Mormon America: The Power and the Promise

by Richard N. Ostling, Joan K. Ostling

Mormon America: The Power and The Promise by Richard N. Ostling and Joan K. Ostling, grew out of a 1997 Time magazine cover story called "Mormon's Inc." One of the reporters on that story, Richard Ostling, became so fascinated by Mormonism that he set out to write "a candid but non-polemical" overview of the Church, beginning with its founding by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830 and continuing to the present day. The resulting book is a marvel of clarity, organization, and analysis.

For statistical reasons alone, the Mormon Church demands a reader's attention: in just 170 years, the Church has grown from six members to more than 10 million; if current rates of growth continue, membership could hit 265 million by 2080, which would make it the most important world religion to emerge since the rise of Islam. Mormon America clarifies the reasons for the religion's rapid growth: "It was from the beginning optimistic and upbeat, a reaction against the establishment New England Calvinism.... It was a religious version of the American dream: Everyman presented with unlimited potential." The book also investigates the Mormons' immense wealth (relative to size, this is "America's richest church, with an estimated $30 billion in assets and something like $6 billion in annual income, mostly from members' tithes.") It anatomizes the minutiae of Church governance (Mormonism is ruled by a self-perpetuating, all-male hierarchy, headed by a "President, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator"), details the many rules that govern the Mormon lifestyle (famously, they avoid caffeine and alcohol; the Church's mandates extend even to the proper technique for "dispos[ing] of worn-out holy underwear"), and summarizes the Mormon scriptures. Mormon America is a compulsively readable book, not only for its insightful analysis and wealth of factual information, but also, and most importantly, because it respects its subject rigorously. "This is a real faith," the Ostlings write, "and must be understood in those terms, without caricature." --Michael Joseph Gross

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Mormonism, History, Lds, American History, Spirituality

498 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 1999

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is engrossing at times, if a little disjointed. It reads like a series of magazine articles about different issues in Mormonism, so there's no real through-line, and they frequently repeat little bits of information. It could really be skipped around in based on what you are curious about. Most of the first few chapters are history stuff that I already knew from 'no man knows my history' or 'under the banner of heaven', and it isn't really in chronological order, so if you are interested in Mormon history, I don't really think this is the book for you.
But the chapters on missionary work, BYU, the schisms that lead to the RLDS and other sects, and differences in general christian and mormon doctrine, all that is really interesting. For example, the idea that BYU professors have to be mormon wasn't a surprise, but that they have to be in good standing, as proved by yearly checkups with their local ward leaders, that seems a bit much. They mentioned a professor who lost his job for falling behind in his tithing in just one year. There is a lot of interesting stuff here about academic freedom. I also feel like I have a little better knowledge of the mormon belief system, which I think is a good thing for the church as a whole. As a non-Mormon, I heard things like "Mormons believe that when you die you get your own planet", which sounds kinda kooky and sci-fi and weird. The actual doctrine is more sophisticated and not nearly as kooky. Or 'Mormons believe Adam was God' which is not what they believe and was actually just something that Brigham Young brought up a couple times and didn't really stick in the church.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read written by a non-member of the LDS church. I did find some definite errors in their research. Read this book with a grain of salt because I am not sure if they really could get all the info from the church, only what is public.

[drowningmermaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair, open-minded, and honest about all the difficulties with Mormonism, as well as the strengths of that faith.

[Deirdre Hanners · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you are moving to Utah

[Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an interest in Mormonism, primarily because my Mum converted to it, being baptised into the church and we entertained the visiting missionaries in our home most weeks! Most of the books I have read have either been official Mormon publications or polemical refutes from ex-Mormons or evangelical Christian protagonists. This book is written by neither of these constituencies!

Richard N. Ostling and Joan K. Ostling are husband and wife journalists, with extensive experience in the field of publishing and TV in the USA and are non-Mormons. The Los Angeles Times book Review best sums up the tone of this book, "The Ostlings ... have succeeded splendidly ... [this book] is a scrupulous, fair-minded account, one that neither shies away from the controversies that have shaped the perception of Mormonism nor has any particular ax to grind about them ... remarkably careful, fair, and untendentious ... a useful introduction to the Mormon church ..."

I found the book easily read, and very informative, even though I have a fairly well developed understanding of the history and beliefs of Mormonism. I can easily see how someone with little or no knowledge of Mormonism would benefit from reading it, as it gives great contextual information - social, religious, commercial, personal, cultural etc. - which aids a proper understanding of how Mormonism arose, developed and now flourishes.

The volume I read, which was published in 1999, was loaned to me by a dear ex-Mormon friend. However, I understand that a revised and updated version is available, and I will definitely be buying that for my library.

One of the best books on the subject area that I have read. Recommended.

[Tyler Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with Fawn Brodie's biography of the Prophet, this was an important book in my readings on Mormonism. Most books on the subject of the Latter Day Saints seem to focus mainly on the 19th Century, the life of the Prophet, and the trek to Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young. And perhaps rightfully so. This book touches on those topics, but its primary emphasis is on the ideas, leaders, activities and lifestyle of the church and its adherents today. I found this to be a highly useful and clear exposition of Mormons in my own time and world, bringing them out of the History Box and discussing them as a living, thriving community.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this book, I was dating a Mormon. By the time I ended this book, we had broken up. Though Ostling presents a well-balanced, meticulously researched overview of Mormonism and dispels some of the myths about Mormonism (for example, polygamy), I still found this a tough read. As someone raised without religion, who if anything gravitates towards Buddhism and Krishnamurti, there were parts of the book--on censorship and authority, on blacks, on women--that were hard to stomach, much less believe.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fun to see critics of Mormonism, and Journalists not to mention, trying REALLY hard to be "objective". In all fairness, they did o.k. But there is an obvious slant and that is apparent though out the book. Jan Shipps (a non-Mormon scholar who has focused on Mormon studies) does a better job at objectivity regarding the Mormon's. But I did find the book interesting and have a copy on my shelf. If I could give it three and a half stars, that would be more accurate.

[David Horney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at LDS history/theology/power structure. The author's stated intent is to be fair and balanced. I suspect most LDS readers will infer a raised eyebrow and more than a touch of skepticism when basic tenets of the faith are discussed. As an outsider I appreciated the history lesson and basic instruction in the differences between LDS and conventional Protestant views of God and salvation.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty fair look at the LDS Church through the eyes of two Time magazine reporters. It seems that all non-member critics use the same old tired and often inaccurate sources for their material so the same myths are perpetuated. Sigh.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good overview of the Mormon faith. It's a few years old now so some of the statistics may not be correct today, but still a lot of really good information. Highly readable.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was obviously written by media people who were looking for the sensational, I found it surprisingly balanced and fair.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is, as advertised, a fair treatment of Mormonism-from a cultural, sociological, political, economic (a.k.a. religious studies-like) perspective. The book is very well written and engaging, as would be expected from seasoned, well-respected journalists like the Ostling's. While the authors are critical of some (many?) of the historical, doctrinal, and ecclesiastical aspects of Mormonism, they aren't attacking the LDS Church or being vitriolic in their rhetoric or tone. They strive to be respectful in their criticism for the most part, which was a nice breath of fresh air after reading Mansfield's "The Mormonizing of America," which was a train wreck (see my review for that book).

So why only 3 stars? As with most books I have read about the LDS Church recently, it wasn't what the authors included that is the problem so much as what they don't include. This is probably how many, if not most, religious adherents feel about books written by "outsiders" about their faith. And it's admittedly tricky. But this book, as with Mansfield's book, overwhelmingly favors liberal intellectual interpretations of Mormonism while routinely marginalizing or ignoring more orthodox and/or conservative voices. It also just ignores or leaves out the spiritual/faith-motivated lived experience of the Latter-day Saints, except when alluded to on very rare occasions. I just hope that people reading this book, and most others like it, understand that they may be seeing the shell, or external "machine," of Mormonism, but they aren't really seeing the heart of Mormonism, the inner gears, what really makes Mormons tick and the Church so successful, as the Ostling's alluded to so warmly in the concluding paragraph of the book.

For example, the Ostling's treatment of the LDS belief of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is so shallow and fragmentary that I don't think you could find a single faithful Latter-day Saint anywhere who would say that this explanation was a fair summary of what they actually believe about this most crucial of all LDS doctrines. And it wouldn't have taken much to fix that problem. A quick look at what the Book of Mormon actually teaches in places like 2 Nephi 2, 2 Nephi 9, Alma 7, Alma 34, and Helaman 14 would have solved a lot of the problem. There were several instances of this problem in the book.

I would have no problem recommending this book to others-as long as future readers had a good, faithful Latter-day Saint friend they could talk with about it along the way. In fact, such an experience might be good for the Latter-day Saint friend as well.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non mi voglio convertire. Proprio no. Però, leggendo blog di mie coetanee oltreoceano, mi sono resa conto di una realtà religiosa dal tutto nuova (per me) e molto diffusa, rigida, ma con sempre più fedeli - e mi è venuta curiosità. Così ho trovato questo libro, scritto da un protestante, quindi del tutto estraneo al Mormonismo, e che racconta in maniera distaccata e lucida cosa siano i cosiddetti LDS. Che io all'inizio avevo scambiato per gli Amish, la gente rimasta nel 1821 con le donne che lavano i panni a mano e girano con le cuffiette. Per dire.
Comunque, si tratta di un saggio molto interessante, in cui l'autore si chiede il perchè di una diffusione tanto veloce e capillare della religione in questione, anche in politica, persino ai piani alti del governo - molti sono i tuoi vicini di casa! (se abiti nello Utah o giù di lì, ovviamente) Ripercorrendo la loro storia attraverso i dettagliati diari personali, le vicende si intrecciano a quelle dei pionieri del West, la gente in cerca di terra, con tanto di resoconto dettagliato sugli animali consentiti per famiglia (10 mucche, 20 galline, 15 maiali per nucleo). All'inizio non trovavano pace, erano perseguitati e molti li rinchiudevano in galera. Un po' a ragione, mi permetto, visti i misfatti. C'era della poligamia, delle truffe, qualche omicidio. Poi tutto è virato nella direzione di un puritanesimo esagerato e nella convintissima ricerca di una comunità alla mulino bianco, con famiglie numerose e felici, unite e devote, case immacolate, mogli a casa e mariti immersi nel lavoro a favore della Chiesa. Che è potentissima, dice. Una sorta di multinazionale finanziata dagli stessi membri benestanti e che gode di ottima salute, "tentacolata" in tutti i campi, dalla produzione di cibo, alle assicurazioni, dall'editoria alle costruzioni. Tutti educati, disciplinati, inquadrati e indottrinati fin da piccoli, chi trasgredisce è fuori dall'Eden in Terra. E dicono sia un metodo che funzioni, là in America, e che stia diventando una delle fedi più importanti.
Noi arriviamo sempre con un ventennio di ritardo rispetto agli Usa. Io mi porto avanti e prima di arrivare al 2030, quando mi obbligheranno a convertirmi, almeno saprò di cosa si tratta :)

[Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a primer on the history and beliefs of the Saints, this book can hardly be bettered. Though the authors are outsiders, they present the various doctrines and practices of the church as it has evolved over time with a straight face. Indeed, they do more than that. The Ostlings evince genuine appreciation for Mormon organizational skills, community-building efforts and the intense sense of loyalty fostered by these activities. To be sure, they pass a gimlet eye over some of the prophet's many unsubstantiated claims, as well as the rather heavy-handed discipline meted out by church elders against internal dissent through the years. If there is a problem with this narrative, it is that it is organized less as coherent history with a gripping through narrative than as a series of vignettes and topical studies, organized in rough chronological fashion. This structure means one can dip into various chapters without necessarily reading the book from the beginning (so if you want to learn about sacred underwear or plural marriage, it's easy enough to do so without reading the whole text). Nevertheless, there seems to be some benefit to reading the chapters in order, even if occasionally the topics jump about temporally and geographically. I take this structure to be a concession to popular journalism at the cost of a more scholarly history; if scholars don't like it, they can consult the rich list of sources (both from within a church perspective as well as without) appended to the volume. For the stone-cold newbie though, this book is a great place to start.

[Laura LeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a few books on Mormonism previously, this book was quite daunting to even start. Yet, once I started, it was hard to put down. Quite impressive in the amount of research and documentation provided to support the beliefs outlined. It is probably one of the most objective books I have read about Mormonism, including both the tenets and doctrine central to the faith as well as the arguments lobbied by those that have left Mormonism and by those in traditional Christian denominations. Overall, a great book to explain Mormon beliefs and history as well as the arguments against. Objective, to say the least. I found some of the material repetitive (same ideas or explanations in multiple chapters) and found a few editing errors that could have been easily corrected. Sometimes there were no transitions between the chapters and I found some of the organization to be a bit annoying. As a historian, I like chronological telling of the historical details of the founding and this was not organized in that way, but that's just my personal preference.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written by two historians who are not LDS. I sped through some of it because being LDS, I am familiar with what they report. I found the book interesting and some of the commentary insightful, such as church members' sensitivity to criticism. Also interesting were facts such as estimated church assets and estimated church activity rates. However the book has several weak points. One is there seems to be a lot of discussion about those who oppose the church, those who have left the church, and those who were kicked out such as historians and intellectuals. This is all told in a rather one sided manner. The biggest weakness is the lack of discussion of spiritual beliefs. The book paints a picture of people who participate in church and follow their leaders without question. The missing component is we believe God directs us and His work. Otherwise, we seem mindless drones.
It is worth reading for its perspective but at times I felt they were discussing a church I do not attend.

[Nathanael Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good look at the Mormon church. The book, written by non-Mormons, avoids the polemical tone that many books about the Saints adopt. The first part of the book describes the history of the early church and Joseph Smith in particular. The second half of the book describes the current church, its doctrines and policies, and it seeks to define some of the theological differences between mainline Christian denominations and the LDS. For me, the chapters on the LDS church's suppression of academic freedom are the most fascinating. Several BYU professors have been denied tenure, denied promotion, or fired because of publishing what was, in fact, the truth. One project, the publication of letters written by early church leaders, angered the General Authorities, and the editor of those letters lost his job. One great quotation from the old LDS magazine Improvement Era reads: "When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done." This hostility to critical thinking and inquiry is perhaps the least favorable depiction of the church in this book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a UU seminarian who grew up Mormon. We had Mormon neighbors and friends at our last home but we never got around to discussing religion. Knowing that Conan Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet" and Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" were not the foundation of a well-rounded survey of Mormonism, I welcomed this suggestion of "Mormon America" as a good general overview and history by non-Mormon authors. I was not disappointed. The early history was re-told well with additional insight into the many strands of religious mysticism and re-awakening that were stirring in upstate New York's "Burned-Over District" during prophet Joseph Smith's formative years. Most interesting was the explanation of the current top-down nature of the Church hierarchy. I found this book fascinating and dense. I plan to return to it as a reference in the future.

[Brett Nordquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended from a woman who left the LDS church after reading it. My expectations were too high, although I found chapters of the book very interesting. The authors do a better job of describing the early church (Joseph Smith, Book of Mormon, Martin Harris, Brigham Young, Emma Smith) than some of the modern questions around the LDS church (financials, membership size).

The author is not a member of the LDS church and that works in his favor most of the time. The author at times writes as if he's in awe of the church as times and disgusted at other times.

My favorite chapters in the book dealt with the "September Six" excommunications. If you haven't heard about them, check out this book. Had I heard about them earlier in my life, I believe they would have lead me out of the church a decade or two earlier.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because I've seen it referenced so much the last 2 years in mainstream news sources (Newsweek, Time, and the Washington Post) anytime Proposition 8 or Mitt Romney have been discussed. However, although it claims to be, and is referenced as, a non-biased, informative resource, that's not the case. The authors consistently try to draw a picture of a secretive, divided church with ill-intentioned, dishonest leaders and a misled and gullible membership. Although I agree with the authors' stated goal of having the Church the subject of scholarly discussion, this book never approaches that goal because of the authors' predetermined agenda. I would never recommend it to my family, friends, or a stranger on the street.

[Michael P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fairest non-partisan book I have read on the Mormon cult. The authors have no ax to grind and are careful to view things through the eyes of the Mormon’s they interview as well as through their own fairly objective eyes. They include nearly every stupid belief that Mormon’s have, but present it factually, never with ridicule. My only criticism is that while Mormons were given a voice, their critics are only sometimes given an equal voice. Their dippy beliefs are condemning enough, but the cultish need to control information and people does not come through. You can say the book is generous to a fault, but it is a fault. Still, what it does well is so strong that this book rates 5 stars.

[Chris Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this book as so many had said it was a good, objective look at Mormonism from it's origins to the present day. It was overall pretty decent, a little dry at times, but well researched and cohesive.

Overall, it's fairly objective, though there are paragraphs here and there (especially in the chapter conclusions) that are somewhat biased. Considering that the authors are not Mormon, it would be difficult to write on another religion's faith without bringing your own opinions and experiences to the table, but for the most part, they do a decent job.

The authors touch on some highly sensitive issues such as polygamy and blacks and the priesthood as viewed in Mormonism, but treat the issues with respect.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while investigating the church, and it was pretty much everything I'd hoped for. At the time, it seemed honest without agenda, discussing the history through the current day, complete with seemingly unbiased details about rituals, beliefs, practices and teachings. Good stuff. The mormon friends we talked it over with at the time said they didn't know this much about LDS, but I had the thought that - especially if they grew up in the church - they probably don't feel they really need to if they're happy and into it ... and they all are.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer into the history, inner-workings, ceremonies, and practicies of the Mormon (LDS) Church. I found it to be very informative even though I have an above average knowledge of the church. It presented a fair and balanced account of the good, bad, and ugly in the church's history and modern day movement.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished it, since I couldn't renew it one more time. I found it very interesting - facts are laid out with comments from church officials. The authors said they passed everything through the church prior to publication and had nothing in the book that church officials refuted. Lots of sources cited which put my reporter's natural skepticism to rest.

[David Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an informative book, from a trustworthy and journalistic source, on the Mormon church this is the one. Without judging or condemning Ostling captures an intriguing and holistic look at the LDS church. Start here and then move on to I Heart Mormons by David Rowe if you wish to get a view from an evangelical outsider who has lived and worked among Mormons for decades (and still loves them).

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an old book that I read (parts of) in seminary; I dusted it off and went in for a re-read. Some parts are dry, some engaging, but it presents a decent and mostly objective picture of the LDS church. I recently spent some time in Salt Lake City, so was curious to get a little back ground knowledge.

[TJ Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most unbiased outsider view of Mormon History I have ever read. That being said, this also has provided a catalogue of most of my questions still unanswered by church leadership. Not for those of questionable faith and dedication.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this, as I have been intrigued (from a purely non-religious standpoint) by the Mormon faith for years now -- glad I was able to find a non-biased source of information.

The editing could have been better, but all-in-all, a very informative book.