The Mormonizing of America: How the Mormon Religion Became a Dominant Force in Politics, Entertainment, and Pop Culture - Hardcover

Mansfield, Stephen

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9781617950780: The Mormonizing of America: How the Mormon Religion Became a Dominant Force in Politics, Entertainment, and Pop Culture

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1617950785 ISBN 13: 9781617950780

Publisher: Worthy Books, 2012

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This engaging, hard-hitting overview of Mormon beliefs and history illuminates one of the most critical issues in the 2012 race: WHAT DOES THE RISING INFLUENCE OF MORMONISM MEAN FOR AMERICA?

"If a man's faith is sincere, it is the most important thing about him and it is impossible to understand who he is and how he will lead without first understanding the religious vision that informs his life." --Stephen Mansfield

Mormons and Mormonism are moving into the spotlight in pop culture, politics, sports, and entertainment: including presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Mormonism has now emerged as one of the fastest-growing religions and a high-impact mainstream influence. Stephen Mansfield, the acclaimed New York Times bestseller, writes this important story at a pivotal moment in American history.

The Mormonizing of America is critical to understanding our times, our culture--and our future as a country. Backed by up-to-date research, personal anecdotes, and a 16-page photo section, Mansfield examines the influence of the LDS church--past, present, and future. He debunks common myths, expounds on the Church's beliefs, and unveils many of the mysteries surrounding this influential religion and its loyal members.

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Book Description:

Stephen Mansfield, the acclaimed New York Times best-selling author, has highlighted the growing popularity of Mormonism―a belief system with cultic roots―and the implications of its critical rise. Mormons are moving into the spotlight in pop culture, politics, sports, and entertainment via presidential candidates like Romney and Huntsman, media personality Glenn Beck, mega-bestselling Twilight author Stephanie Meyer, and The Book of Mormon, the hottest show on Broadway. Mormonism was once a renegade cult at war with the U.S. Army in the 1800s, but it has now emerged as not only the fastest-growing religion, but as a high-impact mainstream cultural influence.

From the Inside Flap:

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 what Newsweek magazine 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 Times best-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.

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