Execution Of The Penalty: A Letter To James Dean [Paperback]

Brent C. Flynn (Author), Linda D. Flynn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2009

Execution of the Penalty is a true modern-day story. It traces a family's trek into, then out of a religion bent on mind control. Along the way it exposes the harmful techniques and dangerous consequences of involvement in a cultic religion. Brent and Linda Flynn served as high-ranking leaders in the Mormon church. In an attempt to grow closer to their religious heroes, they accidently discovered their history of scams and abuse. To free themselves from pernicious religious tentacles, threats of excommunication and shunning, they felt compelled to move to another state for a fresh start in life. This story chronicles the life altering events upon their entire family, including their impressionable children and extended family. It serves as a beacon of hope for those captured under the mental grip of religious mind control. It also serves as a warning to those who may be flirting with smiling faces with hidden agendas.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brent and Linda Flynn married in 1982. Brent graduated with honors from Brigham Young University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree. He then graduated summa cum laude from the University of Nebraska receiving a Doctorate Degree. In addition, he received a Master's degree from Indiana University. Linda is the mother of four wonderful children. She enjoys photography, and does volunteer work with the homeless in Los Angeles. They currently reside near Los Angeles, California with their children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Blademangement, LLC (May 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615274439
• ISBN-13: 978-0615274430
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,851,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A parallel path, June 19, 2009

By 

Lyndon C. Lamborn (Mesa, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Execution Of The Penalty: A Letter To James Dean (Paperback)

I just finished this book. Aa very compelling read, I actually had difficulty putting it down. I loved the parallels drawn throughout history, and especially weaving the stories of the Flynn family ancestry into the experiences of Brent and Linda as they left the religion of their heritage.

The book looks objectively at the problems of certainty in the realm of religious belief. As soon as certainty enters, problems abound and the beauties of human love and tolerance disappear. Examples of how certainty destroys happiness, families, friendships, and more are offered along the way.

The workings of mind control are weaved into the narrative very effectively, and the aspects of social pathology so prevalent in mainstream religion are bared for all to see. It is a great read for Mormons, Ex-Mormons, and objective seekers of truth and any who wish to obtain an in-depth understanding of the Mormon culture.

Interestingly, Brent and I travelled the same road, in the same city (Mesa, AZ), at the same time, and have both written a book to help others. We also both had a grand parent convert to Mormonism in Perth Austrailia about 1920 and emigrate to the Salt Lake Valley. His grandfather Reuben Flynn knew my grandfather Claudius Tolman.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entering a Brave New World, December 2, 2009

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Execution Of The Penalty: A Letter To James Dean (Paperback)

Brent C. Flynn, with additional study and contributions by his wife Linda D. Flynn, has written a book that represents a courageous life well lived. But this fine book is not simply the story of a family's existence and history, it is instead a brave examination of a life ruled by the cult of Mormonism. Writing this book represents hours of research and even more hours of personal flagellation as the author unwinds the mysteries of his childhood and early adulthood as a devoted Mormon, a task that informs the reader about a sect that to the outsider is as much a conundrum as the many other religious sects of the world. The book reads well (Flynn is a fine writer) and presents an analysis of cult worship that is very much an eye opener.

Flynn wisely begins his book EXECUTION OF THE PENALTY: A LETTER TO JAMES DEAN with a concise history of the founding of the Mormon religion by Joseph Smith. Not only does he document the passage to importance of this new religious cult, but he also involves his own family history, from the first member who fell under the spell through his own immediate relatives whose lives were ruled by the Church of Latter Day Saints. By the time we reach the birth and childhood of the author the reader has a substantial knowledge of the workings and beliefs of this cult and can comfortably understand the journey of a boy belonging to a cult, a lad who travels to Peru on his 'mission', his education, his marriage to Linda, and the trauma he and his wife faced with the birth of a child who due to medical neglect suffered irreparable physical damage. And this is the point the reader learns of the author's questioning of his religious views, a questioning that eventually lead to his leaving the church that had ruled his life.

From this point on in the book Flynn and his wife carefully examine the flaws, abuses, and separatist dynamics of the 'only true church'. This section of the book is meant to uncover the misconceptions of Mormonism: it also serves as a guide to examining all cults and all organized religious beliefs. Flynn carefully and with great respect for honesty reveals his laborious investigation that points out the facts of cult worship in general and the Mormon church in particular. it is a fascinating and engrossing bit of detective work. He ends his life change in a beautiful letter to his son JD (James Dean Flynn) in which he points our the good aspects of ALL religions from ancient Egypt to the present ('love thy neighbor as thyself') and warns his son against the 'beliefs' that one 'religion' is the only path to happiness: 'Knowledge and reason are your best protections. Smile and enjoy the ride.'

At this point in the book Linda Flynn presents a section titled 'A Crack in the Sky' in which she shares her personal history and commitment to the Mormon church and then proceeds to unravel the mysteries that surrounded the life of the founder of Mormonism - Joseph Smith. Linda likewise writes well and completes her personal entanglement with the cult of Mormonism with a finely addressed awakening. At the end of the book are multiple sections of references that document the findings of the Flynns, a fine section on The Characteristics of a Cult, and a lengthy bibliography. What makes this book by the Flynns so worthy of wide readership is the manner in which they share their personal involvement with a cult that disillusioned them. They have presented a case against cult worship but they have also warmly challenged all readers to live a life based on knowledge and reason rather than a life based on threats. It is a welcome addition to the library, both for homes and schools. Grady Harp, November 09

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Execution of the Penalty, June 23, 2009

By 

CStancliffe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Execution Of The Penalty: A Letter To James Dean (Paperback)

A very thoroughly researched personal account of one family's escape from Mormonism. At once enlightening, frightening and courageous. If you ever wondered if Mormonism could be considered a cult, the answers are here.

Especially engrossing is Linda Flynn's account, "A Crack in the Sky", in which she discusses issues related to the oppression of women in the Mormon system.

A worthwhile read.