The Mormonizing of America: How the Mormon Religion Became a Dominant Force in Politics, Entertainment, and Pop Culture
The "Mormon Moment" in America: A time to celebrate? Or a cause for concern? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints began as small band of New York farmers in 1830. And they had a mysterious tale to tell:All Christianity has been corrupted; but now an angel has appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith. There is a new religion today--based on a "restored gospel," entrusted to "the only true church." Soon known as "Mormons," they took their message to the world. They suffered fierce persecution and saw hundreds of their fellow Saints die in their trek west. Finally, they settled in the Great Salt Lake basin and built the Mormon society of their dreams. Now, nearly 200 years after their founding, the Latter-day Saints have become one of the great success stories in American religion. Their church is thriving, their message has spread around the world, and Mormon entertainers, authors, politicians, athletes, news commentators, management gurus, and CEOs shine in their fields. Yet they are nearly as much a mystery to Americans now as they ever were. How did it happen and what does it mean for us today? How did a despised sect become one of the most influential religions in US society--achieving whatNewsweekmagazine called our present "Mormon Moment"? And how did their Church live down extreme doctrines like polygamy and ostracizing beliefs about African-Americans to reach their now astonishing heights? Just has he has done with the stories of presidents and prime ministers in his other groundbreaking books,New York Timesbest-selling author Stephen Mansfield tells this Mormon tale with balance and perspective. It is a tale seldom told and rarely understood, but it is a tale we must know to understand both American society today and the shape of religion in the modern world.