Customer Reviews

Mormon Missionaries: An Inside Look at Their Real Message

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book would be in my "top five" in the field. Janis gives excellent summaries of some of the latest research. Europeans did not drop their religious thinking in the "Atlantic salt water" on their way to the New World.

Janis Hutchinson boils down the main points of that hefty Tufts University work: REFINERS FIRE. Key Mormon points in their theological outline come from various groups from Europe who settled in America.

Janis' footnotes are worth reading just for the interesting tid-bits.

Hutchinson's bibliography gives superb choices for anyone doing serious research. If you're doing a college paper--this is the book to make your Inter-library Loan request list from. Books from "both sides" are cited.

Written in 'layman's language' this book suggests what books to read at the entry, medium, and advanced levels of research. No other book have I seen has such an open "educator" perspective. Like "wow!"

If you are interested in the Mormon 'occult' connection, here it is. If the Masonry tie fascinates you, here it is. If god's physical appearance in LDS perspective intrigues you, here it is. Where did the idea 'you can be as god' begin? Janis has a well thought out answer.

I am a recent [and continuing] "investigator" of the Church of Latter-Day Saints who picked up a copy of Hutchinson's book in preparation for my upcoming meetings with Mormon missionaries in Tokyo. After reading it over the course of a weekend, I found it to be a good basic introduction to some of the "anti-Mormon" arguments without the academic rhetoric (and, consequently, without the "proof") found in more academic studies. In short, it's a layperson's introduction to anti-Mormonism from a sympathetic and knowledgable author. Interested readers must realize up front that this is a NOVEL, not an objective exposition of Mormon doctrines. Her story revolves around several students at a small Bible college who are just beginning a unit on Mormonism when two Mormon missionaries suddenly show up on campus to share their faith and bear their testimonies. Encountering these testimonies, they find, is very different than studying scriptural doctrines in class, and several of the students are faced with tough questions about their own faith. In the end, the students work through many of the missionary lessons with the help of their ex-Mormon professor, who presents a convincing unit and some sage advice. Through character dialogues and general narration, a number of viable arguments are presented to help the students "see beyond" the missionary discussions without, in my opinion, degrading the honest faith of those missionaries. As I said, Hutchinson does not present proof, she only plants seeds of doubt by presenting possible alternatives to Mormon interpretations. If anything, she advises an investigator like me to be a careful listener and to make sure I understand, clarify, and follow-up on the context of the missionariy presentations before accepting or rejecting them. Readers who are looking for a more "factual" academic account of LDS faith, however, are advised to look elsewhere

Janis Hutchinson was a Mormon for 34 years who married a former Mormon missionary, and sent a daughter on a full-time mission, before leaving the LDS church and converting to evangelical Christianity.

She writes in the Preface to this 1995 book, "Within the pages of this book you will learn about Mormon missionaries. You will see how they present their lessons and what subjects they cover, and by knowing this, have an edge in witnessing... Furthermore, this book can be used as a witnessing tool. Offer it to individuals who are already taking, or who are considering taking, the Mormon missionary lessons. It will reveal many doctrines the missionaries purposely conceal."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"To (Mormons), the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are two different entities. The Holy GHOST is the third member of the Godhead... The Holy SPIRIT, on the other hand, is a spiritual substance." (Pg. 20)
"The 1830 edition of the Book of Commandments... makes no mention of either the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthoods." (Pg. 25)
"(A)s the lessons progress, a gradual change is made. When the missionaries cover the section on Jesus Christ, Bible Scriptures are gradually reduced to only TWO, and Mormon scriptures are increased to four. Each lesson subtly diminishes the use of Bible Scripture until, by the sixth and final discussion, Mormon scripture is ALL that is used." (Pg. 76)
(Concerning Joseph Smith's "Civil War Prophecy") "However, rather than being prophetic, Smith simply produced a revelation that matched current thought. South Carolina, at the time of his 'prophecy,' was already rebelling and newspapers were predicting the impending war between the North and the South." (Pg. 103)
"Well, if (Joseph Smith) had any (plates), they couldn't possibly have been gold. With the measurements being 7" x 8" x 6" and with gold weighing one and a half pounds per cubic inch, they would have weighed nearly two hundred pounds if solid... There's no way Joseph... could have tucked them beneath one arm, walked home, jumped over a log and run a mile from would-be-attackers." (Pg. 128)
"If Moses, trained to speak Egyptian, chose to speak and write in Hebrew---as well as the whole nation of Israel after having lived in Egypt for four hundred years---why, then, ... 'should Nephi, who apparently had never lived in Egypt, write in Egyptian?'" (Pg. 148)

When I looked at this book I didn't know what I would get. Maybe a boring story about missionaries or a book of praise for these clean cut kids. But what a surprise!

The Mormon Missionaries may be the best general study of Mormonism that I have ever read . . . and I have read many Mormon-related books.

The author, an ex-Mormon writer, presents a critique of the Mormon missionaries and of the Mormon `church' in a unique way. Describing a class-room presentation on Mormonism that coincides with a visit by two handsome Mormon elders, Hutchinson logically introduces the reader to the beliefs of this false religion.

Reading this heavily researched and documented work is a pleasure. I got caught up in the drama of whether Susan would get sucked up into Mormonism. But beyond the great story line are fantastic insights and revelations about the origins of the Mormon cult. The best parts being the bizarre history of Joseph Smith, and his contradictory stories, false prophecies, and dreams of grandeur. The only slight weakness was the traditional "sacred canopy" view lecture, which I think has a biblical answer, instead of the secular anthropological presumptions.

Of interest to many will be the politics of the Mormon church. The founders wanted to literally rule this planet. Aren't they sufficiently satisfied that they are going to have thousands or millions of wives and their own planets?! The dangerous anti-American views of the early Mormons are clearly documented.

This text cuts through the clever shiny Mormon propaganda seen on tv and other media. It is a refreshing work, a unique book. The fifty pages of footnotes are a researcher's dream. A valuable tool, a must read for every Christian believer. Fascinating! Highly recommended.

Good book on understanding Mormon missionaries and Mormons who are into their faith. It is not very good at dealing with lay Mormons, nor does it go into the semantics game one has to play when dealing with Mormons.

It does a great job of dealing how Mormons do their missionary work, which is a ridged seven step program. This book details the first four visits. It also tells one how to deal with the selling points of Mormonism, which essentially is relying on emotion (aka "burning in the bosom") to accept Mormonism.

I was recommended this book along side of "The Mormon Scrapbook" by Dan Thompson. Thompson's book is a better primer on Mormonism than Hutchinson's book.

The book is an excellent way to learn the basics of Mormonism from an ex-Mormon Christian critical (but not "bashing") point of view. The information is conveyed in the form of a novel to make the reading more interesting, much like the novel "Killer Angels" does with the Battle of Gettysburg. The BIG difference here is that the factual sources are documented allowing the serious student to investigate further. These sources are well chosen and well represented and will provide more detail in areas the reader might wish to pursue. Much of the informative portion of the book involves an ex-Mormon teacher teaching students about Mormonism. It's a great class to learn in and, for the reader, the tuition is merely the price of the book.

Which Is the "Christian" Doctrine?

Suppose for a moment that the Latter-day Saints were to take seriously the demand that they conform in every particular to "Christian" doctrine, and that they then made the attempt to do so. Having complied with such a demand, would the Latter-day Saints find themselves in total agreement with Protestants or with Catholics? Would they believe in apostolic succession or in the priesthood of all believers? Would they recognize an archbishop, a patriarch, a pope, a monarch, or no one at all as the head of Christ's church on earth? Would they be saved by grace alone, or would they find the sacraments of the church necessary for salvation? Would they believe in free will or in predestination? Would they practice water baptism? If so, would it be by immersion, sprinkling, or some other method? Would they believe in a substitutionary, representative, or exemplary atonement? Would they or would they not believe in "original sin"? And on and on.

It is unreasonable for other Christians to demand that Latter-day Saints conform to a single standard of "Christian" doctrine when they do not agree among themselves upon exactly what that standard is. To do so is to establish a double standard; doctrinal diversity is tolerated in some churches, but not in others. The often-heard claim that all true Christians share a common core of necessary Christian doctrine rests on the dubious proposition that all present differences between Christian denominations are over purely secondary or even trivial matters-matters not central to Christian faith. This view is very difficult to defend in the light of Christian history, and might be easier to accept if Protestants and Catholics- or Protestants and Protestants, for that mat-ter-had not once burned each other at the stake as non-Christian heretics over these same "trivial" differences.

Why is it that people believe the worst in all things, weather there is truth or not. Then migrate toward the negative, without forethought. It would seem this book was written for those who would seek out adversity, rather than formulate proper research. I never served a mission, and always have regreted that fact. I am the father of a missionary that found it in herself to serve the Lord, where I had failed. I am disapointed that the author implies missionaries are informed not to talk about "the proverbial deeper points of the religious theology." The author would have one believe that they are the worlds greatest authority, but it becomes plain that there wasn't a conviction of what was being taught. Why then serve when there is not food for nurishment? Missionaries are taught that they are in the service of the Lord, and not service for themselves. They are rotated often while serving their mission. This then doesn't always allow them to see the results or fruits of their labors, and helps to keep them from getting puffed up. It is not a form af discipline, but allows them to remain humble and benevelent. I don't believe that the author learned this, and continues an attempt to receive self gratification. I rated this nuetral, as those who are against rate it low, and those who dwell in adversity, rate it highly. It is for the reader to decide what is truth and what is false whitness.

Lively read about Hutchinson's expose of the Mormons, written from a Protestant point of view. Mormon missionaries show up in pairs at her Bible college and all her fellow believers were excited to see them the first time. The story goes on as the Mormons and Hutchinson try their best to enlighten the other party. Reads like a novel.

Circular reasoning used by Hutchinson to debunk the Mormons can similarly be utilized to debunk her own Protestant belief system. How can anyone miss that?
Only the Roman Catholic Church can answer all the questions raised by the parties featured this book. If you're looking for purely intellectual arguments within Christianity, only Roman Catholicism is the most satisfying. Unfortunately for most people brought up in today's quick-fix MTV culture, people like to resort to fleeting "feelings", misconceptions and prejudices as their sources of "truth".
From the Mormon feelings test, you already know that feelings are subjective and cannot be used as a valid point in arguments. As for church history, what works are being used for consulting? Using conversion rates to and from churches and denominations are redundant and are subjective in nature, citing statistics don't mean anything. In all, Hutchinson's arguments are weak when trying to show the Mormons how wrong they are.

Despite the intellectual argumentative flaws of this book, it is still a fun read to see how a Protestant can tackle a Mormon missionary. The good thing about Protestant works is that they have kept up with the trends of modern-day cults. The Catholic Church remains an inward-looking bureaucracy, unaware of the challeges posed by cults. If you're Catholic interested in answering Mormons, start by learning what you believe in the first place. There's enough Catholic material to answer all opposition if you know where and how to find them. When encountering Mormons, question the authority and source of their bizarre works.

Go talk to live Mormons, it can be fun experience! If only for a good laugh!

I recommend the audio CD testimony by former Mormon Thomas Smith. Go search for it.
It may not be available on Amazon.com.

Having been a Mormon missionary myself, who served in Costa Rica for 2 years, and having read this book, I can say that it is full of half-truths. The author of this book claims to have been a missionary, however, his book is full of half-truths and lies about the process and "motives." The motive of the mission is to convert God's children to what we believe is His church. That's it. There may be some missionaries who aren't as great as others, but I have been there, and know what it's all about. This book is not a valuable source of the truth, and is only worth reading if you are explicitly looking for that kind of thing. I can give any possible readers one thing to consider as you read this book (if you read this book)... consider the author's motives as you read. Think about what the author is trying to spin as you read. You will see and feel the dishonesty as you read.