Reviews

Praise for HAUNTED UTAH

Andy Weeks combines a journalist's eye with a storyteller's charm. Gather around the campfire with this book and enter the world beyond. - Scott Nicholson, international bestselling author of The Red Church

Just got done reading Haunted Utah: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Beehive State by Andrew Weeks, great read and a lot of interesting stories from locations all throughout Utah. ... an open minded, fun read ... well worth it just to learn about the deep haunted history of this sometimes overlooked state. - Joshua Bryant, investigator with Utah Paranormal Research and Study

Every state has its strange stories and local legends, which has made the “Haunted” series so entertaining. In Haunted Utah, Andy Weeks spins macabre tales of a haunted hotel in Ogden, ghostly children spotted in Mercur Cemetery, and passed-down stories with titles like “The Phantom Hitchhiker of American Fork” and “The White Lady of Spring Canyon.” Apparently, Utah is also home to some very bizarre creatures, included the Moon Lake Monster and a black-eyed monster that lives in Utah Lake. - Cowboys & Indians Magazine, June 19, 2012

Praise for HAUNTED IDAHO

What lurks in Idaho's shadowy corners? You might be surprised to find out. Filled with stories that are fascinating, strange, and often downright terrifying, Haunted Idaho is spellbinding entertainment!"
- Nate Kenyon, award-winning author of Sparrow Rock, Diablo: The Order and Day One

Praise for SPIRITUAL TEMPLES

It's really inspiring to know a member [of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] felt strongly enough about [the church's temples] to write a book. Andy gave us a better understanding of the role that temples have played through the history of mankind. ...Probably the most inspiring thing is that he encourages members to seek a higher plateau, that as LDS people we need to seek greater worthiness. - Charles Barnes, a bishop in the LDS church

IN THE NEWS

>>>RADIO>>>HAUNTED>>>

KLIX AM, Sept. 28, 2012: Click here to listen to the interview.

>>>NEWSPAPER>>>HAUNTED>>>

"Journalist Pens Three Volumes of Ghost Tales," Times-News, Sept. 16, 2012: Click here to read the story.

>>>NEWSPAPER>>>RELIGION>>>

Where they find God
T.F. man writes book about LDS temples

By Ariel Hansen
Times-News writer

Living in Utah several years ago, Andrew Weeks started researching for a book about the history of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He'd been reading about spiritual experiences church members had in the temples, and had heard the growing number of announcements of new temples, including Twin Falls'.

"At the time, I heard about all the temples going up across the world, so I wanted to contribute something to that literature," Weeks said.

He finished the writing of the book, but it sat unpublished.

Then, a year and a half ago, he took a position at the Times-News, moving to Twin Falls where the temple was under construction.

"I'd never seen members so excited about a temple," Weeks said. "In Utah they seem to be a dime a dozen."

He picked up on that excitement to push for the book's publication.

"It's really inspiring to know a member felt strongly enough about (the Twin Falls temple) to write a book," said Charles Barnes, bishop in Twin Falls' 10th Ward, where Weeks is a member. "Andy gave us a better understanding of the role that temples have played through the history of mankind."

The book, "Spiritual Temples: Heavenly Experiences in the Houses of God," outlines the history of temples, from Old Testament times through the founding of the LDSchurch - but doesn't address the temples of other faiths. Weeks emphasizes the spiritual experiences people have had in the buildings.

"Members have claimed to see angels, or in some cases, the Lord," he said.

Especially in the early days of the church at the Kirtland, Ohio, temple, many of these experiences were described in personal journals or church records, which have since become public. Weeks drew on these historical sources for many of his descriptions. He believes people continue to have such encounters in temples.

"Even though this book is about spiritual experiences that happened years ago in the church, it's my assumption they happen today," he said. "In talking to people, people are not necessarily apt to share their spiritual experiences, because they are personal."

Weeks also addresses how members can prepare themselves for visits to their temple, and looks to the future of the church's temple construction. "I would hope for members of the church that it would inspire them to make the most of their temple visits," he said.

"Probably the most inspiring thing," Barnes said, "is that he encourages members to seek a higher plateau, that as LDS people we need to seek greater worthiness."

Weeks expects that the book will interest primarily Mormons, but that anyone else will better understand LDS believers after reading it.

"Especially those who have been on the tour (of the temple), they would get a better idea of why temples are so important to us," Barnes said.

The book is not long - just 73 pages, plus a preface and appendices. "This was not meant to be a tough book, it was not meant to be complicated," Weeks said.