Mormonism: A Life Under False Pretenses

by Lee B. Baker

After three decades of exceptional service in many leadership positions within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bishop Lee B. Baker found the time to actually study the official history and the core doctrines of the church. After two years of intense religious study from official church records, which centered on the early years of the Mormon Church, several hypocritical teachings became impossible to dismiss. He sincerely asked his local, regional, and then finally the national leadership of the Mormon Church for some clarification specific to the practices of polygamy, polyandry, and blood atonement among the early “saints.”
He was told that many of these questions were in direct violation of church policy, procedures, and covenants. And even though he was an ordained Bishop, he was clearly warned that any further inquiries concerning these subjects would place his membership in the Mormon Church at risk. In December of 2008, Bishop Baker forced his own excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by continuing to ask piercing questions about the personal character and motives of both the past and present leadership of that church.
Only a few months prior to his excommunication, several of the High Priests who conducted this mockery of a just trial had great confidence in Bishop Baker as the Sunday school teacher of their own sons and daughters. Bishop Baker participated in hundreds of Mormon temple ceremonies, some of which included the precise method of simulating the taking of a human life if particular sacred Mormon covenants were violated. His firsthand experiences and insight into the authentic teachings, policies, and practices of Mormonism provide a unique view of one of the world’s fastest growing religions, which he demonstrates to be “a life under false pretenses.”

Genres: Religion, Mormonism, Lds

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2010

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know that this book is the most organized I've ever read (it's pretty repetitive), but it presents an extremely thorough and well-supported argument against Mormonism from the perspective of a former member, addressed very much to current members of the church. As that is not my background, I can only assume from the author's credentials and experience that his arguments would make a great deal of sense within the community at which they are primarily aimed. I certainly found them compelling, and in some cases far more troubling than I expected. I have read a great deal about the Latter-day Saints as well as their scriptures, as I have known and loved so many members of that peculiar church, and have incorporated some of the church's troubled and controversial history in my own fiction writing. I really appreciate Mr. Baker's candor in discussing the struggles he experienced in seeking-and ultimately not finding-answers to difficult theological questions that eventually resulted in his excommunication. I particularly find useful the list of questions the author suggests as important to ask Latter-day Saints, phrased in such a way as to encourage their careful consideration when their first instinct might be to change the subject instead. But truly the most important part of this book is the message at the end. Baker clearly reminds all of us, and especially Latter-day Saints who may be experiencing the same struggles he experienced, that the love of Jesus is for all, and that Christ does not give up on those who earnestly seek Him, even if they have been led astray by false prophets.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the fact that this book confirmed what I have believed about Mormonism all along, that it is a 'religion' under false pretenses. I am very grateful that Lee B Baker did all the research he did and finally got the answers (in getting no answers) that he was looking for. I only hope that more people read this and find out what a sham of a religion is taking at least 10% of their money. I do think the reading of it would have been easier with the use of quotation marks more in areas where Mr. Baker cites what others say. I did have a bit of trouble keeping track of his voice as opposed to the voice of others in a lot of places. I do feel though that I am better prepared to have a conversation when someone approaches me to believe that this religion teaches the Word of God. Thank you, Mr. Baker!

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Baker is correct but comes across as petty and vindictive; if you need everything to add up perfectly, skip religion and go straight to math

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good info, but Baker seemed to have an axe to grind, rather than only providing factual information. Still, all in all it was informative and worth reading.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

one mans view of how he felt he was trated by leaders of his former faith

[Jenny Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insider view of the LDS church.

This showed the struggle of a family that found truth and had to leave untruth behind. Truth wins, just like grace.

[Marcia Guimaraes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive. He could have said it all in one chapter. He started questioning the church history and some of its teachings / doctrines, and as he didn't get any reasonable answer besides "I trust Joseph Smith" or "I know the church is true", his questioning leaded to more questions, which ended up in excommunication. His main questions regarded polygamy, polyandry, blood atonement, bigotry, racial discrimination against blacks, Elder Marriot profiting from the sales and distribution of pornography in his Marriot hotels, exaltation (men becoming Gods - let me say, in the condition of being polygamous, as if "becoming gods" isn't strange enough), the Mountain Meadow Massacre. The topics are quite interesting and most Mormons aren't even aware of them, but it's nothing new to me. Also, the fact that he uses religion (he converted to some Christian denomination) to "condemn" another religion is just nonsense.