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Out of Mormonism: A Womans True Story
When Judy and Jim Robertson felt a spiritual void in their lives, they found ""the finest people in the world"" to embrace them and a beautifully packaged religion to entice them. Once drawn into Mormonism, they quickly climbed to leadership positions and became worthy temple Mormons, only to become disillusioned with the teaching and demands of the LDS church. From her un...more
Kindle Edition
Published
(first published August 1st 2001)
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Ultra Christian lit, bagging on ultra Mormon lifestyles. Typical of Bethany House publishing.
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Ok, so now I see why Christians say Mormons aren't Christians. But as a non-Christian, I find mainstream Christianity strange as well (although a lot less than Mormanism). I suppose when you grow up with a religion, it's not so strange as it seems to outsiders.
The book is biased from the beginning (which is to be expected given the title of the book). I would have preferred a little more neutral introduction to how the author found herself drawn to Mormonism in the first place and choice of chap...more
The book is biased from the beginning (which is to be expected given the title of the book). I would have preferred a little more neutral introduction to how the author found herself drawn to Mormonism in the first place and choice of chap...more
Out of Mormonism was first published in 1997 under the title No Regrets: How I Found My Way Out of Mormonism. In 2001 it was republished under its current title and now, ten years later, it has been revised and redesigned by Bethany House. Robertson’s story has remained unedited, but twenty-three pages of testimony by four other ex-Mormons has been added. There are also four appendices (these were also in the old edition) which explain how Mormon doctrine contradicts Christianity and provide gui...more
This book isn't what I expected, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have value. I expected it to be a detailed and personal account of living the Mormon life. Instead, it's a very brief account of why a woman (and her family) became Mormons, her feelings about that life (which are brief), and a handful of specifics about that religion.
What this book is good for, however, is teaching Christians how Mormonism is greatly different from Christianity (even though many - but not all - Mormons will tell...more
What this book is good for, however, is teaching Christians how Mormonism is greatly different from Christianity (even though many - but not all - Mormons will tell...more
Mar 07, 2012
Lee
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
spirituality
Not sure what to say about this book. The writing has no serious flaws; it's adequate if a bit bland. This is not a meaty book about Mormonism; there is very little really about the religion or the people. There is far more Jesus-pushing and talk about the rightness of non-Mormon Christianity.
Rather than address issues like how women are treated by the LDS church, or how it's tenants may harm families, or any real criticism of the Mormon faith, the author instead decides to go with "the Church...more
Rather than address issues like how women are treated by the LDS church, or how it's tenants may harm families, or any real criticism of the Mormon faith, the author instead decides to go with "the Church...more
This book was fascinating, scary and informative. I enjoyed learning about what happens in the temple but I found that her wondering into self-righetousness towards the middle all the way through into the end made it loose some of it's credibility.
If you read this book, make sure you read the definitions of words and the endnotes, both located in the back of the book. It explains how the really crazy blood oath rituals have changed since 1995 and are not used anymore.
I found it ironic how she...more
If you read this book, make sure you read the definitions of words and the endnotes, both located in the back of the book. It explains how the really crazy blood oath rituals have changed since 1995 and are not used anymore.
I found it ironic how she...more
I picked this book up on amazon when it was available for free. For the last few years, I've been interested in reading about the Mormon lifestyle (lifestyle, not so much the religion itself) & about how people have escaped the life.
I couldn't have been more disappointed with the book.
The book begins with her life pre-Mormonism, but the author, Judy, only gives the most basic explanation of why & how they converted to Mormonism. Something as life changing as CHANGING YOUR RELIGION isn't...more
I couldn't have been more disappointed with the book.
The book begins with her life pre-Mormonism, but the author, Judy, only gives the most basic explanation of why & how they converted to Mormonism. Something as life changing as CHANGING YOUR RELIGION isn't...more
Sep 03, 2012
Kate Canan Rizzo
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
eye-openers
Robertson spills the beans on all thing Mormon in her book, detailing the top secret rituals and beliefs of the Mormons, as she details her seven years in the religion she now calls a cult. While Robertson can be long-winded in her explanations, she uses the scripture to prove that Mormonism is no more Christian than the Jehovah's Witnesses.
While Mormons do believe in God and Jesus, they also believe that God has a wife, that Satan is Jesus' brother, that there are three heavens and no hell, an...more
While Mormons do believe in God and Jesus, they also believe that God has a wife, that Satan is Jesus' brother, that there are three heavens and no hell, an...more
I have to say that I didn't mind reading this book. I have read different books about people journeys from on religion to another and found that they no matter what religion can be uplifting if I find the book to be honest. This book I didn't. There are so many false truths/half truths about the Mormon religion in this book it had me up in arms. Why would you in a matter a weeks (from the way the book led me to believe) join a church you have never heard about? Why if you where having doubts wou...more
Apr 06, 2012
Audrey Grant
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
e-book
This book was very informative. It has a lot of reference material for proof and that you can get to use for further research or help in dealing with or talking to LDS.
I found that reading the first hand account, written with love and concern, not bitterness and anger to be a beautiful way of telling this story.
Her honesty in telling how and why they were vulnerable and open to the LDS as well as their worries and concerns while in "training" and while in the "church", as well as her loneliness...more
I found that reading the first hand account, written with love and concern, not bitterness and anger to be a beautiful way of telling this story.
Her honesty in telling how and why they were vulnerable and open to the LDS as well as their worries and concerns while in "training" and while in the "church", as well as her loneliness...more
This book mostly was about their organization called "Concerned Christians." As a Christian myself, I did not need the endless flow of scripture that "proves" Mormonism wrong, nor do I care that much about what their organization is doing. I would've rather read more about their lives before they converted to Mormon and while they were practicing Mormonism. I felt the book was written a bit defensively, as a proof to other Mormons that Mormonism is wrong. I was fairly disappointed in what this b...more
2 likes · like · see review
So, this isn't quite the scandalous expose I was hoping for, but it was a quick and interesting skim over someone's choice to join and then leave the LDS church. But, quick skim is all it was. It's basically part memoir, part witness to the 'true' or 'historical' Christianity to which the author returns.
I would've liked more details of the duties she had as a Mormon woman, and I want to verify her description of the LDS baptism/final conversion process. It sounds pretty interesting, but she hers...more
I would've liked more details of the duties she had as a Mormon woman, and I want to verify her description of the LDS baptism/final conversion process. It sounds pretty interesting, but she hers...more
Aug 26, 2007
Karen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
if you want to know more about the Mormon faith & what really goes on
Shelves:
i-read-it-you-should
This is a great book. It doesn't go into a lot of the history of the Mormon church, but it gives a "behind the scenes" look at the church and what it was like for the author's family. I had the chance to hear her speak at a local bookstore and she was very interesting.
My rating reflects the fact that the author is, well.....not an author. It does a good job of exposing facts about Mormons. Then it quickly becomes a propaganda campaign by fundamentalist Christians who are equally as scary.
1 like · like · see review
A good account of leaving a church that supports its congregation until questions are asked, then quickly and heartlessly turns its back on the asker. Gives a thorough personal insight into the author's experience.
I chose this book from our Church library after having two mormons come to my door. I didn't feel like I had a good understanding of their beliefs in order to properly share my own. I love a memoir, and so I really enjoyed the story of the author, Judy, and her family and their journey through mormonism. It was fascinating and challenging to me that two people raised in the Christian faith could choose the mormon beliefs simply because they didn't know their bibles well enough to see the lies th...more
1 like · like · see review
May 08, 2012
Katherine Coble
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
preachy,
bargain-books
I seriously question Bethany House's decision to release this as a free Kindle book.
The title implies one sort of book. The actual text is another sort of book altogether and one that is not well-written.
I am myself a devout Christian, but as I read this book I found myself thinking "anybody reading this outside the faith has EXCELLENT cause for thinking we are equally bonkers."
As ridiculous as Robertson makes Mormonism sound, her Christianity seems equally unbalanced. Her narration makes it...more
The title implies one sort of book. The actual text is another sort of book altogether and one that is not well-written.
I am myself a devout Christian, but as I read this book I found myself thinking "anybody reading this outside the faith has EXCELLENT cause for thinking we are equally bonkers."
As ridiculous as Robertson makes Mormonism sound, her Christianity seems equally unbalanced. Her narration makes it...more
Although the author doesn't have the best writing skills, she has a very interesting and important story to tell. A worthwhile read!!!
Wow. All I have to say is wow!
Mar 02, 2008
Drew J
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mormons! Get out!
Shocking!
This was a quick read - interesting to see how she was attracted to Mormonism. The strong family ties and the clean-cut image is certainly appealing. But when you compare the teachings with what the Bible says, it breaks your heart that people reject God's Word. I thought the fig-leaf apron was fascinating!
I do wish she had spent more time about the years she was involved in Mormonism. She gave background, talked about her temple experience, discussed teaching the children, and then suddenly she...more
I do wish she had spent more time about the years she was involved in Mormonism. She gave background, talked about her temple experience, discussed teaching the children, and then suddenly she...more
May 19, 2008
Steven
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone curious about Mormonism
Recommended to Steven by:
Judy Robertson (the author)
Shelves:
mormons
This exposes the secret Mormon teachings which the neatly--dressed Brighamite missionaries will not tell you about. They're instructed "meat before milk" so, they won't tell you the surreal teachings, which diverge wildly from traditional Christianity, such as (1)the idea that a man may become Exalted and get to be a God ruling his own planet, while he and his wife or wives get to crank out Spirit Children to inhabit the human bodies on the planet. Nor (2)the idea that God was once such a man. (...more
This book pleasantly surprised me with its quality of writing. I was expecting a poorly written story, but rather I found a well-written, carefully planned account of the family's experience with Mormonism. In addition to their personal experience, a lot of information about the differences between Christianity and Mormonism is included. If you need to know the truth about what Mormonism is, this is a fabulous resource. It is quick and easy to read while being informative. I highly recommend it.
Wow...I read this because a friend of mine read it and had some questions about whether or not parts of descriptions of Mormonism were exaggerations in the book. Well, yes. Some exaggerations, some half truths, and some definite oversimplifying and stereotyping going on. Interesting to read her perspective, but hard to take seriously. This is certainly a far cry from a true description of Mormonism, but of her experience of failing to find and accept Christ while a member of the LDS chuch.
This was an interesting story that I picked up as a kindle freebie a few weeks ago. It is a story of faith and belonging. This is really revealing and the honest nature of the writing is really interesting to read. I found myself sympathising with the characters on their journey and wishing they would turn a different way at certain points. This book deals with many issues, faith, belonging, rejection, realisation. It is a fantastic autobiographical tale.
Quick read. If anything, as a Christian, it encouraged me to read my Bible more. The book did a good job of laying out Scripture to challenge Mormon beliefs.
LIke other readers, I would have liked the personal side of the story fleshed out. I wanted to ask the author several times 'And what else were you thinking?'
I'm curious how many Mormons have read this book and what their thoughts are on it?
LIke other readers, I would have liked the personal side of the story fleshed out. I wanted to ask the author several times 'And what else were you thinking?'
I'm curious how many Mormons have read this book and what their thoughts are on it?
I was intrigued by this book, because I didn't know much about Mormonism. As a strong in the faith Catholic I was curious about that 'cult' like religion. This book gave a lot of insight into the lies within Mormonism. It truly is a cult in the real sense of the word. It was interesting to learn some of the secret facts and beliefs. I did get a little bored toward the end once the 'learning' was over....
A short account of how Judy and Jim Robertson were drawn into Mormonism and how they finally left the LDS Church. It would have been nice to have more detail in the story. I found the glossary of Mormon terms helpful but I will have read other books to gain a better understanding of the religion. (A random side note: I have never met a Mormon in the US but have encountered too many in the UK.)
Enjoyable read. I enjoyed the verbatim temple marriage ceremony. If it were not accurate, I wouldn't believe it. The persecution of Judy and her husband contradict Mormons' insistence that they welcome scrutiny and questions. They absolutely do not. This is a good reference for those who leave Mormonism in favor of a more traditional interpretation of Christianity.
Robertson writes about first converting to, and then leaving, the Mormon faith. I found her insider's account of Mormon temple rituals fascinating, especially given her new-found fundamentalist Christian perspective. The writing isn't great by any stretch, but I did find myself mouth agape at more than a few points in the text. At only 160 pages, it's an easy read.
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