The God Makers: A Shocking Expose of What the Mormon Church Really Believes [Paperback]

Ed Decker (Author), Dave Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1997

"This book is dynamite! The most powerful thing I've read on the subject. Get your Mormon friends to read it."
                                                                 --Dr. John MacArthur
                                                                     Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, CA

Mormons claim to follow the same God and the same Jesus as Christians. They also state that their gospel comes from the Bible. But are they telling the truth? The God Makers, one of the most powerful books to penetrate the veil of secrecy surrounding the rituals and doctrines of the Mormon Church, reveals the inner workings and beliefs of Mormonism. Through personal interviews and well-documented evidence, you'll discover the true nature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its hidden worldwide agenda.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ed Decker is the founder and International Director of Saints Alive in Jesus, a countercults ministry.  He is known for his bestsellers The God Makers, The God Makers II, and What You Need to Know About Masons.

Dave Hunt is an internationally known author and lecturer. He has authored over 30 books with combined sales of more than 4 million copies. Among his bestselling titles are A Cup of Trembling, Global Peace and the Rise of the Antichrist, The Seduction of Christianity, and The God Makers. His monthly newsletter, The Berean Call, has a readership of more than 200,000 people.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Rev Upd Su edition (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565077172
• ISBN-13: 978-1565077171
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (229 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Mormonism

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

285 of 362 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately this book is true March 29, 2006

By Anna L.

Format:Paperback

It took a very long time for me to read this book. And I mean years. I spent all my youth turning a blind eye to anything anyone said about the Mormon church that made me uncomfortable. It is very true when they say "ignorance is bliss." Also anyone who is raised in any religion is brain-washed to believe what they are taught. But I found myself always not knowing what I was talking about. Would you believe that though I was raised a Mormon I never knew that Joseph Smith was a polygamist and his wife Emma was unaware of some of his marriages and that he married women who already had husbands? (So much for the teaching that Brigham Young only taught polygamy because there was a shortage of husbands.) I also didn't know that Brigham Young strongly taught that Adam was God, and that God lived on a planet called Kolab, and that God came down in the form of a man and had physical relations with Mary to conceive Jesus. I didn't know a thing about blacks being denied the priesthood until 1978, and I could go on and on and on and on. I only started to research these things (against the strong advice of my bishop) because I wanted to be able to "debate" about the truthfulness of my religion to non-members.

Discovery the truth of my religion was a horrible experience for me. I can not express enough how hard it is for a Mormon to leave the religion. Mormonism isn't just a religion. It's your identity and your whole life. It is very important to be understanding to Mormons because leaving Mormonism is no different than leaving your whole life and everyone that loves you. It's a horrible awakening to see the truths of the Mormon church.

Also anyone who goes through the secret rituals of the temple can tell you it's a very shocking experience, whether you believe in it or not.... In the temple among many things, I had to promise secrecy with a bloody oath. I drew my thumb across my throat as if my throat was being slit, and I drew my thumb over my abdomen indicating that my bowels would be cut out. I also was angry to learn that someday when I married, my husband would be my way to the Celestial kingdom. In the 80's at BYU we were taught that a woman could only go as high as her husband. (I don't know whether this is still taught or not because many doctrines are changing.)

The final breaking point came for me when I was on my mission in Argentina and I watched at least a few hundred ignorant people who knew nothing about the religion getting baptized. It was honestly like a joke. And I can't count how many children were baptized without their parents even knowing. We missionaries only had permission to take them to church! But the pressure to baptize people is so strong. It's all about numbers. (I myself never baptized because I'm a woman.)

As a former mormon I can tell you first hand how very imbedded the Mormon beliefs are in Mormons. There is no doubt in their mind that their religion is the "one and only true religion." I believe though that someday the Mormon church will be widely known for what it is and that Joseph Smith will be exposed for being a con man. In the meantime, all books and websites written should be done so kindly. Most Mormons are innocent and mormonism is not their fault. Read more ›

440 of 563 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for Everyone December 1, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Being a Mormon for 27 years; I can tell you it is not easy for a Mormon to find out the fallacies of their religion. The Mormon people need to realize it is not the writings of people like Ed Drecker, but their so called prophets that continally contradict the bible and their own teachings.

I do not agree with many of these reviews that claim the book is full of lies--quite the contrary. However, I would not recommend anyone suggest this book to a "True Believing Mormon." True believers tend to be very narrow minded (take it from me I was one; and so are many in my hometown of Rexburg, Idaho, which is an extremely large population of Mormons). This is why I recommend a more loving approach to these true believers. "Mormonism, Mama, and Me" is a book that exposes the corruption in the foundation of the church in a much more loving approach for the "true believer." I was only able to read The God Makers after I had completely left the church--which was a long process and not something that happened over night.

This book is abbrasive; but after many years of research, I belive the truth can withstand scrutiny (it took me many years to come to this realization). Read this book for yourself if you so desire; I did enjoy it. But as I stated earlier do not use this book to witness to true believing Mormons; it is too abbrasive for people who have devoted their lives to not just a religion, but a lifestyle. I pray everyday for Mormons to open their minds and hearts so they may too see the lies in the foundation of the organization they belong to.

God Bless.

34 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Deeper You Look Into Mormonism, The Darker It Becomes March 23, 2012

By Jane

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a Christian woman who has a good grasp of what Mormons believe. I have made it my business to know, because I have worked for two people who are Mormon for over a dozen years, and I care about them very much. This is the third book I have read on Mormonism, and I didn't think I could be any further shocked by the occultic practices of this religion. I was wrong. After reading a couple of other books that described the bizarre Temple rituals Mormons go through, hoping to progress to some sort of "Godhood", I wondered, where on earth does this come from? Why would anyone go through this nonsense? The God Makers will explain it to you. Masonry is where it came from. Joseph Smith, the charlatan who came up with Mormonism, was a mason. He merely stole their ideas and practices and incorporated them into this false religion. Throw in some plagerized bible verses, mis-state other scripture, make up the rest, and there you have it. What I cannot fathom is how many millions of people have fallen for this lie.

This book pulls no punches. I'm sure Mormons will call it rubbish. These poor people. Taught to believe whatever they are told, they are plainly warned never to take the time to look into the mountains of evidence against its claims.

I am making it a priority in my life to pray for the deliverance of all Mormons from the false and misleading doctrine taught to them. For anyone who reads this book and is heartbroken over those caught in the web of Mormonism, I invite you to join me.

36 of 51 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars A former Mormon who thinks this book is RUBBISH February 10, 2012

By Melby

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was with the Mormon church from 18 until I was about 28. I had heard about this book, but it is only now, 10 years after I left the Church, that I thought about reading it. I am about a quarter of the way through, and I can tell you, it is laughable. I have no grudge against the church, and my decision to leave was my own. I had none of the horrible experiences that this book describes when I left, nor did any of the small number of people that I knew that also left during the years I was in the church. This book is nothing other than sensationalism and a temper tantrum by people who hold a grudge.

During my time as a Mormon, especially when I served a mission, I was always extremely puzzled at why anybody would feel the need to tear down another's beliefs. The so called "Christians" were the worst. When I hear the word Christian, I think of love and kindness and tolerance - not the hatred and vilification that leads people to write books like this, which then fill the "Christian" book stores - not only about Mormons, but Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses and countless other non-mainstream religions.

Much of what the authors write contains an element of truth, but it is masked in half-truths, quotes taken out of context, and pure untruths - whether intentional or simply by doing what many people who read this book will do - accept the exaggerated or false tales that others spin (in this case, former Mormons) without question, because they back up the viewpoint that the author wishes to portray. I took 2 random examples of references from the Bible that the authors gave to "prove" the falsehood of the religion, and looked them up in the Bible, and guess what........ the commentary that they gave was misleading - in one case, they changed the order of 2 partial verses to change the meaning to suit themselves, and in the other, the point they were trying to make was completely the opposite of what any reasonable person would interpret those verses to mean. This is so typical of this book, that their "proof" proves nothing at all.

Even though I am not associated with the Mormons anymore (apart from a handful of friends that I have kept in contact with), I have very fond memories of my time there. The Mormon way of life (and yes, it IS a culture as much as a religion, so I will give the authors 1 point there) is about helping others, leading a good healthy life and being a good, productive, hard-working person. There is NOTHING wrong with the way that they teach their members to live their lives, even if the lifestyle is not for everyone. Most people will close the door on a Mormon missionary (or JW or any other door-to-door preacher) but I can guarantee you one thing - if you know a Mormon family, who are true to their beliefs, your life will be better for it. Don't give them this book and hope to save them from the "evils" of their religion. Get to know them as people, and if you don't like their beliefs then draw a line that they need to agree not to cross - that they will not preach or try to convert you. That is a line that I have drawn with the Mormon friends I am still in touch with - and they respect it. What you will find yourself with, is friends who are kind and caring, who will reach out to help you when you need it, and who will bring a light into your life and a smile to your face. They will be examples of the Christian values of love, kindness and tolerance.

If you are determined to learn the so-called "truth" about Mormons that this book wants to portray so that you can criticise them, laugh at a Mormon you know or try to drag someone away from the Church that they are devoted to, then you will probably buy it no matter what I, or anyone else, says here. But if you have less hateful intentions, and perhaps just wanted to find out what Mormons believe as an exercise in theology, then save your money - there are plenty of other ways to learn about something that can give you an objective point of view which is based on education, not vilification. Read more ›