Mormonism without Theism: The Non-Theistic Origins of Mormon Theology and Mythology

by Michael W. Goe

This book explores the origins of the Mormon religion from a non-theistic point of view. Using primary source evidence, the author discusses and examines how Joseph Smith drew upon the literature, culture, and religious attitudes of his time to forge the origins of Mormonism. This book focuses on both the theological and mythological aspects of the faith. Special attention is given to the Book of Mormon, the Mormon priesthoods, the first and second visions, the book of Abraham, the Mormon godhead, the three degrees of glory, baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages, and the endowment ceremony. Providing a comprehensive picture, the author also traces how Joseph Smith transitioned from a folk magician into a prophet of God. Several quotations from the primary sources are used to substantiate the author's reconstruction of Mormon origins, all of which are referenced with parenthetical or clickable end-note citations. This book comes complete with a bibliography and interactive table of contents. All quotes, citations, and bibliographical entries were formatted in Chicago (Turabian) style.

Genres: Religion, History

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2017

Reviews

[Clifton Rankin]

I set out a week ago looking for a book about the history of Mormonism: not an apologetic for or against, but simply a straight-forward history of the church. Michael W. Goe’s, “Mormonism without Theism: The Non-Theistic Origins of Mormon Theology and Mythology,” was not what I was looking for, but it was interesting nonetheless. The author is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, yet calls himself a rationalist, and he produces a fairly good description of the time the foundations were laid in 1830 until the mid-1840s. He painstakingly shows the ideas the Joseph Smith borrowed from folk religion, the occult, the primitivist churches, Methodism, 19th century theories about the origin of Native Americans, German churches that baptized for the dead, and Freemasonry in the building of the church. There are times when he may stretch connections, but, as Gen Z people say, “He has receipts,” for most of his declarations, and must be taken seriously. If one is interested in the history of Mormonism, this is probably not the book for you, but if you are looking for sources for many of the doctrines and founding beliefs of Mormonism you will find this book eye-opening. (406 pages)

[Lorie F. Whitney]

Great documented resource on how Mormonism got started


Full of references to sources that Joseph Smith Jr could have used to create LCD documents. Strongly suggest reading for anyone that wonders if Joseph Smith Jr was really a prophet & the book of Mormon is really divine inspired.

[Jabberwocky]

Well written book

This is a Great book, very well cited, and gives a very fair version of events. I highly recommend it.