... author of the book Deconstructing Mormonism I commend and recommend this book to all believers and non-believers alike
936751
As a former faithful member of the priesthood and author of the book Deconstructing Mormonism I commend and recommend this book to all believers and non-believers alike. The author does a masterful job in providing a compelling and well-informed natural explanation of the believed "spiritual experience of god's presence" that is the foundation of believers' faith. In doing so he sews the seed of doubt that in turn potentiates all other arguments for the non-existence of 'God'. To all who have personally experienced the believed undeniable presence or 'hand' of 'God' in their life and who believe in the existence of such god primarily, if not exclusively, on that basis, this book will offer you a compelling alternative explanation. This is a must read for believers and non-believers alike.
2794321
Guy P. Harrison's book "50 reasons people give for believing in a god" was very carefully written to not be inflammatory to believers. It systematically examines every common reason for believing in a supernatural deity, validates why it's understandable that people think that way, and then gently dismantles the belief with very simple logic. It's a great first book on atheism, and a great read for someone who is still on the fence. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm going to start recommending this as a first book instead of Sam Harris' very good "Letter to a Christian Nation." Two opposable thumbs up!
130163
This is an amazing book. Both the ideas it contains and the prose that expresses them are beautiful and engaging. It was moving and insightful from the introduction to the end. The writing was educated, but easily understandable by non-scholars. The constant quotations of poets, philosophers, writers, theologians, etc. from Christian and Western history were astounding and beautiful. I can't recommend the book enough, both for the non-LDS person interested in what the Mormon faith has to offer and for the LDS person interested in discovering hidden insights into their own faith.
363486
I'm nearing the end of the book but couldn't wait to post a brief review of it.

I am agnostic and on the continuum between theist and atheist, I lean more towards the atheist end.  This seems similar to the authors stance as well which made this book quite easy to relate to.  I appreciate his respect towards the different religious sects he discusses.  He doesn't follow just one interpretation and shun or lash out against the rest.  His dedication is admirable as he actually travels to meet and experience different religious followers and traditions from visiting the Amish, orthodox Jews in Israel, even snake handlers.

It was great to read his own thoughts on the bible and everything that was going on during his year.  It felt quite honest.

The book is quite entertaining as well, especially his interactions with his wife, Julie, and their son, Jasper.

I received this book for Christmas and was admittedly quite reluctant to read it as I figured it would be just another book full of religious garbage that my family was trying to shove down my throat.  But it is definitely not that and I am extremely glad I opened it.  Some might say that God told me to open it but I highly doubt it as my religious stance has not changed because of this book. Though it's great to know there is someone else out there who shares very similar thoughts to my own.

I'm quite interested in reading other books by this author now and will do some shopping after finishing this review.
858821
This is an excellent book for both the believer and the non-believer.  Mr. Limbaugh is very good at bringing history into our current time and explaining what Jesus was all about.  I would highly recommend this book to everyone!  A must read!
3404188
This book is sooooooo good. I recommend it to anyone deconstructing / reconstructing their faith. Pastor Alice brings new light to these ancient stories. It's a funny, insightful, thought-provoking read. Get it.
4307861
What an enjoyable book!  I felt that I was able to take a close look at what this period of time was really like in Utah and wihtin the Mormon religious culture.  My curiosity was satisfied as to the challenges and personal feelings of participants.  I enjoyed reading excerpts from actual diaries and felt that the book did an excellent job of standing aside and letting the participants speak for themselves instead of presenting someone from today's point of view of the experience.  Who would better represent this type of spiritual life style than those who successfully surrendered self for a higher demand of values and sacrifice?  I do not embrace this practice, but found the book filled with valuable information to understand its place and function in that time period.  It provided a context for appreciating the value they placed upon it within their eternal spiritual philosophy and the practical, daily application of it in their lives and families. I can highly recommend it.
2817089
When I first read the Book of Mormon many years ago I was amazed that God had caused many other books of scripture to be written mostly in ancient America. I was also amazed at how God had prepared a text for modern times written directly to us. All lovers and believers in the Holy Bible will also love and believe the Book of Mormon because the author is the same in both instances.  There is a revelatory process involved in determining this.  Just as the Word was revealed to the ancient prophets by God's power, we must know and understand it by the same power.  This involves a spiritual quest for truth.  I am glad to say that my quest was rewarded greatly by Him who is no respector of persons.  I know that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are indeed the Word of God.
3661818
I am so glad I did not heed the critical review. This book encouraged me and confirmed things in my life that God has been speaking about. Kevin is atune to the supernatural move of God and also aligned with the Bible. Before I read this book, I had doubts but all were removed as I went from chapter to chapter. My only complaint is the book is too short but the gems contained within are worth re-reading and meditating upon over and over.
2356358
I initially gave things book one star. I leave my original review below. My review was certainly based on emotion. I can imagine leaving a church but I cannot imagine turning my back on G-Leavingd. This book was well written and interesting. It tells the tragic story of the author's disillusionment with the LDS church. That is no great surprise. I suggest you also read books by other ex Mormons or visit internet sites for ex Mormons who have left Mormonism without leaving G-d. The author did an excellent job of expressing the journey in words that didn't mask the deep, abiding sense of despair.

Original Review:  Mormonism is one thing, turning your back on God is quite another. Mormon theology is a convolution of the need Joseph Smith felt to answer every scripture, such as baptism for the dead and to pull Old Testament practices into New Testament, as in the creation of temples, no temple will be authentic unless built on the Temple Mount, and to create temple rituals which have more to do with Masonry than anything remotely Biblical. Discouragement has often driven people away from false doctrines and from God, but should they? Why not study the Bible in depth, forget about the Book of Mormon and Mormonism, admit your hurt to God who will help you find a way to truth.
412328
Latter-Day Cipher is unlike any suspense novel I've ever read. For someone like myself  who has not had much personal experience with Mormonism, the book is an informative look into the world of the people involved in it and its fundamentalist offshoots. The reader gets to follow the main character, journalist Selonnah Zee (an "outsider looking in"), to Utah as she covers the story of a recent murder in Provo Canyon. We also get to discover along with her many of the fascinating and mysterious aspects of Mormonism through her conversations with her Mormon cousin Roger and others.
From the church's forbiddance of caffeine drinks to its similarities with Masonic temple rituals, the reader gets to delve into the strange beliefs of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other past leaders of the cult. I was interested to learn about the Mormon perspective on the Roman Catholic church (they're not fans.)
Some characters come to doubt their faith, and the questions they ask are valid ones that demand answers. For example, why is it that one can visit a myriad of authentic Biblical sites in the Middle East, but there is no physical evidence of the places and events recorded in the Book of Mormon in the United States?
I like how the author introduces the character of police chief Helaman. Through him, the reader gets a glimpse of the qualities Joseph Smith is said to have possessed - an overpowering charm that seemed to mesmerize both women and men, causing them to follow him no matter where his hare-brained theories led.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in learning more about the Mormon faith and to those who just like a good mystery.
I have read two other books by this author, the first being "Mormon Mirage", which is an enlightening non-fiction book about the history of the religion and how and why the author left the faith. (I whole-heartedly recommend that one as well.)
1132903
This book was invaluable to my personal journey out of mormonism. I had first stumbled across Cialdini's work on undue influence and was flabbergasted that every method was used on me in my mormon upbringing. Lindsey covers this topic and more as she untangles the web that mormonism creates to keep people "in their boat". I have referred back to this book many, many times and have given a number of copies to friends who are also leaving and reclaiming back their own identities outside of mormon indoctrination. It is one of the most important books I've come across pertaining to understanding mormonism. I found this book can also be very helpful for those stuck in other high demand groups using undue influence to bridge a connection with what they are experiencing and shed light on manipulation tactics in general. I highly recommend this book.
4823969
Douglas Davies, once more, has written an excellent book on Mormonism. This renowned and productive scholar, not a Mormon himself, in the book shows his usual deep insight in this new Christian religion, opening new vistas on an already well known history. Especially his approach focusing on strategic images in Mormon theology, proves very insightful. Also his treatment of the not-so-orthodox versions of Mormonism, like the Strang movement, adds to the general picture. That means, to the general picture of historic Mormonism, as this book focuses on what he himself calls 'Latter-day Israel' and less on 'Christian Mormonism', a useful distinction highlighting the fundamental changes within Mormonism over its bare two centuries of existence.

Walter van Beek
878197
When I left the mormon church or "The Church", as its refered to in Utah, I felt free for the first time in my life.  But from being raised in it for 18 years and coming from a long line of Mormon descendents (including a great-great-grandfather that was one of Brigham Youngs advisors) I couldn't help but wonder if I was doing the right thing.  My original reasons for leaving were simple, I was fed up with being forced to believe in something that I never had a true testimony for in the first place.  I felt I was old enought to decide for myself the difference between right and wrong without a bunch of geriatics telling me I was going to hell for drinking coffee.  But part of me still wondered if I had made the right decision.  After reading this book, along with Fawn Brodies "No Man Knows my History", I feel beyond a doubt that I've made the right choice.  Doctor Wood does more than reash the history of the Mormon church with all its many inaccurasies.  He looks at the modern role that the church has taken.  I found it incredibly interesting to read about the financial and political holdings that the church has.  Not to mention the horrible oppresion of women and minorities in its ranks.  Every mormon needs to read this book and then (as the Book of Mormon states) pray about it to find that "burning sensation" that tells them if its true or not.  Thank you Charles L. Wood for helping this former "Saint" come to terms with a decision that he made more than ten years ago.
2292408
This book was quite insightful and sparked my interest in fundamentalist Mormon culture. I couldn't put this down!! Highly recommend this book!
1679543
The book was written by a man with vast spiritual knowledge and great integrity.  It provides its readers with multi dimensional viewpoints as well as sets the stage for biblical concepts.  When I hear the word apologetics I will no longer cringe.  Its a wonderful book and a very good read.  If the author was still living I would be tempted to write a thank you note to him for having written it..
3189832
Liked the fact that Mr Rhodes presented other positions and then drew conclusions on the one he thinks is correct.
I would recommend this book to everyone. Both believers and nonbeliever