizon. Gradually the Spirit of the Lord distilled into my mind and into my heart the things that I will share with you here. . . These things are part of the fiber and fabric of my existence. This work is my testimony. (p. ix)

The book’s content has been fitted into a thin storyline, with characters discovering and communicating the information to each other. For example, an excerpt from page 1:

“Steve and Joan Terry sat in Frank Gray’s office. They had wanted to attend a fireside given by Frank a few nights before. . . had been intrigued. . . set up an appointment. ‘Frank,’ Steve said. ‘We’re sorry that we couldn’t attend your fireside. . .’”

Although this thin storyline distracts at times, especially when characters overly-enthused about new-found understanding, this story-line approach may serve this author better than standard non-fiction writing would have. Having other characters voice his feelings seems to allow the author a space for modesty and privacy. Fletcher’s writing style is perfunctory; read this book for the ideas, not the style.

Whether the reader agrees with all of Fletcher’s ideas or not, this book makes fascinating reading, and is highly recommended for any student of LDS scripture. This reader concurs with the author’s claim, that the ideas in this book breathe new life into the scriptures, opening up a whole new world of possibilities. Fletcher’s ideas on light and the nature of God make the gospel seem even bigger and grander, more expansive and awesome, than many of us may have previously assumed.