Customer Reviews

Execution Of The Penalty: A Letter To James Dean

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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.

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

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.

The movie The Village provides some insight into the reality experienced by many Mormons, and the obstacles to departure experienced by those who consider that option, and it is drawn upon in this book as a very relevant metaphor.

The Dean's book is a very human story, starting many generations back, even touching on a period in my own country, Australia, which establishes a context for both the joining and the leaving. Ancestors suffered rejection and harsh punishment centuries ago at the hands of both the Quakers and the Catholics, and this makes a poignant twist when the story emerges of similar, albeit it updated, abusive treatment of people in this day and age as they leave Mormonism. Religion as an oppressive, controlling force lives today in America.

Mormonism expends a lot of effort to portray itself as basic, wholesome and most particularly as family-friendly, but here is a very contemporary factual story that unwraps the package, and what an unwrapping! Here is a story of very devout members who across time start to listen to their inner voice, and overcome the Mormon prohibition on researching its history in depth, and with no holds barred.

As many other former members have found, so-called anti-Mormon (?) writings are not even needed to unravel this faith. Why else would church leaders make such jarring statements as "some facts are not faith-building"; Mormonism's history if read objectively is profoundly self-condemning.

But this book is ultimately a human story, of the trials, anxieties and fears of very ordinary people as they discover the beliefs they have built their lives around, are as a foundation of sand. I was struck by the Dean's observation that Mormon marriage is a marriage involving three (3) parties: the bride, the groom and the Church. But they remark upon the condemnation from Mormons of leavers who criticise & get upset when they find out that that 3rd party - the Church, has been hugely fraudulent in its disclosure prior to entering into 'the contract'.

If I was to make a criticism of this book, it is that I found the opening chapters describing former family generations, did not flow as lucidly as the narration of the family's own recent history. It that a deal breaker? Absolutely not. Foundations to a building do not impress or are even visible when the structure is finished, but they are essential to understand what stands on top. If we cannot learn from history we are doomed.

What I will remember long after this book gets placed in my bookshelf is the letter to the son (the subject of the title), warning what religion - all religion, offers, both good and bad. I agreed with it entirely, and only wish I had discovered that much earlier in my life.

Ultimately we cannot be moral beings if we wear our morality like a coat - on the outside. This is a story of paying the price and reaping the rewards of being truly authentic, of internalising one's values and faith. Any one or group that would keep you from such a journey is not your friend.

I found the personal struggles that this family went through to be quite compelling. I really enjoyed the connection that the husband's experience created with his father. That was quite touching to me. I also really liked the letter full of questions sent out to the family of the couple. It provided a clear and concise list of valid concerns that deserve being addressed.

This is a great follow up to Under the Banner of Heaven. It answered a lot of my questions that arose from reading Krakauer's book. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day. Captivating and very well written.

As someone who has also left the Lds church after lifetime membership, I recognize the emotional, intellectual, and social struggles that the Flynns have so honestly and accurately portrayed. Only those of us who have been through this situation can truly know the heart wrenching and agonizing decisions that await those of us who find ourselves forced to choose between personal integrity/truth and community acceptance.

I loved this book, I especially loved the letter to their young son. As a parent, I know the level of concern and the dilemma ex-mormons face with their children. I found the book to be well written and inspiring, I couldn't put it down. I'm grateful to the authors for sharing such personal and interesting accounts. I cannot recommend highly enough!