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Institute for Religious Research Latter-day Saints (Mormonism)
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Book Reviews on Mormonism
Reviews on books by and about the Latter-day Saints.
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Grace to Mormons
A close review of Millet’s views on the Fall, the Atonement, and the person of Christ.
The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text & Commentary
by Michael Marquardt — A collection and study of the original texts of Joseph Smith's revelations. Includes historical background and changes made to the revelations, as well as commentary on the significance of the alterations by contemporaries of Smith and Marquardt himself. Revelations are arranged chronologically and thoroughly documented.
New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement
Beckwith, Mosser and Owen, Zondervan, 2002, 535 pages — A compilation of essays by top evangelical scholars who apply the expertise of their field to related Mormon claims and defenses.
Lost and Found: A Prophet and His Papyri
A book review of By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus, written by Charles Larson, reviewed by Joel B. Groat
Claiming Christ and Bridging the Divide: A Double Review
Robert Bowman examines recent LDS-evangelical dialogue, and looks at two of the main books that engage it; Claiming Christ, by Robert L. Millet and Gerald R. McDermott, and Bridging the Divide, by Robert L. Millet and Gregory C. V. Johnson.
Graceful Disclosure: Pulling Back the Mormon PR Curtain
An informative historical and cultural introduction to the LDS religion.
The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power
by D. Michael Quinn — Perhaps the most important new book on Mormon history since Fawn Brodie's 1945 landmark biography of Joseph Smith.
Archaeology
Quest for the Gold Plates: Thomas Stuart Ferguson's Archaeological Search for the Book of Mormon
by Stan Larson — A candid yet even-handed survey of Book of Mormon archaeology, told through the career of one of its most ardent 20th century champions.
Book Reviews on Mormon Polygamy
Joseph Smith's UNCENSORED Diaries
Joseph's teaching regarding women and the priesthood, the Word of Wisdom, celestial marriage and other matters — without the "faith-promoting" veneer.
In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith
In this definitive book, Mormon scholar Todd Compton offers a calmly crafted, thoroughly documented look at Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy.
The Sixth of Seven Wives: Escape from Modern Day Polygamy
Mary Mackert’s story of being a polygamous wife.
Mormon Enigma
Joseph Smith's sexual involvement with girls as young as 14 has been carefully documented by contemporary Mormon historians Linda King Newell & Valeen Tippetts Avery in this award-winning book.
Other Topics
The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology
by John L. Brooke — This book examines the evidence that the esoteric philosophical lore of "hermeticism" was a major influence on Joseph Smith's religious ideas. The author teaches history at Tufts University.
No Group
Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons
Mark J. Cares — Written to help Christians effectively communicate the historic Gospel of Jesus Christ to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Mormons in Transition
by Leslie Reynolds — While pursuing her Master’s degree in Christian studies at Regent College, the author had the opportunity to interview a number of Mormons, some currently involved in the church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), some in the process of transitioning out and a few who have left the church. This book relates the results of those interviews as well as giving valuable insights to the non-Mormon reader.
Studies of the Book of Mormon by B. H. Roberts
The long-suppressed work of Mormon General Authority B. H. Roberts, who in his later years came to question the historicity of the Book of Mormon, after a life-time as its greatest apologist.
History
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
by John Krakauer, 2003, 373 pages — True story of Dan and Ron Lafferty, two Fundamentalist Latter-day Saint brothers who murdered their sister-in-law and her baby claiming they got a revelation from God to kill them. Insightful look at the Mormon and FLDS views of revelations and the dangers of revelation that is not open to critique or reason.
Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record
by Michael Marquardt & Wesley P. Walters — A meticulously documented study of Joseph Smith's early years, leading up to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the founding of what became the Mormon church.
Forgotten Kingdom: The Mormon Theocracy in the American West, 1847-1896
by David L. Bigler — After years of conflict in Missouri and Illinois, the militant millennial movement went to the Great Basin of North America, then in Mexico, to establish the Kingdom of God as an earthy state.
Early Mormon Documents
Dan Vogel, editor, 5 vols., Signature Books, Salt Lake City, 1996-2003 — A gold mine of sources that provide a complete, candid, and for some a surprisingly different picture of early Mormon origins.
Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows
by Will Bagley — A major new study of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
An Insider's View of Mormon Origins
by Grant H. Palmer — The word “Insider” in the title reflects his thirty-four years of experience as an Institute Director for the Church Educational System (CES); however, throughout the eight chapters Palmer challenges the many traditional claims that inspire members of the Mormon Church.
A Gathering of Saints
by Robert Lindsey — This gripping book is the best overall telling of the Hofmann forgery / murders story. It provides a candid look at the involvement of high ranking Mormon leaders in the purchasing and suppressing of documents deemed threatening to the Mormon Church.