Every LDS member should read this book
342048
WOW This book contains many, many disturbing statements from LDS prophets and leaders.  I wish this was required reading for LDS members. I know the great majority of them have no idea these legitimate original documents and the "prophecy" and statements contained therein exist!  (Many of which exist in books and documents readily available on LDS-owned sites!)  Buy this book!
4414277
I dropped in where Shawn teaches on Sundays and I was amazed at how smart he is and how well he can lay out and open up the Scriptures clearly. He caught me at the door as I was leaving and gave me a copy of this book. It is a "God Send".
  Just coming out of almost 55 years of Mormonism myself, I feel a bit mixed up and there are plenty of Scriptures that we have been quoted at all of our lives (taken completely out of context) that were haunting me.
  This book is laid out clearly to explain everything that I so desperately needed to know. It is like healing balm to my soul. I hope everyone coming out of Mormonism is guided to this book, because the journey isn't easy and we need all the help we can get!
  This book is delicious to read and it is filled with a little bit of Shawn's humor throughout which really makes it enjoyable. I am so thankful to be able to read: "Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity Face to Face."
  I have learned a lot by reading this and it has brought me some peace and hope and understanding. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in this subject. It is absolutely priceless!
4419424
This is the second book by John M. Pontius that I have read. The first was Following the Light of Christ into His Presence. This book, The Triumph of Zion, is an inspiring book.  It sets the mark so high for Latter-day Saints.  I don't think anyone that is not an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will get much benefit from this book.  It is faith building, well referenced, and well written.  I will use this book as a reference for many years to come.  It has ten chapters and each chapter is divided into numerous sub-headings which makes it easy to find and re-read subjects that interest you or you want to readdress. I usually devour a book in a couple of days and this one took me over a week and I am still pondering it's message.  It definitely has inspired me to become a better person.  I really can't say enough good about this book.
3509914
Mansfield gives an excellent review of Mormon history from the beginning in the early 1800's in the "burnt-over district" near Palmyra, NY, the scene of repeated religious revivals, through the westward movement first to Jackson County, Missouri and finally to Salt Lake City Utah. He gives a detailed account of Joseph Smith's meeting with the Angel Maroni and later with John the Baptist, as well as Peter, James and John.

Although retelling the history is important to get an idea of who the Mormons were, the most important contribution Mansfield makes in this book is telling who the Mormons are today. Mansfield, according to the introduction, has taken time to meet the Mormons and learn first hand what they think about their religion and their beliefs. He starts each chapter with a vignette based, he says, on real life stories. These glimpses of Mormons defending their faith, telling what they believe, and struggling with life's problems are the best part of the book. We can see the real people behind the popular ideas of strange underwear, unusual beliefs, and prophetic visions.

What emerges from this book is a picture of the Latter-day Saints as:

People who strive for success, believing that life is a series of tests that must be passed. Their credo is progressing, achieving and moving forward.

People who believe that family is important above almost everything else. How many other religions require families to meet once a week to discuss problems and successes.

Education is extremely important to Mormons. It begins at an early age and most Latter-day Saints are very well educated, many doing graduate work.

Patriotism is inbred in the Mormons. They believe in the free-market system, and more important view, the Constitution as of Divine origin.

When I started this book, I knew a few Latter-day Saints and thought well of them, but I didn't understand their religion at all. I have to admit that I still find their beliefs a bit unusual, but everyone in our country is free to believe what they want from Pentecostals, to Catholics, to Mormons, Jews and all Protestant congregatons.

I highly recommend this book. It's very readable and will give you a much better idea of who these successful people are. At the end of the book Mansfield deals with several problems the Mormons face by becoming more prominent. One is the concern that Mormons are bound by the revelations of Saints in positions of power. I don't think this is a serious concern. I remember the Kennedy election. People painted horror stories of the country becoming subject to the Pope. That didn't happen. I very much doubt that Mormon revelations will guide anyone in charge of the country either in the military or the government to perform acts that are not in the best interests of the nation. Church and State are separate and should remain that way.

I reviewed this book for Worthy Publishing.
1338873
This is a book every Mormon should read.  Carma Naylor did a LOT of research in the Bible to find out if Mormonism is really the only true religion and way to heaven.  I was very impressed on how much research she did.  She looked at the Book of mormon, Joseph Smith, and all mormon beliefs.  Then she compared them to what the Bible says.  If you are Mormon and want to really find out the truth about your religion, I highly recommend this book!!
2336314
Absolutely loved this book. It gives a wealth of information while remaining very simple. Those who truly understand covenants will be amazed at the insights in this remarkable book. Highly recommended for LDS people, Christians in general, and Jews as well.
4581761
I bought it,  I read partily which I want to know what does mormon exactly teach,  this book has lot of details why they believe in their teaching in old and modern.  in additional, they were taught in old mormon teaching but not same to modern mormonism, in fact both are different. many mormon friends of mine keep telling me all mormon churches use MODERN mormonism only.  I had asked my friends who are mormon, they disagreed with it, but another of my mormon friend agreed with it.  It does not make sense between with old mormonism and modern mormonism...
I highly recommended this book, it has everything what you need to know
4100889
This book is a great way to tell your LDS loved ones the truth...namely that the Mormon church isn't true. I was a (TBM, "born in the covenant", RM, BYU graduate, etc.) kind of Mormon. I really had a difficult time discovering that the LDS church is built on a foundation of lies...completely devastating. Books like this make me realize that I am not alone and help with my recovery from Mormonism. The authors are to be lauded for their honesty and courage.
1464606
This book should be read by every believer.  I wish I had had this book 12 years ago when we started our church.  We use it as a gift for people visiting our church.  I feel it will revolutionize the way people think about the local church and their place in the body of Christ
2386205
I loved this book, it is a great book to learn about temple worship. Knowledge for anyone who attends the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and anyone who wants to know more. I hope you all have love for all worshipers of the savior of the world.
3287892
Having lived in Utah a few years and studied the claims of Mormonism over the years I believe this is a book that needed to be written. Not only does it expose the false doctrine and how controlling the religious leadership is of people's lives it shows the personal struggles, ( mentally, emotionally and culturally)  one goes through to become free of it. A bonus is the pages of charts in the back contrasting Mormonism with what the Bible teaches.
230713
I would recommend this book to anyone seeking the truth. It is a source of inspiration, peace, and comfort. There is nothing man can do to establish the truthfulness of this book; each person must humble themselves and ask God to reveal its validity. No other book has impacted my life as this book did. The people bringing me its message guided me by their actions; they lived every word of this book and now I am following in this path as well. Following this path is the only time I have found the blessings abounding in my life. I love pairing this book with the Old and New Testaments and have found so many answers in these three books. I am so full of gratitude for the existence of this wonderful book. It has inspired me and offered me guidance on a daily basis. I feel such great peace and a closeness to God during my reading. I understand that not everyone will feel the same but I would urge anyone who has not already read the Book of Mormon to do so and decide for themselves rather than be tarnished by others opinions.
1496174
Dr. Mason shows an understanding for everyone along the belief spectrum. His goal is to help build bridges between believers and non-believers, and he does it very well. I would recommend this book to anyone hoping to find their place in Mormonism after undergoing a faith transition, as well as for any orthodox member hoping to better understand their brothers and sisters who are grappling with their faith.
665922
As a new LDS scout leader, I find this an excellent book.
4718467
Under the Banner of Heaven is a very factual book concerning the FLDS and the mainstream LDS Church.  It is not anti-Mormon, it only gives a true picture of the beginning of the LDS Church under the leadership of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and how some of the members split from the original Church because of the belief in polygamy.  This belief grew into a Church (FLDS) because the LDS Church outlawed the practice of polygamy. The FLDS Church believes in revelation and were led by this belief into acts such as murder.  It is a fascinating book giving readers  greater understanding of the positions of both of the groups.  I recommend this book to both the LDS and FLDSmmbers and also to people who are just interested in history.  The LDS Church has grown much bigger and is now an influence in the entire world.
4450124
I have read several other books by Givens, and this one probably does the best job giving a general overview of unique LDS beliefs and what they mean in a very clear manner.  He co-wrote this book with his wife and I believe that her perspective added an interesting dimension to this book that I haven't seen in his other books.

The subtitle (How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life) is appropriate and each chapter explains a distinctive LDS doctrine and shows how much sense it makes and how they help resolve many great questions of life.

They bring up 5 major points.  1.  God is a personal being with real feelings for us who suffers with us just as we suffer with our children.  2.  We lived as spirits with God prior to our birth.  Givens covers this well in another book he wrote called `When Souls had Wings'.  3.  Mortality is an ascent, not a descent.  Children are born pure and innocent and life is meant as a great school, not as a punishment.  4. God's purpose is to unite and elevate (save) as much of humankind as possible.  Only a very few will ultimately be lost.  And 5.  Heaven will be a place where family relationships will endure forever, including our relationship with God.  This includes the concept of deification.

Each point is covered in a chapter and they illustrate their point with literature, philosophy, scriptures and logic.

This is a relatively short book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the LDS worldview or even attracted to learning something different than what most westerners believe.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is one of the better books I have read in a while.
1882453
How does one write a review about one of the most important books ever translated?  This book will change your life in ways that you can't even begin to understand.  If you just read it once and let it's message into your heart you will be completely spiritually uplifted.  One of the things that I really enjoy about this book is that it cuts right through the politically correct crap that bombards us every day.  A great example of this, is telling us the true origins of dark skin.  Dark skin is a curse from God and the Book of Mormon shows how when you don't obey the commandments of god, you will end up with dark skin.  The book of Mormon also shows how when you are truly righteous, you can have your dark skin changed back to white.

Another part about the book of Mormon that is fantastic, is that it cuts through the scientific crap that we are also bombarded with everyday.  The book of Mormon is another testament that there was a global flood during the time of Noah and a tower of Babel where the languages were confounded.  A small band of people from that time period then came and settled in the Americas.  They were called the Jaredites.  They traveled in air tight submarines that had a hole on the top and a hole on the bottom.  One amazing fact about the jaredites is that they traveled in these submarines for almost a year, carrying bees, domesticated animals, and fresh water fish.  How they were able to live in those submarines and feed those animals just shows how wonderful god is.

Also the book of Mormon teaches how secret combinations and rituals are evil.  This shows us how all of our religious ceremonies and oaths shouldn't be done in secret.  That little bit of wisdom alone has greatly helped me in my life.

I also learned from this book that if God tells you to kill someone and take their possessions, that you must do it.  I learned that sometimes as a missionary it might be necessary to cut off many people's arms in order to be able to teach the word of god

I would go on, but I'd hate to spoil the wonderfulness that is the Book of Mormon.  Everyone should read this book and abide by it's teachings.