Mormonism A Guide For The Perplexed

Mormonism: A Guide for the Perplexed explains central facets of the Mormon faith and way of life for those wishing to gain a clearer understanding of this rapidly growing world religion. As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow in the United States and especially in other countries (with a total membership of over 15 million, more than 50% of which is outside the US), and as theologians and church leaders wrestle with whether Mormonism is in fact a valid expression of modern Christianity, this distinctive religious tradition has become increasingly an object of interest and inquiry. This book is the ideal companion to the study of this perplexing and often misunderstood religion. Covering historical aspects, this guide takes a careful look at the whole of Mormonism, its tenets and practices, as well as providing an insight into a Mormon life.

An incisive book that clearly explains the Mormons' basic beliefs and sharply refutes their subtle heresies. Offers Christians an easy-to-use guide on witnessing to Mormons.

Incorporating perspectives from religious studies, humor studies, cultural and film studies, and theology, as well as original data from textual analysis and the voices of religious comedians, this book critically analyses the experiences of believers who appreciate that their faith is not necessarily a barrier to their laughter. It is often thought that religion and humor are incompatible, but Religious Humor in Evangelical Christian and Mormon Culture shows that humor is not only a popular means of entertainment, but also a way in which an individual or community expresses their identity and values. Elisha McIntyre argues that believers embrace their sense of humor, actively producing and consciously consuming comic entertainment that reflects their own experiences. This process is not however without conflict. The book argues that there are specific characteristics that indicate a unique kind of humor that may be called 'religious humor'. Through an examination of religious humor found in stand-up comedy, television sitcoms, comedy film and satirical cartoons, and drawing on interview data, the book outlines the main considerations that Christians take into account when choosing their comedy entertainment. These include questions about ideology, blasphemy, taboos around the body, and the motives behind the joke.

Thousands of people are baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints every week. In many ways, Bryan Ready's story is no different than any other convert-except that Bryan was an ordained Southern Baptist Pastor with a formal theological education. He firmly believed that Joseph Smith was a false prophet. In 1979, Bryan and his mother were driving home from a fireside featuring members of the Osmond Family. He had listened to their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was impressed. He turned to his mother and said, "Mom, I want to be a Mormon." Her answer was a firm and adamant "No!" Over the next thirty-five years, Bryan became a committed follower of Jesus Christ-and a staunch anti-Mormon. But then things changed. His heart began to soften as he opened his mind to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. His faith would face the ultimate test of conviction-to quit his ministry and seek baptism. This is Bryan's story.

Covenant and chosenness resonate deeply in both Mormon and Jewish traditions. For both of these communities, covenant and chosenness represent enduring interpretations of scriptural texts and promises, ever-present in themes of divine worship and liturgy. The chapters of this volume written by leading scholars of both communities, debate scriptural foundations, the signs of the covenant, the development of theological ideas about covenant, and issues of inclusivity and exclusivity implied by chosenness.

The Mormon Deception examines the LDS claim to be the only true church of Jesus Christ on the earth. It shows how Mormon teaching on salvation conflicts with biblical teaching. It also explains why Mormonism does not believe in the biblical Jesus Christ. It further documents that Joseph Smith was a false prophet something that Mormonism agrees would undermine the very foundation of Mormonism.

This comprehensive guide to the history, beliefs, and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides an accessible introduction to Mormonism for both members and non-members alike. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the founding of the church to its global growth and influence. The author, John McCutchen Coyner, is a respected scholar of religion and his clear and engaging writing style makes this book an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding this uniquely American faith. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.