Beyond Mormonism: An Elder's Story

by James R. Spencer

Jim Spencer had turned from the emptiness of the world to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he found meaning and purpose. He became the pillar of a good Mormon family, a missionary who taught Gospel Doctrine classes and a respected Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Then Spence began facing a series of troubling Despite the lovely image of a typical Mormon family, why were divorce and suicide and child abuse so rampant, and why did no one really get close to one another?: What were the real reasons behind three different Mormon organizations, each claiming to be the one True Church and each declaring the others to be apostate?; Why was his church-affiliated college so isolationist, so unable to converse honestly with students about relationships and problems?; Why did he continue to feel so troubled by the secret ceremony at the temple that was to be the height of his spiritual experience as a Mormon? Worst of all, if he entered the inner circle of God's True Church, why did he begin to feel again a nagging sense of emptiness? To leave the Church would mean social rejection by the community in which Spencer was not only a member but a leader. "My daughter's father is a Mormon Elder," his wife told him. "If you leave the church you leave your family." So when Spencer began finding some surprising answers beyond Mormonism, he had to ask Was he willing to pay that high price - and for what return?

Genres: Cults, Autobiography, Evangelism, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by a man that grew up in a town that my family has a lot of history in. I bet he knows my family's names. This book is well written, about a man who became Mormon only to discover that it wasn't fulfilling and had a lot of contradictions that he couldn't live with. He eventually left the church.

It is genuinely written, lacking anger at the Mormon church, and provides a lot of insight towards the inner workings of the church. It is his personal story, why he joined the church, and eventually why he left it. It could have easily been written with an angry tone, but it wasn't. In fact, I felt it was written on a very personal, matter of fact level.

I would recommend this book to anyone considering Mormonism, with questions or concerns about the religion (in or out of the church), or anyone just plain interested in religion.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting but sometimes I wished he gave more examples. Also, at one point he had a two sided conversation with God that I just struggled with a bit and didn't leave me feeling all that great. Otherwise, it holds some good information about Mormonism and a well-written account of this mans search for truth.

[Jennifer Mugrage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, quick, well-written memoir is a good way to get an introduction to Mormonism through a readable personal story. Mormon doctrine is labyrinthine and uses a ton of terms borrowed from traditional Christian theology, usually with very different meanings, so it can be intimidating to try and learn about it if you just "dive in," either to the Mormon writings themselves or to scholarly works about the doctrines. I even have a few "question and answer" books about Mormonism, written at a very popular level, but they are topical so they can be hard to get into. In this book, you learn about Mormon practices and doctrines as James Spencer learns about them in his personal journey.

Spencer joined the Mormon church and was quite advanced within it before he learned about some of the more bizarre and important doctrines, such as that God was once a man and that it is the destiny of good Mormons to one day become gods as well. Even then, he was so deeply enmeshed in the church socially that he didn't immediately leave. He was forced out when he started talking too much about Jesus Christ, and started reading long passages from the Bible to his Sunday School class, showing how the Bible contradicts the idea that God was once a man; that people can become gods; and that we are saved through our good works.

This is an expose of sorts, but it is written lovingly, not with bitterness or self-righteousness. I recommend it as a starting point for anyone who whatever reason needs to begin learning about Mormonism.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book online at http://www.mazeministry.com/resources... This man has a very interesting and encouraging story.

[Linda Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers many questions when asking the question "Is Mormonism a Christian religion or cult?"
Written by a former elder who did the research and found the truth. If you have questions, read this book.

[Jonathan Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and engaging story of a man's journey from Mormonism's lies to God's truth. I appreciated the juxtaposition between the two worldviews and how Mormons think.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This man's personal story helps put in print many of the experiences and feelings that most have and go through that investigate in-depth the LDS church and their faith in it... and eventually feel they must leave it.

The author is now a in ministry for another church and thus you can get some of his leading toward it in the book, it is understandable though since this more of an auto-biographical piece rather than an in-depth theological piece.

I found it of value and worth the time.
You can read it online for free at:
http://www.mazeministry.com/resources...

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book written by a former "Elder" of the LDS church. It explains a lot about the LDS church, its contradictions, lies and rituals practices. A very quick read.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read... if you are as fascinated with different religions as I am, then you'll probably find this interesting.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opener

[Shane]

great read on a cult that tries to disguise itself as Christian

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look behind the scenes of a major religion. Of course I take it with a grain of salt because it's coming from an ex-member of the church. Still, interesting.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended by an adult child of PK. Fascinating account of life as a mormon

[Rachel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read (and available to read online): the story of a man who converted to Mormonism, what he found there, and how he found Christ. I'd really recommend it.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I read it in one sitting. It caught my attention.