Customer Reviews

Mormon History

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This work is a fine guide for any non-Mormon contemplating a foray into LDS history. I've never yet read a bibliographical essay that read like a novel, but considering its genre, this is a nicely written series of essays full of valuable insights. Since the authors are all Mormon scholars, it is hardly surprising that the book gently leans toward "faith promoting" works and includes occasional sentences like the one that describes anti-Mormon literature as "generally filled with distorting emotion and `facts' that are either faulty or lacking context." (261) Nevertheless, an educated reader can easily triangulate around this genial bias and learn much about the history of the Latter-day Saints in the process.

Books about Moism/ any religion seem to follow one of two paths: FOR -or- AGAINST. Books written by 'the faithful' are generally sugar-coated, a whitewash of LDS - Mormon History.
There are deep, dark secrets regarding Moism...Things such as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Circleville Massacre, JS's & BY's Radical statements, Polygamy/Polyandry, etc.
Many church GAs are vocal about -regarding "Patriotism", 'duty to country' etc., but were notably AWOL from participation in WWII, Viet Nam, etc (are you listening, xxx?). The LDS church, it members & leaders, despite statements about-regarding a supposed anti-slavery position, largely SAT OUT the U.S. "Civil" War.
Backing a winner AFTER the war's over is so much more Convenient, isn't it?