Customer Reviews

Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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This excellent book has several things going for it. First, it's brief and small in size, making it an easy read to carry around and read in bits when you have a few spare minutes to kill (it's also very inexpensive). Second, despite its brevity, it is pretty darn comprehensive in scope, covering history, doctrine, practical application and culture, and not afraid to address controversial or ambiguous issues. Third, it's published by a respected, neutral publisher (Oxford University Press) and written by a prestigious academic historian who happens to specialize in 18th and 19th century America and happens to be a solid Mormon who has served in leadership positions. Lastly, it has an excellent but mercifully brief list of sources of further reading that is subdivided by topic (these are all academic titles rather than inspirational or apologetic ones). Professor Bushman manages to show how all the history and doctrine of the church makes someone's Mormon neighbors the people they are, and that seen in the light of objective history and a sympathetic hearing of the church's beliefs, the sensational elements of Mormonism in the media don't seem that weird after all.

Richard Bushman's Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction is the best work on Mormonism that could come out at this time. It is by the right author and published by the right press. It is the best work because it defines simply but elegantly the essential nature of Mormonism and addresses in a timely way the main issues about Mormonism currently in the public sphere. With his impeccable and highly honored credentials in the scholarly world, his profound historical and doctrinal knowledge, and his exceptional communication skills, Richard Bushman is exactly the right person to have written this book. I would venture that in time his Mormonism will receive his largest audience ever. The distinguished Oxford University Press assures widespread exposure to Bushman's book by placing it in its Very Short Introductions series. This is the same press that has given us Terryl Givens' highly acclaimed books, The Viper on the Hearth, By the Hand of Mormon, and People of Paradox and is bringing out Givens' commentary on the Book of Mormon and his edited collection of essays, with Reid Neilson, on Joseph Smith, Jr.

Bushman introduces his work by asking, "What sets Mormons apart?" He answers that succinctly by an exposition on the doctrines, persons, and history of the Restoration. In his subsequent six chapters, Bushman gracefully and knowledgeably tells 1) how Joseph Smith's revelations set the pattern for every Mormon to seek inspiration, 2) how the organization of the City of Zion constituted Mormons as a people as well as a church, 3) how the Mormon priesthood is both hierarchical and democratic, 4) how Mormons understand the meaning of life, 5) how old ideals and new struggles formed Mormon identity, and 6) how Mormons left their homeland and fought to retain their distinctiveness. A dozen illustrations add interest and impact to the book.

Mormonism is considered to be an American religion, the first major religion born on the new continent, and the first to incorporate the elements of the life on the new continent in its fabric of beliefs and practices. Ever since its inception in the early nineteenth century it has fascinated, and often repelled, the outsiders, and drown new converts. Its continuing growth in the times when religious missionary movements are supposed to be in a decline is interesting in its own right. Mormon missionaries are known by their youth, and clean-cut appearance and lifestyle that avoids the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea. Its precisely this lifestyle, coupled with the strong emphasis on family life, that brings many outsiders to convert to this religion, and it creates a respect even from those who are opposed to Mormonism on religious or ideological grounds.

Richard Lyman Bushman's thin introduction to Mormonism is a useful and very interesting introduction to this faith. It covers all the major points about Mormonism that make it fascinating and unique: their history that begin with the revelation of the Book of Mormon to Joseph Smith, the settling and building of a religious society in Utah, their idiosyncratic beliefs that diverge from the orthodox Christianity on many key points, and their practices, many of which like polygamy, have in the past been highly controversial and had made Mormons suspicious to the outsiders. The book also covers the present state of affairs and a few minor offshoots that have sprung out from the main Mormon Church (LDS).

Overall, this is a well-written book that could almost be considered a page-turner. If you are interested in finding more about Mormonism, this is an excellent first introduction to the subject and a useful reference for further study.

To summarize a philosophy that encompasses all creation requires an adept observer. As a lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I say that this book is a superior treatment of the religion because of what it leaves out--by keeping his treatment brief and to the point, Dr. Bushman manages to squarely address what makes Mormonism uniquely valuable. I suspect Dr. Bushman was influenced by Terryl Givens' recent work, People of Paradox. He returns often to the paradoxical aspects of Mormonism not the least of which is the central tenet that true freedom comes from strict obedience.

Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies. It stands to reason that His followers continue to astound the world by demonstrating the absolute truth and functionality of seemingly paradoxical ideas. How interesting then that the most "active" Mormons are also the most highly-educated, that the Prophet to whom members defer religiously taught that his highest goal was a People who could govern themselves.

Mormons have every reason to be proud of their history, accomplishments and beliefs. Dr. Bushman's overview does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the movement.

This little book is a model of concise exposition. Bushman is a recognized expert on LDS history and an observant Mormon. His account is objective and sympathetic. Bushman covers the distinctive features of LDS life, history, theology, cosmology, ritual practice, and church organization. He shows very nicely how the major features of the LDS church emerge directly from Joseph Smith's original revelations. He is very good as well on the history of the LDS, particularly the background of Smith's original revelations in the context of the second Great Awakening, the concurrent millennarism of early 19th century America, and other influences such as utopianism and Freemasonry. The descriptions of the fascinating and optimistic LDS theology-cosmology are particularly good and go a long way towards explaining the attractions of the LDS faith. Ultimately, Bushman shows the LDS church to rest on a impressively integrated world-view and communal experience that is undoubtedly rewarding for many of its adherents. There is an excellent bibliography for further reading.

In my view, Richard Bushman's introductory treatise, which purports to "introduce" Mormonism to the new reader, actually is a valuable work for Mormons and non-Mormons alike, but is somewhat understated as an introduction. Instead, the work takes on the difficult task of encapsulating into relatively few pages Bushman's own impressions of Mormonism following his more intricate scholarly works on Mormon studies. The work is balanced but appears to have a more comfortable style than the labored and scholarly "Rough Stone Rolling," a work devoted solely to Joseph Smith's biography.

I should note that one of Bushman's recommended readings at the end of the little treatise is Fawn Brodie's "No Man Knows My History," a book that even Bushman admits attempts to diminish Joseph Smith as a mere imposter with a vision. No serious Mormon will be swayed by that work when weighed against the totality of Joseph's contributions and testimony, but this is just like Bushman: to invite everyone to the party as a potential contributor, even if only to present an opposing view of the historical facts. In the recommended readings, Bushman makes other invitations to the party that are not "partisan" but are intended to provide a balanced view of Mormon history and theology.

This little book rises to the occasion by coming forth at a time when public interest in Mormonism is keen. The work is well-organized, largely edifying, conceptually tight, and easy to read. I give this delightful treatise a five star.

I found this to be a great little introduction to the history, theology, and culture of Mormonism. It does a great job of addressing some of the common issues surrounding mormonism but then also shows some of the richness and complexity of the issues. Bushman is a wonderful scholar and writer. I found it to be a great book, the book I would recommend people read first if curious about Mormons.

This is a wonderful introduction to Mormonism, written by one of the finest Mormon scholars alive, Richard Bushman. Bushman currently serves as Howard Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University in California, and is also professor emeritus at Columbia University. Bushman has written several other critically acclaimed books on Mormonism, but he is also a superb American historian in general (e.g. winning the Bancroft Prize for his book From Puritan to Yankee). As a non-Mormon myself, I agree with Jan Shipps' review of this book: for a very short introduction, it is surprisingly substantive and deep. A great read for a great price. Highly recommended.

This book is part of the growing Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press. The idea is to provide an opening to a subject of some importance that is as comprehensive and engaging as possible given the premise of brevity (this one is 116 pages long, exclusive of notes, suggested reading, web site references, and index). In seven chapters, Bushman---emeritus professor from Columbia University widely respected for his studies of early American history, and one of the best known Mormon historians---offers a treatment of Mormon history, beliefs, and practices. He packs a fair bit into the book's short format, turning this into an excellent introduction for Mormons and non-Mormons alike. In most chapters, he begins with a historical treatment of his topic (revelation, Zion, priesthood, cosmology) and then brings it up to present-day belief and practice. The final two chapters---on 19th-century Utah and "the Mormon world"---move quickly but sensitively through the period from the settling of Utah to the present day. Taken together, they give a picture of dedicated believers increasingly separated from mainstream American norms (and geography), but then, in the 20th century, moving back intentionally to the mainstream of American society while retaining enough non-offensive but distinctive practices to reinforce their sense of being a separate, chosen people. This is not to say that Mormons are fully accepted. As Bushman points out, admiration of the healthy, diligent, patriotic, family-centered Mormon lifestyle has not kept the Church free of criticism that its beliefs about God and Jesus Christ diverge from centuries-old Christian traditions (a criticism Mormons would accept, while doggedly affirming the centrality of Christ in their worship). At the end of the book, Bushman sums up nicely: "Mormonism is an array of doctrines, communal interaction, ritual, private worship, and spiritual history integrated into a life experience" (p. 116). It is the integration into a "life experience" that makes Mormonism so powerful for its adherents. The book is a very good summary that might begin to make Mormonism intelligible to non-Mormons, while also being fully recognizable to Mormons as their story.

The first impression I had reading the book was that, although the author (described as "the nation's chief defender and explainer of Mormonism") tries his best to write with a facade of objective scholarship, he is actually feeding the reader with cultish propaganda.
This was proved true by the fact that the explanation of the cruellest doctrines, which were staples of the LDS church from the beginning, are omitted, although there is a lot of Mormon literature that demonstrate their existence.
Professor Bushman writes on page 111:

"Despites this success, the church confronted a barrier of its own making: its historical exclusion of black males from the priesthood. The origins of this doctrine are not altogether clear".

Contrary to Professor Bushman, Mormon prophet Joseph Fielding Smith thought that the origins of this doctrine are very clear. In his book "The Way to Perfection", on page 101, he wrote:

"Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he became the father of an inferior race. A curse was placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures. Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with a black skin and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel"

On page 91, Professor Bushman states that today's Mormons think of nineteenth-century plural marriage (one of the most important LDS doctrine almost since the beginning) as a test of devotion, one they might not pass themselves.
This is a weird statement considering that he wrote (on page 89) that the church renounced plural marriage in 1890 as a necessary condition for Utah to achieve statehood, and the 1890 manifesto did not repudiate polygamy as a principle.
The argument on page 91 is inconsistent since the best hope for every Mormon man, according to their literature, is to become a polygamous god after the resurrection (Mormon Doctrine by Bruce MacConkie, page 578).
It is therefore surprising that the author, a devout Mormon, has failed to point out this "celestial hope".