Mormon Missionaries: An Inside Look at Their Real Message (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Come quick! a student yelled, bursting through the door of the empty classroom where I was correcting papers..." (more)
Key Phrases: premortal world, sonship status, peep stones, Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, Elder Black (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A presentation of the various techniques and strategies used by Mormon missionaries. Based on the author's firsthand experience in Mormonism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (January 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825428866
• ISBN-13: 978-0825428869
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,044,790 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FOOTNOTES ALONE WORTH THE PRICE OF THE BOOK, September 22, 2000

By A Customer

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.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction for a "Mormon Investigator", January 31, 1999

By A Customer

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

18 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insight and revelations about Mormonism , January 21, 2005

By	C. R. Foulkes (Tennessee) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.