The Maze of Mormonism

by Walter Ralston Martin

Navigate the intricate beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Walter Martin's The Maze of Mormonism. This critical examination provides a thorough analysis of Mormon doctrine, history, and theology, offering readers an insightful exploration of one of the fastest-growing religious movements in the world.
Walter Martin, a renowned Christian apologist and expert on cults and new religious movements, meticulously unpacks the foundational teachings of Mormonism, comparing them with traditional Christian doctrines. Through detailed research and careful scrutiny, Martin addresses key aspects of Mormon belief, including the nature of God, the role of Jesus Christ, the authority of the Book of Mormon, and the church's view on salvation and the afterlife.
The Maze of Mormonism delves into the origins of the LDS Church, examining the life and claims of its founder, Joseph Smith, and the subsequent development of Mormon theology under leaders such as Brigham Young. Martin provides historical context and critical perspectives on the church's unique scriptures and revelations, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of how Mormon beliefs have evolved over time.
In addition to theological critique, Martin explores the sociological and cultural dimensions of Mormonism, highlighting the church's practices, missionary efforts, and community life. He presents testimonies and experiences of former Mormons, shedding light on the challenges and controversies surrounding the church.
This book is an essential resource for Christians seeking to understand Mormonism from an orthodox perspective, as well as for anyone interested in the complexities of religious belief and practice. Martin's clear and accessible writing style makes The Maze of Mormonism a valuable tool for pastors, theologians, and laypeople alike, providing the information needed to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with members of the LDS Church.

Genres: Mormonism, Cults, Christianity, Nonfiction, Evangelism

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Walter R. Martin was an American Evangelical minister, author, and Christian apologist who founded the Christian Research Institute in 1960 as a para-church ministry specializing as a clearing-house of information in both general Christian apologetics and in countercult apologetics.

Reviews

[Ben Kayser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for doing any sort of Mormon apologetics or evangelism. Love how many original quotes he includes. Very well researched.

[Alma Grant]

I first read this book in the 1980’s and was appalled at how inaccurate it was. An evangelical Christian suggest I read it. I had already done so and said I was surprised anyone who was familiar with Mormonism could recommend it. He asked me what errors I had found. I suggested that rather than itemize all the problems, if he would choose any page at random, I would demonstrate a factual error on that page. Over the next several days, he proposed about 10 different pages, and it was easy to follow through with my promise. A few years later, I attended Walter Martin’s Bible study at the Costa Mesa Christian Center. He and I discussed this book for a moment or two; and I said it was full of errors. He challenged me to show one. I showed him where he claimed the Book of Mormon said there were glass windows in Jaredite barges. I showed him where the Book of Mormon said the barges could not have any windows. Martin said, “You need to talk to the Bodines, they did all the research for the book.” It’s been nearly 50 years and they still have fixed that error.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Christians that want to learn how to witness to Mormons should read this book. It is very thorough with historical evidence of Joseph Smith being a fraud and compares the Mormon people's words to Scripture, showing the reader where the Mormons are in error. Very well-researched.

[Eli Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book like this can be a serious drag if the author lacks writing skill or has poor scholarship. Martin was very interesting as he wrote and extremely thorough. I will certainly look to read more of him.

[Rachel Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting and thorough examination of Mormon theology, but could use a serious update since the computer age.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Controversial, but not discredited. A troubling but enlightening read.

[Cradle2ACasket · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first takeaway is...this man despises the Mormons religion lol. or maybe just when they call themselves "Christians" to save face. I could feel his passion for what he was trying to get across. I do, however, feel that he is a bit biased in his point of view since he so obviously is, Christian. I think if this was written more technically about the difference between both, it may have been better. But it did lay out the basics pretty well. it was a very short and sweet, easy read at only 31 pages. It is literally a pamphlet. I purchased his full book, Kingdom of the Cults, at the same time I got this one, and I am not sure if I will enjoy it as much as I thought. He is quite knowledgeable in Christian biblical principles and history so I enjoyed the history.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book with it in an attempt to understand the beliefs of a family member that differ from my own beliefs. I came away with a little more understanding however I was very unimpressed by the tone of this booklet. The author seemed very snide and condescending to the Believers of Mormonism and I do not believe it is necessary to have that type of a tone in order to prevent facts and evidence. Also the language seems very archaic but that may be due to the publishing date.

[Despond]

Mormonismo by Walter Martin (1982)