Product Description
Ever since its appearance in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been a contentious volume. Claimed by millions of Latter Day Saints to be a record of the ancient Israelites and their journeys in the Americas, this volume has earned its place amongst the classics of apocryphal biblical literature. Here is reprinted the original 1830 edition of this revered text, uncorrected, undoctored, and unimproved. It is an important re-source for comparison with the current "official" edition published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. At once scandalous and devotional, the Book of Mormon continues to fascinate and inspire. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

It Even Made my Cereal Taste Better...
I find it rather interesting and also telling that a great number of the one-star reviews of the Book of Mormon have been written by Christians of this-or-that denomination.As such, many of these negative reviews viciously attack Mormonism's precious tome, yet all-the-while these reviewers are espousing the virtues of the Bible; however, most of them have simply missed the point.It has been my experience that Mormons love negative publicity, for they seem to believe that somehow this proves they're right.That aside, logically and empirically speaking, neither the Book of Mormon nor the Bible can stand the test of reason, so claiming that one preposterous book is superior to another is akin to asserting that "Lord of the Rings" is superior to "Harry Potter."However, the Bible does at least have the obscuring effect of antiquity on its side, whereas the Book of Mormon is just barefaced nineteenth-century flapdoodle.From a rational perspective, how is it possible - given our current state of scientific knowledge - that modern human beings can believe in such absurdities?Although they claim otherwise, Mormonism is a massive brainwashing and propaganda machine that expects and receives uniformity of thought and belief.This point is evidenced by the homogeneous language and responses that Mormons provide either in person or on web-logs.

Even though there isn't a stitch of empirical evidence to support the notion that God exists - in spite of all the wordplay from the World's theologians - the intellectual plebeians have abandoned what reason they possess and are lining up by the thousands in order to join this church.Yet, in spite of all the religious nonsense and violence in the world, the Book of Mormon is perhaps worthy of special mention; accordingly, it is perhaps the crowning achievement of generations of religious idiocy.Like all religions, Mormonism preys on the ignorant; the downtrodden; the emotionally unstable, and the hypocrite who all appear to drink heartily from this church's overflowing Kool-Aid fountain.Yet, any critical analysis of this church's basic tenets will reveal that the Book of Mormon is nothing more than one illiterate man's fantasy; which, by the way, does not bear any resemblance to reality around him.Furthermore, it also reinforces nineteenth-century notions of racial bigotry, and it exposes Smith's lack of scientific understanding of the physical world.To this end, let's take a look at just a few of this ridiculous book's innumerable absurdities:

Alma 3:6 - And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.

Ok, let me get this straight; even though we know that skin pigmentation has everything to do with genetic inheritance, there are those among us who believe that dark-skinned people are cursed.Skin color has much more to do with sexual selection and biological factors than it does with curses.The Book of Mormon is rife with such racial bigotry.For a much better understanding of human history and geographical information, I recommend reading Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs, and Steel."If people understood the basic principles of evolution then these sorts of logical travesties would likely go the way of the Dodo Bird...

1 Nephi 25 - And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men.

Even a kindergartner will recognize that all of the above-mentioned animal species did not exist in the Americas during this time.All of these species were indigenous to the Eurasian continent and did not exist in the Americas until such time as Columbus arrived in the New World.The chicken might be the exception to this, for some scientists believe that Polynesians deposited that bird in the Americas.Oh yes, I have seen many Mormon apologists try to squirm out of this geographical reality, but they have only succeed in making themselves look foolish.Albeit, this is a position in which I suspect they must be comfortable with...

Morm. 9: 32 - And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.

Although many Mormon apologists will claim that the now-missing Golden Tablets were written in what they call reformed Egyptian, there, nevertheless, isn't a stitch of evidence to support the notion that such a language ever existed.To make the claim that God provided these Golden Tablets written in a heretofore unknown language and then took them away is akin to not making a claim at all.Plain and simple, the illiterate Joseph Smith was just making stuff up.Given this simplistic mode of thinking, then I can make up anything and ask you to believe it.Say, here's a thought: God just told me that everyone who reads this review owes me ten-thousand dollars.Pray about it and he will tell you; however, keep in mind that the Devil will try to trick you about the truth of my statement.After you've prayed, simply email me and I will provide the address where you can send your check (I am kidding, of course, for the average humanist would never be so dishonest).

Although this book is replete with innumerable examples of such blatant nonsense, a rational person can nevertheless understand some of the absurdities written in the Bible; it was written long before the Age of Enlightenment and the rise of science.To this end, the Book of Mormon satisfies the obtuse, and it surely fails to do little more than ingratiate an ignorant person's notion of race, social class, and political and religious ideology.Ergo, this book is a rather profound testament to human gullibility - one which illuminates the simple fact that if something is emotionally appealing then it is far more likely to be believed; this, in spite of the fact that the basic underlying tenets of this book are entirely and demonstrably falsifiable.So, take heed, join this church or any church, for that matter, at your own peril; all that you have to lose is your intellectual autonomy and, of course, your money...

What is the Value of this Book?
Nothing, if it is fiction or a fraud.It is conceivable that some inventive person could have written a book that reads something like the Bible, with familiar theology taught and lived in a different historical setting.On the other hand, what if the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be, a historical record of Jesus Christ's ministry to the Americas following his resurrection?The implications would be significant.It really couldn't be a mistake of some kind.The Book of Mormon is either deliberate fiction or truth.How to decide?

One could reject it out of hand as implausible.From a "modern" point of view it does seem implausible, as does much of religion from this perspective.But is someone who honestly wants to know the truth really comfortable with the circular reasoning of rejecting something because it doesn't match preconceptions?A popular guide to writing book reviews begins a key chapter with: "First, read the book."This is good advice.

What then?Should one weigh historical evidence to determine the Book or Mormon's worth?This is an honest approach and can be followed with discipline and objectivity.But before relying on it completely, consider the inconclusiveness of historical criticism of the Bible.Our knowledge of all history is underdetermined by the incomplete evidence available.There is insufficient information about the Bible--and the Book of Mormon--to determine their worth this way.Would a just God expect us to decide what to believe on this basis?Isn't there too much chance of an honest mistake and lost opportunity?

So--how?Consider a passage from The Holy Bible: King James Version:"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)For something important, it is reasonable to expect God to answer if we make our best effort to ask.The Book of Mormon closes with a similar passage:"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Moroni 10:4)Here is straightforward guidance, consistent with the New Testament.

But what about our modern perspective?Wouldn't we feel self-conscious about asking?Isn't it silly to think there is actually a God who would answer in some way we could recognize?Consider one more thing.There is a story in 2 Kings 5 about a Syrian king named Naaman who had leprosy.He was told by Elisha to wash seven times in the river Jordan and he would be healed.This seemed to him--quite understandably--to be a silly thing to do.So he didn't do it and grumbled about how silly it was.Fortunately for him, someone pointed out that he ought to try it because the effort was small and the potential benefit was great.According to the story, he was healed.

Whether or not you believe Naaman's story, its implication is useful.If you want to know if the Book of Mormon has value, first read it.Then go to the small effort of asking God to tell you whether or not to believe it.The potential value of an answer is worth the small effort or any self-consciousness.Ask by yourself, away from well-meaning social pressure from family, friends, missionaries, or anyone.Ask:What is the value of this book?

[Reviewer's Note:The Book of Mormon is available for free download from the lds org site.]

Functional but klunky on Kindle
This is a review of MacMay's version of the Book of Mormon (Kindle edition).

This appears to be the standard contemporary version of the text, but is missing the LDS chapter summaries.Also it does *not* have a table of contents and is thus difficult to navigate.For starting at the beginning and reading straight through, it will suffice.But for going to any specific book or chapter, there is no easy way to do so except for text searching.Regarding the formatting, each sentence has a title.ie, a sentence will start:

1 Nephi 2:20
20 (a single sentence)



1 Nephi 2:21
21 (a single sentence)


complete with 2 or three lines of white space between each sentence.This makes the text look awkward and interrupts the flow, but it does give the user something to search on when navigating.

Recommended only for the price; if ease-of-use and/or readability is more important to you, I suggest getting a different version.

This is a good book
I know this book and its stories.I love the history it contains. The first part of the book is the history of a people who moved from Jerusalem to the promised land about 600 BC. I love the stories of Nephi, who was an obedient servant of God, and his older brothers Laman and Lemual were wicked most of the time. Their family went on a long journey along with a few friends. The group crossed the ocean on a ship that Nephi was instructed to build by God. Then when they got to the promised land Nephi and his desendance separated themselves from Laman and Lemual and called themselves the Nephites. Those who stayed with Laman and Lemual were called the Lamanites. There were constant battles between the two groups for hundreds of years.

There are many times in the book that the Nephites turn wicked. In some cases the Lamanites become more righteous than the Nephites. Prophets are sent by God to preach to the people. In one such case a prophet named Abinadi went to a city to preach the gospel to the wicked. The wicked, then arrested the prophet and sent him to the wicked King Noah to be judged. Abinadi preached to the King of his wickedness. The king sentenced Abinadi to death, but Abinadi said"touch me not." His countenance then shone bright around him and no one dared to touch him. Then he continued to teach them the gospel. When he was done they torched him to death. But one of Noah's priests, named Alma, who herd Abinadi's preaching, repented and then taught the gospel to 100s more people. Noah later got torched by his own people as Abinadi had prophesied.This is an action packed book like the Bible. But it is a little easier to understand. There are wars, cities being wiped out, stories of the wicked repenting, and peace. There are stories of famine and contentions.There are stories of prophets prophesying. There are stories of mirricals. But best of all there are stories about Jesus appearing after his resurrection. Jesus explains in the book that when he said "Other sheep I have witch are not of this fold ," to those in Jerusalem, He actually meant his people in the promised land. He invited the people of to touch the nail prints in his hands and feet. He actually spent a few days with them teaching them, healing them and blessing them.
This is a true book. This is a good book. Read it for your self and you will know. Joseph Smith Really did translate it by the power of God. He really was a prophet of God. I know because I have felt his Holly Spirit testify it to my heart.

Always inspires and uplifts me
I always find inspiration and insight in reading the Book of Mormon.It is of tremendous value to me.The Book of Mormon, along with the Bible, helps me to know Jesus Christ, and to feel his love in my life.This book contains a unique promise, which is that after reading and pondering the Book of Mormon, you can "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."I have done this, and have received a clear and unmistakable answer that the Book of Mormon is indeed from God.I am grateful to have the Book of Mormon, along with the Bible, to inspire me and to teach me. ... Read more

Product Description
Writer, actress, and gorgeous stand up comedian: Introducing the Mormon Tina Fey

It's lonely being a Mormon in New York City. So once again, Elna Baker attends the New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance-a virgin in a room full of virgins doing the Macarena. Her Queen Bee costume, which involves a black funnel stuck to her butt for a stinger, isn't attracting the attention she'd anticipated. So once again, Elna is alone at the punch bowl, stocking up on generic Oreos, exactly where you'd expect to find a single Mormon who's also a Big Girl. But loneliness is nothing compared to what happens when she loses eighty pounds. . . . and falls in love with an atheist.

The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance is the memoir of a girl who distresses her family when she chooses NYU over BYU. A girl who's cultivating an oxymoronic identity as a bold, educated, modern, funny, proper, abstinent, religious stand-up comic, equal parts wholesome and hot. As Elna test-drives her identity, she finds herself in the strangest scenarios including selling creepy, overpriced dolls to petulant children at FAO Schwarz and dressing a head wound with a maxi pad while on a date. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (54)

If I Could Have Given It 6 Stars, I Would Have
As a non-Mormon who grew up in Utah, the Mormonism Mecca, I have to say that Elna Baker is the most refreshing and realistic voice of Mormonism today.I know this because not only did I love this book (laughing OUT LOUD and re-reading passages outloud to whoever would listen) but I leant it to my very LDS friend who equally loved it.Even if you aren't familiar with the faith, or its traditions, this book will make you laugh til you cry.After reading my library copy, I purchased a personal copy to lend out to friends.Elna's voice is pitch perfect, the balance between the life you want, and the faith you want can be a rough road, but never has it been so funny.Elna should be the face of Mormonism - they'd get a better wrap in the news.

Fun Memoir with Very Long Title
I will admit that I'm not very familiar with the Mormon faith other than just the basics I learned in my Intro to Religion class as well as stereotypes about the faith portrayed in media. I have been reading other books dealing with Mormons but these are usually historical fiction and focusing mainly on polygamy. However even though I don't know much about it doesn't necessarily mean I don't WANT to know more about it. Therefore when I heard about this book, I was excited because it looked interesting, the author is my age and also because this book has one of the longest titles I've ever seen.

Elna is a most interesting person to read about. It was strangely refreshing to read about someone who wants to observe abstinence until marriage in a book that wasn't Christian fiction. I felt like an insider during all her relationships without being like a nosy busybody. There were times where I could very much relate to Elna. The most obvious is her never failing word vomiting. I do this ALL the time and I cannot stop myself from doing it. Reading about Elna doing the exact same thing made me cringe because I could totally see myself doing it. You don't know why these words are coming out of your mouth but they can't stop pouring out. I just felt the embarrassment for her because she didn't want to say these things but due to her nervousness and other feelings, it all just keeps coming out. I enjoyed learning about Mormonism from Elna as well. There were a lot of things that I learned and I enjoyed reading about her family. They sound a little crazy but it's obviously that they are very close and they do love each other a lot.

While I liked Elna a lot, I found some of her nativity to be a bit unbelievable. One of these incidents is the fact that she didn't realize that porn is available on the internet. I could understand if she had lived and grown up somewhere completely sheltered but she lived in New York City! Even if you have no desire to look for it at all, if you've used any sort of media in the past 15 years you would know about it. Also, there seem to be times when Elna seemed only to reinforce the stereotypes of being a Mormon at least in the way she wrote. She might not be this way in real life but in writing it just came off very cliched.

Overall, I found this book extremely funny and well written. Even if I don't agree with all of Elna's beliefs I found her story funny and refreshing. It was a fun read and I felt as if I learned a lot while reading while being entertained at the same time. It's just the type of memoir that I enjoy reading and love to recommend.

this woman needs help
very confused woman who is self centered, and very confused where she stands on her religious beliefs.

Can Mormon abstinence and chastity be explained with passion and wit?
Received this as an Amazon Vine selection, and almost passed on it, wondering if it would be worth the time to read it. But the description was intriguing, so I went for it... and haven't regretted it. Elna Baker's book The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance turned out to be a true delight, in the eyes of this reviewer.

As a single, 27-year-old Mormon living in New York City, Ms. Baker does seem to know a bit about bad dates, and she shares them in such a way that is witty yet at times a bit touching. Being a Mormon in Manhattan probably isn't easy, as there seem to be some very strict rules that come with being one of that faith. She attended the New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance each year to search for the "perfect Mormon man," but had no luck. Her description of being a virgin in a room full of virgins doing the Macarena was a scene to visualize, as was the description of her Queen Bee costume disaster.

Elna Baker is a stand-up comedian as well, and she has a very funny way of relating her misadventures, such as selling weird, overpriced dolls to petulant children at FAO Schwarz, and dressing a head wound with a maxi pad while on a date. She experiences her first kiss at age 22, and is still a virgin by choice at age 26. All of this is nothing compared to what happens when she loses eighty pounds, then falls in love with an atheist. But her discovery of life and of love makes her quite likeable.

So, can Mormon abstinence and chastity be explained with passion and wit?

Yes, and the author does it quite well. This is a delightful read. It does contain some language that might be objectionable to some Mormon readers, as she does use the f-word at times. But it's an upbeat and funny book that also offers some insights into the Mormon religion and some of its misconceptions.

Funny and honest
This book is laugh out loud funny. I gave it to my friend who told me she couldn't read it in public because people thought she was crazy (because she kept laughing). It is also brave and honest. The author is so likable, and her narration done so well I felt like she was a friend telling me her story. I wish she would write a sequel. I would buy it immediately. ... Read more

Product Description
Three decades after leaving the Mormon faith, Latayne Colvett Scott looks back to her original journey out of Mormonism and the reasons why she left. Revised and updated, this third edition of The Mormon Mirage presents both a fascinating inside look at Mormonism and new and formidable evidence against its claims and teachings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Very well researched
I've had this book in my personal library for some time.I grew up with having one of my very best friends a member of the Mormon religion, and I have read many books over the years trying to learn why mainstream Christianity considers Mormonism a cult.Mrs. Scott obviously researched her topic very well and took an honest look into the faith that she loved and lived for so long.When the teachings of Mormonism are exposed, it does not take long to see that they do not mesh with the teachings found in the Old & New Testament.I've noticed that other reviewers have criticized her for following her new faith "blindly" and have said that she was just "lovestruck" with the faith of her husband, but having had a friend who is a staunch Mormon, I know that Mrs. Scott would not have dismantled such a strong belief system without looking critically at Biblical Christianity to examine its claims to see for herself whether they are true or not.I also find unfounded the criticism that she "continuously" plugs her "brand" of Christianity--though Mrs. Scott and I are of different denominations, I did not find that she was trying to persuade someone to join a denomination but as all true Christians would, she was trying to present the simple truth of the gospel as found in Scripture.I look forward to ordering a copy of the current edition to bring me up to date on the most recent research.However, it mainly boils down to this:the God revealed in the Old & New Testament is NOT the god revealed through the teachings of Mormonism, and Mrs. Scott addresses these teachings in a critical though non-Mormon-bashing way.The truth has set her free, and I continually pray that for my friend, her family and all Mormons.

Incessant "Plugs" for a Brand of "Christianity" Mar What Could Have Been a Good Criticism of Mormonism
There are several points I liked about this book.

1.The author had obvious background and knowledge about Mormon beliefs and practices.She used the proper "Mormon" language.She was able to pull out interesting examples from her own life to teach about odd Mormon teachings.

2.The book is well written in many places.

3.The criticisms are quite effective in parts of the book.Particularly well done are the descriptions and criticisms of Joseph Smith.It is not balanced and does nothing to recognize the good in "Brother Joseph".But a large number of the author's critical points are powerfully presented.

However, a number of parts of the book were so annoying and insipid, that I couldn't finish (though I was interested in the criticisms).

1.For example, the author sees fit for some reason to incessantly "plug" her preferred brand of Christianity with a mindlessness that is stunning; but at the same time she criticizes Mormonism with unrelenting vigor.She mines deep into the Journal of Discourses by Brigham Young and other relatively obscure texts to find the strangest sounding descriptions of Mormonism possible.But then she uses circular logic to support a "fundamentalist" Christian position on issues such as Biblical literalism and exclusivity.

2.The author tells the story of how she met her husband, and he helped teach her the falsity of Mormonism.After reading this, as I went further in the book, I kept getting the impression that she was still blinded and lovestruck into accepting his brand of Christianity while rejecting Mormonism.

3. The author brought out some more recent materials, such as Grant Palmer's excellent book, "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" and the fact that Palmer was disfellowshipped over the book.But generally I felt that the book was quite dated in many of its views, as if the author pulled out some old Tanner criticisms, dusted them off and sent them off for us to read.

4.I must confess that I am quite annoyed by the statements of certain "Christians" that Mormons are not "Christian".I recently read the book, "Brightsided", that contained a devastating criticism of the "prosperity churches" that never mention Christ, scripture, repentance, etc.There are "liberal" protestant churches or Catholic theologians who seem loath to take firm positions on morality, Biblical event historicity, etc.On the other hand, one only need to attend a Mormon meeting and observe their sacrament and hear their hymns and talks.Mormons are very "Christian" and much more like "fundamentalist" or conservative Christians than many of these self-proclaimed Christians would care to believe.

5.If one wants to understand the uplifting and empowering aspects of Mormon doctrine at its original core (mostly as taught by Joseph Smith), I suggest "The Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion", by Sterling McMurrin, a former prominent professor at the University of Utah (inactive Mormon but friend of David O. McKay).For a balanced and quite positive history of Joseph Smith, I would suggest "Joseph Smith", by Robert Remini, former professor of history at the University of Illinois or any of several books or articles by Jan Shipps.

In sum, if you're a fundamentalist or conservative "Christian" looking for "dirt" on Mormonism and "boosterism" for your own beliefs, this book should be interesting.For most others, I wouldn't recommend it.

A Mormon Studies Classic
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE [...] AUDIO EDITION OF THIS BOOK

"The Mormon Mirage" really IS a Mormon Studies classic.I find it to be an exceptional, even toned and balanced work of the caliber of, say, the Ostlering's "Mormon America" Mormon America - Revised and Updated Edition: The Power and the Promise and Richard Albane's "One Nation Under Gods" One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church.

I can't recommend the PRINT edition highly enough!

However, just to give you a "heads" up, I purchased the Audio edition and it's marred by several mispronunciations by thevoiceactor such as:

- Pronouncing "Kolob" Kah-lob instead of Koh-lob.

- Pronouncing "Danites" as Day-nights instead of Dan-ites (as in the Tribe of Dan from which the name was derived).

This tends to cast a shadow on an otherwise precise and finely honed work. I'm sure that this is embarrassing to the author since the in The Mormon Mirage she ,very correctly, takes other some works critical of Mormonism to task for sloppy, imprecise language that enables skeptical Mormons to reject the entire work out of hand.

Speaking as one who regularly attempts to reason with Mormons - and has seen them frequently use this tactic - this is doubly frustrating since I've found that they're more likely to listen to an audiobook than trudge through a printed work - especially a "low" priority work that's critical of the LdS Church.

As Latayne Scott astutely noted at a 2009 Conference Book, "I have found that a True Blue Mormon would argue with a sack of turnips if it fell off a Mormon truck.". And flaws like these give the resistant Mormon the 'escape hatch' of arguing that since the sack is flawed the turnips are clearly rotten too!

A book of this quality deserves better so I'm hoping that the Audio producer will remedy this in the next edition of this audiobook and give this classic book the quality delivery that it truly deserves.

5-Stars for the Print Edition
4-Stars for the Audiobook

The Mirage Still Misleads
Latayne Scott obviously missed the memo that one is not supposed to critique religious systems in modern America. The Mormon Mirage: A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today proclaims two themes: exposing the errors of Mormonism and sharing the truth found in the biblical God (He is not a physical man who grew into Godhood) and the real Jesus (He is not the spirit brother of Lucifer and Christ did not progress to Godhood).

Scott fled the Mormon church over thirty years ago in a very difficult personal exodus. This new edition has the same outstanding testimony to truth and grace with additional material on:

- DNA science disproves Mormon claims
- New revelations on race relations
- Institutional disconnection from LDS fundamentalist groups despite the canonical and doctrinal agreements with the LDS organization.
Presuppositional Apologetics Examines Mormonism: How Van Til's Apologetic Refutes Mormon Theology

Zondervan is bold in publishing this Mormon-refuting work of 272 pages.

Good critique on the mormon church, but not without flaws
I began reading this book with great interest.I have experienced a similar story in my departure from mormonism, and for just about all of the same reasons, so I was ready to hear another story about this kind of deeply intimate personal challenge.

While I found nearly all of her conclusions about the history, doctrine and practices to be pretty spot on, she uses the same flawed logic that she attacks in mormon faith to defend her new faith: a much more broad and traditional brand of christianity.And on that count, she becomes VERY tiresome.In between thoughtful discussions of one or another principle of mormon theology, she fills the reader with similarly unjustified assertions about her new faith.So the Book of Mormon was a fabrication; so how can she be similarly sure that the Bible was not?The Mormon Godhead is a false accounting of the deities; How is the notion of the Trinity founded on any more solid ground?She provides strong evidence against the LDS church, but fails to support assertions ofher own faith that would crumble under the same criticism that she levels at mormonism.

For all of this books insight into mormonism (and that insight is very well articulated and defended), it falls victim to it's own logic when the author deviates from the core discussion of the mormon faith.Still, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a view of this church free from the influence of the LDS spin machine. ... Read more

Product Description
In our busy world we sometimes find our scripture study isn't always productive. The solution is here with The Book of Mormon Made Easier Part 1! Along with the complete text of the Book of Mormon, this valuable study guide includes in -the-verse notes and additional insights and commentary. A perfect study companion! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Mary in Utah
I love to read the Book of Mormon with the help of these wonderful books.It seems to answer all the questions I have and helps me understand what is being said.I will definitely buy all the series he has written.Thank you for your help.

Great study guide!
I loved this book!It is just like taking a class on the scriptures, but in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace.He brings up discussions I hadn't even thought of, and explains things so clearly.I also have the Old testament versions and loved them also, I'm sure I will get the rest of his books.Wonderful insight into the scriptures.It has increased my knowledge of them greatly.

Good study guide
I'm reading this now.I love it. It has the Book of Mormon, with the study notes and history written right into it.You don't have togo back and forth while reading.I'm glad I bought it.

Wonderful Resource
I find this book to be a great reference resource.It has contained most of the extra information I need to completely understand the Book of Mormon (which is true).

don't know what I ever did without it!
Very important book to have if you really want to understand the Book of Mormon.Finally there is a study guide that helps.So glad I found it!Thank you!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

very satisfied
Mormon DoctrineI purchased this used book, and it was in excellent shape and came very quickly.I was very pleased.

Mormonism: Love it or leave it
Why is it that so many Mormons can't seem to run away from this book fast enough? It isn't because it is hard to navigate - the encyclopedic format is very helpful, even more so in the days before internet search engines. It certainly isn't because it was written by a fringe author with a shallow grasp of the aubject matter. Bruce McConkie was a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy when he wrote it, and would later be ordained an 'Apostle of the Lord'. It isn't because it is not authoritative. It is still an oft quoted source in modern day lesson manuals. It isn't because the content isn't thoroughly backed with references to the Standard Works and the words of the 'living prophets in this, the last dispensation of the fulness of times'. It is.

The reason so many Mormons run away from this book is simple: It is too forthright. This isn't Gordon B. Hinkley flip-flopping over eternal progression; this is no apologies, no holds barred, rock 'em sock 'em Mormonism in the raw. This is 'The Meat' ladies and gentlemen. So what if it doesn't sell well in the 21st Century, the last I checked The Lord God of Hosts was the same yesterday, today, and forever - steadfast and immoveable. The ideology he advances may be appalling, but for leaving the sugar coatings to the makers of breakfast cereals I give Bruce five stars.

Deep, But Good
This is a fabulous read (if you are Mormon of course). The doctrine can be quite deep, but is really awesome - especially if you have someone to brainstorm it with. It can be a bit deep, but I really enjoyed it. Probably an easier read for RM's than non because of how in depth it can be.

good service better book
This book was shipped promptly although a box was not used and it caused ever so slight shipping damage. The book was as advertised , other than the corner damage in shipping ,in new condition. The book is an excellent title,if you like true to the faith you will love Mormon Doctrine . It is a very comprehensive topical guide that was recommended to me by a stake leader.

FALSE doctrine
McKonkie was kooky.This is not official doctrine, but the author's own embellishment and perversion of what official Mormondom accepts as truth. ... Read more

Product Description
In our busy world we sometimes find our scripture study isn't always productive. The solution is here with The Book of Mormon Made Easier! Along with the complete text of the Book of Mormon, this valuable study guide includes in -the-verse notes and additional insights and commentary. A perfect study companion! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Problem solved
I did not receive this book and wrote to the seller.He was very apologetic and immediately sent another copy at his own expense.It apparently was lost in shipping but he made it right.I highly recommend him

great contextual guide to the Book of Mormon
This is a great contextual guide through the last section of the Book of Mormon.It is very useful as a reference for teaching Gospel Doctrine. Do allow for some individual interpretation, however.

Excellent and easy study guide
Thank's so much for an easy to read scripture study guide. David Ridge teaches spiritual truths in an easy to understand language withoug using 50 meter long sentences. His short parenthese commentaries are an invaluable help in understanding the holy scriptures. I highly recommend this book as well as the other books in these series.

John

the book of mormon made easier
I like all the commentary within each chapter.It's like being in a institute class

A brilliant study guide
"RC"'s diatribe against The Book of Mormon is a great example of why Christianity is losing members. He's so wrapped up in his version of doctrine, he forgets the entire purpose of religion, worship, or just being faithful.

I am not a Christian - I am currently searching.And during my search, I have spoken to possibly hundreds of people who walk in many faiths. Latter-Day Saints are the most genuine Christians I have ever met, simply because they live their faith, quietly, every day. They are deeply spiritual people who are openly friendly and welcoming to those of any faith. I am more inclined to study the religious texts of those who live a good and gentle life - those who actually take the words of Jesus to heart.

There seem to be many "Mormon bashers" - supposed Christians who feel it is their duty to spend their lives on Earth arguing against and ridiculing others instead of actually studying the words of their Savior and walking in His path. It is these people who make Christianity look bad to non-Christians. I wonder if RC ever feels any presence of Spirit at all. Maybe he's too busy bashing others to really notice.

So - back on track. David J. Ridges has definitely made studying all of the scriptures easier. I especially like his BoM series as well as The Book of Isaiah. You don't have to be a religious scholar to receive the benefits of this book. Think of it as another teacher who can point out parts of scripture you've never seen before.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (28)

Mostly fiction
Based on actual events, it is rife with fictitious quotes that make the participants look like charicatures.It would be impossible for them to have chronicled the dialogues that are quoted.The authors must have interviewed the participants much later and then pieced together the dialogue, but instead of being summarized, they dishonestly portray them as actual quotes.The entire book is obviously a "hit piece" intended to discredit the Mormon Church, and they miss no opportunity to do so.Instead of the historical accuracy they claim, this is a largely fictionalized attack on the church.If you want to know what really happened, don't waste your time reading this trash.

Disappointing
I ordered this book in the hopes that it would be a well-researched, balanced account of what happened.I was very disappointed to see the obvious prejudice and bias of the authors.The presence of an index but complete lack of reference material was also disappointing.The book was filled with stereotypes and generalities which I felt detracted from what could've been a very interesting book.

Pretty good
It's a very, very interesting story. Active Mormons will be offended by chapter 14, where the temple ceremony (pre-1990) is explained in detail (with some minor errors). But overall, I enjoyed the book very much so.

Writen like a novel
I would not call this book history, more like historical fiction. Why? Because the authors state "facts" then hypothesize what may have happened behind closed doors, then act like their ideas are facts, with no proof. If you can get past the nonsense, the book is a good read. But if you cut out the guess work and conjecture, the book will get cut in half.

Interesting if you can look past the vitriole
I have read almost every book on this subject and there are many better and more even handed.I especially recommend Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders by Linda Sillitoe and Victims: THE LDS CHURCH AND THE MARK HOFMANN CASE by Richard E. Turley.I did enjoy the fleshing out of some of the collatural players in the events.

This book has issues with the facts, the timeline as well as embellishing statments of some of the key players in the story.The continual misrepresentation of some of the events, caused me to question all the information in the book.

In addition, the barely veiled animous that the authors show for the police, the prosecutors and the LDS Church also colored the remaining material.It was not that it was all false, but the numerous mistakes causes one to question the entire work. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
In our busy world we sometimes find our scripture study isn't always productive. The solution is here with The Book of Mormon Made Easier! Along with the complete text of the Book of Mormon, this valuable study guide includes in -the-verse notes and additional insights and commentary. A perfect study companion! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

I love this so much!!!
This has helped me understand the Book of Mormon in a completely new way, and I feel so grateful to have found these books.I love what I am learning.My children are also enjoying it.Even though they are young, I read it aloud to them and I know that the notes and commentaries are helpful for them.

Mary in Ogden, UT
I love this series of books.It helps me to ponder the meaning of the scriptures when I read his books.I have these in hard copies but wish I could download them onto my kindle.They are currently unavailable but will keep trying.It would make it a lot easier when I travel.

Good Service
I received this book promptly and it was in good condition.Thanks for excellent service.

Great Book
Great Book for one thing and the product came very quickly.I rate this person excellant and will be purchasing more of those volumues.

Love books!
This is the 3rd order we have placed on these books for members of our family.They are great! ... Read more

Product Description
Mark Twain once derided the Book of Mormon as "chloroform in print."Long and complicated, written in the language of the King James version of the Bible, it boggles the minds of many. Yet it is unquestionably one of the most influential books ever written. With over 140 million copies in print, it is a central text of one of the largest and fastest-growing faiths in the world. And, Grant Hardy shows, it's far from the coma-inducing doorstop caricatured by Twain.

In Understanding the Book of Mormon, Hardy offers the first comprehensive analysis of the work's narrative structure in its 180 year history. Unlike virtually all other recent world scriptures, the Book of Mormon presents itself as an integrated narrative rather than a series of doctrinal expositions, moral injunctions, or devotional hymns. Hardy takes readers through its characters, events, and ideas, as he explores the story and its messages. He identifies the book's literary techniques, such as characterization, embedded documents, allusions, and parallel narratives. Whether Joseph Smith is regarded as author or translator, it's noteworthy that he never speaks in his own voice; rather, he mediates nearly everything through the narrators Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni. Hardy shows how each has a distinctive voice, and all are woven into an integral whole.

As with any scripture, the contending views of the Book of Mormon can seem irreconcilable. For believers, it is an actual historical document, transmitted from ancient America. For nonbelievers, it is the work of a nineteenth-century farmer from upstate New York. Hardy transcends this intractable conflict by offering a literary approach, one appropriate to both history and fiction. Regardless of whether readers are interested in American history, literature, comparative religion, or even salvation, he writes, the book can best be read if we examine the text on its own terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Well worth your time
The premise of the book is that relatively few readers of the Book of Mormon, whether Mormons or non-Mormons, study the book to understand it as a composition in its own right. People mostly give it a quick read to confirm their belief\disblief in the LDS or Mormon Church's claim to be divinely organized and run. The author feels that in reading the Book of Mormon that way, much of the meaning and almost all of the nuances of the book are missed completely. His effort treats the Book of Mormon as susceptible to the same analysis as is used on works of historical fiction.

He makes the point a number of times, that it makes no difference to understanding Mormon's motivations, as to whether he was a literary creation of Joseph Smith or a true historical figure. This will, no doubt, irritate both some believers and some non-believers, who want to proceed quickly to a conclusion about the origin of the Book of Mormon and therefore the validity of the LDS Church as a divinely organized church.

As the key to understanding the Book of Mormon, this book discusses the three main narrators: Nephi, Mormon and Moroni, beginning with their different narrative styles and aims. Many examples are given to support the book's assertion that the narrators' lives influenced their style and aims. Nephi, for example, wrote his portion later in his life, after he knew that his lineage would fail and die out. His writings were intended to inspire the descendants of his unrighteous brothers. Mormon, on the other hand, was the historian, who, in addition to the careful recording of important names, places and events, selected a number of comparisons of good followers with inspired followers. His point was to underscore the importance of divine inspiration.Again, whether the Book of Mormon is fiction or history, is irrelevant to the discussion. The point is: how well do the stories hang together? Do they achieve the writer's intent?

I especially enjoyed the non-dogmatic approach taken on this subject, and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a more in-depth look at the Book of Mormon. There are some points the author raises that will be a little uncomfortable for the reader, whether Mormon or non-Mormon. Ultimately, however, the author leaves it to you to make your own conlusions, but with a better appreciation of the Book of Mormon than you started with.

Understanding the BOM
I love this book!Grant Hardy has lifted the BOM characters off the page and presents them as real, three-dimensional people with thoughts and intentions, cares and concerns.I have read the BOM several times, but I am seeing it now in new ways.I highly recommend this book for Mormon and Non-Mormons to get a better grasp on a valuable text.

Remarkable insight
I have read the Book of Mormon many times as part of my regular devotionalpractices, and have found it to be exceptionally beneficial. In the last few years, I have encountered scholars who have encouraged the study of the Book of Mormon as a literary document, among them Professor Hardy. If anything, adding this dimension to my perspective on the book has increased my confidence in its divine origin. However, Professor Hardy has not written Reader's Guide to defend the Book of Mormon. He simply invites his readers to perceive the voices of the three ancient editors of the book. In this process, Hardy's Guide has helped me to read the Book of Mormon in a stunning new light, one that has shown the book to be even more remarkable.

A Close Reading Deserving a Close Reading
Hardy has provided us with a valuable resource -- a close reading of the Book of Mormon that focuses squarely upon the text itself rather than upon its origins or teachings.By taking the approach of examining each editor (Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni) closely, he digs deeply into the structure and content of the Book of Mormon and brings us an abundance of fresh insights.This is definitely a book that deserves to be read and re-read, just like the Book of Mormon itself.

Highly recommended analysis of the Book of Mormon
In one corner Skeptical-Critic shuffles his feet as he knocks his gloves together. In the other corner Believer- Apologist ghosts jabs, bobbing up and down. At the back of the arena Indifferent-Non-believer and Didactic-Believer glance in the direction of the main event, feeling a little out of place. Standing at center ring is the Book of Mormon, America's most unique and prolific scriptural production. In the middle of this epic bout Grant Hardy calls a timeout with his new book Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader's Guide. He attempts the double-task of convincing non-Mormons that the Book of Mormon is worth the effort of serious analysis while convincing Mormons that searching their sacred book can yield more than didactic homilies or proofs of ancient authenticity. Granting the importance of the main event, he offers a different venue altogether.

By reading closely, Hardy guides readers through novel readings not found in other studies of the Book of Mormon. For instance, he observes that "Alma or Mormon (or Joseph Smith) has structured the first two-thirds of the book of Alma according to a series of parallels" (304). Alma 4-16 includes three sermons delivered to three different cities. Alma 36-42 includes Alma's three charges to three different sons (Alma 36-42). The sermons and charges overlap in theme, respective length, order, and source (primary documents are utilized in each case). This city/son parallel is even more interesting considering Alma preached in five cities but only three accounts are included in the narrative. Altogether, this indicates remarkable coincidence or deliberate construction: Zarahemla/Helaman (morally ambiguous), Gideon/Shiblon (clearly righteous, shortest), Ammonihah/Corianton (clearly wicked, longest).

Impressively, Hardy's book is so full of detailed analysis that this particular discovery in Alma is actually relegated to a footnote! At times Hardy moves quickly through bits of the Book of Mormon. His tracing of its complexity may lose outsiders who aren't as familiar with Lehi's vision of the tree, or the Nephite monetary system, or other (relatively incidental) details. Similarly, some Latter-day Saints may feel slightly disoriented with occasionaltechnical jargon. These difficulties are explained by Hardy's desire to reach a broad audience. The book invites critics to attempt a "willing suspension of disbelief" so they might see more fruitful readings despite doubts of authorship. Latter-day Saints, he adds, may need a "willing suspension of belief, that is, to think of the Book of Mormon as a work of literature, with an emphasis on its creativity and artifice" as opposed to proofs of ancient origin or teachings for our times (28).

This book makes a strong case that when examined closely, the Book of Mormon "exhibits a literary exuberance that frustrates quick judgments and reductive analysis" (267). By shifting "attention away from Joseph Smith and back to the Book of Mormon itself, a common discourse becomes possible" through literary analysis (xvi). Readers who try to play by Hardy's rules will be richly rewarded. It will change the way you read the Book of Mormon forever.A Reader's Guide is a knockout punch in ink and paper; I can't recommend it enough.

[...] ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Great resource
We use this for Family Home Evening and for our family scripture study.Great Resource.

Family Study
When I was a teenager, my parents started using these books for our study. They have really interesting side notes about things that give so much insight to what you're reading. It's great to read a true book, and this book makes it easier to understand with background and pictures and stuff. Happy with it!

The Book ofMormon for Latter-Day Saint Families
This is a large book with notes and easy references.Not just for children - I enjoy it as well.

Awesome!
It's a great learning tool for families!We love the pictures and helpful definitions.

So, what is doctrine and what isn't?
This review is written from the LDS point of view.If you aren't LDS, you probably aren't buying a $50 Book of Mormon when you can get a free copy from the local missionaries. (Just saying).The stars it got were based on the quality of the materials, and the fact that the Book of Mormon is a useful religious text.The lack of stars is based on the fact that I think this book would stunt rather than increase religious understanding though focus on one current meaning from the views of apologists.

The problem with these books is that they put so much random, non-doctrinal, and sometimes scientifically doubtful explanations right alongside scripture.There is enough of a rough time figuring out whether in an interpretation of the Book of Mormon is doctrine without people writing the their own (non-doctrinal) interpretations in something called the Book of Mormon.It could lead to serious confusion on what is sound doctrine and what is made up by some guy who thinks he knows.If you are having trouble reading the Book of Mormon, get a dictionary. It will leave you more open to what things can mean.

Many of the explanations of meanings are very one dimensional, and suit the local purposes of the authors, but these explanations tend to limit what a passage can mean.Books like this tend to limit your view of what happened.

It is a very nice looking book, and will look great on your not-coffee table. ... Read more

Product Description
Regarded as sacred scripture by millions, the "Book of Mormon" - first published in 1830 - is one of the most significant documents in American religious history. Now available in paperback, Grant Hardy's new Reader's Edition has reformatted the complete, unchanged 1920 text in the manner of modern translations of the Bible, with paragraphs, quotation marks, poetic forms, topical headings, multi-chapter headings, indention of quoted documents, italicized re-workings of biblical prophecies, and minimized verse numbers. He has also provided a hypothetical map based on internal references, an essay on "Book of Mormon" poetry, a full glossary of names, genealogical charts, a basic bibliography of Mormon and non-Mormon scholarship, a chronology of the translation, eyewitness accounts of the Gold Plates, and information regarding the lost 116 pages, and significant changes in the text. The editorial aids and footnotes in this edition provide readers with a clear guide through this complicated text. New readers will find the story accessible and intelligible; Mormons will gain fresh insights from familiar verses seen in a broader narrative context. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Simplify your scripture study
I love reading the Book of Mormon this way.There are none of my personal markings in this book and with the reformatted text, it is a little like reading it the first time.I find that the story flows well.I like seeing the poetry written/formatted as poetry.I love the subtitles.Very, very helpful to the reader.And, of course, the Book of Mormon is a wonderful and important book.It blesses my life.

Easy to reader, Good index material
My brothers wife showed it to me. I showed it to a friend and we both bought one.
This book is broken into paragraphs instead of verses. This format is easy to read. The diagrams and illustrations in the back are helpful.

Changed my views of the book
I'm a lifelong Mormon who over time has tried to keep seeing the divine in the Book of Mormon, in the face of growing evidence of 19th century influences. Reading Hardy's companion text on a trip to the Middle East, I was overwhelmed with a new-found respect for the Book of Mormon's richness and complexity.

My wife and I just began last night re-reading the Book of Mormon for family study, using Hardy's The Book of Mormon: A Reader's Edition, and already we're thrilled to return to the text. It'll be an adventure. It's been a long time since I've really wanted to read the Book of Mormon - and this is due to Hardy's critique and analysis.

I have never met Grant Hardy, but to me he's an icon of careful, compassionate scholarship of the highest standard. He is the kind of person who could bring together believers, non-believers, and indifferent people toward a common appreciation of an amazing book. Thank you Grant Hardy!

Easy on the Eyes and the Brain
From the moment my dad showed me his copy of this edition of the Book of Mormon I knew I had to have one.I have been a faithful reader the Book of Mormon all of my life but have always had a difficult time with the block verse format of the LDS standard edition.I have always had trouble understanding when one thought starts and stops, and have never been able to discern any of the poetic forms within the block text.

Reading this Reader's Edition of the Book of Mormon is a different experience.I am able to read with much less effort, and understand so much more.I appreciate the concise section headings that summarize the coming section.And being able to see the poetry makes it so much more meaningful to me.

I have read from this edition off and on for several years now, but for the first time I am reading straight through.Anyone who is familiar with the Book of Mormon will appreciate my excitement when I say that because of the layout, I have been able to understand many of the Isaiah chapters!Instead of getting a headache from not understanding what I'm reading, the verse format enables me to see and understand so much of what Isaiah is saying.

Many thanks to Mr. Hardy for all of his hard work in making this volume possible.I was especially impressed to read in the back of the book that he will receive no royalties from the sale of this book, but has donated them to the LDS Humanitarian Services Fund.

Excellent book... if it were ever to get here.
I am going to give a very positive review for this book because I've already read it numerous times and would recommend this version as well.

However - and a big however - I would advise everyone to avoid the company Theists Bookstore, because my copy of this book (which I bought from them through Amazon) has yet to arrive, over one month later. I will stop just short of accusing them of scamming Amazon customers, but I discovered that every single review of this company is negative and not one reviewer had received what they ordered from this company either. Just order the book from Amazon itself and you should be good to go.

And as for the book - yeah. Get it. This edition is so much easier to read and understand what is poetry, what is written by who, etc. (I've seen it and wanted my own copy.) ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (23)

He got it right
A book of this type, one that takes a critical look at any religious institution - the Mormon Church in this case - almost always suffers from one of a few common faults depending on the history of the author.Non-Mormons would appear to be best equipped to take an unbiased view, but those I've read have all misinterpreted, misunderstood, and gotten key facts wrong.They also suffer from bias due to their religious views or lack thereof.You won't find anything written by an active and devout Mormon that takes a truly critical look at their religious practices if for no other reason than they'll find themselves in the ex-Mormon category by the time of publication.That leaves former Mormons, the category this author is in.They may also have an ax to grind - but that possibility is always obvious and easier to account for in your evaluation.

This author got it right, at least those parts I can evaluate from my personal experience and observations.He also did extensive research to bolster and validate the conclusions based on his own experiences.Last, I think he is far enough removed due to the time that has passed since his break from the church to be able to view his experiences more dispassionately.Operating from a similar background as the author for the first 18 years of my life I found this book totally credible.Many of the author's insights and conclusions gave me new perspectives.Highly recommended.

A Difficult Topic:Rules and their Unintended Consequences
I studied constitutional political economy in graduate school.This discipline suggest that different groups of people can be evaluated by their rules and how these bring about the desired outcome for their participants.I have always been fascinated by the Mormons because of the reasons that most non-Mormons have a healthy respect for them.They are hard working, charitable, and polite.They are very good neighbors in every sense of that word.So naturally I was interested in this book as a source of what someone raised in the faith might find objectionable.I found the thesis of this book to be sound and I was very sympathetic to the narrative.

The author is a person not unlike myself.He expects rules to be clearly stated and followed.To do other than follow the rule is to be hypocritical, either if it is held to be the proper behavior but is either not enforced or enforced arbitrarily.The author's list of events in the book build his best case for inconsistency in the way people tell each other how to act and the way that they ultimately act.This inconsistency is the antagonist in the narrative.He spends little time commenting on rules that he would advocate changing and more time on how the rules that do exist have unintended consequences.[Spoiler Alert] The climax of the narrative is the author's main crisis of faith.His discussion up to this point was a mixture of youthful reminiscence and gleeful irreverence to the church of his youth.At the point where he discusses his "sin" he suggests that he was so confused by both the guilt and the apparent hypocrisy of those around him that he could no longer judge right and wrong.In using language of the church to describe his sin, he means to be ironic calling his act a demon possession, but there is more rhetorically important content in the choice of these words that the author might have intended.He leaves this reader convinced that he still feels that he had sinned.

The basic question that is posed and never answered in this book is:Can unrealistic rules about behavior be helpful for a society structured like the Mormon one?The author suggests that the guilt it creates ultimately harms the individual.Since he tells us that 40% of missionaries lose their "testimony" on their mission, he seems to say that a large percentage of people feel harmed by this type of system.However, this seems a naive and biased conclusion.The other 60% affirm their faith and become pillars of the community.Some of the 40% leave the church but then return as they start their own families.This hardly provides evidence for a faith that is likely to unravel based on its own internal rule structure.We would have to go elsewhere to find objective evidence of harm [For instance, what is the Mormon track record on spousal abuse compared with non-religious people as well as compared to other fundamentalist religions].

The question of why the Mormon faith is growing so much and so successful at keeping members loyal is a deceptively simple one both to the faithful (because it is the revealed word of God) and to the apostates (because it is a cult). Those of us that have never been in the church and do not particularly find organized religion appealing must contend that a more complex answer exists.This book goes a long way to honestly describing the events from an apostate perspective.I find its author genuine and capable of great sympathy.His desire to write the book seems therapeutic as it is also lovingly written.This book will be read by anti-Mormons to confirm their ire against the religion.It could also be read by Mormons that want to survive the check against their faith or temptation of considering challenging views.I am not sure who the author considers the audience to be.At times it is himself.At times it is the assumed 40% of missionaries that lose their testimony.But there is enough here for a curious social scientist to really sink his teeth into.I concur that the book's title leaves much to be desired from a literary perspective, but I think that it solicits its desired response judging by the other comments on this space.

The Mormon Conspiracy by Charles L Wood
I am halfway through this book and it is excellent.Everything it talks about is absolutely present and correct - I have seen exactly the flaws in the Mormon faith it describes.This is in fact a true book - much truer than the church itself purports to be!!!!

Interesting book, but LDS will be offended by it
If you are LDS you will find the book offensive because it will challenge your strongly held beliefs.

If you are interested in reading about a cult that uses mind control, I would suggest reading a book by a former Scientologist, My Billion Year Contract by Nancy Many.

Bull Crap
This is total bull crap. The mormon church does not brain wash you. It specifically tells you to search out the truth yourself and come to your own conclusion. I know what brain washed is cause when I got out of school I was brain washed. I was totally full of progressive bull crap and now that I've read real history and first hand accounts and not just someone's opinion I realize how brain washed I was. I'm mormon and I've read some anti mormon things and I still know that the church is true. You distort the gospels message. ... Read more

Product Description
The Founder of JetBlue. The former CEO of Dell Computers. The CEO of Deloitte & Touche. The former Dean of the Harvard Business School. They all have one thing in common. They are devout Mormons who spend their Sundays exclusively with their families, never work long hours, and always put their spouses and children first. How do they do it?

Critically acclaimed author and investigative journalist Jeff Benedict (a Mormon himself) examines these highly successful business execs and discovers how their beliefs have influenced them, and enabled them to achieve incredible success.With original interviews and unparalleled access, Benedict shares what truly drives these individuals, and the invaluable life lessons from which anyone can benefit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

Motivational
I really enjoyed this book.After seeing the lives of these men up close, I have set goals in my own life to become a better husband, father, and employer.We can do many things well!

A must read on balancing family, religion, and business
This book details some very succesful people, what drives them, and how their religion has influenced their path to the top. It is not a book on Mormonism, but rather a book on successful businessmen who are Mormon. For anyone striving for business success without sacrificing family, ethics, or personal beliefs, this is a must read.

Interesting book but Mormon CEO's can fail ethics too
Have been reading this book.Interestingly, the book spends a good deal of time analyzing Kevin Rollins, (recent) CEO of Dell.Today, Kevin Rollins agreed to pay the SEC $4 million dollars for a fine in an individual capacity for Dell failing to properly report Intel exlcusivity payments under his watch (the fine to Dell was $100 million).Mr. Rollins knew that the company was not reporting income properly but was unable to convince Mr. Dell to make full disclosure and was unable to stand up straight as he ought.Many of us wish we could be more honest more of the time.I know I wish that.I don't doubt that Mr. Rollins is a good person but this is truly a sad day for the Rollins family and it would be interesting to see if and how this situation is addressed by the author of the book.

Not quite reality
If one were to investigate the business leaders discussed in this book, it might be interesting to compare the present with the time period covered in this book.

For instance the NY Times carried this story, "Suit Over Faulty Computers Highlights Dell's Decline" covering the time that Kevin Rollins was CEO of Dell.

We also learn that "Dell, however, had actually sent the university, in Austin, desktop PCs riddled with faulty electrical components that were leaking chemicals and causing the malfunctions. Dell sold millions of these computers from 2003 to 2005 to major companies like Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo, institutions like the Mayo Clinic and small businesses."

The way that Dell met these problems was: "But Dell employees went out of their way to conceal these problems. In one e-mail exchange between Dell customer support employees concerning computers at the Simpson Thacher & Bartlett law firm, a Dell worker states, "We need to avoid all language indicating the boards were bad or had `issues' per our discussion this morning."

Great business book
This book really shows that it is possible to be a CEO and a good person.With all the lying, stealing, cheating CEO's out there here are a few who are honest and respectable.These guys are my heroes.

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (15)

You get something you did not expect!
I am not a scholar.. I don't know that much about the different versions that have come out to "improve" what fell from the Prophet's mouth.

I bought the book because I wanted to read it just like the people in 1830 would have read it.Only I got a surprise!It is even better!I knew they would be taking away the double columns, and all the footnotes and would be adding all the "and it came to pass" back in there.I expected it to be in a normal book form but what I got was so awesome.. it changes the whole way I view the Book of Mormon.It has also helped me in my thinking process as I read it.Let me give a short example.. here is the way the text looks in the book: (taken from 1 Ne 3:30 - 4:5)

Please note that the .....'s before the numbers are not in the book.There are here in this writing because without them, I could not show you the formatting of how the numbers and the verses actually look.

...30And after that the angel had spake unto us, he departed.

...31And after that the angel had departed,
.......Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying:
.......How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands?
.......Behold, he is a mighty man and he can command fifty.
.......Yea, even he can slay fifty, then why not us?
4 | 1And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying:
.......Let us go up again unto Jerusalem,
.......and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord.
.......For behold, he is mightier than all the earth.
.......Then why no mightier than Laban and his fifty?
.......Yea, or even than his tens of thousands?
....2Therefore let us go up.

.......Let us be strong like unto Moses,
.......for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea
.......and they divided hither and thither,
.......and our fathers came through out of captivity on dry ground,
.......and he armies of Pharaoh did follow
.......and were drownded in the waters of the Red Seas.
....3Now behold, ye know that this is true
.......And ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you.
.......Wherefore can ye doubt?
.......Let us go up.
.......The Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers,
.......and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.

....4Now when I had spoken these words,
.......They was yet wroth and did follow me up
.......until we came without the walls of Jerusalem.
....5And it was by night,
.......and I caused that they should hide themselves without the wall.

As you can see.. verse 31, verse 1 and the first sentence in verse 2.. all belong in a "thought" together.The remainder of verse 2 and verse 3 are in another "thought" together.Then verse 4 and 5 are in a "thought" together, so the spacing between the numbered verses is accurately depicted.

What has been frustrating when reading the double column scriptures is that when a chapter ends and a new one begins, we assume that it is a new topic.What this book does is keeps all the thoughts together whether or not it goes from one chapter to the next.The ease of reading the book makes it so enjoyable that I can read many chapters without even realizing it.It is a pure joy!

(No, I do not know the author nor have I ever met him)

The ultimate text of the Book of Mormon
I bought this several months ago and have read about half of it.I love reading the Book of Mormon.This is my favorite edition of it.I bought one for each of my children and their families.

What is it and why is it special?Royal Skousen, a BYU faculty member, spent 21 years of his career researching to find the "original text" of the Book of Mormon, essentially a search for the words that Joseph Smith dictated to his scribes.He carefully examined infrared photographically-enhanced copies of the Printers Manuscript and of what's left of the Original Manuscript written by Joseph's scribes, as well as all 20 editions of the Book of Mormon published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and by the Reorganized Latter-day Saints (RLDS), now known as the Community of Christ.He analyzed each verse line-by-line, and forensically put together his best guess as to the original text.An appendix in this book lists each verse with significant textural changes, comparing two to five textural variants and showing which one Dr. Skousen chose as most likely the original text.I started reading this after I read Grant Hardy's wonderful introduction to the book, the best place to start.I quickly pooped out and was sucked into reading the text itself.

The text is formatted differently from all other editions of the Book of Mormon, which makes it great to read.Like the first edition, it is not broken into columns.It has the familiar chapter and verses of all recent LDS editions, but each verse is printed in sense-lines, having the appearance of free verse.Sense-lines are coherent thoughts and phrases.Formatting the text in this way helped me better understand what I was reading by emphasizing the thoughts that make up each verse.

Some Mormons may fear reading an edition not published or sanctioned by the Church.In fact Dr. Skousen's research was supported by the Church.His work is highly valued, and many of his intermediate results were published by FARMS.This edition will never replace the 1981 LDS edition.The earliest text has many grammatical mistakes, which reflect the English language as used by Joseph Smith when he was a poorly-educated 23-year old.Even though he was inspired of God to translate this book from its original language, he used his words to express the meaning of the text he translated.This work was originally intended to aid scholarly research into the origins of the Book of Mormon text.That it will do.But in my opinion it has now assumed a larger role--to help those who want to understand the meaning of the text, the message of the Book of Mormon.I heartily recommend it to anyone who has this goal.

Book of Mormon Earliest Text a GREAT READ
This is a great read and very interesting to note grammar and word changes that have occured over the years. Highly recommended!

Improving the most correct of books.
Latter-Day Saints often assert that The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth.Professor Skousen, in "The Earliest Text," has done a remarkable thing by improving that same book.He has improved the book in the following ways:

1. Skousen provides a very useful history of the manuscripts and editions of the Book of Mormon.

2. Given that most every textual change in what claims to be the word of God, is significant, even changes ofconjunctions, articles, and pronouns, it is particularly valuable that in the appendix, Professor Skousen has provided the reader with an exhaustive list of significant textual changes, proceeding verse by verse from beginning to end.The juxtaposition of these changes makes it easy to compare semantic differences, emendations, etc., and this portion of the book is particularly instructive.

3. Dr. Skousen has reformatted the sentence and paragraph divisions in the body of the text according to the natural sense of the phrases. This may seem like a small change but it most certainly is not.It enables the reader to understand the text in new and remarkable ways.Reformatting encourages the reader to read and interpret the text outside his or her own "ruts and ditches" of reading, that is, habitual reading habits which obscure fresh interpretations.Regular readers of The Book of Mormon may be, therefore, in this new edition inclined to read against habitual interpretations, and by doing so, they may discover new and important insights.In this respect, this critical edition is ideal for both specialists and non-specialists.

4. The Introduction and the Editor's Preface both contain a wealth of information about the printing and production of The Book of Mormon, what is means to call The Book of Mormon "scripture," the rationale behind the sentence and paragraph divisions, recovering the original sense of the text, diacritical marks, and more.

5. The design of the text--the font, the paper color, the page width, the page length, etc.--is beautiful.

In sum, this new, inexpensive edition of the earliest text is an extra-ordinarily valuable book, a marvelous addition to any library, particularly those who regard The Book of Mormon as a sacred text.

Delight to read
My husband bought this and we've been reading from it as a family (along with standard-issue BOMs) in the evenings.

I love the formatting and the obvious scholarship that went into this.

Just wish I had a pocket or kindle version to take with me, as it is a chunk to lug around.

Having read many (many, many) early journals, I love hearing the authentic rustic accent that comes through in this version. Aside from the accent, it is a delight to note the editorial and typographical differences between this scholarly work and the standard-issue version. As Skousen asserts, none of the differences change doctrine, but reading this version feels like sitting down with Joseph on a beautiful spring day versus huddling at winter quarters with the memory of Joseph fading into hagiography.

Last but not (to us) least - this format makes my autistic daughter feel like she is reading shorter verses. She'll read huge chunks, as long as they are composed of "short verses." ... Read more

Product Description
The Mormon handcart tragedy of 1856 is the worst disaster in the history of the Western migrations, and yet it remains virtually unknown today outside Mormon circles.

Following the death of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, its second Prophet and new leader, Brigham Young, determined to move the faithful out of the Midwest, where they had been constantly persecuted by their neighbors, to found a new Zion in the wilderness. In 1846-47, the Mormons made their way west, generally following the Oregon Trail, arriving in July 1847 in what is today Utah, where they established Salt Lake City. Nine years later, fearing a federal invasion, Young and other Mormon leaders wrestled with the question of how to bring thousands of impoverished European converts, mostly British and Scandinavian, from the Old World to Zion. Young conceived of a plan in which the European Mormons would travel by ship to New York City and by train to Iowa City. From there, instead of crossing the plains by covered wagon, they would push and pull wooden handcarts all the way to Salt Lake.

But the handcart plan was badly flawed. The carts, made of green wood, constantly broke down; the baggage allowance of seventeen pounds per adult was far too small; and the food provisions were woefully inadequate, especially considering the demanding physical labor of pushing and pulling the handcarts 1,300 miles across plains and mountains. Five companies of handcart pioneers left Iowa for Zion that spring and summer, but the last two of them left late. As a consequence, some 900 Mormons in these two companies were caught in early snowstorms in Wyoming. When the church leadership in Salt Lake became aware of the dire circumstances of these pioneers, Younglaunched a heroic rescue effort. But for more than 200 of the immigrants, the rescue came too late.

The story of the Mormon handcart tragedy has never before been told in full despite its stunning human drama: At least five times as many people died in the Mormon tragedy as died in the more famous Donner Party disaster.

David Roberts has researched this story in Mormon archives and elsewhere, and has traveled along the route where the handcart pioneers came to grief. Based on his research, he concludes that the tragedy was entirely preventable. Brigham Young and others in the Mormon leadership failed to heed the abundant signs of impending catastrophe, including warnings from other Mormon elders in the East and Midwest, where the journey began. Devil's Gate is a powerful indictment of the Mormon leadership and a gripping story of survival and suffering that is superbly told by one of our finest writers of Western history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Elegant Treatment of the Thorny Issue
This is a well written, highly accurate account of an American tragedy. The heroic efforts of the people involved that came to the fore when they were in desperate straits and had nowhere to turn but their inner strength is truly inspiring. I would recommend this book to newbie or nuanced readers interested in the Mormon migration or the Westward Expansion in a broader context.

Erratic
Brightly written at times; poorly written otherwise. The work is written like a newspaper reporter's account -- thin sources. He's the Sally Denton (Mountain Meadows Mssacre) of the handcart experience.I don't consider Krakauer a credible source of Mormon history yet Roberts cites him.

And, repeated reference to Will Bagley? (Another journalist turned historian.) Even though Roberts three times (and, redundancy was a problem in his work) called Bagley "acerbic," it is remarkable that Roberts does not know Bagley's errors and limits.Roberts suffers from same limits that other journalists have suffered trying to write religious history.Instead of rendering an account based upon a consensus of sources, pointing out the weakness of weak sources, the journalist seizes upon the most interesting and salacious source to explain an event.Bagley, Denton, Krakauer, Wise, Stenhouse and others are all guilty of this weakness, and so is Roberts.

For instance, Roberts gives a lot of credence to the recollections of Wild Bill Hickman, who wrote a sensational expose of Mormonism.(Actually, Hickman's confessions were penned by another journalist, W.H. Beadle.)Yet, balanced historians don't think much of Hickman's expose.It didn't lead to any prosecutions, so federal prosecutors must not have thought much of it.But, Roberts does.

Some of his writing is downright silly -- smug self-satisfaction about fending off elderly Mormon missionaries is a key example.Smug satisfaction that active Mormons believe the myth that no Willie and Martin pioneer apostatized.

The reality of the Mormon handcart experience is that it was a success.Just as gold rush pioneers crossed the west, often, on their feet, so did these people.What makes their experience different is that women, children and the elderly made the crossing.In large part, given mortality rates for transplains excursions for this class of people, overall the handcart experience was a marginal success.Without the handcart crossing, many of these families could not have managed it, and would have languished in New York slums trying to earn money.

Also, one must credit these folks' free will.Certainly, the Martin and Willie trekkers had sufficient information to know that they were leaving too late.Many believed the peril and backed out.Yet, we are told that Church leaders are to blame.Were these people simply stupid sheep with no ability to make a decision?

Colonization is risky business.The entire Jamestown colony was wiped out.On a pro-rata basis, the Donner-Reed party suffered much higher losses.Many thousands lost their lives in trans-Atlantic crossings and trips around the Horn.It would seem to me that Roberts is a naif in this area.

good research good writing
Author David Roberts used personal diaries, LDS archives, newspaper reports and other resources to document this impelling, yet tragic account of the Mormon trek across the plains from Europe to Zion in the Salt Lake Valley.This book can be difficult to read due to the graphic account of suffering and death on the trail.Author Roberts conclusion puts the blame on the prophet and leader Brigham Young.He is honest and fair in this assessment.He also provides LDS records of Young's business dealings which led to his amassing a fortune.The handcart program brought over 3000 recent European LDS converts to the "promised land".Their personal suffering and and heroic acts are well documented. This book is a well written account of an unknown piece of the Saints history.

Devil's Gate Source Errors
It is too bad when a book gets good reviews that it doesn't deserve.Mr. Roberts has tried to write a book about the handcart experience but failed by introducing errors when quoting source material.I will give you two examples.First, on page 138 of his book he writes "On May 4, 1856 the sailing ship Thornton pulled out of Liverpool harbor . . . . With them sailed Franklin D. Richards . . . ."This is entirely incorrect and misleading.You may find the truth for yourself.Volume 18 of the LDS Millennial Star, pages 504-505 reads, "On the 26th of July, Presidents F. D. Richards and C. H. Wheelock sailed for New York, on the steamer Asia."Then on page 139 of his book he states that "President Richards" gave a stern lecture to the saints "in mid-voyage."Since he didn't sail on the Thornton he wasn't there to give the lecture.To find out who did give the lecture we will consult the sources that Mr. Roberts sites and you will find that he has miss quoted.See "Secret History" page 27-28 to confirm that it was G.J. Willie whom President Richards made president of the Thornton Saints.Also consult this website,[...] to read a copy of Peter Madsen's journal.Refer to entries May 3rd, May 20th and 21st.You will find that President Richards left the Thornton before it sailed, but only after making James Willie the president over the company of Thornton saints. The later May dates, 20th and 21st, will show that it was James Willie who gave the "stern lecture."The sources I have suggested you look at are the sources Mr. Roberts has quoted.I have pointed out only two of his errors, there could be more.Because of the grievous source errors made by this author, his whole work is subject to scrutiny and cannot be considered a work with any legitimacy.

Great telling of the story from an unbiased outsider's perspective
To those who live in Utah the story of the Mormon handcart pioneers is wll known. What is not well known is how the event could have been prevented with a little planning and common sense. The sufferings tended to be romantized and flowered and glossed over so it was interesting to read the story from a purely factual point of view with no religious agenda or overtones. This is the story they don't teach this in the primary songs! ... Read more

Product Description
The spiritual text that forms the basis of Mormonism—in the last edition edited by its founder, Joseph Smith, Jr.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is one of the most influential— as well as controversial—religious documents in American history, and is regarded as sacred scripture by followers around the world, including members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the fourth-largest religious body in the United States. According to Mormon belief, The Book of Mormon was inscribed on golden plates by ancient prophets. I t contains stories of ancient peoples migrating from the Near East to the Americas, and also explains that Jesus Christ appeared to the New World after his resurrection. The golden plates were discovered in upstate New York and translated by Joseph Smith, Jr., under the guidance of an angel, Moroni. From this divine revelation, Smith founded the Mormon sect, which is now comprised of more than 12.5 million members worldwide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (152)

an experience, even if you aren't mormon
If you are interested in religion and are not Mormon, I would recommend reading this style of the Book of Mormon. The original (supposed) translation of the Book of Mormon did not have the verse numbers or columns. I like reading it better that way; it is a narrative and to me, all of the notes and verse numbers in the current edition just get in the way.

I am an ex-mormon and I never really "got" the BoM until I read it from an outsiders perspective in this format. If you want the original book however, this is not quite there; it is the third edition. And, yes, there were nearly 4000 typos and more serious textual issues that have had to be changed since. If you can find one, it is really interesting to read the 1830 edition, but this one will suffice if not.

Even if you are not Mormon, if you are interested in religion, read the older edition (like this one), not the new one.

Have you no shame, Amazon, at long last, no decency?
WTF, Amazon, you've had the Look Inside and Search Inside features going for some five years now, and you still can't tag the appropriate scans to the right book. I tried to look inside the Penguin Book of Mormon, only to see a scan for some no-name BS small press edition. Way to lose a sale to a brick-and-mortar bookstore, where I can hold the book in my hands and consult it in the flesh. FAIL

An Exceedingly Good Review of the Book of Mormon
1. And it came to pass that I, TANSTAAFL, having been born of Mormon parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; which included the Book of Mormon, and having seen many afflictions and cognitive dissonance in the course of my days because of the fact that I was raised in the Mormon religion and having read the Book of Mormon nigh unto twenty times, nevertheless, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mischievousness of Loki, therefore I make a book review of the Book of Moron.

2. Yea, I make a record of my review in the language of English, and not Reformed Egyptian - the language of the Book of Mormon, because everyone knoweth that no one speaks Reformed Egyptian anyway. Behold, I make an abridgment of the review upon computer which I have made with mine own hands; (the review, not the computer) wherefore, after I have abridged the review then will I make an account of mine own review and if thou findest this sentence difficult for your understandings to comprehend then thou wilt not enjoy reading the Book of Mormon, for I make the record of my review in the idiom of the book of Mormon author. Yea, verily, it came to pass that exceedingly more confusing than Yoda-speak it is.

3. And it came to pass that thus were written the first two paragraphs of my review. And I know that the review which I write true; and I make it with mine own computer; and I make it according to my knowledge. And thus passeth away even the third paragraph also.

4. And it came to pass that my review having been limited to 1000 words by the amazon.com web-site, I realized that my choice of writing style, that being the style inflicted upon the reader by Joseph Smith Jr., Author and Proprietor of the Book of Mormon, was not a good choice for one limited to a small number of words, or for that matter an odd choice for the inhabitants of the ancient Americas who supposedly had to inscribe the lengthy and frequently rambling and meaningless prose on gold plates where space was at a premium.

5. And it came to pass that this part of the review, yea even the middlest part, I shall shew unto you the parts of the review that review the book of which I revieweth. And it came to pass that I chose not to detail in this review the thousands of revisions which the Mormons made to the book after Joseph Smith wrote it, which was supposedly perfectly "translated" by a gift from god, or the many anachronisms which the author included, yea not even the horses that the ancient Americans supposedly had despite the fact that the horse arrived with Columbus nor the steel weapons. Nor even shall I comment upon 54 chapters dealing with wars that bear no resemblance to the actual wars that took place in the ancient Americas, yea and I especially shall not comment upon the accounts of wars with nonsensical accounts of million man armies fighting to the last man and their bones and steel weapons disappearing from the face of the earth. Yea, and it followeth that I also chose not to comment on the many plagiarisms and yea, even plagiarisms of mistranslations, which were included in the book. Yea, verily I chose not to comment on the writing or the story of the book, which Mark Twain called "chloroform in print," especially since I find that remark exceedingly disparaging to chloroform. For it came to pass in the commencement of my preparation for the writing of the review, I realized that a review of the book which pointed out its flaws would be so long, yea, so long as to be longer than the book itself. Yea, and thus passeth away even the middlest part of the review, the exceedingly longest paragraph, even though it merely toucheth upon the thousands of give-aways as to the fraudulent nature of the book. For yea, this review cannot contain even a millionth part of what was so exceedingly poorly written in the Book of Mormon.

6. And it came to pass that I decided that my review of the book should mention, before concluding, a list of some of the main themes of the Book of Mormon, and yea I verily mention them thusly: (1) Killing is good, if thou art a teenager and thou hearest voices in thine head telling thee to kill someone, preferably someone drunk so they cannot fight back. 1 Nephi 4 (2) If thou disobeyest God, he will curse thee with a dark skin, 3 Nephi 5:21, Jacob 3:5, Alma 3:6, but (3) If thou art a personage of dark skin, God will make thee white and delightsome, if thou wilt consent to join his church. 3 Nephi 3:15 (4) After Jesus, yea even Christ Our Lord, was killed, he camest to the Americas and killed millions of Native Americans, 3 Nephi 8-9, and (5) Women art completely insignificant except occasionally as breeding stock, passim.

7. And there are many things more which transpired in the Book of Mormon which, in the eyes of some, would be considered great and marvelous, but despite having read the book upwards of twenty times, I cannot remember even one.For there are some who say "it stinketh not," but as for me it doth stink, exceedingly.

8. Thus, I make an end to my abridgement of my review, yea, and now I bid unto all, adieu. I soon go to rest in the paradise of mine abode, until my spirit and body shall again recover from the taxing effort of writing in such an exceedingly nauseating style. Amen.

Inspired
Reading this book with an open heart and open mind will change your life forever.It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ!

Chloroform in Print
Mark Twain called the Book of Mormon "chloroform in print" and he wasn't kidding.It is by far the most boring read I have encountered (I could barely get through it).I am a woman of faith - faith in God and faith in Christ and I don't know how anyone could believe this rubbish.PLEASE, anyone who is taking this at all seriously - do some research on the church.Ask some hard questions (you will likely get a rehearsed answer, but it's worth a shot).

Joseph Smith was accused (and fined with a misdimeanor) of being a "glass looker" - hired by a man to help him find buried silver mines started and left behind by the Spanish. He would use "magic stones" that were placed in a hat to tell him where to find the location.So convenient that he later found "gold plates" and used what he called the "Urim and Thum" (which, by the way are actually gemstones that were carried by the High Priests of Israel in biblical times) to translate these plates (he describes them as stones he looked at in a hat).

There are SO many myths that are told by members of the church "most men were SO distraught at the thought of polygamy", the age issue of Joseph translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith's actual role in polygamy (which really should be called polandry - when a woman has more than one husband...11 of Josephs 33 wives were actually married to other men first and then married to him, having NEVER divorced the first husband - what's up with that???).. etc.. and the list goes on and on...

I am not disputing that Mormons take care of their own... that they are often kind people who have good hearts, I think that is all wonderful and if you want to join their church for those reasons that's great! Just PLEASE do some homework first and don't just rely on the "power of prayer".There is a reason that Utah is the [...] capital of the USA (I'm sure every one of those people "prayed" about that big business decision - it can OFTEN be mis-intrepreted). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Ultra-helpful!
I used the Pocket Book of Mormon on my mission. It's really convenient to be able to open quickly and flip to where you're going. It's certainly better than a bulky one if you want to carry it with you everywhere you go. Of course, now I have an iPod Touch and the church has an app for the scriptures that I use:
[...]
But having the pocket Book of Mormon is certainly more convenient and better than having no Book of Mormon at all!

Best book ever if you want to increase your Faith
Definitely worth every penny for any Christian who wants to increase Faith and learn more of other people from a different hemisphere. Comparable and a great companion to the Holy Bible!

Of course, I don't know why you would buy it just because you can always get a free copy from any LDS missionary...

Great book that I have read dozens of times.
I learn something new every time I read it.The cross references to the Bible and other scripture clarify and elaborate passages therein.The index in the back makes it easy to study items by topic and not solely in chronological order.

I highly recommend it.

Writings of Jesus Christ
It is convenient, compact and easy to have to read anywhere on the go.I am very glad to have had this edition of a compilation of the writings of prophets sharing the words of Jesus Christ that have a practical every-day application both in my life an in the lives of millions of others who have read it. I have actually read it and found that there is nothing more positive and useful in dealing with day-to-day events than following the teachings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which can be summed up by the two greatest commandments which are to "Love God" and to "Love thy neighbor as thyself" really good guidelines in my book if only we would all strive to live by these whether you claim to believe in a higher power or not how can you go wrong in learning to have a deeper sense of love for others and inner-peace by living by these tenants in an increasingly unstable world.Jesus Christ as taught in this book was born of the virgin Mary, prophesied of by many previous prophets including Noah, Abraham, Isaiah and John the Baptist, he was born in the most humble of circumstances in Bethlehem, grew in knowledge and power from a very young age, taught the higher law replacing the Mosiac law as he had come to fulfill this law, Christ performed miracles throughout his ministry, made an atonement for all sin while he was praying to God the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was crucified, and was resurrected on the third day.After which he appeared to his apostles and showed his scars to them while he talked and ate honeycomb and fish before he ascended again into heaven promising to return again in majesty and glory.This book is an account of the people living on the American Continent and includes an account or written record of those people including the appearance of Jesus Christ following his resurrection in Jerusalem. Just one reference by Christ himself included John 10:16(KJV) "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." As with any personal insight into one's life I personally go by James 1:5(KJV) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." I highly recommend this book especially for all those seeking a great and unique addition to their library!

Perfect for travel
This size of the Book of Mormon is perfect to take along when you travel, even when camping or hiking.I love to sit out in nature and take the time to read this sacred record.I think of Joseph Smith going into the woods near his home to pray and ask which church to join, and the resulting vision that began the restoration of Christ's church to the earth.The Book of Mormon testifies beautifully of our Creator, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, yes, I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
David L. Rowe asserts that many Mormons view Christian witnessing as Bible bashing. What Christians need to understand, he suggests, is that Latter-day Saints are an entirely separate ethnic group with their own history, values, and customs. Evangelizing Mormons can be so much more effective if Christians first know, understand, and respect Mormon heritage.With helpful illustrations and discussions of Mormon values and theology, Rowe calls Christians away from confrontational evangelism and instead suggests active listening and respect as a way to bridge Christian beliefs and Mormon culture. A glossary in the back of the book and discussion questions at the end of each chapter will help readers apply these concepts in their own witnessing experiences. In the end, Christians will be more approachable representatives of Christ. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Book simply spreads wrong ideas on Latter-day Saints
The idea that someone has to share Christ with a Latter-day Saint does nothing more than show the ignorance of the author. Latter-day Saints know Christ, love Christ, Worship Christ, and believe in the grace of Christ and his sacrifice. So-called Mormons, are, in fact Christians.

Cultural and ethnic assassination
Mormons are deficient. Mormons need help. Mormons desperately need to be rescued. The LDS Church is evil. A Mormon identity is unacceptable. Mormons who raise children in the LDS Faith are irresponsible. Mormons are.... and on and on.

What a message!

I worry about my LDS children with such rhetoric and idealogy on the loose.

I am waiting for this author to publish his follow up book about how evil Judaism is and how Evangelicals can successfully pull Jews out of the "Jewish cult" through witnessing. I am sure that will go over very well with the anti-Defamation league.

Can you imagine? Such an anti-Semitic book (the exact same book he has written here against LDS culture mind you) would create a firestorm. I would certainly denounce it.

Obviously, the author would never do this. Explain to me then how anti-Mormonism is different than anti-Semitism in the context of faith, culture and ethnic identity? There is no difference. When are Protestants going to make this connection? The author would do well to at least understand the sort of bigoted company he is in (anti-Semitic).

Boo on all forms of "anti-ism," be it LDS or jewish. Shame on him for reinforcing these intolerant views.

Boo

Testimony Killer?
David Rowe, of the Salt Lake Theological Seminary, indicates that, when he arrived in Utah in 1975, he quickly became a kind of "Mormon slayer" who loved a "Bible bash." Back then "we were," he now admits, "attacking them instead of their doctrine" (p. 17, emphasis deleted). Eventually he realized that all he got out of his aggressive, adversarial, confrontational anti-Mormon polemics was a sense of having trounced a miserable cultist.

He claims to have eventually discovered what he calls a "new way" of "witnessing" to the Saints--that is, of attacking their doctrine rather than them. This is still what Latter-day Saints see as proselyting since they regard themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ, who has provided for them the only means of salvation.

As an alternative for the more overtly adversarial sort of "cult-busting" approach he employed earlier in his career, Rowe now offers a presumably kinder, gentler, more culturally sensitive kind of anti-Mormonism. His is, however, a minor voice in the cacophony of anti-Mormon voices. What he offers still is blatantly anti-Mormon.

Why?

One reason is that he asserts that the Jesus that the Saints know is merely "'a two-dimensional cutout paper doll' Jesus Christ" (p. 159) and not the real Jesus of the Bible. And when the Saints offer thanks for the atonement, Rowe, like many other sectarian anti-Mormons, insists that we do not really mean what we pray, say, or sing (pp. 53--56), since we do not have the proper "worldview" (p. 55), and so forth.

This book was obviously not written for Latter-day Saints. It is another in a long line of handbooks that promise a new and improved way of proselyting the Saints and thereby meeting the Mormon challenge. Rowe proudly describes his book as a "new way" of "transforming" the Saints.

It is "new" in that it is a presumably less adversarial and abrasive, and, hopefully, a more effective way of seducing the Saints away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and into some unidentified sectarian ideology.

Rowe hopes that others, following his advice, will somehow "come to understand Latter-day Saints and their culture [as he has] and wed this understanding to a profound love and respect for them" (p. 9). Love is thus recommended as a means to an end.

What end?

He very much wants to see his contemporary conservative Protestant culture, his own religious language and lore, his worldview, and his version of "the biblical gospel" (as opposed to what the Saints have) "built into their world, their lives, and even their worldwide church" (p. 9).

Rowe's "new way" is endorsed by such evangelicals as David Neff (editor of Christianity Today), Craig Blomberg (Denver Seminary), Vernon Grounds (chancellor, Denver Seminary), and two fellow employees of the Salt Lake Theological Seminary.

Rowe is said to have, "beyond his family and Jesus," a passion for "incendiary worship, fine cuisine, acoustic music, elegant discourse, and sheer grace" (p. 191). He claims that Mormonism is a culture and not a cult and he teaches something called "cross-cultural ministry," in addition to worship theology, homiletics/communication, and spiritual formation.

His new way of proselyting Mormons involves learning their mind-set and their language, since Mormons are a culture (or ethnic group) and not a cult as commonly understood by countercultists (pp. 27--29 and elsewhere).

In order to spread the message encrusted in the language and lore of his variety of contemporary conservative Protestant culture, Rowe believes that one must learn the language, stories, and modes of thinking of the Mormon culture if one is to effectively communicate the "real Jesus" to the Saints (p. 107).

According to Rowe, there is "a characteristically Mormon way of knowing about God and spiritual matters" (p. 13). He urges conservative Protestants "to adapt our communication style to their [LDS] way of knowing so the Good News can sound like good news" (p. 13). One must appear to have a deep love for the Mormon people "despite deep disagreements with some of their distinctives" (p. 9), or what he calls "a profound love and respect" for lost Mormon souls.

But Rowe's "new way" is not without its critics. There is currently a donnybrook taking place among conservative Protestants over how best to proselyte Latter-day Saints. Both sides in this internecine struggle quote--out of context--a phrase from Paul's letter to the Ephesians (4:15) to describe their approaches as "speaking truth in love."

The Saints, of course, often have a difficult time recognizing either truth or love in what is said and done. One camp practices a confrontational, adversarial, aggressively Bible-bashing mode of "evangelizing" the Saints. The other faction, aware that such tactics yield very poor results, has fashioned a slightly more irenic and less openly adversarial approach, which Rowe advocates in his handbook for luring the Saints away from their faith.

As a Mormon, I agree with this approach, . . .
As a Mormon, I agree with Rowe's approach, which sounds like (I have NOT read this book) the approach the Master Himself takes: gentleness, persuasion, meekness, long-suffering, and genuine love. As I agree with Rowe's approach, I therefore promote his book.As followers of Christ, Mormons and non-Mormons need to respect each others' views, and in a spirit of love and true caring, impart that which one has come to know and feel.As a Mormon, I would welcome a dialogue with Rowe or any other like-minded Christian: I have learned much from my Christian friends. I have been spiritually lifted by many of the examples of Christians (and Mormons).I enjoy discussing my love for Christ with Christians, and learning of their love for the Master.God bless!

Excellent
This book is perfect for those living in, around, or near Mormons.It dispels many misbeliefs about the Mormon religion and it takes the outsider into the religion without bashing, hating, or belittling them.It explains the differences between a evangelical Christian and a Mormon instead of just laying into Mormonism as if they were the most evil of people.Having moved to Utah myself with very little previous Mormon interaction I found this book as a life saver in terms of getting a grasp on everything culture to vocabulary to history.It is a must read for any Christian or non-Christian, in other words, everyone should read it.It is a very easy read as well. ... Read more

Product Description
I learned early that if you don’t want to go to school for a career . . . then this was the life. And there were rules. You better not drink, you better not be a big shot and you better always stay low and keep your mouth shut. If you’re going to play the game, you’ve got to play smart.

Thus began Mario Facione’s slow descent into the Mafia world. With a desire to please his father, Facione kept the rules taught him - don’t get caught, know your people. . . never let them have control of what you’re doing, and never let anyone fully know what you’re up to.

So when two clean-cut young men in dark suits showed up on his doorstep, Facione’s main concern was to figure out the scam they were selling. Instead, he became surprisingly relaxed as these two answered every question he had unsuccessfully asked other clergymen. He learned real truth and began a journey towards knowledge. Yes, there is a reason why we are here on earth; yes, you can re-remember who we are and yes, it’s true, Heavenly Father still speaks through a modern-day prophet.

Marion Facione’s story is one man’s extraordinary journey through the darkness into the light. Reading his story will confirm again that the gospel is truly for every child of God who is willing to change . . . even someone who wants to go from Mafia to Mormon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

WASTE OF TIME
It stunk. To begin with the title is bogus because Mario says he is not actually part of the Mafia. If you get the recorded version, it is poorly recorded. What you can make out is a lot of Mormon propaganda, follow the prophet and be a good mormon and all that, accentuated by emotional outbursts from the author. Not worth your credit or time.

Very Entertaining
This book is rather short but it is fun and entertaining.The insights into the mafia were interesting.I read it in a couple of hours.I would think that very few people could make the change from mafia to Mormon.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
I loved it.Totally different than any other conversion story and it was REAL.I get tired of perfection very quickly.

What a good book!
I loved this book! I could really see a movie in my mind when I was reading it. It is so entertaining, fun, and inspiring. I really enojoyed reading it. You get into this book and it's so hard to put it down.
The author is awesome! I wish I could meet him in person. He seems to be a very intersting, honest, and smart man.

LDS Mafia?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!Altough, not a member of the LDS church the sincerity and the telling of this tale of gangster to god-ster was an easy read, an inspiring read and was an inspiration. ... Read more