BLOG TOUR: Shedding Light on the Dark Side by Stephen J. Stirling

SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE DARK SIDE:

Defeating the Forces of Evil

A Guide for Youth and Young Adults

by Stephen J. Stirling

Cedar Fort, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4621-1203-6

LDS Nonfiction

Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It is time to rip the mask from the master of deceit.

Using the scriptures and modern revelation, Stephen Stirling defines who Satan is and what his role is on this earth. In a way that is engaging and perfect for youth to understand, he evaluates:

• What the scriptures say that Satan is and does
• Where Satan gets his power and why it influences us
• How to be better soldiers in the war Satan is waging on this world

We can overcome this deceiving yet unavoidably real being with the light of truth. The Prince of Peace holds the power to defeat the Prince of Darkness. The only question is where you will stand in this eternal battle of good and evil. Shedding Light on the Dark Side will help you understand the Adversary and his tactics so you can fearlessly stand on the Lord’s side.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen J. Stirling was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the Southeast LA semi-ghetto of Huntington Park. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Brigham Young University in 1976, and then spent the next several years wandering America in search of adventure as a professional vagrant. Interspersed through his college career and days on the road, he served a mission in Chile and taught for 5 years as an early morning seminary teacher in various ports of call.

Stopping in Chicago, he entered the profession of advertising, a field in which he ultimately held many positions with companies from the Mid West to the Pacific Coast. He eventually settled in Orange County, California, where he established Stirling Communications and spent 15 years as a freelance copywriter, scriptwriter, and video producer. In 1994 he was hired by the Church Educational System and relocated with his family to the Phoenix Valley in Arizona, where he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching released-time seminary for the past 19 years.

He and his wife, Diane, were married in 1981. They have five adult children, two horses, several chickens, and a farm in Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Missouri—where they plan to retire someday.

REVIEW

Stirling presents the reader with a fascinating look into the nature of Satan, primarily for the purpose of helping readers develop a better understanding of how he works, so that he and his associates and their evilness can be avoided.  He uses scriptures and quotes from prophets and apostles to illustrate the points he wishes to make.  These people had/have direct knowledge of things, generally from personal experience as well as revelation.  I think the most important point that the author makes is the importance of learning to distinguish the voice of the Holy Spirit from the voices of unholy spirits.  Satan has power, more than most of us truly understand, but as the author reminds us, God is always more powerful. I really enjoyed this book and the reminders about keeping ourselves worthy to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us discern truth from error and Holy Spirit from unholy spirit.  Highly recommended, especially for youth to whom this is directed, but useful for all.