How I Found the Urantia Book - Square Circles Publishing

38 How I Found the Urantia Book
It was the spring of 1969, and some close friends were celebrating the grand
opening of their record shop in Pasadena Old Town. The Beatles’ white album
was on the racks. I soon found myself in deep philosophical conversation with
Kermit Anderson, a tall and gentle total stranger who seemed oddly familiar,
and who finally said, “I have a book you might like.” I dismissed the idea; people
are always recommending books.
Shortly thereafter, at a party in my home, Kermit handed me the Urantia
Book. Standing by the fireplace, I opened it at random and read a single sentence.
Though I don’t remember what page it was, I do remember knowing
instantly that this was an important book and that I would read the entire thing.
I went to Hollywood and plunked down $12. It amazes me that such truth could
be acquired for less than a penny a page.
I struggled with this book, so full of blessing and light, yet of such preposterous
claimed origin. I concluded it was too broad and deep, too lengthy and
flawless, to be the work of a single human, and doubted that a group of humans
could maintain secrecy about such an elaborate hoax. It was too gracious and
truth-filled to have been written by anyone who would stoop to pretend to be
divine—unless that someone were superhuman and malevolent! Could it be a
work of the devil? A printed wolf in sheep’s clothing, saying “Lord, Lord,” and
even quoting scripture, to lure us away from the blood of salvation, into everlasting
damnation?
It took me seven years to complete my first (and only) cover-to-cover reading.
During that time, all residue of suspicion that the book was of human or
demonic origin vanished and was replaced by a great tidal wave of gratitude,
blessing, certainty and absolute confidence that the Urantia Book is exactly
what it says it is: a revelation of epochal significance. All questions were answered,
knowledge integrated, vision expanded and hope confirmed, and I was
so relieved to be able to keep Jesus in my faith. Believing these teachings unites
me in utmost joy to those within the tiny, embryonic, dynamic, love-filled and
growing community of believers who share the special brand of faith uniquely
engendered by the Urantia Book.
IRVING TOWNSEND: In 1969 I owned a fabric store on Wilshire Boulevard
in Brentwood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. My bookkeeper was a
young woman with two small children. She was going to school part time and
working on my books part time to support her family.
We became friends. One evening while she was taking care of her children
and preparing to go to dinner with me, she placed the Urantia Book in my hands
and said, “Here, Irving. Read this.” After reading three pages I realized that this
was something I had been searching for for a long time.
I have been reading it all these years. My friend, Diane, eventually got an MA
degree in financial planning and has since become very successful.
MARILYN HAUCK GREEN: As an adult I became interested in the
study of music. I vowed that when my children were in school and sufficiently
independent, I would go back to college and take music courses. In 1968 we
moved to Virginia Beach, an occasion which caused me to look again to my
goals. Since there was a small college nearby and the time seemed right, I enrolled
in freshman courses in the music department.