One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church - Softcover

Abanes, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1568582838 ISBN 13: 9781568582832

Publisher: Basic Books, 2003

Synopsis

Founded in 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was initially perceived as a movement of polygamous, radical zealots; now in parts of the U.S. it has become synonymous with the establishment. In reevaluating its preoccupation with issues of church and state, Abanes uncovers the political agenda at Mormonism's core: the transformation of the world into a theocratic kingdom under Mormon authority. This illustrated edition has been revised and offers a new postscript by the author.

About this title

From the Publisher

Many people believe that Mormonism, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), is just another Christian denomination seeking the world's betterment. But there was a time in America when the Mormon church was seen as little more than a cult-like collection of polygamous, religious zealots seeking the political overthrow of the United States. This aspect of Mormon history, dating back to Palmyra, New York, in the early 1800s, is but one facet of an enthralling saga laced with all the elements of an action-packed Hollywood movie: sex, lust, violence, greed, murder, deceit, and betrayal. Nevertheless, Mormonism has managed to emerge as one of the world's wealthiest and most influential religions. In fact, it wields more economic power more effectively than any other organized religion in existence.

Now, investigative religion journalist Richard Abanes -- author of End-Time Visions: The Road to Armageddon? and a highly regarded authority on cults, the occult, new religious movements, and the religious fringe -- examines the fascinating history of Mormonism in its entirety. Using exhaustive documentation, Abanes reveals the origins of Mormonism, the socioeconomic factors that contributed to its growth, its ongoing political agenda, and its religious teachings. Moreover, Abanes details what may be some of the most intriguing, yet rarely discussed, events in LDS history that continue to make it one of the most controversial of all religions.

One Nation Under Gods will appeal to anyone interested in Mormon history, cults, the religious evolution of the United States, and humanity's perennial desire to find spiritual fulfilment -- a desire too often pursued at any cost.

From the Back Cover

"Richard Abanes succeeds in detailing not just the LDS Church's quest for religious supremacy, but also its desire for economic and political dominance in order to pave the way for the Kingdom of God on Earth. Joseph Smith's occult practices, the creation of the Book of Mormon, the mysterious Danite assassins, Joseph Smith's murder, the Mormon move to Utah, blood atonement killings, polygamy, Mormon cover-ups and conspiracies -- all are discussed in this volume. One Nation Under Gods is a well-written and absorbing book that is ideal for anyone wanting a concise, accurate, and easy-to-understand history of Mormonism from its inception to the present."
SANDRA TANNER
Great-Great Grandchild of Brigham Young

This book is sure to stir up things in both the Mormon and Christian religious communities. No one challenges accepted religious doctrines, ideologies, and behaviors more cogently and bravely than Richard Abanes, and with One Nation Under Gods he has once again triumphed in bringing to light matters most religious leaders would rather leave buried. One Nation Under Gods is a triumph of research and wisdom."
MICHAEL SHERMER
Publisher of Skeptic Magazine and author of
How We Believe: The Search for God in An Age of Science

Abanes has produced a unique and fascinating book that reveals not only the true and complete history of Mormonism from its nineteenth century origins to the 2002 Olympics, but also documents many of those rarely discussed aspects of Mormon history known only to serious investigators of Mormonism's past. Although One Nation Under Gods is documented as meticulously as any scholarly work, it reads more like the screenplay to a fast-paced action movie. Interested persons of every reading level will appreciate its content as well as its style."
HANK HANEGRAAFF
President, Christian Research Institute

Edition details

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1568582838
• ISBN 13: 9781568582832
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 672