The catchphrase on the back of this book reads, ‘What the Mormonizing of America means for the nation, the world, and for you.’ So when I’d got two thirds of the way through it and hadn’t found out yet, I was wondering when I would.
The author explains over nine chapters what the Mormon religion consists of, how it came about, and what the typical Mormon’s life looks like. Each chapter begins with a real-life story before a different aspect of Mormonism is investigated.
Mansfield is a gifted author. He tells stories well, and less you through the text without making you think too hard or feeling patronised. He clearly doesn’t believe what Mormons believe but doesn’t actually beat them up for it.
I’ve not read much about the Mormons before but this is easily the best book on it I’ve seen; it hours through its history, looks at the key doctrines, and has great accompanying tables and appendices.
That said, my issue with this book is that it doesn’t do what it says on the tin. I’m sure that most people who read this book will finish it thinking that Mormons are nice people who believe in spite of the evidence, but that doesn’t actually tell us what that means for us!
So, the timely question ‘should people vote for Mitt Romney?’ for me isn’t answered. If it’s a question of not supporting someone who believes contrary to you then as a Christian perhaps I shouldn’t vote for a Mormon, but perhaps I shouldn’t vote for a Muslim or an atheist either.
In summary, a great book for finding out information about Mormonism, but not a lot more than that.
I got this book for free from Worthy Publishing. I’m not required to give a positive review.
