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Title: Beyond Mormonism : An Elder's Story
ISBN: 0800790766
Author:
James R. Spencer
Publicate Date: 1984-10
Publish: 1984-10
List Price: $11.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $11.99
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1: Beyond Mormonism: An Elder's Story
Excellent book. For anyone wondering what life is like in the Mormon Church, has a desire for a good read on a topic of interest, is not looking for dirt/mud/bashing, or does not want to deal with high level theology study, this is your book.
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2: Very respectful book and very consistent with other ex-Mormon testimonies
So much has already been said about this fine book that I'll keep this short. I read this book when it first came out. At the time I thought it was very good. It was also unique in that it was the first ex-Mormon testimony that I knew of that had been published to a broad, mass-market audience.
I was especially impressed with the author's respectful yet honest tone. At the time most ex-Mormon testimonies tended to be rather shrill and somewhat demeaning.
This book was different and I really appreciated that since my brother is Mormon as are many friends. From my Mormon relationships I knew that the picture that was often painted of them and their culture was unfairly skewed to the negative.
Yes, their theology and doctrine is heretical. Yes, their leadership is oppressive. Yes their thinking can be inconsistent, illogical, and irrational. However, their hearts, desires, and passions are well placed and sincere. Well this isn't always the case, they rarely do what they do out of malice or guile. Mormons believe and practice their faith with the best of intentions and motivations - they just happen to be climbing a ladder that's leaning against the wrong wall.
Since this book was published many, many, many other fine testimony books have also been released. A few that I have either read or heard good things about include:
Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond
Out of Mormonism: A Womans True Story
Out of the Shadows: A rape victim examines her life in and out of Mormonism
Evangelicals should note that not all Mormon testimonies end in a Born-Again experience. However, they are ALL of great value if nothing more than the reader can gain some insight, understanding, and empathy for their Mormon friends through them.
I've also found some superb Mormon Recovery websites (just google on "Mormons in Transition" and you'll find them) and the following books which have been of great benefit while maintaining a respectful tone:
The Pattern of The Double-Bind in Mormonism
I Love Mormons: A New Way to Share Christ with Latter-day Saints
Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons
What's going on in there? The Verbatim Text of the Mormon Temple Rituals Annotated and Explained by a Former Temple Worker
I hope that this short review and book list will help you find which book on Mormonism is of most value to you and your family.
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3: more fundimental dogma
I have not read this mans book and i have no intention to. Having gone through the same experience he has I have no reason to justify my decision for leaving the LDS church by reading his book. I am a bit ticked off with the holy roller dogma that has been written about his book in these reviews. Having done extensice research on the origions of the LDS church and living as a member, and surving a mission I have the utmost respect for the organization and it's people. I have yet to find a group that more turely exemplifies living a true christian life. Unlike the ignorrant comments made about this book so far, I want to say that everyone has the opportunity to find truth, as gandi said -truth is god-god is not truth! America is trapped by a growing number of narrow minded, ignorrant, fundimental christian groups who whould have all of us live and believe only what they feel is the true interpitaiton of a fairy-tail book,the bible. They think the world is only 4000 years old and have the nerve to gudge the mormons? Get real and wake up.
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4: Truth at a time it is needed!
As America approaches a presidential election in a little over a year, I needed to find information about the religion of one of the candidates, Mitt Romney. I want to know as much information about the candidate and his religion as I can. I came across Spencer's book and was captivated from beginning to end.
"Beyond Mormonism" is a heartfelt and sincere recounting of one man's journey from sinner to saved, with a 10-year detour through Mormonism. It is full of compassion and empathy. Surprisingly, there seems to be no bitterness on the part of Spencer toward those in the LDS church. On the contrary, there are many references of his love and friendship toward those who are still in the Mormon church, even though they have severed ties with him.
The book is well written in concise, easy to understand language. At no time does Spencer come off as preaching or condescending. I read the entire book online, and made it through quickly.
It is both informative and moving. My heartfelt thanks to Jim Spencer, both for writing this book, and for publishing it online.
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5: Another excommunicated Mormon's view
I read "Beyond Mormonism: An Elder's Story" with much interest, and I am fillied with sorrow for Pastor Spencer's conclusions. I believe that he never gained a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith or of the Church. Instead of vocalizing his questions while he was investigating the Church or as questions came up in his mind, he kept these doubts secret, many even from himself. I can see his logic. There continue to be questions in our minds if we do not raise them and obtain the answers. The question of being saved by grace alone is one which I didn't understand until I had been on an L.D.S. mission to France. We are indeed saved by grace alone "after all we can do." Are we expected to do our best in this life? Of course, we are! Can we expect to be saved by grace if we don't make an effort to live our lives in a Christ-like manner? A resounding NO! Christ shed His blood to save all mankind! I am afraid there are members of the L.D.S. (Mormon) Church (just as there are many who are not L.D.S.) who will be surprised at who will and who will not be found in "heaven". I hope and pray that those who have "hardened their hearts" may have their hearts "softened", if not in this life, then in the life to come. I, like the Spencers, harbor no ill will against those who do not share my beliefs. I'm sure that God alone is the One who knows the real answers. That is why we have to live by faith, not only in Jesus Christ, but in His teachings. However, in spite of my imperfections, I still have my testimony of the Church and its teachings. This, fortunately, has never completely left me. I hope and pray that they may realize the error of their ways and come back into the Church, as I pray that I may make my own way back into the Church.
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