Mormonism For Dummies
2. Edition April 2025
368 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Explore one of the fastest-growing religions in the world
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the first Christian faith to be developed in America, and today the Church is home to millions--both inside and outside the United States. Mormonism For Dummies, 2nd Edition is a valuable tool for individuals interested in learning more about the beliefs and practices of the widely-practiced Latter-day Saint faith. In this informative book, you'll explore the different denominations of the Church, recent changes to the Church's customs and practices'which also covers why the Church encourages a shift away from the term "Mormon" and more.
Inside, you'll:
* Discover the history and origins of the Church of Latter-Day Saints
* Understand the Church's official stances on areas, including race, the status of women, and polygamy
* Examine subjects like religious fundamentalism and orthodoxy through the lens of practicing LDS members
A must-read for anyone interested in the rituals, customs, beliefs, and politics of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, Mormonism For Dummies, 2nd Edition gives you the straightforward and unbiased info you need to understand this nuanced faith.
Part 1: What the Mormon Faith Is All About 5
Chapter 1: A New World Religion 7
Chapter 2: The Mormon Plan of Salvation 19
Chapter 3: Heavenly Parents, Savior, and Holy Ghost 41
Chapter 4: Restoring the Priesthood and the Church 61
Chapter 5: Together Forever: The Eternal Importance of Family 77
Part 2: Eternal Rituals and Endless Meetings 93
Chapter 6: Welcome to the Meetinghouse! 95
Chapter 7: Sacred, Not Secret: Inside Mormon Temples 117
Chapter 8: In and Around Church Headquarters 137
Part 3: Holy Books and Sacred History 155
Chapter 9: The Bible and the Book of Mormon 157
Chapter 10: Mormonism's Other Scriptures 177
Chapter 11: Searching for a Home 193
Chapter 12: Moving on to Utah with Brigham Young 209
Chapter 13: Building the Kingdom in Utah 219
Part 4: Mormonism Today 235
Chapter 14: Called to Serve: Missionaries and International Growth 237
Chapter 15: Hot-Button Issues for Latter-day Saints 251
Chapter 16: Earthly Sacrifices for Heavenly Blessings 267
Chapter 17: Connecting with God and Each Other 283
Chapter 18: In the World but Not of the World 295
Part 5: The Part of Tens 309
Chapter 19: Quick Answers to Ten Common Questions About Mormonism 311
Chapter 20: Ten Mormon Places to Visit 321
Chapter 21: Ten Famous Latter-day Saints You've Probably Never Heard Of 329
Index 335
Jana Riess, PhD, is an author of many books on Mormonism and is a senior columnist for Religion News Service. She has also spoken about the LDS church at conferences and in media interviews.
