A century ago the Mormon Church was widely viewed as a morally and politically dangerous sect. Today it is widely seen as a conservative repository of old-fashioned values, an American success story.
Peter Steinfels, New York Times
Given a continuation of present growth rates, the Mormon Church will achieve the status of the fourth major monotheistic faith tradition sometime during the first quarter of the twenty-first century.
Rodney Stark, Review of Religious Research
Is Mormonism a cult, a Christian sect or a world religion? What has given the church its appeal? What does it teach? Many people have a vague notion that Mormon teachings are unusual but that Mormons themselves are wholesome and prosperous. Written in plain language and in a conversational style, The Vision of Mormonism provides the reader with an understanding of the core ideas and practices of Mormons today.
This book, though touching here or there upon history and culture, deals principally with the teachings and beliefs of the Latter-day Saints in order for the readers to decide for themselves whether or to what extent Latter-day Saints fit on the Christian landscape or are entitled the Christian label. While it does not go into great lengths to set forth the history of the most successful indigenous American religious body, it does speak at length of the twenty-first century Mormon Church, of the Church as it exists today.
CONTENTS
Introduction: Mere Followers of Christ
Chapter 1, Eternal Being
Chapter 2, A Purpose to It All
Chapter 3, Old-Time Religion
Chapter 4, A Wretch Like Me
Chapter 5, Justified and Reborn
Chapter 6, The Work of the Spirit
Chapter 7, 1+1+1 = ?
Chapter 8, Who Needs a Church?
Chapter 9, Whos a Cult?
Chapter 10, By What Authority?
Chapter 11, Is That in the Bible?
Chapter 12, Solid Doctrine or Pop Theology?
Chapter 13, Body and Mind
Chapter 14, Pure Religion
Chapter 15, Some Things Just Dont Change
Chapter 16, On Knowing
Chapter 17, Conversion to the Faith
Chapter 18, Exclusive and Inclusive
Chapter 19, Unto All Nations
Chapter 20, The City of God
Chapter 21, Hard Issues
Chapter 22, If a Man Die
Chapter 23, Who Has Heard of Jesus?
Chapter 24, Never-Ending Relationships
Chapter 25, Many Mansions
Chapter 26, Acquiring the Divine Nature
Chapter 27, A Foretaste of Heaven
Chapter 28, What of Joseph Smith?
CONCLUSION, Into the Mainstream?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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