Customer Reviews

Mormonism Unmasked

5 star:		(15)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

After reading the reviews about this book by others on Amazon, I half-way expected an Ann Coulter-style rant that lacked anything in the way of true comparison or fact. However, I was pleasantly surprised. You have to read the entire title though to know if it is for you. It is not just "Mormonism Unmasked", instead it is a true comparison between the beliefs held by Christians based on the Holy Bible and those held by Mormons. Therefore, it assumes you are already a Christian and its purpose is to show that Mormonism deviates from Christianity in important and essential ways. If you are not already a Christian, you will probably not be pursuaded by the arguments in this book.
Therefore, this book will probably not pursuade any Mormon to abandon his or her beliefs. From those Mormons I have engaged in conversation on the matter, they are already aware that there are contradictions between LDS writings and those in the Bible, and even between LDS writings of Joseph Smith at one point in time and another. They just attribute it to a matter of "continuing revelation" from God to man. Also remember that Mormons believe the entire church was "lost" from the time that the Romans adopted Christianity until Joseph Smith restored it. Thus they could just attribute deviations between the Bible and their own LDS writings to errors that were introduced into the Bible by uninspired and even corrupt men during this "lost" period.
It is hard for someone to renounce beliefs they have probably held since childhood, especially if it would cost them their friends, family, and entire way of life. After all, if you were born and raised in Algeria, do you have any doubt that you would be a devout Muslim, convinced of the absolute correctness of that religion? Therefore I would recommend the book to Christians who want to know why Mormonism is not Christianity, but don't expect any miracles of evangelism to proceed from it.

Scroll down to 'Track Mom' review of this book. Read carefully, then click on that user name to see their other reviews.

You will see the EXACT same negative review, VERBATIM, for these titles:

Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter Day Saints

Reasoning From The Scriptures with the Mormons

OBVIOUSLY, this person has an agenda, and therefore, their reviews of these and similar works are highly suspect. One has to question whether 'Track Mom' even read these books. Just thought I'd point this info out to anyone seeking TRUTH, and a few honest user reviews.

In my opinion, this title (and those mentioned above) is/are very thoroghly researched, and offer(s) compelling evidence against the veracity of Mormon claims. Highly recommended.

Trying to reason out of scripture is a difficult task with mormons, as many are familiar with just enough of the Bible to be able to agree with much of Christian thought. The average mormon will tell you: they believe in God, they believe in Jesus, that He is the only way to salvation, they can agree with the BASIC terminology of grace and faith. This work gives you a deeper understanding of what comes next. For the Christian, it seems that we agree on an awful lot, but it is harder to pry out of mormons their belief in the need for a number of works, all centered on the mormon church, to ensure the "highest" level of heaven. Despite some typical reviews below, you CANNOT learn what mormons believe by reading the book of mormon. The ideas of mormon/Masonic temple worship, polygamy as a "new and everlasting" covenant, plurality of gods, man's potential to become a god, the word of wisdom, the "restored" priesthood, etc are nowhere to be found in the book of mormon, and are in many ways refuted by Joseph Smith's writings in the book of mormon before he started his ever-shifting changes in doctrine. Modern mormons try hard to pass themselves off as just another Christian church, albeit with some unique modern doctrine. If mormons are going to send missionaries to our doors, they should have no objections to this book. The characterization of the questions raised in this book as being rehashed ignores the reality of the issues they raise and the lack of credible response by mormons. This is not the best work on the subject out there, but it is valuable as a resource tool.

R. Philip Roberts gives a very comprehensive review of some of the beliefs of the Mormon church. As a witness to several mormons, I found this book very helpful in understanding the parts of mormonism that the missionaries will NOT tell you. This book is packed with information rather than persuasive arguments, and places an emphasis on witnessing to mormons, not proving them wrong. At the end of each chapter is a very helpful table called "Witnessing Points" which tells christians what issues to target when speaking to a mormon. Each chapter very clearly (using tables) contrasts the differences between christianity and mormon beliefs. Reading some of the other reviews, I have to clarify that this book was written for christians to understand the reasons why mormonism is a false religion(and definitely not christian!), so I wouldn't expect mormons to have a high opinion of it.

I am now a Catholic after being a life-long Mormon. This book hits the major inconsistencies between Mormonism and Christianity and points out the serious changes to doctrines found in the Book of Mormon and early recorded revelations as compared with what Joseph Smith was preaching and living at the time of his death. The book could have made a better case about the Mormon view of Adam and Eve using quotes and sources tied back to Brigham Young. The book has a strong Protestant flavor which is unfortunate since much of Mormonism can be best understood in the light of Roman Catholicism including the Mormon temple, the importance of works, purgatory, works by the living to benefit the dead, church authority and hierarchy, and the necessary nature of the Fall just to name a few. Most of the "Witnessing Points" at the end of each chapter, while a good summarization, provide very little that can be effectively used in witnessing to a Mormon. This book would be best given to someone investigating Mormonism rather than to a person who has already been deceived.

Also recommended: Emma Smith, a Mormon Enigma and From Mission to Madness: concerning the life David Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith, Jr's youngest son.

This book is a valuable introduction to the Mormon faith for those exploring Mormonism through the Mormon missionaries or for those seeking to understand Mormonism from a Christian perspective. Mormons would also grow spiritually by sincerely examining the evidence Roberts presents in this book for themselves.

Dr. Roberts introduces the reader to Joseph Smith and to the Mormon beliefs in God, Jesus, salvation, eternity, revelation, and authority. Roberts succeeds in being both Biblical and concise in his explanations. He documents his views with original Mormon source material, current archaelogical information, and Biblical defense of Christian beliefs.

Dr. Phil Roberts has decades of witnessing experience, both in the US and internationally. He is the producer of one of the best videos ever made on Mormonism, The Mormon Puzzle. From this book and that video, it is obvious he has had in-depth exposure to Mormonism from Latter-day Saints, former Latter-day Saints, and to those who minister among and witness to Latter-day Saints.

The LDS church proselytizes over 300,000 people each year from Christian denominations. No reasonable person would say Christians have no right to inform people about Mormon beliefs beyond what a missionary might teach a prospective convert. Christians should have an equal opportunity to witness, in turn, to Mormons, without being accused of attacking Mormonism.

Mormons should take up the challenge in this book to compare their faith to what the Bible teaches and offer responses to Robert's capable arguments for Christianity.

This is a balanced, well-documented comparison between LDS doctrine and evangelical Christianity. It offers an evangelical critique of LDS history and beliefs. Mormons may find many of their assumptions about their history, scripture, and theology strongly challenged. Other readers will find it a helpful tool for talking with their LDS friends.

I encourage all people of the Morman faith, especially those who are young in the faith, to research what has not been revealed to you. You will find that Joseph Smith took many liberties with the text of the KJV Bible. As I found out in the latter part of my Morman journey, this religion is not a christian one. Jesus is not the savior of the Morman faith. Heaven is a planet...God has a wife (Heavanly Mother) who mated w/ God to create celestial beings...the Morman faith has undertook the task of baptising of every living person recorded(within or outside the faith) using stand ins. Joseph Smith, the founder of the religion suffered from alcoholism, was an adulter, and went to jail several times. He named himself the prophet, and appointed 12 disiples,(mirroring Christ)a practice that remains today with Gordan B. Hinckly heading the church. By todays standard, this religion (the world's richest and fastest growing) would no doubt be labled a cult."Do not add or take away from this book, for whosoever shall do so, his name shall be stricken from the book of life." -Revelations Take heed and find out what your church has not revealed to you.

Mormonism Unmasked is a very interesting, thought-provoking, and well-referenced book.

But it's always the same: True Christians who believe in Jesus read every argument there is out there. However, TBM Mormons absolutely refuse to read anything that will test their testimony.

Two things never cease to amaze me about Mormons:
1. How VERY FEW Mormons are educated in the history and doctrines of their own religion, and
2. How so many Mormons turn away from any evidence that tap their fears and deep down knowledge that the Mormon church is not true.

Most Mormons refuse to hear any evidence or arguments against their religion because deep down they know there religion isn't true and that scares them. If that wasn't the case they wouldn't refuse to read these books - but they do refuse, becaue they are afraid. And who can blame them? Leaving the Mormon church makes all your loved ones believe that you are lost, a sinner, an apostate.

And back to no. 1 about how few Mormons are educated in their own religion. Ask any Mormon why Joseph Smith used to translate the Book of Mormon by putting "seer stones" into a hat and putting the hat over his face, and most Mormons will yell "That isn't true!" Again, who can blame them? They are not raised with the truth AND they are taught to not read anything that isn't appoved by the Mormon church.

And for you Mormons out there who believe that polygamy was officially ended over 100 years ago, read the Doctrine and the Covenants, and ask some WHO KNOWS about the church's postion on polygamy in the afterlife. Polygamy in the Mormon church isn't over, it's just on hiatus. Brigham Young taught that to do away with polygamy is to do away with the Mormon church altogether. (And for all you Mormons yelling "That is not true!", read the Journal of Discourses - which of course you will also refuse to do.)

This book can be for those who sometimes research or dabble in the different "religions" at times. It can also be for readers interested in learning more about Mormonism. In recent years I've been interested in the origin, history, and current issues with the "Church of Latter-Day Saints." Part of this curiosity is because the Mormon church has significantly increased its membership (power) around the world since the 1960s, and also because a potential future Presidential contender Mitt Romney, is a Mormon. He's a a real, full-on, Mormon.

"Mormonism Unmasked" is a mature and focused book that relies mainly on the facts that differentiates Mormonism from Christianity. Joseph Smith did plagiarize certain parts of the Christian Bible (e.g., Corinthians) in his "Book of Mormon." The information contained in "Mormonism Unmasked" has been corroborated as historical fact. The book's point IMO, is to reveal the distinct differences between Mormonism and Christianity. (Mormons do claim to be Christian, although this is highly debatable.) As one who reads about the various religions, I believe Mormons are not Christians at all, under any circumstances.

Authors R. Phillip Roberts and Phillip Roberts (to note again) focus on historical histories and documented facts. Leaders of the Mormon Church have edited, erased, and re-written large portions of Joseph Smith's life, and the writings in the "Book of Mormon." As the authors point out, Mormons often refuse to discuss many *factual* elements and tenets of the actual Church of Latter-Day Saints.

Polygamy was only banned by the Mormon Hierarchy because of embarrassment over the negative perceptions of polygamy by non-Mormons and the Mormons' attempt to enter Utah into the Union.

The church of LADS is promoting a world-wide public relations campaign to increase its membership, which obviously translates into an increasing in church power via more members, more donations, more tithing, more temples, and more political influence.

Beware.

Who actually wrote the "Book of Mormon?" The book was most likely written by a man named Solomon. He wrote a novel about Ancient civilizations and the Native American mounds in the present state of Missouri. He died before he could pay a publishing company the start-up money to begin publishing his book. This made already-written but not published book, readily available for Joseph Smith, and his colleagues to take it, add to it, and call it their own.

In addition to the rampant plagiarism, there is and non-sensical and outright historically false information littered throughout the "Book of Mormon.