Mormon America: The Power and the Promise

Mormon America: The Power and the Promise examines the history, beliefs, and cultural impact of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Written by journalists Richard and Joan Ostling, this work provides context for the Mormon faith's rapid growth and influence in American society. The book covers the church's origins in 19th century New York through its evolution into a global religious movement. It explores Mormon theology, practices, and institutional structures while documenting the church's business holdings, political involvement, and missionary efforts. The authors investigate both public perceptions and internal dynamics of the LDS church, including its relationship with mainstream Christianity and American culture. They present interviews with church leaders, members, and critics alongside historical records and statistical data. The work raises questions about religious identity, assimilation, and the intersection of faith with economic and political power in America. Through its examination of Mormonism, the book offers insights into broader themes of religious innovation and institutional development in the United States.

Readers describe this book as a balanced journalistic examination of Mormon history, beliefs, and culture. Many Mormon and non-Mormon readers note the authors' neutral tone and thorough research. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex theological concepts - Investigation of LDS Church finances and operations - Historical context without sensationalism - Extensive source citations and documentation Common criticisms: - Some felt it focused too heavily on controversial aspects - Mormon readers noted minor factual errors about beliefs - The 2007 edition needs updating on recent developments - A few found the financial details tedious Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ reviews) Representative review: "As a lifelong Mormon, I found this to be one of the most accurate and fair treatments of my faith by outside journalists. While I disagree with some interpretations, the research is solid." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔷 Richard Ostling was a senior correspondent at Time magazine and served as the chief religion writer for the Associated Press, bringing decades of journalistic expertise to this comprehensive examination of Mormonism 🔷 The book caused significant controversy upon its 1999 release, as it was one of the first major works by non-Mormon authors to extensively detail the church's financial holdings and corporate structure 🔷 The authors spent over three years conducting research, including hundreds of interviews with both active Mormons and former members, providing an unusually balanced perspective on the faith 🔷 Mormon America reveals that by the late 1990s, the LDS Church had become one of America's wealthiest religious institutions, with estimated assets of $25-30 billion and annual revenue of $5.9 billion 🔷 Though written by non-Mormon journalists, the book received praise from both Mormon and non-Mormon scholars for its fair treatment of sensitive topics like polygamy, temple ceremonies, and evolving church doctrine