What do you think?
Rate this book
The Complete Heretics’ Guide to Western Religion Book The Mormons The next time that squeaky clean pair of LDS elders comes knocking on your door, they’re in for a surprise! Find out the secrets the Mormon Church would rather you didn’t know (and for which they paid plenty of money to keep hushed up – unsuccessfully!) In this first book of The Complete Heretic's Guide to World Religion series, historian and award-winning atheist author Dave Fitzgerald takes us behind the Salt Lake Curtain for a glimpse at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and answers your Where did this multi-billion dollar tax-exempt corporation come from? Did Joseph Smith really sleep with all those women? Are the Mormons going to take over the whole world, and if so, is there any way to stop them? But that’s not all! Learn about the bizarre, oxymoronic world of Mormon Archeology and discover their strange beliefs, not just all the crazy stuff you already know, but all the truly twisted things you never even suspected - including the astounding shocking skeletons rattling around in the closet of the Mormon church hierarchy. Don't miss out on this fun, informative and painstakingly researched historical romp by the highly praised and award-winning author of Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed At All. So when the missionaries show up on your doorstep, you’ll have plenty to discuss with them… Later days, Saints! The Complete Heretic’s Guide to Western Religion. Because Religion isn’t just wrong. It’s hilarious.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2013
84 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
David Fitzgerald
16 books108 followersDavid Fitzgerald is a writer and historical researcher who has been actively investigating the Historical Jesus question for over ten years.
He lectures around the country at universities and national secular events and is best known for his book Nailed and The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion series.
He is also the co-author of the science fiction trilogy Time Shards with his wife, Dana Fredsti.
He lectures around the country at universities and national secular events and is best known for his book Nailed and The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion series.
He is also the co-author of the science fiction trilogy Time Shards with his wife, Dana Fredsti.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 25, 2021
David Fitzgerald’s style of writing is light, engaging and enthralling to read. His research is extensive, accurate, interestingly integrated into a compelling sequence, succinctly related and never ever boring.
As an exMormon (forty-three years a member) and author of five books in ‘The Mormon Delusion’ series, I know a thing or two about the truth behind the Mormon hoax. My final analysis of David Fitzgerald’s ‘The Mormons’, is that it more than captures the most important aspects concerning the truth that any inquirer would ever need to know, in one simple fun-to-read volume. As I know a lot about Mormonism, I didn’t really expect to learn anything new to me – but I was delighted that I actually did, and I loved reading every word.
Fitzgerald covers not just Mormon history, doctrine, schisms and insurmountable problems that apologists simply cannot rationalise, but also how some supposedly faithful members behave today. I was amazed to discover how many Mormons, including several Bishops, particularly in Utah, have been jailed or are awaiting trial for running massive investment scams or Ponzi schemes, defrauding hundreds of fellow Mormons out of hundreds of millions of dollars; and how the Church, most unusually, refunded hundreds of thousands of dollars paid in tithing by one perpetrator, presumably to assist in repaying duped investors. It seems the Mormon Church is not short of a few criminals – or plenty of gullible members. But that was just an interesting aside to all the factual evidence against Joseph Smith and his hoax.
I enjoyed the way Fitzgerald so eloquently covered each aspect in his work. It was a refreshing change to many other books on the subject of Mormonism – vibrant and entertaining from beginning to end.
My only criticism (if you could call it that) is that where Hebrew words are included, in the Kindle version, the letters just appear as a series of boxes rather than Hebrew text. I had this problem at first in my own books but it can be fixed, so hopefully an update will take care of this (minor) problem at some stage.
I know very little about other similar religions and eagerly anticipate promised further works by Fitzgerald in this series. If they are as well researched and the information is as reliable and interesting as in this book, we are in for some more real treats.
A resounding ‘well done’ from me – five star stuff! This book is a ‘must read’.
(Although David Fitzgerald recommends my own books in his ‘Select Bibliography’ and ‘Further Resources’, this review is entirely unsolicited and provided out of sheer admiration for an excellent publication by a very talented author.)
Jim Whitefield – author of ‘The Mormon Delusion’ series and The Bible Delusion. see: www.themormondelusion.com
As an exMormon (forty-three years a member) and author of five books in ‘The Mormon Delusion’ series, I know a thing or two about the truth behind the Mormon hoax. My final analysis of David Fitzgerald’s ‘The Mormons’, is that it more than captures the most important aspects concerning the truth that any inquirer would ever need to know, in one simple fun-to-read volume. As I know a lot about Mormonism, I didn’t really expect to learn anything new to me – but I was delighted that I actually did, and I loved reading every word.
Fitzgerald covers not just Mormon history, doctrine, schisms and insurmountable problems that apologists simply cannot rationalise, but also how some supposedly faithful members behave today. I was amazed to discover how many Mormons, including several Bishops, particularly in Utah, have been jailed or are awaiting trial for running massive investment scams or Ponzi schemes, defrauding hundreds of fellow Mormons out of hundreds of millions of dollars; and how the Church, most unusually, refunded hundreds of thousands of dollars paid in tithing by one perpetrator, presumably to assist in repaying duped investors. It seems the Mormon Church is not short of a few criminals – or plenty of gullible members. But that was just an interesting aside to all the factual evidence against Joseph Smith and his hoax.
I enjoyed the way Fitzgerald so eloquently covered each aspect in his work. It was a refreshing change to many other books on the subject of Mormonism – vibrant and entertaining from beginning to end.
My only criticism (if you could call it that) is that where Hebrew words are included, in the Kindle version, the letters just appear as a series of boxes rather than Hebrew text. I had this problem at first in my own books but it can be fixed, so hopefully an update will take care of this (minor) problem at some stage.
I know very little about other similar religions and eagerly anticipate promised further works by Fitzgerald in this series. If they are as well researched and the information is as reliable and interesting as in this book, we are in for some more real treats.
A resounding ‘well done’ from me – five star stuff! This book is a ‘must read’.
(Although David Fitzgerald recommends my own books in his ‘Select Bibliography’ and ‘Further Resources’, this review is entirely unsolicited and provided out of sheer admiration for an excellent publication by a very talented author.)
Jim Whitefield – author of ‘The Mormon Delusion’ series and The Bible Delusion. see: www.themormondelusion.com
September 15, 2014
You don't know how gullible people can be until you get to know the history of the Mormon (LDS) church.
You don't know how dangerous religion can be until you get to know the history of the Mormon church.
You don't know how dangerous religion can be until you get to know the history of the Mormon church.
April 21, 2014
This book was a really well-researched example of Mormon history. As a Christian, there were several aspects I disagreed with - as the text leans toward a non-religious bias. Overall, the facts are able to speak for themselves and tell the story of a very misunderstood religious group.
Fitzgerald does a phenomenal job of clearing up popular misconceptions regarding the Mormon Church and backs up each statement with historical events that are indisputable. The writing is light, easy, and engaging, making it difficult to put down - even from the perspective of a pretty hardcore raised Southern Baptist.
The writing and historical evidence is solid, the writing impressive, and leads to one hell of an interesting read! I would recommend this title to anyone looking for a good book on religious history, someone who is considering the Mormon religion, or someone looking further into organized religion.
Fitzgerald does a phenomenal job of clearing up popular misconceptions regarding the Mormon Church and backs up each statement with historical events that are indisputable. The writing is light, easy, and engaging, making it difficult to put down - even from the perspective of a pretty hardcore raised Southern Baptist.
The writing and historical evidence is solid, the writing impressive, and leads to one hell of an interesting read! I would recommend this title to anyone looking for a good book on religious history, someone who is considering the Mormon religion, or someone looking further into organized religion.
October 16, 2017
Exmormon here.
No long review. The book speaks for itself. I just wanted to thank Fitzgerald for writing it and putting so much good information in it. I have been out awhile. I was a convert at about 18, served a two year mission. Married in the Temple, the whole 9yards. Just has the book says, leaving was a process. Thankfully since I was a convert I didn’t have a whole network of family to hold on to. I can really feel for those who do. To those readers I wish them the best. Trust your mind, hold on to a search for truth and you will find it.....eventually. Thanks again David.
No long review. The book speaks for itself. I just wanted to thank Fitzgerald for writing it and putting so much good information in it. I have been out awhile. I was a convert at about 18, served a two year mission. Married in the Temple, the whole 9yards. Just has the book says, leaving was a process. Thankfully since I was a convert I didn’t have a whole network of family to hold on to. I can really feel for those who do. To those readers I wish them the best. Trust your mind, hold on to a search for truth and you will find it.....eventually. Thanks again David.
August 20, 2014
I find this an excellent book points out not only the explains the mythology, history, points out the fallacies and the hypocrisy as well as the evil deeds of the LDS church but also goes on to very succinctly explain how to engage LDS followers without offending/alienating them. He points out that it is all too easy to point out the absurdities in the belief system rather than helping them learn for themselves.
June 18, 2013
I had trouble putting this down... All the while thinking of the catchy tune from South Park (Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb!)
Seriously though, I found this book to be an informative and honest telling of Mormon history and I enjoyed it thoroughly! I'd recommend it to anyone curious about this peculiar little religion.
Seriously though, I found this book to be an informative and honest telling of Mormon history and I enjoyed it thoroughly! I'd recommend it to anyone curious about this peculiar little religion.
February 15, 2014
A very thorough, and seemingly well researched, overview of the history, beliefs, politics, and affect on American history of the Mormon religion. I am hoping that Mr. Fitzgerald continues developing his "Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion" series -- there are so many other odd religious movements and cults that need this level of discussion.
July 24, 2013
Once again Fitzgerald blends his talents for mixing well-thought-out analysis, exhaustive research, and incisive wit. This particular volume was made all the more enjoyable in that i helped in a small way with the research, and he felt it merited mention in his acknowledgements...
July 25, 2016
After reading this book I think I have learned as much as I wanted to know about the Mormons. Some parts were a bit depressing but other parts had me laughing out loud. David Fitzgerald has written another insightful read which I would recommend to anybody who wants to learn about Mormons.
October 3, 2021
You must read or listen to this and find out the true history of this religion, and to see how devious their leaders they were! And how they still are fleecing the flock to line the pockets of the higher echelon! They keep members so busy with church activities, from the youth up that they have no time for themselves!
October 29, 2013
Very rarely do I read the same book twice even a good book but as soon as I finished this enthralling, informative, and crazy funny book I turned around and started reading it again the same day! I can't wait to read more from this author.
August 14, 2014
Interesting read with plenty of additional reference material noted if one is interested in more detail of LDS history. Definitely no shortage of moments when you'll feel like you're in an SNL skit asking, "really?".
September 15, 2013
I think it was a entertaining book and an easy read.
It was for the most part well researched.
But I also thought it was very biased towards the negative aspects of the history.
It was for the most part well researched.
But I also thought it was very biased towards the negative aspects of the history.
January 16, 2014
Awesome! Really the best book I've read on the subject.
August 19, 2014
A very interesting account of an often misunderstood religion.
May 13, 2020
Growing up in the nineties in a semi-rural area near a medium-sized town in Yorkshire, there was one Mormon family living in our village. They were one of the biggest families in the village and were viewed as being a bit odd. One of the children was in my class at school; we were all friends with her, I’d often play with her as she lived on the same street as some other friends, but she couldn’t participate in everything the rest of us did. For example, when we went to swimming lessons with school when we were 9, she was the only pupil in the class who couldn’t swim already.
Fast forward to 2009, I’d lost all contact with this Mormon girl I’d known in my youth (I’d moved away from the village of my youth) and was now at university. One day when I was in town, a Mormon missionary managed to grab hold of me and get me talking. I wasn’t yet knowledgable enough to get myself out it so. I didn’t really know what Mormonism was about; I knew I wouldn’t believe it because I had enough knowledge of the world to know I didn’t believe in religion, but I didn’t have any arguments to refute what I was being told. They gave me a Book of Mormon and told me to read it so the truth could be revealed to me. I was open to the idea of improving my knowledge so I read a few pages. I didn’t get much further than that. A quick Google search gave me enough ammo to know that what I was reading went against scientific findings but was in concordance with general beliefs in New York at the time when the Book was “revealed”. I educated myself well enough to have some counter arguments so I could bring doubt to conversations. I met with the Mormons a couple more times, but once they started trying to get me to agree to go to their temple, that was that. This was probably the first step I took in the direction of being interested in why I don’t believe in religion.
Fast forward again to 2018. I’d managed to get a bacterial infection in both my lungs and it wiped me out for weeks. I had to stay home but I didn’t have the energy to do anything. It was at this time that I stumbled across Richard Carrier’s lectures on YouTube. It wasn’t a huge leap from Richard Carrier to David Fitzgerald. David is a very charismatic lecturer and I found myself very interested in the theories he was presenting. I’d already bought Carrier’s book on the Jesus myth (and two books on that in a short time frame seemed a bit much), so I thought I’d try Fitzgerald’s book on the Mormons. I had it as an audiobook but didn’t get around to listening to it before I was back on my feet and gave my reading time back to physical books rather than audiobooks. A couple of years later, we’re all stuck at home because of the Corona virus pandemic and I got back into audiobooks.
Some of the information Fitzgerald presents here was already known to me from my surface study a decade ago, but a lot of the details were new to me. The further I got into the book, the more I found myself questioning how people could have fallen for any of this in the first place. But they did, and people still do. I went through a range of emotions (annoyance at how women are treated, incredulity at the brazenness of some of the leaders, horror at atrocities committed). Fitzgerald’s style and presentation kept my interest right up to the end - and the book ends perfectly.
I genuinely believe the Mormons are nice, well-meaning people who are indoctrinated into a specific lifestyle from a very young age. If you want to know more about those people who sometimes call at your door (or try to flag you down as you’re doing your shopping), this book is a great and interesting read.
Fast forward to 2009, I’d lost all contact with this Mormon girl I’d known in my youth (I’d moved away from the village of my youth) and was now at university. One day when I was in town, a Mormon missionary managed to grab hold of me and get me talking. I wasn’t yet knowledgable enough to get myself out it so. I didn’t really know what Mormonism was about; I knew I wouldn’t believe it because I had enough knowledge of the world to know I didn’t believe in religion, but I didn’t have any arguments to refute what I was being told. They gave me a Book of Mormon and told me to read it so the truth could be revealed to me. I was open to the idea of improving my knowledge so I read a few pages. I didn’t get much further than that. A quick Google search gave me enough ammo to know that what I was reading went against scientific findings but was in concordance with general beliefs in New York at the time when the Book was “revealed”. I educated myself well enough to have some counter arguments so I could bring doubt to conversations. I met with the Mormons a couple more times, but once they started trying to get me to agree to go to their temple, that was that. This was probably the first step I took in the direction of being interested in why I don’t believe in religion.
Fast forward again to 2018. I’d managed to get a bacterial infection in both my lungs and it wiped me out for weeks. I had to stay home but I didn’t have the energy to do anything. It was at this time that I stumbled across Richard Carrier’s lectures on YouTube. It wasn’t a huge leap from Richard Carrier to David Fitzgerald. David is a very charismatic lecturer and I found myself very interested in the theories he was presenting. I’d already bought Carrier’s book on the Jesus myth (and two books on that in a short time frame seemed a bit much), so I thought I’d try Fitzgerald’s book on the Mormons. I had it as an audiobook but didn’t get around to listening to it before I was back on my feet and gave my reading time back to physical books rather than audiobooks. A couple of years later, we’re all stuck at home because of the Corona virus pandemic and I got back into audiobooks.
Some of the information Fitzgerald presents here was already known to me from my surface study a decade ago, but a lot of the details were new to me. The further I got into the book, the more I found myself questioning how people could have fallen for any of this in the first place. But they did, and people still do. I went through a range of emotions (annoyance at how women are treated, incredulity at the brazenness of some of the leaders, horror at atrocities committed). Fitzgerald’s style and presentation kept my interest right up to the end - and the book ends perfectly.
I genuinely believe the Mormons are nice, well-meaning people who are indoctrinated into a specific lifestyle from a very young age. If you want to know more about those people who sometimes call at your door (or try to flag you down as you’re doing your shopping), this book is a great and interesting read.
August 20, 2021
«Μας αποκαλούν αδαείς, και είμαστε. Ε και; Δεν είναι όλοι αδαείς; Έτσι πιστεύω. Ποιος ξέρει να μας πει για τους κατοίκους εκείνου του μικρού πλανήτη που λάμπει τα απογεύματα, το αποκαλούμενο φεγγάρι; Όταν ρωτήσετε για αυτούς, θα ανακαλύψετε πως ακόμα και οι πιο μορφωμένοι ξέρουν τόσα όσα και οι πιο αδαείς. Το ίδιο συμβαίνει και με τους κατοίκους του ήλιου. Πιστεύετε πως κατοικείται; Εγώ έτσι πιστεύω. Πιστεύετε πως υπάρχει ζωή εκεί; Αναμφίβολα, δεν φτιάχτηκε χωρίς λόγο.»
(Από μια ομιλία του Brigham Young στο Salt Lake City)
Περίληψη
Οι Μορμόνοι, ή η Εκκλησία του Ιησού Χριστού των Αγίων των Τελευταίων Ημερών όπως προτιμούν να τους αποκαλούμε, είναι από τις πιο πρόσφατες θρησκείες, κι αυτό σημαίνει πως έχουμε αρκετές και έγκυρες πηγές και μαρτυρίες, τόσο για την ίδρυση της συγκεκριμένης θρησκείας, όσο και την εξέλιξή της.
Και ξέρουμε πως ο Joseph Smith ήταν ένας κοινός απατεώνας, που όταν τα βρήκε σκούρα και κινδύνευε με λιντσάρισμα από όσους είχε εξαπατήσει, αποφάσισε να αναβαθμίσει το παιχνίδι του λέγοντας πως του μίλησε ένας άγγελος και τον καθοδήγησε στις χρυσές πλάκες που είναι το sequel της Καινής Διαθήκης και αναφέρεται στους κατοίκους της Ιερουσαλήμ που αποίκησαν πρώτοι την Αμερική και τους επισκέφθηκε ο Ιησούς μετά την ανάστασή του, όταν είδε ότι οι μαθητές του έχασαν τον δρόμο τους.
Η νέα αυτή θρησκεία έδωσε απίστευτη δύναμη στον Joseph Smith, την οποία εκμεταλλεύτηκε στο έπακρο. Παρόλο που είχε από την αρχή επικριτές και τελικά δολοφονήθηκε από αυτούς, η θρησκεία καταφέρνει να επιβιώνει σχεδόν 2 αιώνες μετά, συνεχίζοντας να βασανίζει ψυχολογικά και σωματικά τα μέλη της, παρά τις προσπάθειές της να εκσυγχρονιστεί.
Κριτική
Ο David Fitzgerald είναι από τους πιο γνωστούς μυθικιστές, μαζί με τον Richard Carrier και τον Robert M. Price, αλλά, σε αντίθεση με εκείνους, δεν έχει ειδικές σπουδές πάνω στο αντικείμενο. Συγγραφέας είναι και ιστορικός ερευνητής. Αυτό με κάνει να κρατώ μικρό καλάθι όσον αφορά τους ισχυρισμούς του, αν και δεν έχει πέσει ποτέ στην αντίληψή μου να τον διαψεύδουν ή διορθώνουν.
Ό,τι του λείπει σε ειδικές γνώσεις όμως το αναπληρώνει σε ενθουσιασμό όταν μιλάει για αυτά που έχει ερευνήσει. Όπως, παραδείγματος χάρη, εδώ: David Fitzgerald - Η εξάπλωση του χριστιανισμού
Έτσι, μου είναι πολύ πιο συμπαθής από τον Carrier και τον Price και πολύ πιο εύκολο και ξεκούραστο να παρακολουθήσεις τις ομιλίες του.
Το θέμα των Μορμόνων με ενδιαφέρει αρκετά, όπως και όλων των πιο πρόσφατων θρησκειών που έχουμε καταγραφές για την ίδρυση και την εξέλιξή τους. Το θεωρώ έναν καλό οδηγό για το πώς μπορεί να ιδρύθηκε και να εξελίχθηκε ο χριστιανισμός, όπως επίσης μπορεί να γίνει σπουδή πάνω στην ευκολοπιστία του ανθρώπου και πόσο πράγματα που βρίσκονται ακριβώς μπροστά στη μύτη του είναι ικανός να κάνει ότι δεν βλέπει, ώστε να συνεχίσει να πιστεύει κάπου. Και ο Fitzgerald δεν με απογοήτευσε. Αντιθέτως με ξάφνιασε ευχάριστα στα τελευταία κεφάλαια που αναφέρθηκε στα προβλήματα που αντιμετωπίζουν ακόμα και σήμερα τα μέλη της Εκκλησίας, τους διάσημους Μορμόνους αλλά και τις επιρροές της θρησκείας στην τέχνη (γκουχBattlestarγκουχγκουχGalactica) και όχι μόνο.
Αν δεν ξέρετε αν θέλετε να επενδύσετε τόσο χρόνο διαβάζοντας το βιβλίο, ξεκινήστε από αυτή την ομιλία:
The Heretic's Guide to Mormonism, David Fitzgerald Skepticon 4
Κι αν γλυκαθείτε και θέλετε να μάθετε πιο πολλά για τον Joseph Smith, στο κανάλι MythVision Podcast μπορείτε να παρακολουθήσετε τις 22 (μέχρι τη δημιουργία αυτής της κριτικής) εκπομπές με τον Fitzgerald, αλλά κυρίως τον Bryce Blankenagle από το The Naked Mormonism Podcast.
Mormonism I Dream Of Logic playlist
April 2, 2019
This book is on point with its history an reality of what the Mormon church is all about. From the Crazy beginning to the current ideals that most mormon's don't even know about their own religion.
Take it from someone that was raised Mormon and Practiced that craziness for 25 years. Once you read and research the real history of these yahoos it makes you laugh. If you are a Mormon I really recommend you read it to see what you are associated with.
Read this if you want something to talk to the very nice young people that stop by your door to tell you haw amazing their church is.
Add on reading: Nailed by David Fitzgerald, along with the book Holy Sh!t by Casper Rigsby, than wrap it all up with Mythology by Matt Clayton to see the origins of crazy.
Take it from someone that was raised Mormon and Practiced that craziness for 25 years. Once you read and research the real history of these yahoos it makes you laugh. If you are a Mormon I really recommend you read it to see what you are associated with.
Read this if you want something to talk to the very nice young people that stop by your door to tell you haw amazing their church is.
Add on reading: Nailed by David Fitzgerald, along with the book Holy Sh!t by Casper Rigsby, than wrap it all up with Mythology by Matt Clayton to see the origins of crazy.
May 6, 2025
Em The Mormons, o escritor americano David Fitzgerald oferece uma introdução crítica e bem-humorada à Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias. O livro parte da biografia de Joseph Smith — fundador da religião — e avança até os debates contemporâneos sobre as crenças, práticas e contradições do mormonismo moderno.
A leitura é acessível mesmo para quem nunca teve contato com o tema, e ao mesmo tempo é rica em dados históricos e documentos pouco discutidos no discurso oficial da igreja. The Mormons é uma obra recomendada tanto para céticos curiosos quanto para leitores interessados em tomar mais contato com os bastidores do pensamento religioso norte-americano.
A leitura é acessível mesmo para quem nunca teve contato com o tema, e ao mesmo tempo é rica em dados históricos e documentos pouco discutidos no discurso oficial da igreja. The Mormons é uma obra recomendada tanto para céticos curiosos quanto para leitores interessados em tomar mais contato com os bastidores do pensamento religioso norte-americano.
October 20, 2017
meh. some tongue-in-cheek jabs at the more absurd bits (of which it lists quite a plenty). unfortunately, it ends up occasionally beating a dead horse to a pulp, which is tiresome to wade through. not entertaining enough as a light read (not to mention that some of the subject matter is somewhat sombre to begin with!), and too long for its own good in that capacity. on the other hand, nowhere near thorough enough for a serious read on the subj. so: alarming, but otherwise - neither here nor there.
February 28, 2020
I’ve been reading all of David Fitzgerald’s books in a row — and he never disappoints. This is a stunning exposé of Mormonism. It has to be one of the most absurd “mainstream” religions on the planet and people have been conned into it from its very beginnings with its bizarre belief system, secrecy, misogyny, and pseudo-scientific archeology. Fitzgerald makes history come alive. He is a careful researcher who backs everything up with high-quality historical evidence — and writes with a sense of humour that makes for a compelling read. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Reading it will also give you an insight into how cults deceive people and, once joined, do everything they can to keep members from knowing anything that might undermine their faith. This book is one of the most engaging, interesting, and enlightening I have read about any religion.
September 22, 2017
It's an interesting book, but it wasn't ideal to listen to as an audio book, as there was a lot of listing examples, which just got tiring in audio form. What I've read on Mormonism before, has been mostly the historical part, so I appreciated that this book also covered recent history and the present. However, even though I'm an atheist myself, I didn't love the part on how to get mormons to see that they're wrong.
December 20, 2020
Another good read...
From this author! I enjoyed this exposition on Mormonism, and liked the clear exposure of their beliefs, history, and the development down through the last few hundred years. It was an enlightening journey and anyone can learn some interesting facts if they read it through, and can also see how other faiths can follow similar patterns. I would recommend this work highly to anyone wanting to know more about the topic.
From this author! I enjoyed this exposition on Mormonism, and liked the clear exposure of their beliefs, history, and the development down through the last few hundred years. It was an enlightening journey and anyone can learn some interesting facts if they read it through, and can also see how other faiths can follow similar patterns. I would recommend this work highly to anyone wanting to know more about the topic.
January 24, 2020
Educational
I thought I knew all the bizarre things in Mormonism but I quickly discovered that I did not. I continue to be fascinated by otherwise intelligent people who continue to believe in this foolishness. But then again, go to a religious revival meeting, why am I surprised?
I thought I knew all the bizarre things in Mormonism but I quickly discovered that I did not. I continue to be fascinated by otherwise intelligent people who continue to believe in this foolishness. But then again, go to a religious revival meeting, why am I surprised?
December 31, 2025
The lack of Mormon analysis in «the house of my mother» sent me straight to this book. In addition to being informative and delightfully irreverent, it also shows just how easily religions can arise and how incredibly gullible people become when they are too vested and indoctrinated into something. Highly recommended!
May 18, 2020
Interesting...A LDS “Primer” (for others)
Lots of food for thought...A believer may question some of the “basics” of the church.
All religions have some “problems” (some more than others)
A good read that looks well researched.
Lots of food for thought...A believer may question some of the “basics” of the church.
All religions have some “problems” (some more than others)
A good read that looks well researched.
November 8, 2022
This is an informative and linear approach to the Mormon Church. It's like the church has a biography, and even ends with a "where are they now" sort of thing.
If you have questions about Mormonism, this book is highly approachable and will likely engage you.
If you have questions about Mormonism, this book is highly approachable and will likely engage you.
August 5, 2017
Haha, .
December 6, 2018
Um, wow. So if even half of the stuff in this book is true then my Mormon heritage is more ridiculous than I knew - and I knew plenty.
January 2, 2019
I loved this book, I really hope the author does more like it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews