The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism

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Penguin, 2003 - 313 pages
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From its founding in pioneer times to the present day, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been both mysterious and misunderstood-with some Protestant faiths not even recognizing the Mormons as Christians. This fascinating guide debunks the myths of Mormonism and reveals its history, faith, and culture.

 

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User Review  - DSDragon - LibraryThing

Even though I've been a Mormon my whole life, it was still fun to read this book. I learned things I didn't know. Read full review

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - ScottyK - LibraryThing

I bought this while living in Utah. I wanted to know more about the LDS faith without having people showing up on my doorstep. Read full review

Selected pages

Contents

The Relationship Between God and Man
1
The Original American Religion
3
The Journey Begins
4
A Genesis of a Different Kind
5
Another Young Man Emerges
6
So What Exactly Is Mormonism?
7
Mormonism Ties Directly to the Gospel of Christ
8
Horny Saints?
9
Religious Factions Begin to Form
147
Leaving Behind the City Beautiful
148
Winter Quarters Woes
150
A Silver Lining
151
This Is the Place finally
153
Settling a Desert
154
Naming a New President
155
A Tough Start for the Pioneers
156

FUD Often Influences the Uneducated
10
Gods Divine Presence
13
Who or What Is God?
14
The Godhead
15
All in a Days Work
16
Praying to the Man Upstairs
17
A Turning Point
19
The PreMortal Existence Our Life Before Earth
21
Before the World Was
22
The Grand Council
23
Introducing the Son of the Morning
24
The Right to Choose
25
No Sympathy for the Devil
26
Not Lost Just Left Behind
27
Trapped in a Mortals Body
29
The Worlds First Fall Guy
30
Welcome to the World
32
A Roadmap to Spiritual Success
35
The Second Coming of Christ
37
When the Partys Over We Pay the Bill
38
Falling Away Great Apostasy
39
Restoration of the Original Laws of Christ
40
Wars and Rumors of Wars
41
Gathering of Israel
42
A Hot Time in the Old Town
43
When Will Jesus Return?
44
The Afterlife
47
Life in the Afterlife
48
PostMortal Waiting Rooms
49
No Second Chances After Death
50
SidebySide with Spirits
51
The First and Second Resurrections
52
Judgment
53
Four Eternal Retirement Communities
54
No Rest for the Wicked
55
The Word of God Revisited
57
The Old Testament
59
Ancient Covenants Made Manifest
60
The Law of Moses
62
Jerusalems Downfall
63
Twelve Tribes Assimilated
64
Isaiahs Prophecies
65
The New Testament
67
Proclaiming the Good News
68
Apostolic Callings
69
Pauls Letters
70
Johns Last Request
72
One Evening in the Garden
73
Revelations
74
The Great Apostasy
77
Two Thousand Years of Wandering
78
Open Season on the Apostles
80
Passing of the Keys
81
Gods Government Disappears
82
Constantines Rise to Power
83
The Birth of a Nation with the Soul of a Church
85
Which Scriptures Are Scripture?
87
What Is the Word of God?
88
The Pearl of Great Price
89
Anatomy of Gods Written Word
90
Unity in the Godhead and the Holy Trinity
92
Same Congregation Different Empire
94
King James Unifies Religious Factions
95
The Prophet from Pennsylvania
97
The Prophet Joseph Smith
99
Early Indicators of Righteous Pursuits
100
Close Encounters of a Divine Kind
101
Preparation for a New Church
103
Authorized Baptism by Immersion
104
Guess What I Found The Origin of the Book of Mormon
107
A Visit from the Angel Moroni
108
Translating the Book
109
Share Not
110
Its Not Easy Being a Smith
112
The Book of Mormon
115
Lehi Who?
116
A Cast of Thousands
117
Laman and Lemuel
118
Nephi
119
Alma
120
Moroni
121
Moronis Challenge and Promise
122
Searching for Zion in the Midwest
125
Ohio
126
Whats Mine Is Yours Whats Yours Is Gods
127
More Misery in Missouri
129
Violence Begets Bloodshed on Both Sides
130
Clouds of War Hang Over Missouri
131
Governor Boqqss Death Warrant
132
And They Called Themselves Christians?
133
Is This the Place?
135
Refuge in Quincy
136
Nauvoo the City Beautiful
137
Ghosts of Missouri Haunt the Mormons
139
A Martyrs Death
140
Pioneering a New World Religion
143
New Leadershipand a Last Trek Westward
145
The Great Settler
146
Music and the Spoken Word
158
The Glory of God Is Intelligence
159
Meet the Wives and Kids
163
Polygamy as a Divine Principle
164
The Roots of Polygamy
165
One Man One Wife
166
The Manifesto
167
ModernDay Polygamists Are Not Latterday Saints
168
Marriage for Modern Times
169
A Womans Place
171
O Woman Great Is Thy Faith
172
The Relief Society
173
Behind Every Good LDS Man
175
Barefoot and Pregnant? Not
176
Women and the Priesthood
177
Restoration of the Priesthood
179
A Priesthood to Lead Gods Church
180
The Aaronic Priesthood
181
Guardians of the Sacrament
182
The Role of Teacher
183
Judges in Israel
184
The Melchizedek Priesthood
186
The Power to Preside
187
Apostles of the Lord
188
All Worthy Male Members May Participate
189
ModernDay Revelation
191
Tithing and the Word of Wisdom
193
Paying Fire Insurance
194
Just Say No to Drugs and Coffee and Tea and
195
Good Oldfashioned Morality
197
Clothing Fit to Wear
198
Not the Same Old Song and Dance
199
The Power of F Words
200
Sexuality
201
Abortion and the Right to Live
202
Remembering the Sabbath Day
205
Celebrating the Lords Day
206
Sacrament
207
Not Just for Kids
209
Priesthood Quorums
210
Relief Society
212
Primary and Youth Meetings
213
Church Meetings in Singles Congregations
214
The Ideal Sunday
215
Thirteen Articles of Faith
219
God Is Not a ThreeforOne Special
220
Everyone Has a Chance at Salvation
221
A FourStep Process to Prepare for Gods Kingdom
222
Leadership in Gods Church Does Not Require a Degree
224
Give Me That OldTime Religion
225
Stay Tuned God Still Has Some Things to Say
226
The House of Israel Is Reunited at Last
227
Government Is Not a Bad Thing
228
Basic Beliefs on Being a Decent Human Being
229
Families Are Forever
231
The AllImportant Family
232
Sparing the Rod?
233
Family Home Evening
235
Size Doesnt Matter But
237
Patriarchal Blessings
239
Every Nation Kindred Tongue and People
241
Missionary Work
242
The Missionary Lifecycle
243
Missionary Callings Vary
245
One God One World One Religion
246
Modern Tenets of Christianity vs Mormonism
247
Scriptural Doctrine
249
The Separation of Three Distinct Beings
250
Latterday Landscape and Leadership
253
Houses of the Lord
255
Temples in Ancient Times
256
Why the Fuss Over These Fancy Buildings?
258
Sacred Ordinances Not Secret Rites
259
Redeeming the Dead
261
Early Mormon Prophets
265
Prophets of the Restoration
266
Choosing a New Prophet
267
The Savior as the Model
268
Defender of Faith
269
Trusted Servant
270
Blessings of Tithing
271
Teenage Missionary
272
Never Give Up
273
Compassionate Servant
274
ModernDay Messengers of Christ
277
Prophets for Modern Times
278
ThirdGeneration Prophet
279
Welfare Reformer
280
Every Member a Missionary
281
Strong on Morality
283
Brief Quiet Leadership
284
Temple Advocate
286
Twenty Favorite Websites
289
Further Reading
291
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
295
Index
301
Copyright

Common terms and phrases

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About the author (2003)

Drew Williams converted to Mormonism while serving as a Navy journalist and has taught Latter-Day Saint doctrine and essential gospel principles for 17 years. He holds a BA in journalism and English from Brigham Young University and has been writing professionally for nearly 25 years.

Bibliographic information

QR code for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism
TitleThe Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism
Complete Idiot's Guide to
AuthorDrew Williams
Editionillustrated
PublisherPenguin, 2003
ISBN0028644913, 9780028644912
Length313 pages
  
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