Mormon: A Brief Theological Introduction

The Book of Mormon: brief theological introductions #10

by Adam S. Miller

O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!

From the moment Sariah and Lehi s family arrived in the promised land, their prophets warned that the people would face destruction if they failed to trust in Christ. Centuries later, Mormon witnesses the fulfillment of this dark prophecy. He witnesses his own people hewn down in open rebellion against God. Crying out from the depths of his heart, the prophet reflects on what went wrong and how it might have been avoided. Through it all, hope in Christ abides.
,br> In this brief theological introduction, philosopher and theologian Adam S. Miller presents Mormon s book as a beginner s guide to the end of the world. Mormon s life is a case study in apocalyptic discipleship. What does a disciple s task of sacrificing all things look like in a world where all things are already passing away? Miller introduces a Mormon for our own troubled times a sober and observant prophet who models hope in Christ even as everything in the world he loves collapses around him.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Lds, Church, Christianity

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

Reviews

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

In repackaging Mormon's (and, to an extent, his son Moroni's) writings into a guide to discipleship during the world's end, Miller does what most authors in this wonderful series of theological introductions do. They hold their source material up to the light at an angle most of us had not previously considered. As a result, when we finish, the source material means something entirely new to us. We have new practical tools for discipleship.

Miller's work here is at times repetitive, as some reviewers have noted. I suspect this was by design, as Miller seems to work hard to consistently pull readers' attention to only a few concrete conclusions: the disciple's purpose should be to witness the inevitable death of all things, and forgive (gracefully accept) that reality; by willingly witnessing the passing of everything, the disciple thus realizes the divine goals of sacrifice and consecration; acquiescing with grace to the death of all things is not an exercise in pessimism and resignation, because God continually recreates all things as they pass; justice and love work in tandem, not at cross-purposes.

The book's afterword is a jarring sermon on the looming catastrophe of climate change. This initially struck part of me as out of place and out of tune, but upon a moment's reflection (and a closer reading of Miller's introduction to his afterword), the opposite became clear. Miller clearly is stressed out by what he understands as an unavoidable climate apocalypse, and this is what compelled him to think through Mormon's writings the way he did. Although I do not share Miller's evident certainty that all is lost and the best we can do is gracefully accept it, I deeply appreciate the way this volume positions itself, not as high-minded theology floating uselessly in the air, but as a handbook to guide discipleship in our age. Apocalypse now or not, we all experience the reality that everything comes apart over time. Miller equips us to understand that and turn it to our good.

[conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be Adam Miller's best work. You can see Miller's thoughts from countless other places swirling around here, latching onto, illuminating, and being transformed by their encounter with the book of Mormon. This feels particularly like a spiritual companion to AN EARLY RESURRECTION, thinking about discipleship and death.

I loved it.

I find the focus on Mormon as a witness quite powerful and the entire framework of discipleship for the apocalypse remarkably moving (and prescient given the way the world seems to continually be threatening its own destruction). I think having a particular text to engage with also helps temper some of Miller's more inaccessible tendencies, always bringing him back to Mormon and what Mormon shows us about being disciples.

Highly recommend.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my husband and I were both philosphy undergrads, we would have these dumb, heady, intellectual conversations about the meaning of everything. I had a lot to say about relativism and Derrida and Foucault in the context of language with an embarassing lack of self-awareness, not even realizing as the conversation shifted to religious implications that my husband and I had completely different religious beliefs despite being members of the same religion. He said that I could not both be an orthodox member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and believe what I did about some issues, and thought I would realize that upon further reflection, but I insisted that I could and we left it at that. Since then, I have come to realize how many people share my husband's perspective, that Mormonism has a rigidity in culture or doctrine with roots in Brigham Young and McConkie, but I have also met many of the Chieko Okazkis and Eugene Englands of the world, and they have an inclusivity in their religions that feels closer to mine.

I thought about this period in our lives as I was reading this beautiful book. One thought I kept having as I was reading was how many people in my Sunday School classes disagree with these ideas and might not realize it. We claim the same religion but lately it is becoming more evident that the theological differences among us are vast. In a sense this is radical mormonism, but in another sense, it is completely consistent with the gospel as taught by the Savior.

These thoughtful meditations include eternal progression, a loving god who does not punish or damn the wicked (because they do that to themselves), and an understanding of the justice/mercy relationship that blows parables of the bicycle out of the water. I especially loved how these thoughts better integrate Creation (Miller's "re/creation") with the other pillars in McConkie's Three Pillars of Eternity. The greatest impact on my perspective comes from his thoughts on justice/mercy -- thinking about the law as not about what someone deserves but as a guide to what sacrifice/love is needed is going to stay with me for awhile.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly ambitious and inspiring for our day.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorites from the Brief Theological Series, hands down. But then I'm a sucker for anything written by Adam Miller. I got hooked when I read his "Paraphrase" series-- "An Urgent Paraphrase of Paul's Letter to the Romans", "A Blunt Paraphrase of Ecclesiastes", and "A Modest Paraphrase of Solomon's Song of Songs." As a Mormon theologian, he is able to make old texts new, to "write in the present tense" as he says in his introduction here. He also says that he is a "Christophysicist," in that he practices theology "not as a form of history or as a form of official dogmatics, but as a direct investigation into the fundamental forces at play in redemption."

Miller comes out directly with how he reads the book (small-b) of Mormon, as written by Mormon. It is a model of discipleship in the end-times. How do you live the gospel, knowing that your efforts at making the world better will be in vain? Knowing that your peers, your group, society will collapse around you, despite all of your efforts? The two passages that really struck me-- that I hadn't fully read before in Mormon-- was how he prayed "without faith" and he led his people "without hope." All this struck me as particularly relevant, in light of the recent election, as I feel that the world is going to be a darker place for a long time, and I don't have any way of gauging how far off track this will leave us in the future. If Trump lives up to his promises, as best we could have strict conservative government for well beyond my lifetime, at worst we could lose our democracy. It truly couldn't feel more like living in the end times. Miller also hints at the end of the book that he was drawn to Mormon due to pending climate crisis, that despite any and all efforts, we have already failed. The contents of the book itself don't go here, but the context is important, as Mormon was living through a politics of vengeance and forces of collapse of his own.

What is the punchline? Is it giving up? No, the two messages I took away are (1) intrinsic motivation, the separation of an act from any kind of reward and (2) the importance of witnessing and forgiving the world as it passes away. Not all things last, and that is the nature of the universe. We can't hold onto it. It reminded me of some of my favorite lines from The Prophet: "Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself." Miller makes Mormon such a rich and beautiful text, and it was just what I needed.

[RK Bitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam always has “a way of making you think” (borrowed from a friend). It is true….practical application doesn’t abound but the author makes you really consider what a disciple in general (and one specifically at the end of the world) truly is. I appreciate his provocative interpretations of what Mormon/Moroni were saying and truly trying to apply it to our walk with Jesus today. Commentary on using/expecting God to dole out revenge and what people deserve (or what we think they deserve with our partial understanding of the “law”) was very welcome, refreshing and rings true of a gospel based on love. I hear from people in my circle how “God will make it all fair in the end” and “God will make sure they get their comeuppance” but Adam points out that isn’t really based on love as God will give us what we need.

I’m an Adam fanboy even though I only probably truly grasp 42% of what he says. Look forward to his other thoughts in the future. I will likely reread this volume in the future.

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller, doing what Miller does best, posing thoughtful questions and interjecting soul-churning commentary. His close reading of Mormon's book is admirable and instructional. Miller explores the tension between law, sacrifice, justice, and love in Mormon/Moroni's writings. He illuminates the book's invitation to join in the process of, what he terms, "re/creation." More than other book in this series, I gained a greater ability to walk in Christ and desire to view the world with an eye single to God's glory.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really LOVED this book. The ideas and concepts resonated with me.

I have to admit—I skimmed the last 10 pages. It started to feel LONG and a bit repetitive.

[William Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps a 4.5 out of five stars, this volume in the series is powerful in a sobering rather than uplifting way, though this is not to say that the book isn’t edifying. Miller situates the prophet Mormon’s eponymous book as a masterclass in discipleship for those living through the end of the world—and convincingly demonstrates that Mormon’s apocalyptic life is a mirror to our own times.

Miller provides a transformative view of this portion of the Book of Mormon and also a fresh perspective on what it means to sacrifice all things, the reality of a perpetual Creation, and the true meaning of justice, all three of which are interrelated and interdependent to various degrees. I think that perhaps Miller characterizing the sacrifice of all things as an acceptance and forgiveness of the reality that all things will and should pass away is the most impactful insight I will take away from this volume. Conceptualizing sin as a refusal to accept that we cannot control things and an idolization of our attempted preservation or crystallization of our own desires is theologically and personally powerful.

Somewhat unusually, Miller finishes with a brief reference to the reality of climate change (which feels risky given the conservative majority of likely readers as well as unnecessarily political in today’s climate) but hammers home that, regardless of how we feel about the science, climate change on an apocalyptic, Biblical level is headed our way based on facts. Whether we like them doesn’t change the physics. And regardless of your opinion on this topic, it’s a useful reflection of the reality of our relationship to God and the universe: the facts won’t change because of our feelings. There are consequences for all actions predicated on cosmic laws of cause and effect, and it is only when we embrace those firm realities that we can align ourselves with the will of God. His love doesn’t depend on our feelings or our actions, either, which is a profound relief to me.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always find myself disagreeing with large swaths of Adam's work, and yet being profoundly moved by parts of it. This proved to be no exception. I felt his analysis of the world continually passing away and being "re/created" far too eastern for my tastes, completely ignoring that some of the gospel is permanent. I've long said that Buddhism and Christianity have the same underlying philosophical premise—that we should only cling to that which is permanent. Except that in Christianity, God is permanent. In Buddhism, nothing is. This is not a minor difference. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are other things that are permanent, covenants and family, in particular. Miller does not discuss any of this, ever fascinated with the idea of the world always ending and being reborn.

And yet, his melancholy view of Mormon's discipleship through a literal apocalypse was one that I felt inspired by.

And then his tying that apocalypse to our current climate change was one that I also felt inspired by. Yet, it felt pigeon-holed and out of place. This was another example of one of these writers of the "Brief Theological Introductions" series having a thesis and imposing it on the text. Had this not been a part of the series, I would have probably given this 4 stars. As it is, only 3.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I've read by Adam Miller has been great. His book, "Grace is Not God's Backup Plan," forever changed how I view sin, repentance, and Christ's grace. This book on Mormon is no different. Miller's approach is to examine how Mormon and Moroni teach us to be disciples of Christ while the world is ending around us. Miller has yet again expanded my view of basic theological concepts that I thought I fully understood. So, how does a true disciple of Christ live at the end of the world? By learning to sacrifice all (instead of losing all), by recognizing that truly divine justice is giving people what they need (and not giving people what they deserve), and most importantly, by witnessing that the end of the world is a constant, ongoing thing (and not a single catastrophic event at the end of time) because God is always, always re-creating.

As a result of this book, I will never again read with a negative view Mormon's account of how he served his people "without hope." Rather, I now understand that Mormon was modeling Christian discipleship through service that was not outcome-motivated but was done simply because loving service -- regardless of its ultimate impact -- is how we follow Christ, at the end of the world.

[Brady Kronmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The wicked take the mark of a successful religious gesture to be the possibility of avoiding the loss of all things. The mark of successful sacrifice is getting gain. Those who are visibly losing all things— the poor, the needy, the sick, the afflicted— are understood by the damned to deserve whatever losses they suffer. The damned use the law as justification for despising and cursing. They abuse the law to avoid what they themselves fear most: sickness, poverty, old age, and death… Emulating their master, disciples of Christ use the law to judge the answer to a very different kind of question. Rather than asking: what is deserved? The disciple asks: what is needed?”

“What does it mean to abuse the law and judge unrighteously? It means to use the law to judge what is deserved. What, on the contrary, does it mean to use the law to judge righteously? It means to use the law to judge what is needed.”

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this booklet SO MUCH MORE than the first one!! It took me this long to read it, because I really disliked the first one I read - First Nephi, by Joseph M. Spencer.

This booklet teaches so much about WHAT the gospel of Jesus Christ really is - it narrows it down to the most and very basic principles, and shoes how Mormon and Moroni, throughout their writing are telling us and teaching us these principles - and yet I believe that most of us completely MISS these points and therefore we don't gain the benefit of truly knowing what the gospel is about and how we are to live it. It's one of those things in life where you don't recognize these principles until someone actually points them out to you, then you go "Oh! Yeah! That totally makes sense! I KNEW that, but somehow never thought of it that way before." A good "A-ha!" booklet. Highly recommend.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

“At the outset of this study, I defined its relatively narrow parameters. Treating history and doctrine as raw materials rather than as ends in themselves, my aims were explicitly theological. Though working with an ancient text, my intention was to think in the present tense. And, perhaps surprisingly, my theological ambitions were resolutely practical as I insisted on the priority of just one live question: exactly how, in Christ, are we saved?”

“One live question: exactly how, in Christ, are we saved?”

This question spoke to me before, during, and after reading. (Before reading I scanned the intro to learn something more of the book). Long have I sought to understand how the Atonement works, the mechanisms by which it activates reconciliation.

Inevitably it leads to wondering regarding mercy and justice, which this book recognizes. And so much more.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been thinking about this book for weeks. Adam Miller examines Mormon as a disciple of Jesus Christ who witnesses the end of the world. He delves into the idea that the creation of the world is not a one time event but an ongoing event which in turn would mean that the world is in a constant state of ending and being re/created. In the end each and every person will loose everything be it through death or the end of the world. Mormon is an example of how to live during apocalyptic times. Miller pulls out deep philosophical lessons from the teachings and life of Mormon in how to live faithfully through the end of the world whether that end be metaphorical or literal. I am not a skilled enough writer to give this book justice in a brief review. It is excellently written, incredibly relevant, full of profound insights and a lovely work of philosophy.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read reviews of this book complaining that they didn't follow his thought process. All I can say to that is, I hope you don't give up. Because his work is worth seeing clearly.

Miller took this book in the Book of Mormon and saw eternity through it. I've never seen Mormon in this way before, as a man watching his world pass away, and finding deep discipleship in that painful journey. And then Miller helps us see that all of us are living that journey, and to see it is to benefit from the pain of it. Reading this book changed me, which has been my experience with everything of his I've ever read. Miller's theology is art. I love it so much.

Highly HIGHLY recommend.

[Ethan Unklesbay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The justice of God does not consist in issuing deserved punishments, rather needed help and correction.

The pace of this book is a little faster than the other volumes in this series, due to Miller's short essay approach. At times repetitive, but maybe needfully so, this volume pitches itself as a guide to living through the end of the world. Instead of giving concrete instructions for how to prep yourself for the end, however, Miller shows how Mormon teaches us to be like God—giving, caring, forgiving—with no thought of what His children deserve. Apparently, that is how to live through an apocalypse.

[Greg Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

1) Miller destroys the "prosperity gospel" which continues to infect counterfeit religion.
2) He continues to challenge my assumptions which push me into higher planes of perspective.
3) He takes an eternal truth (like eternal progression) and holds it to the light to show how God's work of creation is NOT past BUT continually present tense (re-creation). Which should both exhilarate us as well as scare the hell out of us (or perhaps just me . . .). Nothing is "sealed" in place - especially Christ.

All of this and more represents a beautiful and insightful perspective that is "what's needed.". A rating of five stars is "what's deserved."

[Jackson Switzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Miller said about the mood of discipleship, divine melancholy, and the willingness and ability to see the world clearly was something I have felt for months, perhaps years, and have increasingly believed was central to my discipleship. This is the only time I’ve ever heard the idea expressed by anyone other than myself, and to read someone else write about that idea was immensely validating and enlightening. Thanks, Adam.

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Miller is a battle between wanting to devour his thoughts as fast as possible or savor them. As always he is thoughtful, thought provoking, and challenges the reader to see with new eyes the gospel and its application.

Of all the books in the series, I was looking forward to this one the most and was not disappointed. It's one that I'll continually revisit and share.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Becerra and Berkey Miller takes the traditional LDS scholar approach of a non-perspective. How he differs is in that he writes 12 small essays instead of 4 or 5 chapters. The essays could be read as disparate musings until the last couple of chapters, where Miller identifies his theme. Then he adds an afterward as another musing.

[Chanel Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so wonderful. It beautifully brings together existential ideas and thoughts that haunt me with the hope and faith I have in Christ.

This book resonated with me on a profound level. From the introduction to the afterward, I was astonished. I am a different person now than I was before I read this book. I am more myself.

[Austin Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discipleship Case Study: Mormon's Life During the End of the World

I found Adam's thesis that Mormon's life points to principles of meaningful discipleship deeply insightful. The events in Mormon's writing come to life in a frightening and sobering way when you think about the recent conflict in Ukraine. Must read

[Zac Ori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally dislike when authors include both a conclusion and an afterword, but I found Miller's afterword startlingly relevant. The theme of his theological meditation is on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ at the end of the world which he brings to bear on the current climate crisis in his afterword. I found the application shocking in its directness but edifying.

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most theological/philosophical of the series, although it really only explores one big idea, but it's a deep idea. I'll probably need to read this again to fully wrap my head around it. I loved his portrayal of God's justice as rooted in love and necessity rather than deserving vengeance.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guessing Miller must have been highly influenced, when writing this book, by the book he quotes at the end, "Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the End of a Civilization" (although, I can't say for certain, having never read that book). I would highly recommend Miller's book, "Original Grace", which touches on some of the same ideas in this book, but is SO much better.

[Lisa Reising · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Miller's books resonate with me in ways that are hard to describe. This one kind of lit my brain on fire and made me want to talk about some of the concepts to everyone! I especially loved the chapters on Creation (and re/creation) and on Treasures. It's like a remembering - reading his thoughts. It was amazing.

[Martin Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like his work in An Early Resurrection, Miller examines what it means to be a disciple, in particular a disciple who is watching their world end. It is a fascinating project, and one that is well worth thinking about.

[Louise Hartvigsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miller's approach makes this a very timely book, how to live as a disciple as the world is ending. So much to consider. This series, and now especially Miller, is changing how I view the Book of Mormon. It's sobering, but in the end still hopeful. My favorite book of the series (so far).

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worry about the "end of the world". This book, while I wasn't expecting it, brought me a deep sense of peace and humble acceptance of the Lord's will no matter what. It helped me understand that things pass away and that the process of creation is eternal.