Customer Reviews

Beyond Mormonism : An Elder's Story

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

My assessment is that Spencer's book is a well written, moving story of a sincere person's search for God. His story demonstrates that he had the courage and intellectual honesty to follow where his hunger and thirst for righteousness led him. Like me, Spencer's prayers to find God were answered, but his experiences led him out of the LDS church and into a Christian life.

As a youth, Spencer longed for something more worthy and respectable than his life of bar hopping and one night stands. Hence, he was willing to listen to the Mormon missionaries. He describes just what the missionaries told him, and some of the techniques they use, all the while offering social acceptance and a warm place to belong. Spencer is incensed (rightfully so, in my opinion) that the missionaries never told him in the first six discussions,(after which they pressured a decision to join) that Mormons believe in polytheism. That is, every LDS male is eligible, if they perfect themselves enough by performing Mormon rituals and such, to become a god. When Spencer heard it, he instinctively felt it was wrong. Also he felt uncomfortable with the occult-type practices in the temple ceremony.

His discomfort launched him into a thorough investigation into the origins of the church, particularly whether Joseph Smith was a prophet. He committed the unpardonable sin (in Mormon eyes) of trying to make sense out of the Journal of Discourses, which is a collection of prophesies and sermons given by early church leaders. Many of these teachings are so bizarre, and so conflict with Bible teachings, Book of Mormon teachings, Doctrine and Covenant teachings and even current church doctrines, that Spencer labeled the whole thing "the Mormon maze."

It is my experience that if one wants to remain an active Mormon, one should never look too deeply into the origins of the church. Indeed, current church leaders actively discourage looking into "the mysteries," by which they mean records like the Journal of Discourses. But if you want a good summary of some of the troubling teachings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, see Spencer's Chapter 14. He gives you a good sampling.

Also if you are investigating the truth of the LDS church, really look into the story of the Pearl of Great Price (Mormon scripture). If Joseph Smith was a true prophet, why did he say that he "translated" Egyptian papyri into the Book of Abraham, etc, when all modern Egyptologists agree that the papyri from which he "translated" these books are merely funerary documents very common in ancient Egypt that have nothing to do with Abraham, Joseph or any of it? If Joseph Smith was a true prophet, why did at least 44 of his prophesies fail to come true (some of which are in the Doctrine in Covenants)?

(For more information, see chapters 25, 26, 27 of Hugh Nibley's daughter's book Leaving the Saints, and By His Own Hand : A New Look at the Joseph Smith Papyri by Michael Marquart).

I was raised in the Mormon church, and left when I turned 18 and could get away with it (had to leave home, too). This book details what my 18-year old mind thought was wrong, and couldn't quite nail down. A throughtful, well-written and easy to read book, full of facts, some rather scary...

James Spencer's story is a personal one. It is a painful one. I read this book in a series of books that I have been reading, trying to learn more about the Mormon religion. This book was probably the best, but it was also the most painful to read. I nearly cried toward the end.

Yet it's not just "his story." It's also a sampling of what led him away from Mormonism. The lies, the lies, and basically the lies. The doctrine doesn't make sense, and he makes this point over and over with Bible references, Book of Mormom references, and references from other documents of the church. This book reveals that Mormonism was not made by God. And it makes my heart ache. For my friends still caught in it, and for all the people in the world believing this lie. The author's love for people is unmistakeable.

In a field that is dominated too much by contention and mean-spirited polemic, this book was a delight. Oh, make no mistake, the author, an ex-Mormon, is trying to warn you away from or out of the LDS Church. But instead of writing about the doctrinal errors of Mormonism or appealing exclusively to the intellect, he appeals to the heart: by sharing his own story. Jim Spencer tells of his conversion to Mormonism, his love for the Church, the people, the mythos . . . then starts talking about the nagging doubts he had that just got worse and worse with time. An honest seeker, he finally became a born-again Christian and left the Church . . . and nearly lost his family. The last part of this book, the emotional conflict between his commitment to truth on one hand, and the love of his wife and family on the other, is one of the most poignant stories I've seen, and offers some of the deepest insights into Mormonism. When Spencer's wife becomes seriously ill, a Baptist preacher visits her, has pity and love for the "sick little Mormon girl" and tells her to praise God -- and she doesn't know how! "Praise is a concept foreign to a Mormon," writes Spencer(p. 148). "Mormons sing, but they do not praise. They pray, but they do not worship." Mormon friends, don't dismiss this concept! You can know of God intellectually through Mormonism, but God longs for more of you than your mind. He loves you, he wants you as a friend wants his friend, and a young man longs for his lover. He wants intimacy with you, and that comes through unabandoned, unashamed, emotional worship. I never saw it in the LDS Church. Mormons: God WANTS you -- come home!!

So much has already been said about this fine book that I'll keep this short. I read this book when it first came out. At the time I thought it was very good. It was also unique in that it was the first ex-Mormon testimony that I knew of that had been published to a broad, mass-market audience.

I was especially impressed with the author's respectful yet honest tone. At the time most ex-Mormon testimonies tended to be rather shrill and somewhat demeaning.

This book was different and I really appreciated that since my brother is Mormon as are many friends. From my Mormon relationships I knew that the picture that was often painted of them and their culture was unfairly skewed to the negative.

Yes, their theology and doctrine is heretical. Yes, their leadership is oppressive. Yes their thinking can be inconsistent, illogical, and irrational. However, their hearts, desires, and passions are well placed and sincere. Well this isn't always the case, they rarely do what they do out of malice or guile. Mormons believe and practice their faith with the best of intentions and motivations - they just happen to be climbing a ladder that's leaning against the wrong wall.

Since this book was published many, many, many other fine testimony books have also been released. A few that I have either read or heard good things about include:

Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond

Out of Mormonism: A Womans True Story

Out of the Shadows: A rape victim examines her life in and out of Mormonism

Evangelicals should note that not all Mormon testimonies end in a Born-Again experience. However, they are ALL of great value if nothing more than the reader can gain some insight, understanding, and empathy for their Mormon friends through them.

I've also found some superb Mormon Recovery websites (just google on "Mormons in Transition" and you'll find them) and the following books which have been of great benefit while maintaining a respectful tone:

The Pattern of The Double-Bind in Mormonism

I Love Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints

Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons

What's going on in there? The Verbatim Text of the Mormon Temple Rituals Annotated and Explained by a Former Temple Worker

I hope that this short review and book list will help you find which book on Mormonism is of most value to you and your family.

I wrote this book twenty years ago. It is the story of a miracle that happened in my life. It is all true. Because I have received more than 10,000 letters from people who have read it, I believe it touches a nerve. My story is very much like that of many, many other ex-Mormons.

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(BTW, you can view a copy of the certificate of my ordination as Elder in the Mormon Church--on Jan 4, 1966--at http://www.mazeministry.com/resources/books/beyondtext/zordination.gif

This book is one excellent (non-doctrinal) approach to understanding something of the attractions and the delusions involved in a genuine American ism. It is not that illuminating for anyone seeking to know the full history or theological foundations of this belief system; that is a tangent neither taken nor attempted by this author, though historical references are inevitably woven into the narrative.

'Beyond Mormonism' is autobiographical, written from an earnest insiders experience. We may question his conclusions but there is no room for doubting that they have been honestly reached. The book is a simple, straightforward, fast-paced (as religious writing goes) account dealing with one man's search for meaning and purpose in life ... and, at the risk of giving away the ending, of finding it. Spencer accepted the religion that promises a Celestial Kingdom, becoming an energetic and devout follower, only to find that it ultimately produced confusion, frustration and disappointment; yet, it left him with a heart and a deep affection for the saints he met (and, in one case, married) along the way.

It is that affection that recommends this book and sets it apart from others of its genre.

The book does open up some of the claims, practices and un-advertised extras of this creed and thus may appeal to someone considering the faith who, perhaps, would like more information than the church has been willing to offer. The author gently turns the inquirer from an emphasis on the church - any church - to the ground of all spiritual truth. The trip is not heavy but heavenly and Elder Spencer is to be congratulated for an unembittered resume of his former faith.

(The 1998 edition of the book adds only a prefatory update to some of the characters introduced to us in 1984. Either edition is highly recommended ... to read or to give.)

"Beyond Mormonism" by Jim Spencer
I liked this book so much that I called Jim and thanked him for writing it! I like Jim left Mormonism for a better way. I can relate with the difficulties that he experienced in his slow transition of realization that this religion does not line up with the Word of God. My now ex-wife and I also had big challenges with our own marriage because of my leaving the church, and had many challenges with our families. The ability to have normal conversation about the things of spirituality is really difficult with them. Jim simply tells his story of how he was wowed by the nice facade of the Mormon church. To him it stressed being good and good family values as an effective way to bring new converts. It seemed to answer all the right questions, like "where did we come from? Who is God? Where are we going?". However when researched and compared with the Bible, much contradiction is found around every corner, the past is riddled with actions which to this day still cause embarrassment, particularly the words and actions of the leaders, and the claims are incredulous and are not solidly backed by the Word of God. At the start of Jims journey, his focus was on what he saw in other people and he desired to have what they had.
As he advanced, the truth and reality of the falshood of the teachings came alive. He lost his freinds and almost lost his family and ultimately came to a place where he had to step out on faith to start a new life... I can relate. Where to go now was one of the most difficult issues. But we now know that there is one who knows our needs, and he faithfully provides. Good Book! Easy reading.

E. R. Hoff

"Don't judge another until you have walked a mile in their shoes." In spite of what faults may exist in "Beyond Mormonism", Spencer's story is credible because he left the Mormon church AFTER trying unsuccessfully to adhere to the church's doctrine. Because of his experience and the path he followed as he questioned and then eventually left the Mormon church he has earned the right to pass judgement and to provide guidance to others facing the same situation.

I especially enjoyed the book because the progression of events in my life have been almost a mirror image of those in Mr. Spencer's life. I joined the Mormon church at a similar age for similar reasons and began to have the same doubts for the same reasons as the author.

The one point I disagree with is that Evangelical Christianity is a viable alternative for those seeking religious truth. Personal experience has convinced me that some sects of the Evangelical movement have cult-like tendencies, dogmatic teachings and an unwilligness to tolerate doubt. For me the verdict is out as to which, if any, doctrine is best. That no church seems to offer the "truth" is the most honest part of Joseph Smith's teachings.

Thanks to Mr. Spencer for sharing his story and giving hope to those who need it.

Excellent book. For anyone wondering what life is like in the Mormon Church, has a desire for a good read on a topic of interest, is not looking for dirt/mud/bashing, or does not want to deal with high level theology study, this is your book.