The Mormon Culture of Salvation: Force, Grace and Glory [Paperback]

Douglas James Davies (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0754613305 | ISBN-13: 978-0754613305 | Publication Date: July 2000

Mormonism is the fastest growing religion in the world. This text presents a comprehensive study of Mormon culture and religious life, offering important theories of Mormonism's success. Describing the many aspects of Morman belief, ritual, family life and history, the book presents an interpretation of the origin of Mormonism, arguing that Mormonism is rooted in the bereavement experience of the first prophet, with the first prophet's personal grief leading to his creation of this new religion. The temple ritual for the dead is linked to the genealogical work of many Mormon families and shows how the Mormon commitment to work for salvation relates to some present Mormon beliefs in conversion, and to traditional Christian ideas of grace. Written by a non-Morman with over 30 years of in-depth research into Mormonism, this description of Mormon life is analyzed through ideas and theories drawn from anthropology, sociology and psychology, as well as from theology, providing a form of analysis which indicates what is possible in truly interdisciplinary religious studies. The text aims to offer real insights into how Mormans see the world and work for their future glory in heavenly realms.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas J. Davies is Professor in the Study of Religion in the Department of Theology, Durham University, UK. He is the author of many books including Death, Ritual and Belief (Cassell, 1997), Mormon Identities in Transition (Cassell, 1994), Mormon Spirituality (1987), and Meaning and Salvation in Religious Studies (Brill, 1984).

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Ashgate Pub Ltd (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0754613305
• ISBN-13: 978-0754613305
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A waste of good paper, November 9, 2011

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BabyParents - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mormon Culture of Salvation: Force, Grace and Glory (Paperback)

My wife had to purchase this book for a college course for her bachelor's degree. After reading the first few chapters we discovered that the credibility of the book was comparable to horse manure. It turned out that the professor has a personal grudge against the mormons and his only reason for using this book in his course was to try to tarnish the mormon's reputation. As for the author of this book, his only exposure he has had with mormonism is nothing more than internet sources and gossip. Reading through the chapters, it feels as if the writer is more like a jealous child trying to sneak into another child's secret hiding spot, rather than a professional actually doing real research. The book has many rants and complaints inside of it, so it should not be taken seriously. There are no credible sources in this book as far as true writers are concerned and the author even states that he did his "research" on the internet (an obvious no for any true writer), because we all know that everything the internet says is true. Our opinion of the writing? Not worth anyone's time. For us, as readers, we were thoroughly disappointed and would never use this book as a source for any essays of any grade level. Our best recommendation is for you to find another author. We strongly recommend Charles R. Harrell's This is my Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology for a good study of mormonism without the bias.