Leaving the Fold [Paperback]

James W. Ure (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

You can take the people out of Mormonism, but you can't take Mormonism out of the people. Or so say 18 "inactive" Mormons profiled here, who grew up in the church and left it during adulthood yet still wrestle with their Mormon heritage. Interviewer and editor Ure, an inactive Mormon himself, negotiates his own place outside the tradition during the course of these engaging conversations. A three-time Utah governor admits his difficulties in accepting the Book of Mormon as literally true, while a divorced woman speaking on condition of anonymity traces her defection to her realization that the Mormon theology of eternal families left little room for the divorced. Some of those interviewed gradually, and almost painlessly, drifted away, while others tried mightily to conform to the religion's expectations (one gay man recounts enduring electroshock therapy to "cure" his sexual orientation in the early 1970s, a procedure that is no longer recommended by the LDS Church). While some of the defectors' complaints involve specifically Mormon issues, such as the veracity of the Joseph Smith story, many outside the Mormon tradition will be able to identify with more general laments, such as the strict religion's exclusivity and insularity and the guilt that many feel when they fall short of their culture's expectations. (Jan.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Signature Books (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560851341
• ISBN-13: 978-1560851349
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,725,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glimpses of a human dilemma, April 2, 2000

By 

John Seidel (Colorado Springs, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leaving the Fold (Paperback)

While the substantive content of this book is about Inactive Mormons, it could apply to anyone. I would characterize the book as telling a human story that transcends the Mormon experience, but that also is located in the unique Mormon experience.

What is unique about the Mormon version of this experience is the extent to which the people interviewed are dealing not only with a set of religious beliefs, but a culture that has dominated their lives and the lives of family and friends and the history of Utah. Yet the people in this book have to find ways of continuing to live in this culture. Many who have left the church continue to have good relationships with family and friends who remain active in the church, and even speak well of the church itself inspite of their problems with the church.

Jim Ure is not a professional social scientist. He is a person trying to make sense of his own experience by talking with people who have similar experiences. In the process Ure opens doors to many aspects of the experience of losing the faith.

Ure does not retell, analyze and make detailed comments on the stories of his informants, although he does give a short introduction to every chapter. Rather, Ure lets us read the stories as they were told to him. In the course of his conversations he often reveals things about his own experiences. He is not writing the definitive book on the subject. In fact, there are few in depth studies on this subject in the social science literature much less books that are written specifically for the general public. This is a good introduction to a complex topic, and should generate many interesting thoughts and discussions.

I found the interviews touching and intriguing on both a personal and a professional level. I am an ex-catholic. I am also a social scientist. I learned some things about myself, and I learned about some things that I will pursue in the future.

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, Challenging, Engaging., April 1, 2000

By 

Steven Purhonen (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving the Fold (Paperback)

A singularly important book to help one better understand (or understand at all for some readers) an often misunderstood religion (Mormonism). More importantly, this book attempts to grasp the inner significance of why once devoted members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ("Mormons") have chosen to no longer be an active follower of their church and, as well, no longer hold its doctrines as strongly. Recurring themes members express for "leaving the fold" of Mormonism -- believability of certain aspects of the historical/religious bases of the church, oppressive insularity of the Mormon community, a reluctance to accept/adapt to changes in contemporary society, an unyieldingly rigid doctrinal environment -- are also elements common to many religions with which their adherents, both the devote and the hesitant, seem to struggle. The deeply personal views expressed by these thoughtful, passionate people in their interviews offer the reader knowledge and understanding which transcend Mormonism. Regardless of ones religious persuasion or spiritual inclination, the honesty, patience, and sincere consideration presented by the 18 interviewees is heartening and thought-provoking. Having grown up a non-Mormon in the virtual heart of Mormonism (Salt Lake City, Utah) I found this book frighteningly revealing of my own long-simmering prejudices and ignorance. So, if the reader is willing to accept an adventure that may challenge their core values, and perhaps bring to life previously unquestioned thoughts, then get this book soon and begin the journey.

39 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original, insightful, thoughtful, informative, candid., June 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving the Fold (Paperback)

Leaving The Fold: Candid Conversations With Inactive Mormons is a unique work based on interviews conducted by James Ure with eighteen high-profile, once active men and women who ceased to be energetic participants with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon Church. Ure found that these lapsed Mormons had fond memories of the church, the reasons for their leaving ranged from politics of general and politics in general, to guilt over unachievable perfection, and an inability to accept the basic tenets of Mormonism. These thoughtful, often touching expressions by people who left active Mormonism to find their own personal path to salvation and meaningful life will enable their former Mormon neighbors, friends and colleagues to better understand their "wayward" friends. Leaving The Fold is original, insightful, thoughtful, informative, revealing, candid, engaging reading for students of religion in general, and Mormonism in particular.