The Mormon Experience: A HISTORY OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author) "Mormonism began in a cauldron of religious excitement..." (more)
Key Phrases: primitive gospelers, plural relationships, priesthood quorums, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"By far the most suitable work of its kind for classroom use."--Lawrence Foster, author of Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community

"Arrington has worked heroically against activists' odds, bureaucracies' skullduggery, and the temptation simply to tire. No one alive can know as much of the Mormon story as he. . . . As the crisis continues, the Arrington-Bitton book will attract more, not less, attention."--Martin E. Marty, editor of The Christian Century

"By far the most suitable work of its kind for classroom use."--Lawrence Foster, author of Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community

"Arrington has worked heroically against activists' odds, bureaucracies' skullduggery, and the temptation simply to tire. No one alive can know as much of the Mormon story as he. . . . As the crisis continues, the Arrington-Bitton book will attract more, not less, attention."--Martin E. Marty, editor of The Christian Century

Product Description

The best history of the Latter-Day Saints addressed to a general audience now includes a new preface, an epilogue, and a bibliographical afterword. "This is without a doubt the definitive Mormon history."--Library Journal.

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Product Details Paperback: 456 pages Publisher: University of Illinois Press; 2 Sub edition (March 1, 1992) Language: English ISBN-10: 0252062361 ISBN-13: 978-0252062360 Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,709 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #85 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Mormonism

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Davis Bitton

Leonard J. Arrington

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Mormonism began in a cauldron of religious excitement. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
primitive gospelers, plural relationships, priesthood quorums, irrigation science, plural wife, new gathering place, restored gospel, presiding bishopric, emigration fund, plural marriage, priesthood leaders, fast offerings, plural wives, sacrament meeting, lbs flour, stake presidents

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City, Latter-day Saints, Relief Society, United States, New York, Book of Mormon, Great Basin, Salt Lake Valley, Jesus Christ, World War, Jackson County, Sidney Rigdon, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, New England, Relief Societies, Great Salt Lake, Temple Square, New Testament, Quorum of the Twelve, Utah War, Deseret News, Hyrum Smith

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

100 books cite this book:

• The Mormon Question: Polygamy and Constitutional Conflict in Nineteenth-Century America by Sarah Barringer Gordon on 7 pages
• Prostitution, Polygamy, and Power: Salt Lake City, 1847-1918 by Jeffrey Nichols on 7 pages
• Devils Will Reign: How Nevada Began (Wilber S. Shepperson Series in Nevada History) by Sally Zanjani on 6 pages
• Presbyterian Missions and Cultural Interaction in the Far Southwest, 1850-1950 (Presbyterian Historical Society Publications, No 31) by Mark T. Banker on 4 pages
• The Americanization of Religious Minorities: Confronting the Constitutional Order by Professor Eric Michael Mazur on 4 pages

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Zion in the Courts by Edwin Brown Firmage

Discusses:

• priesthood quorums
• plural wife
• presiding bishopric

Mormon America by Richard N. Ostling

Discusses:

• priesthood quorums
• plural wife
• new gathering place

Brigham Young by Leonard J. Arrington

Discusses:

• priesthood quorums
• plural wife
• new gathering place

500 Little-Known Facts in Mormon History by George W. Givens

Discusses:

• priesthood quorums
• plural wife
• plural marriage

Mormonism in Transition by Thomas G. Alexander

Discusses:

• priesthood quorums
• plural wife
• restored gospel

Mormonism by Jan Shipps

Discusses:

• priesthood quorums
• presiding bishopric
• plural marriage

Zion in the Courts by Edwin Brown Firmage Discusses: priesthood quorums plural wife presiding bishopric Mormon America by Richard N. Ostling Discusses: priesthood quorums plural wife new gathering place Brigham Young by Leonard J. Arrington Discusses: priesthood quorums plural wife new gathering place 500 Little-Known Facts in Mormon History by George W. Givens Discusses: priesthood quorums plural wife plural marriage Loading...

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	62% buy the item featured on this page: The Mormon Experience: A HISTORY OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS 3.8 out of 5 stars (13) $20.40
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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 3.8 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 58 of 60 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introductory text to Mormon History, August 22, 2000 By  Josh Divine (Mission Viejo, CA United States) - See all my reviews This book is not as deep or involved as B.H. Roberts seven volume history of the LDS church and its' people. It is a book that casts itself as an introductory one volume history of what is today called Mormon history. I am a Mormon. I have read histories of the LDS church that deal with the subject in a very negative and also positive ways. This book is well balanced and honest in its presentation of the subject. I read this book in order to better understand how all of the pieces of Mormon history fit together. I found what I was looking for. This book does not go into detail about the minutiae of Mormon history, nor does it make assumptions in order to drive a point home. The authors deal with historical research and nothing else. This book is not a history of the Mormon faith, it is a history of the Mormon church and the Mormon people. It does not attempt to convert, but rather to explain. The book is not trying to define what Mormon's believe, but rather who they are, and what the have done. 27 of 28 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Fair and even handed summary of complex subject, February 11, 1999 By  [e-mail] "tony15320" (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews Arrington and Bitton offer the reader a single volume history of the Mormon Church based on historical, rather than missionary principals. Both authors make no secret of their LDS affiliations; but for the uncommited reader this is an advantage, rather than a drawback, since their "bias" is stated and can thus be taken into account. As a non-mormon, I can confidently recommend this book as an excellent introduction to the subject, both to the general reader and the serious student of Religious Studies. In multi-faith Birmingham England I would have no compunction in recommending this book as the one for any of my students interested in the subject. Pity its not available in England. 17 of 18 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Mormon history, December 21, 1998 By A Customer Theirs is a fairly well-balanced treatment of a very rich and controversial past. They are both active Mormons and from Mormon homes. They are honest about it, and I think they are able to represent fairly some of the complex beauty of the history of the Church. They intended it as a work for non-Mormon consumption; it was meant to complement the more pro-Mormon (and still very good) history by Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints. Although it is now somewhat dated, those friendly to the church but not interested in being proselyted will enjoy the book. Mormons interested in a moderately secularized, professional view of their history could also stand to profit from it. Overall, a very good book with much to recommend it. The bibliography is somewhat out-of-date, but it points to the classic essays and books up to the time of its publication.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars interesting historical review this historical account of how the latter-day saints became an organized religion is easy to read because it is written in a progressive, non-lofty manner. Read more Published 6 months ago by Rashel Fitchett 1.0 out of 5 stars History Amnesia Yet another sanitized, truth-fearing, "just eat around the bad parts", documentary omitting the true extent of - - "State of open rebellion". Read more Published 21 months ago by Rose Anderson 5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent History by Mormon Historians This book is scholarly and well documented, and Leonard J. Arrington and Davis Bitton are to be praised for giving a fair hearing to Fawn Brodie's "No Man Knows My History. Read more Published on May 24, 2007 by Wanderer 4.0 out of 5 stars TAKE A PEEK AT WORLD'S FASTEST GROWING FAITH Although described as a history, this book is actually more of a description of Mormonism and the Mormon lifestyle. Read more Published on April 29, 2007 by Severin Olson 1.0 out of 5 stars This is not history, but rather a defense of Mormonism Although I am not a Mormon, I am interested in the church's history, but I have had trouble finding unbiased sources. Read more Published on October 27, 2006 by Beach Guy 5.0 out of 5 stars Must read on Mormon history As someone who has read many, many books on the topic of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I can honestly say that this text is one of the best books on Mormon... Read more Published on October 20, 2006 by Bobby Boylan 3.0 out of 5 stars "Good?" No. "Interesting?" Yes. I read this book because I'm dating a Mormon and wanted to learn more about LDS. It's well-written. It's interesting, too, in the purest sense of the word. Read more Published on September 11, 2006 by Washington Irving 3.0 out of 5 stars Not a balanced review of Mormons I disagree with the other reviewers who call this a balanced book. The authors unabashedly defend the principles and activities of the church. Read more Published on June 29, 2006 by Joe Bob 5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb General History by Two Masters of Mormon History I eagerly awaited publication of this general history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when it first appeared in 1979, and was not disappointed. Read more Published on June 6, 2004 by Roger D. Launius 5.0 out of 5 stars A superb book Balanced, objective, fair, well-written, interesting, informed. What more could you want? This is something of a minor classic, in my opinion. Published on December 21, 2002 by D. Peterson Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; 2 Sub edition (March 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252062361
• ISBN-13: 978-0252062360
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,709 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #85 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Mormonism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introductory text to Mormon History, August 22, 2000

By	Josh Divine (Mission Viejo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This book is not as deep or involved as B.H. Roberts seven volume history of the LDS church and its' people. It is a book that casts itself as an introductory one volume history of what is today called Mormon history. I am a Mormon. I have read histories of the LDS church that deal with the subject in a very negative and also positive ways. This book is well balanced and honest in its presentation of the subject. I read this book in order to better understand how all of the pieces of Mormon history fit together. I found what I was looking for. This book does not go into detail about the minutiae of Mormon history, nor does it make assumptions in order to drive a point home. The authors deal with historical research and nothing else.

This book is not a history of the Mormon faith, it is a history of the Mormon church and the Mormon people. It does not attempt to convert, but rather to explain. The book is not trying to define what Mormon's believe, but rather who they are, and what the have done.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fair and even handed summary of complex subject, February 11, 1999

By	[e-mail] "tony15320" (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews

Arrington and Bitton offer the reader a single volume history of the Mormon Church based on historical, rather than missionary principals. Both authors make no secret of their LDS affiliations; but for the uncommited reader this is an advantage, rather than a drawback, since their "bias" is stated and can thus be taken into account. As a non-mormon, I can confidently recommend this book as an excellent introduction to the subject, both to the general reader and the serious student of Religious Studies. In multi-faith Birmingham England I would have no compunction in recommending this book as the one for any of my students interested in the subject. Pity its not available in England.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Mormon history, December 21, 1998

By A Customer

Theirs is a fairly well-balanced treatment of a very rich and controversial past. They are both active Mormons and from Mormon homes. They are honest about it, and I think they are able to represent fairly some of the complex beauty of the history of the Church. They intended it as a work for non-Mormon consumption; it was meant to complement the more pro-Mormon (and still very good) history by Allen and Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints.

Although it is now somewhat dated, those friendly to the church but not interested in being proselyted will enjoy the book. Mormons interested in a moderately secularized, professional view of their history could also stand to profit from it.

Overall, a very good book with much to recommend it. The bibliography is somewhat out-of-date, but it points to the classic essays and books up to the time of its publication.