(In the interest of full disclosure, Grant Palmer is a friend of mine.)

At a lunch some time ago with the author and several friends, Palmer told us that he was working on this volume; we all expressed an interest in reading it once it was published. Would it create the kind of stir that his previous work (see below) brought to pass? How controversial would this new book be?

The book is now available, and I'm very glad to have a copy and share a few thoughts about it. Given the title, one would expect this to be something of a biography of Jesus Christ. It isn't. Or perhaps it's a meditation on the mystical meaning of the Christ event. It isn't that, either. Instead, let me quote Palmer directly:

The message of the New Testament to me is that Jesus is more interested in right actions than in "right beliefs." He centers on individuals and their behavior. He asks that we come unto him and partake of his divine nature, challenging us to conduct an empirical test to determine whether he and his teachings are of God. (p. 2)

In other words, Palmer, in this slim but packed volume, tries to lift Jesus and his message above the sometimes abstruse theological constructs that can dominate the religious discussion and distract the believer from the true task at hand -- the living out the life of Christ in our daily lives.

Using the Sermon on the Mount as a springboard for his discussion, the author illustrates how the Beatitudes not only express Jesus' prescription for kingdom living, but also reflect how he himself lived while with us during his mortal ministry. In a chapter titled "The Character of Jesus," Palmer shows how Jesus' teachings and attitudes were echoed in his actions. An interesting discussion of Jesus' self-understanding as prophet and priest helps to focus on how Jesus was able to balance these roles in his life, and the importance of each in the totality of his ministry.

Readers will be interested in his chapter titled "The Meaning of Atonement." Here Palmer explores various theories about why Christ had to die, ultimately resolving the question in a way that elevates the discussion above the various forensic theories in favor today. He goes on to explain the importance of the resurrection in the overall Christian scheme, and reflects on the sacrament prayers as embodying faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

From 1988 to 2001, Palmer served as LDS Institute director at the Salt Lake County Jail. As such, he experienced first hand the needs and desires of those who occupy some of society's lower ranks -- the very people to whom the Savior was so attracted. Where there was great need, there was great love. I wonder if any of us can ever understand the hunger for acceptance and forgiveness among such people. "Finding Jesus in Jail" documents some of the author's experiences ministering to them, and his consequent awakening to a broader understand, and acceptance, of people outside his own life story.

Throughout the book is a series of 13 stunning works of art by Carl Bloch. These enhance the overall presentation and create a nice meditative mood that is much appreciated.

It may be that most readers will know Grant Palmer's name from his recent work An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (Signature, 2002). Insider's View raised quite a fuss at the time, angering some traditional Latter-day Saints in its explorations of the underlying truths of the Mormon faith. The current volume, however, is of a different nature. Yes, it occasionally pleads for a more Christ-centric church experience, and from time to time touches on some sensitive issues, such as the validity of criticism of the Brethren. But, in the end, The Incomparable Jesus is a call for a radical discipleship that transcends theological and even ecclesiastical boundaries, lifting the believer above the doctrinal fray into the more important area of Christian behavior and attitude.

The Incomparable Jesus reflects decades of service to the Church, a growing, maturing understanding of how followers of Christ are to act, and a serenity that comes with the knowledge that the path is laid out for us in simple, uncomplicated language, and that the goal is attainable by all.

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Jeff Needle
November 21, 2005