The
authors have written this book “to demystify Mitt Romney's religion
and address the major concerns – raised by both liberals and
conservatives – about Mormonism. [They] aim to make the weird
familiar.” (12) They should know. They were raised Mormon and are
sociologists who study Mormonism. Both went on missions, married
Mormon women in the temple and participated in the secret rites. But
now both men no longer believe the truth claims of the LDS. But they
don't want the Mormons misrepresented either.
“Polls
show Americans generally have negative views towards Mormons. Among
religious groups, only atheists and Muslims are less popular.” (12)
They think calling Mormons cultists is dumb. They say that most
Christian scholars who study Christianity accept Mormons as
Christians. They attack those who say Mormonism is not Christians,
calling them “religious bigots.” (31) “Unless you've got a
theological axe to grind, Mormons are Christians.” (31)
They
review the ceremonies, including endowment. “As with baptism, no
one can enjoy true salvation without receiving endowment.” (54)
They write about the underwear but note that other religions require
specific clothing. They review the church's racist past and write
that the church is working feverishly to expunge that past. They
note other shifts in Mormon belief, at least as it is publicly
stated. “These days, many church authorities prefer to say that
exalted Mormons will become 'like God' rather than baldly proclaiming
that they will be gods. This shift is designed to deflect the
criticism of outspoken opponents of Mormonism...” (83)
Jesus
and Satan are brothers, spirit children of Heavenly Father and
Heavenly Mother. Actually, the Mormons teach that every person that
has ever lived on earth is also a spirit child of Heavenly Father and
therefore siblings of Jesus and Satan. (89)
There
are a few things I learned from this book (as I have studied Mormon
belief). Mitt's great-grandfather was a polygamist. His ancestors
fled to Mexico in the late 1800s to avoid arrest under the laws
prohibiting polygamy. Mitt's father was born in Colonia Dublan in
Chihuahua, Mexico, an expatriate polygamist outpost.
I
disagree with the authors' defending Mormonism as Christian. From
what I have read about the history and beliefs of the LDS, I would
not classify them as Christian. The authors write, “...[A]ccording
to LDS theology, no person can achieve complete salvation without
being married in the temple.” (51) That is not orthodox Christian
belief. Elsewhere they note that Mormons are technically
henotheists, recognizing many gods but worshiping only one. (82)
That is definitely not Christian belief.
This
book is a reasonable introduction to Mormon belief for those who know
relatively little about them. Just be mindful that these authors
evaluate Christians believing in Noah and his ark to be on the same
level as Mormons believing God lives on planet Kolob.
Could
the authors vote for a Mormon? You'll just have to read the book to
find out.
Ryan
Cragun is an Assistant Ptofessor of Sociology at the University of
Tampa. His research interests include Mormonism and the
nonreligious. His research has been published in numerous journals
and featured in numerous local and national newspapers. He is a past
president of the Mormon Social Science Association.
Rick
Phillips is an Assosiate Professor of Sociology at the University of
North Florida. He is the author of one book and has had articles
published in several journals. He is a former president of the
Mormon Social Science Association, a scholarly association of social
scientists interested in the study of Mormonism.
Strange
Violin Editions, 134 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of this review.
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