Taste of Heaven on Earth

A Taste of Heaven on Earth explores the spiritual foundation of the nineteenth-century utopian Oneida Community founded by John Humphrey Noyes, whose members sought purity of heart in all thoughts, words, and activities. Following graduation from college with honors, Noyes studied at two theological seminaries, opening his heart to receive God. He discovered the Holy Spirit as our ever-present teacher, revealing the wisdom and experiences of Christ, and that the purpose of human life is preparing the heart to hear this Internal Teacher and implementing its teachings. Spend pleasant hours with many of the nearly three hundred members of Noyes's communities, people of all personalities and proclivities--how they loved and learned, worked and played, prayed and made music, and lived together with openness and harmony. All were married to all in this unique community, showing that a happy marriage may exist between two hundred and fifty as well as two. They practiced enlightened sexuality, learned emotional intelligence and spiritual self-examination, thrived with variety in work, enjoyed lifelong learning, and nurtured all children as their own. Most of all, they practiced openness to God, the only source of lasting joy and contentment.