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Standing For Something More: The Excommunication of Lyndon Lamborn
After a highly publicized and controversial exit from Mormonism, Lamborn intertwines the story of his awakening with psychological aspects of religious belief.
296 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2009
8 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Lyndon Lamborn
2 books21 followersLamborn was a lifelong church member, perennial Priesthood leader, and a former full-time missionary for the LDS church. He is of pioneer stock heritage, with polygamists on both sides of the family tree. Married for 28 years and father of three, Lamborn is employed as an aerospace engineer and professor of mathematics.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 14, 2010
I want to give this book a through review for several reasons. 1) This book was written for a small, particular audience and not for a wide audience and it just so happens that I fall into that small audience. 2) I have followed the author's story for about a year now. So I have a strong interest in his views and opinions. 3) I have a strong admiration for what Lyndon has gone through and what he stands for.
Lyndon's explains in the book that he didn't intend to write this book as just another collection of research and evidence against the church. (Although he does include some of his letters/research in the end of the book) He says that he wrote this book as a way to give his side of the story and to approach critically the "Truth Test" that the LDS church emphasizes so much. I really enjoyed that he approached that aspect of the LDS teachings. He critically examines the flaws with the claims that our emotions will testify of absolute truth. This hit home with me personally because it has been a huge issue for me, so I connected very deeply with where Lyndon was going in his approach.
He also spends a good portion of time dealing with the mind control issues in relation to the LDS church. While I agree with the majority of Lyndon's conclusions, I do find myself not agreeing with others. But I did find Lyndon's conclusions something that one cannot outright dismiss, but should seriously consider and ponder.
My favorite part of the entire book was in chapter 16 entitled, "A House Divided". He gets rather personal in this chapter because here he explains the strains of his relationships with his Mother, brothers and most importantly his wife & kids. This is such a huge issue for people that find themselves at odds with their religion. Lyndon's entire family and most of his friends & neighbors are all LDS. So you can imagine the extreme difficulty of attempting to separate yourself from your religion. Because you are not just separating yourself from your religion, you are causing a major rift in your relationships with your family & friends as well.
Overall I thought the book was written rather well. I am giving Lyndon the benefit of the doubt because he isn't a writer as a profession, but for his first book I thought he did quite well. While I admit that I am one that has a bias going into this book, (he covers the wide variety of bias in his book as well) my bias includes that I have gone through a similar situation that Lyndon has gone through. Obviously his journey went in a different direction than mine, but I found myself getting quite emotional during the reading of his book. I can't imagine the emotions that Lyndon has endured through his experiences that caused him to eventually write this book.
Personally I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This is a must read for anyone that has gone through, or is going through their own version of doubting the claims of the LDS church. Very nicely done Lyndon!
Lyndon's explains in the book that he didn't intend to write this book as just another collection of research and evidence against the church. (Although he does include some of his letters/research in the end of the book) He says that he wrote this book as a way to give his side of the story and to approach critically the "Truth Test" that the LDS church emphasizes so much. I really enjoyed that he approached that aspect of the LDS teachings. He critically examines the flaws with the claims that our emotions will testify of absolute truth. This hit home with me personally because it has been a huge issue for me, so I connected very deeply with where Lyndon was going in his approach.
He also spends a good portion of time dealing with the mind control issues in relation to the LDS church. While I agree with the majority of Lyndon's conclusions, I do find myself not agreeing with others. But I did find Lyndon's conclusions something that one cannot outright dismiss, but should seriously consider and ponder.
My favorite part of the entire book was in chapter 16 entitled, "A House Divided". He gets rather personal in this chapter because here he explains the strains of his relationships with his Mother, brothers and most importantly his wife & kids. This is such a huge issue for people that find themselves at odds with their religion. Lyndon's entire family and most of his friends & neighbors are all LDS. So you can imagine the extreme difficulty of attempting to separate yourself from your religion. Because you are not just separating yourself from your religion, you are causing a major rift in your relationships with your family & friends as well.
Overall I thought the book was written rather well. I am giving Lyndon the benefit of the doubt because he isn't a writer as a profession, but for his first book I thought he did quite well. While I admit that I am one that has a bias going into this book, (he covers the wide variety of bias in his book as well) my bias includes that I have gone through a similar situation that Lyndon has gone through. Obviously his journey went in a different direction than mine, but I found myself getting quite emotional during the reading of his book. I can't imagine the emotions that Lyndon has endured through his experiences that caused him to eventually write this book.
Personally I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This is a must read for anyone that has gone through, or is going through their own version of doubting the claims of the LDS church. Very nicely done Lyndon!
August 1, 2010
I basically ate this book up. I am one of those nerds who loves fact-laced books, which made this even more of a fascinating read. Mostly, though, I was interested in this book because it covers a topic most pertinent and interesting to me: the mormon church, especially exmormon stories.
To summarize, this book basically tells the story of the author, Lyndon Lamborn, after his nonmormon friend began asking him questions about church history. These questions stemmed from the book "Under the Banner of Heaven", and poses troublesome church history issues for the average member because of the lds policy of "faithful history" (basically, outright censorship of unfavorable church history). After discovering that many facts in the church's past had been withheld from him, Lamborn undertakes an intensive study of the church from multiple perspective. His dedication inspired me to continue yet again in my research and allow no one to rush me (I was impressed by Lamborn stating at one point that he expected his research would take 5 years to complete. This did not turn out to be the case, but I took to heart the example of dedicating yourself to an end goal despite pressures to go faster). Eventually, Lamborn concludes that the church is untrue and wants to withdraw, but is instead met with a very public excommunication (he was told at first that an anjouncement would be read in several wards naming him as an apostate, which I found appalling and outraging).
The narrative is laced with information about the human psyche that is taken advantage of by authoritarian religions, including but not limited to: confirmation bias, group think, mind control tactics (that's a loaded accusation, but well supported in this book and by my own research) as well as many other strategies used to control the individual and control him or her to the group expectations. Recognizing these things have helped me in my own journey out of mormonism and allowed me to slowly shed the guilt and self-loathing that I have possessed for years as a result of my membership.
Anyway, I recommend this book for anyone who wants to at least begin research into mormonism. I will be adding several books to my to-read list, inspired by my new fervor in research. I would be as bold to recommend this book to true believing members, as I firmly believe a change in the "faithful history" policy and, instead, a re-education of the members is the only way for mormonism to remain a healthy and beneficial religion. I welcome any polite discussion with members (or non or ex members) interested in the issues brought up by this book or similar books.
To summarize, this book basically tells the story of the author, Lyndon Lamborn, after his nonmormon friend began asking him questions about church history. These questions stemmed from the book "Under the Banner of Heaven", and poses troublesome church history issues for the average member because of the lds policy of "faithful history" (basically, outright censorship of unfavorable church history). After discovering that many facts in the church's past had been withheld from him, Lamborn undertakes an intensive study of the church from multiple perspective. His dedication inspired me to continue yet again in my research and allow no one to rush me (I was impressed by Lamborn stating at one point that he expected his research would take 5 years to complete. This did not turn out to be the case, but I took to heart the example of dedicating yourself to an end goal despite pressures to go faster). Eventually, Lamborn concludes that the church is untrue and wants to withdraw, but is instead met with a very public excommunication (he was told at first that an anjouncement would be read in several wards naming him as an apostate, which I found appalling and outraging).
The narrative is laced with information about the human psyche that is taken advantage of by authoritarian religions, including but not limited to: confirmation bias, group think, mind control tactics (that's a loaded accusation, but well supported in this book and by my own research) as well as many other strategies used to control the individual and control him or her to the group expectations. Recognizing these things have helped me in my own journey out of mormonism and allowed me to slowly shed the guilt and self-loathing that I have possessed for years as a result of my membership.
Anyway, I recommend this book for anyone who wants to at least begin research into mormonism. I will be adding several books to my to-read list, inspired by my new fervor in research. I would be as bold to recommend this book to true believing members, as I firmly believe a change in the "faithful history" policy and, instead, a re-education of the members is the only way for mormonism to remain a healthy and beneficial religion. I welcome any polite discussion with members (or non or ex members) interested in the issues brought up by this book or similar books.
June 23, 2015
A factual, straightforward account of a man's excommunication from mormonism as well as the intellectual path that led him there. I'm not mormon, never have been, but my best friend grew up in the church and is in the process of disentangling herself, so the chapters on groupthink and mind control were especially interesting to me. I enjoyed the levelheadedness of the writing and the lack of fanaticism, as well as the logical explanations. He lays it out and leaves the reader to decide, but there is little left to decide after having it all laid out if one is willing to see logic and reason.
I also found it useful in my own life since I grew up in a fundamentalist sort of church situation (LCMS), and over the past few years have been leaving it behind me. He gave me a lot of things to think about as well as hope for the future, as I am as logical and literal-minded as he, and more so the older I get.
If you're mormon and do not fear knowledge, pick up this book.
I also found it useful in my own life since I grew up in a fundamentalist sort of church situation (LCMS), and over the past few years have been leaving it behind me. He gave me a lot of things to think about as well as hope for the future, as I am as logical and literal-minded as he, and more so the older I get.
If you're mormon and do not fear knowledge, pick up this book.
August 3, 2009
The best exmormon book of the century! (My opinion is biased.)
August 27, 2009
I know the author and his story is fascinating. While obviously this is not a book an active LDS member would pick up with a good conscience (some might consider it "anti-Mormon" because it does not "promote" Mormonism, but it is anti-nothing), it is very simply written, and written with emotion and great perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and felt at times the author's feelings were spot on with my own.
August 27, 2009
Let me just say that this book has helped me immensely as I have sought to deprogram from the Mormon groupthink. Understanding the control mechanisms that were operating on me really helped me through a tough time. A must read for anyone who has left the Mormon Church, who wishes to leave the church, who has wondered whether the church is really true, or has family members investigating the church.
June 24, 2012
This book just plain blew me away!! It was very well researched and easy to read. Lyndon's story was amazing!! Everyone investigating or those who have left the MORmON church/cult needs to read this book.
August 8, 2012
Fascinating story about how a man’s uncompromising search for Truth lands him in a disciplinary council and subsequent excommunication from the Mormon Church…
August 20, 2011
Lyndon Lamborn is not a born writer, but this is his own story of losing
his faith and he knows how to tell it with courage and conviction.
Lamborn is an aeronautical engineer with a degree in mathematics, and that
logical, clear thinking is evident in the way he deconstructs what was
for him a huge life transition.
His courage is evident and his thinking demonstrates the amount of time
and effort he put into sharing his experience, so that others may gain
strength to do what they need to do when they discover that they no longer
believe in the 'Faith of our Fathers.'
his faith and he knows how to tell it with courage and conviction.
Lamborn is an aeronautical engineer with a degree in mathematics, and that
logical, clear thinking is evident in the way he deconstructs what was
for him a huge life transition.
His courage is evident and his thinking demonstrates the amount of time
and effort he put into sharing his experience, so that others may gain
strength to do what they need to do when they discover that they no longer
believe in the 'Faith of our Fathers.'
September 26, 2010
There is no axe to grind here. His research is impeccable and so compelling that I couldn't help but come to the same conclusions. My feelings about spirituality in general, religion and my belief in what God might be, have all been shifted. Amazing, truthful, insightful!! I think EVERYONE should read this book
July 22, 2010
Very easy read. Read it in 2 sittings. His quotes were fabulous. I really appreciated all the topics he covered and explained why it is that we do the things we do as mormons. A must read for any Mormon. A very sincere book.
July 6, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. There was a lot of information that I didn't know of (being a member for most of my life) that would have helped seal my conviction that I was correct in doubting this religion. The book is not hateful, but direct and calm in telling facts about the religion and the various holes in it. It is frankly a relief to find out that I am not alone in questioning the motives behind the vagueness of the Mormon religion. There are many things held back from members and decisions made at too young of an age to really know what is what. Whether it is being baptized at 8, given a patriarchal blessing at 19, going on a mission at 19 for males, or getting married by 23.
I am in my early thirties and just now coming into the realization that I am not a bad person for feeling uncertainty about being an active member. I've always resisted the church passively, but now I am voicing my opinion without fear. If you feel doubts in either direction I believe this book with help seal the deal. You will either decide the church is still for you, or that perhaps you need to move on and find faith in yourself.
I am in my early thirties and just now coming into the realization that I am not a bad person for feeling uncertainty about being an active member. I've always resisted the church passively, but now I am voicing my opinion without fear. If you feel doubts in either direction I believe this book with help seal the deal. You will either decide the church is still for you, or that perhaps you need to move on and find faith in yourself.
June 10, 2013
The calm, thorough mind of an engineer set to the problem of Mormonism.
Lamborn shares the largely undisputed, though often hidden, facts that tug at the unlikely validity of Mormonism and Joseph Smith as a prophet until there's little left. And yet, there's no lingering scent of "anti", and very little animosity (minus, perhaps, the last chapter and a few other points). He comes across as an honest, true believer trying to square what he's been taught with his perceptions of reality.
The book does feel from time to time that it was pieced together from content written at various times and for various purposes (not to mention at least 9 appendices) but it has the impact of a primary source document and the facts and story carry the book.
Lamborn shares the largely undisputed, though often hidden, facts that tug at the unlikely validity of Mormonism and Joseph Smith as a prophet until there's little left. And yet, there's no lingering scent of "anti", and very little animosity (minus, perhaps, the last chapter and a few other points). He comes across as an honest, true believer trying to square what he's been taught with his perceptions of reality.
The book does feel from time to time that it was pieced together from content written at various times and for various purposes (not to mention at least 9 appendices) but it has the impact of a primary source document and the facts and story carry the book.
February 21, 2022
I've read many books which detail one's story in struggling with a Mormon faith crisis. While all their stories are unique, they usually point to the same historical issues. Lamborn's writing style is very eloquent and though-provoking. While his story is very relatable, he explores some notions I had never explored before, which has helped me relate my faith crisis story in a more accurate fashion.
July 22, 2016
I thought Lyndon's book was fantastic. Not only does it depict his story of questioning the church's history, but also of his excommunication and from the LDS church. It's thought provoking and clearly illustrates the church's short comings. His experience helped me and other members of my family leave the church and find acceptance in a new community with people with similar thoughts.
January 21, 2013
Exposé on Mormonism from his standpoint. I can relate in many ways, and it is very well researched. It was a little negative tho.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews