Customer Reviews

One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I have been an active, (temple recommended holding) Mormon for over forty years. I have also studied Mormon history quite extensively. I find this book to be mostly accurate albeit a little subjective and biased at times.

Most Mormons have a very limited understanding of their own church's history. The LDS church goes to great lengths to suppress any history of their religion that is not "faith promoting" and have even "changed" history to make it less troubling. They discourage members from reading material they deem inappropriate. Because of these policies most church members are taught a very simplified, sanitized and inaccurate version of history. Then when they read a book such as this that exposes some of what really happened, they lash out by exclaiming they are "lies" and "anti-Mormon" propaganda and they give the book a poor rating. If you look at the one star ratings of this book, you will notice that they are almost all by Mormons who feel the history of their church has been wrongly depicted.

One of the other things you will notice from Mormons who are upset about what is written is that they will never say exactly WHAT is inaccurate. They will never be specific. Whenever I ask an active LDS to be specific about the "lies," they will usually just say "everything." Others will admit that they never really read the book, but they "heard" it was anti-Mormon propaganda.

This type of angry terse response is understandable, however, considering the indoctrinization that they have gone through. Having a belief system challenged is very unsettling. Many Mormons, however, have learned and accepted some of the "shady" history of the Mormon church and are still active, believing members - with a somewhat different perspective.

As a member of the LDS church who studies history, there is one thing that is very apparent, however. The history depicted by the LDS church has been so sanitized, suppressed, and changed, that is it is about 70% fiction. There is no way to get an accurate historical picture from LDS sources. That is why it is so ridiculous to state that the only accurate information is from the LDS church itself. In truth, that is about as far away as you can get.

On the other hand, "anti-Mormon" sources are very biased as well. So the trick is to find as "neutral and objective" sources as possible. That is why my research usually involves tracking down original documents and sources that have not gone through the "LDS purification" process and to find sources from observers who were neither friend nor foe of the LDS religion.

One Nation Under Gods utilizes sources that, in my estimation, are mostly objective and accurate (yes, there are some that are not). This is much better than what would be obtained from an LDS source. A perfect history is an impossibility. But Abanes does a pretty good job with this book.

I received this book through a friend. I am a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yes, a Mormon. I was raised in the church and believe it is the Restored Truth of the Gospel. I read this One Nation Under Gods and it does tell accurately what we believe. But as I read through it, it seemed like I was reading these beliefes for the first time. In context of history, I started understanding why we believe the way we do. That was good.

But I also am now faced with some things about my church that I confess, I do not understand how it can be true. But I looked up some of the things Mr. Abanes talks about, and I found his references to be completely accurate. Again, I don't understand how this could be.

Everything is changing and Mr. Abanes' book has opened my eyes to, I suppose, truth. However, this is not pleasant. His explanation on polygamy, Utah life in the 19th century, and how our prophets have been leading us is disturbing. But the documents and quotes are there, which show what has been going on. This book has changed me, my thoughts, and I think, it might change my life. I need to read more. For now, this book seems like a good history, although not a pleasing one to have to read.

I am a Mormon, but I don't think I will be one for very long. I have been doing my own research into the history of the LDS church for several years now, and can assure readers that everything Abanes says in this volume is true. I have personally looked through many of the documents he used, although certainly not all of them by any means, and he accurately represents their contents.

And despite my own investigation, which has been very deep, Abanes was still able to furnish several bits of data I never knew-- those missing pieces I could not find on my own.

My heart is heavy, but my mind and soul have been enlightened. It's time to move on, and I encourage other Latter-day Saints to do the same thing. Abanes' book is a great place to start learning the truth. It contains no sarcasm, no anti-Mormon comments, no nasty tone so often present in books about the church. The tone is respectful, fair, and true.

I quote one of my favorite shows: "The truth is out there."

As I've read through the reviews of this book several things have stood out. First, people either love it or hate it. Unfortunately, their opinion of the book seems, with a few exceptions, to be more in line with their world view than the merits of the book.

Depending on the reviewer's personal history the book is either labeled as biased or unbiased. The truth is that the book is biased. But, that means nothing. Every piece of literature is biased because of either its agenda or the author's world view. There is both a clear agenda and world view in this book. If there had not been an agenda there would be no purpose for the book. Abanes is cleary trying to uncover what he perceives to be a previously supressed history of the LDS Church. In doing this he also makes no attempt to hide his Evangelical Christian world view. Since all historians and journalists are biased to one degree or another and since a bias does not preclude truth the question then becomes...Is this book fair, honest and true? I submit that it is. There are times when Abanes editorializes and when there are undocumented statements, but never is the tone condecending nor can the book be considered as anything less than meticulously documented (1791 endnotes covering 141 pages). Abanes is a journalist not a historian and as such the book sometimes lacks depth. Since the text already is 467 pages it is appropriate. Further, he makes no claim that ONE NATION UNDER GODS is exhaustive and often refers the reader to sources of additional information. The journalistic style makes the book a good easy read and easily accessable to both the highly educated and the lesser educated. It does indeed read as a novel.

One, often cited criticism is that there is nothing new in ONE NATION UNDER GODS. Again this is both true and untrue. Abanes does heavily rely on previous research, which is appropriate for this journalistic document. But, he does not site just secondary documents. Many sitations are given for primary sources most of which come from LDS scriptures, documents and archives. What is new about this book is not the research but the presentation. The book is an excellent, concise and thorough overview of LDS history, which includes simple explainations of LDS theology and how that varies from orthodox Christian theology.

In short ONE NATION UNDER GODS is an excellent book. But, just a starting point. It is an overview. If indepth study is wanted the Recommended Resources and 1791 endnotes will provide plenty to dig your teeth into.

Most Christians in America are at least remotely familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Their missionaries (usually friendly, well-groomed young men and women traveling in pairs) are a common sight in many places. Most would believe them to be Christians who held some quirky beliefs concerning Joseph Smith. Those more attuned to apologetics would be able to pinpoint specific doctrinal aberrations taking the Mormons far outside the accepted boundaries of the Christian faith. Yet even they would likely classify them alongside other heretical groups following the idiosyncrasies of a charismatic leader and thus miss historical currents in Mormonism giving them a unique place in American religious history.

Richard Abanes meticulously sifts through the facts surrounding the early history of Joseph Smith and his followers in One Nation Under Gods and presents perhaps the most complete treatment of Mormon origins yet published. The result is understandably controversial as the official mythology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is shown to be built upon fantasy, deception, paranoia, and violence. Given the respectable image presented by contemporary Mormonism, the untidy events of the past are quite shocking, but Abanes backs up his claims with extensive documentation.

The book is divided into four sections detailing the period leading up to John Smith's "revelations", the development of the Church as a separatist movement in various states and the reaction against them, the institution of a Mormon theocracy in the Utah territory, and the mainstreaming of Mormon beliefs beginning with Utah's statehood. Abanes paints a picture of a struggling Smith family resorting to various scams to get by -including the occultism popular in his home area of upstate New York - and how Smith imported this into what would be the Mormon religion. Evidence is given for the Mormon Church's revising their history to substantiate early dates for later doctrinal developments and in so doing demonstrating the unlikelihood of Joseph Smith ever receiving a revelation from anywhere apart from his own vivid imagination.

The early years of the Mormons in New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois demonstrate a pattern: the Mormons arrive at a settlement, they attempt to dominate through numbers and institute a Mormon theocracy, they become hostile towards their neighbors after gaining control, and a reaction by non-Mormons leading to violent conflict and a resettlement elsewhere. The evidence is quite compelling that Mormon leadership engaged in illegal and unethical practices (including bank fraud and acts of violence against their non-Mormon neighbors) even in communities where they had been initially welcomed. Thus they came to be viewed as a criminal, violent sect who thought nothing of murdering local officials and this eventually led both to their being removed under threat of force and to Joseph Smith's arrest and death at the hands of an angry mob.

An important insight by Abanes is the Mormon belief in an imminent fulfillment of their eschatological vision. They were certain the second coming of Christ was imminent and expected all earthly authority to be handed to them. Such a belief places them as one of many restorationist churches rising to prominence in the period. All such movements wove novel beliefs and historical ignorance in a strange blend to cast themselves as the "one true church" restored. In this framework, their later doctrinal shifts become far more understandable. When the prophecies of such movements did not materialize, new interpretations - and novel doctrines to follow from their consequences - were introduced to explain away the apparent failure.

The death of Joseph Smith and subsequent relocation to the Utah territory under Brigham Young gave the Mormons an opportunity to create their ideal society. Geographically isolated from the rest of the nation, Young and other Mormon leaders quickly installed a Mormon theocracy and began a reign of terror. The elimination of any possible dissenters enforced a cultic mentality and widespread distrust of outsiders. With eschatological expectations at a fever pitch, the United States government became a symbol of evil (a far cry from their current patriotic beliefs) to be replaced by Mormon rule. Revelations of their polygamy and other forms of sexual immorality, their use of violence against non-Mormons and Mormon dissenters, and the seemingly treasonous comments of Young and other Mormon leaders led to an inevitable crackdown by federal troops. The Mormon theocracy was over and the threat of the church dissolving was real.

It is in his treatment of Mormon decision to enter mainstream American life that Abanes fails. Although his historical facts are in order, his interpretation of them relies upon questionable conspiratorial assumptions. Raising the issue of current Mormon intransigence in dealing with the historical data, he interprets it as a sign of sinister motives. However, it seems far more likely to be indecision and confusion as they must face history without alienating the faithful. The initial Mormon change of heart to fit better with mainstream America might, as Abanes claims, have been somewhat duplicitous, but if so it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Today, the Mormon populace has fully embraced mainstream American ideals if not mainstream American religion. The current sensitivity to outside attacks Abanes cites as a sign of cultic tendencies are just as prevalent within his own Evangelical tradition as in Mormonism and are a common reaction of a cultural minority to criticism from the larger society.

These objections aside, the exhaustive and fruitful research Abanes has put forth in One Nation Under Gods is a landmark in the study of this unique and fascinating American religion. Any future study of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will have this book as its starting point. Were it not for the heavy handed Evangelical bias in the latter chapters, the work might be the final word on Mormonism. Even with these faults, it must still be highly recommended.

I was raised Mormon, served a faithful mission (was AP), an Elder's Quorum president, and temple worker. Along the way, I always heeded Mormon leaders' advice to avoid books that purport to "tell the truth about the Mormons."

I would advise ANY Mormon who respects his/her ability to think for himself to order this book, and have it shipped overnight.

I left the Mormon Church about 10 years ago because (despite having often taught Gospel Doctrine in Sunday school) I found myself unable to honestly connect the dots of Mormon theology--I realized that I was involved in a religion based on emotion and family tradition; not on having genuinely INVESTIGATED IT from many angles (i.e., Mormon and Non) for myself. I had followed the recommended Mormon path: only investigating it based on the Church's approved publications.

Finally, I picked up Richard Abane's fascinating and painstakingly documented book. Reading it connected the dots of the religion for me, and confirmed that my choice to leave the LDS religion was right for me. I challenge all Mormons and interested parties to read it, and tell me how people can continue to throw so much support behind a group of powerful men in Salt Lake City who continually excommunicate their own members for simply telling the truth about the Church's history and theology.

This book clearly reveals that while there are many good aspects about the LDS Church, it is not consistent in its theology or application--it is only consistent in its continual deciet of its own members.

I write this as a member of the LDS Church (although inactive). I started reading this book after reading Under the Banner of Heaven (another very good book, which sparked my interest in Mormon history). I have to say that what I have been reading is not what I have been taught growing up in the church (Born and raised LDS). I truly knew nothing before actually going outside only uplifting material the Church promotes, to some of the ugliness in past Church history. (Different variations of the First Vision, Seer Stones, Mtn. Meadow Massacre, Polygamy ect. ect.) For all those that feel this was Mormon bashing I suggest you actually read the book and the references before you judge. Nothing in this book is made up, so how can it be bashing? For those of you that feel this is bashing, your basically saying your church history is bashing your church. To me that's a big red flag!

I was an active, temple worthy Mormon Elder who was steeped in church history and doctrine...yet I must confess this is the single best scholarly, non-biased work I've encountered to date on the fascinating history of the often misunderstood Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons).

Author Richard Abanes provides extensive documentation and footnotes to persuasively show the most devout Mormon among us that there's much more than meets the eye in this fast growing church with it's Osmond image yet bizarre and cultish temple rituals, et al.

The author corrobates everything, quite literally, with footnotes and even reproductions of original documents. An incredibly well-researched work, to say the least.

The book truly reads like a fast-paced novel. I couldn't put it down.

Lastly, as a Mormon Elder (before I requested that my name be removed from their membership records) I had extensive discussions with many, many life-long, devout and active Mormons (Bishops and Stake Presidents) steeped in Mormon history...and they reluctantly corroborated many, many of the unflattering accounts you'll find in this book.

In short, if you want the WHOLE story of Joseph Smith and the history of the Mormon church in one volume, this is the book for you!

This is one of the most complete books I have ever read on Mormonism. I would rank it up there with NO MAN KNOWS MY HISTORY and Sandra Tanner's MORMONISM: SHADOW OR REALITY? The book is well written and Richard Abanes has done his homework. The book is well documented from footnotes, endnotes, and pictures of historical documents.

To be sure, Abanes is no friend to the Mormon Church. If Mormons were like fundamentalist Muslims, Abanes would be dead for his book. The book exposes much of the LDS history that few would like for us to see. From the Mountains Meadow Massacre to Joseph Smith's personal problems (such as his lust for sex and money) to issues with Brigham Young. Mormons have a history that they would love to bury in the sands of time but Abanes has preserved it for us.

For Christians, this book will help you learn more about the LDS faith and teachings. While Abanes is not writing a defense of Christianity (1 Peter 3:15-16), he does do a good job of showing the differences between the two faiths. For those who somehow believe that Mormons are brethren in Christ, read this book and you will see that the divide is still quite wide (Gal. 5:1-4).

Tell the truth for once!
Most people who one-starred this book are mormons! I am a former Mormon. With that in mind, read on ...

Abanes pulls no punches and holds no cow sacred in tearing aside the veil from Mormon history and getting to the truth. This book is thoroughly researched and annotated. It uses many solid historical sources to obtain a full picture of the events described. It tells a gripping tale of how a young man (Joseph Smith) created what is now one of the most controversial relious groups in the world today.

Official Mormon publications seek to cover up many of the historical facts found in this book, resorting to distortions of what is said in the book and attacks on the character of the author to cast doubt on the accuracy of what is written. It's too bad that when the official version of events the Mormon church prefers to tell gets challenged, they go into full spin mode and try to discredit the work.

This book is great for those who are interested in learning about Mormonism because they have some sort of tie to Mormonism, but if you are not a Mormon, and you are trying to understand Mormons, this is not the book for you, as it does not adequately explain what the Mormon mindset and historical belief is. This book is exhaustive in its own way, but would have far more impact if it better explained "accepted" Mormon thought alongside the truth.