Book Description
Are Latter-day Saints Christian, or do they worship a different Jesus? In this engaging book based on the foundational Mormon documents, Robert Millet clearly explains why Latter-day Saints claim to be Christians and compares their understanding of Jesus with the views of traditional Christian believers.

A leading Mormon scholar who has spent much of his career in conversation with traditional Christians and their writings, Millet discusses what constitutes Christianity and examines how the Latter-day Saints fit or do not fit within that rubric. Intended to inform rather than to convince or persuade, A Different Jesus? clears away misconceptions and doctrinal distortions that characterize more polemical works about Mormonism. Millet points out the many beliefs that Latter-day Saints hold in common with traditional Christians, yet he also emphasizes differences where they exist.

A Different Jesus? initiates and will foster a significant dialogue between Latter-day Saints and traditional Christians. Of special value are a lengthy chapter that answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Mormonism, a glossary showing how key theological terms are defined by Latter-day Saints, and evangelical scholar Richard Mouw's foreword and afterword, which help set an agenda for future discussions between these rich religious traditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Book should have been titled Jesus Smith
The mormon belief is strong, there is no doubt.Unfortunately, their belief is misguided in Jesus Smith, Joseph's alter ego.

It works.
To be upfront, I haven't read this book; I have lived it.I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.I have had Robert L. Millet as a gospel doctrine teacher for three different religion classes at Brigham Young University.His insights to the scriptures of the New Testament are deep and make sense.He stated on the first day of class that his goal in it was to bring us closer to Christ.For me, he accomplished that goal.I have witnessed Robert L. Millet's deep love for the Savior in his words and dedication in the selfless service He gives to others.I am a Physics Teaching student.I like to understand the whys and hows of Jesus Christ: who He was, who He is, and how I can have a personal relationship with the living Jesus Christ.Through the Church and its teachings, priesthood power, blessings, and my efforts to pray, repent, forgive, trust, love, and work towards becoming more like the Christ of whom Joseph Smith and the Prophets taught, I have felt the Lord's cleansing power on multiple occasions.I have felt purity, joy, happiness, and undescrible love fill my soul.I have gained guidence and direction in my life from the Lord Himself.One can argue all they want about who Jesus really is, but if one doesn't come to know Him personally, one will never know.I am a living testament that living the gospel as taught by the Jesus of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints works.

Only For A Select Audience
If a person's spiritual quest leads them to examine Mormonism, they will need to resolve a key issue very quickly.That issue is:do divinely inspired texts on which to base Christian beliefs exist outside the Bible.If the answer is yes, then a further exploration of Mormonism is possible.If the answer is no, then Mormonism is a dead end for one's spiritual growth.

That same issue has to be faced when reading A Different Jesus.While Millet uses many citations from several Christian writers (C.S. Lewis, John F. MacArthur, and Luke Timothy Johnson, among others) and the Bible to bolster his points, the crucial source for most of his arguments are quotes from both Mormonism's sacred texts and subsequent writings by Mormon Prophets and theologians.If an individual trying to learn about Mormonism doesn't accept the authority of these sources, then Millet's arguments will make no sense.To be fair, Millet and Mouw state throughout the book that their goal is to provide a basis for understanding, not conversion.Still, without accepting the central premise that Mormonism's sacred texts are divinely inspired, one will end up understanding how Millet gets to his beliefs without comprehending how he could think such beliefs are true.

A Different Jesus probably would make excellent reading for anyone practicing the Mormon faith, because it does highlight the differences between Mormonism and mainstream Christianity.Additionally, anyone who is trying to find their spiritual direction will likely find value in parts of the book (particularly, the chapter titled "Recurring Questions").But, for those who have defined their spirituality within the context of mainstream Christianity, A Different Jesus will not do much to either change their mind about Mormonism's beliefs or improve their comprehension about those beliefs.

A deceptive book
This book does present mostly what Mormons believe.However, it does not clearly present or emphasize the distinctive and gross differences between our real God and Creator, and Jesus Christ as revealed by the Bible and the distorted Mormon view.It is the Bible, not the BOM, D&C, or POGP that truthfully and accurately reveals to us who is God our Creator.This book is clearly misleading and having Mouw write the forward shows its true intend,which is to compromise God's truth to appease the Mormon the deception.False doctrine is a lie and presenting it is such an appealing light only adds to the deception.

Truth Matters
Reviewer Tad Griffin (above) presents an interesting dialogue between himself and a generic Evangelical, concluding that since they both believe in a literal, physical return of Christ to earth, they therefore should embrace each other as Christian brothers. "We understand the same Jesus differently" is the way he concludes it. The interesting thing is that a devout Muslim who's well educated in Christianity might make exactly the same argument (I should know, I'm a missionary in a Muslim country, and I've heard it before). It's not sufficient to point out a single area of agreement and conclude that all other differences are therefore irrelevant.

The fact is, yes, there are elements at which Mormons, Catholics, Muslims, and Evangelicals agree to greater or lesser extents (we all believe in angels, judgment day, heaven & hell, etc.). But it is where we disagree that defines the boundaries of our beliefs and affects the way we interrelate.

As a hospital chaplain years ago I met a Mormon who was visiting with a patient of mine. She claimed that we believed exactly the same thing - a lie I quickly, and graciously, refuted. The problem with her, and Tad, and Millet is that they focus our attention on the areas where we agree and gloss over the topics where we don't. "As man now is, god once was; as god now is, man may yet become." (B. Young) is NOT Christianity. The Mormon god's begetting Christ by assuming a male body and having sex with the Virgin Mary is NOT Christianity. Posthumous conversion into the Mormon religion is NOT Christianity. These are not trivial disagreements, and to write a book as Millet has done is a PR job, nothing more. ... Read more

Product Description
Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1974: Revised and Enlarged. Hardcover Spiral Bound. Dark Navy Blue Color. 1974 Third Edition. 10-7/8" x 7-3/4" x 1-1/4". Weight = 3 lbs. ISBN 0741948737. Special Limited Edition. ... Read more

Book Description
Expectinga baby?What can youdo to makeit a happy, healthy, spiritual experience?Parents who read this book will learn:

*How faith in God and self is the key to a peaceful pregnancy
*The importance of using your agency or choice in pregnancy and childbirth
*How to better share between husband and wife the experience of becoming parents
*The spiritual purposes for the physical experience of pregnancy and childbirth
*How to recognize the risks of routine technology
*How to deal positively with labor
*How to develop an eternal perspective in your relationship with your baby ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fabulous-Well worth the price!
I was thrilled to stumble upon this well written book for an LDS audience.It covers a large amount of information on pregnancy, childbirth and family life in relation to LDS beliefs.It is also an easy read.I have never found any book like it and I have read dozens of books on pregnancy and birth.Although it is directed to an LDS audience, it is also a wonderful read for people of any faith.I love this book and I have bought it for my friends.I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Book Description
This is the story of the Latter-day Saints, the story of when God came back to earth and started things over.In person. It may be the most confident message of God in centuries.Written with the non-Latter-day Saint reader firmly in mind, yet free of proselytory pretense, Latter Days goes right to the mind and heart of this religion, exploring an utterly unique catalogue of Christian doctrine regarding the purpose of human existence and destiny.It gives the Mormon story of the creation of this world and lays out what Mormons believe is the divine plan for mankind, from Adam to Noah to Christ to Joseph Smith to Brigham Young.It relates the astonishing story of their great Exodus, as they were driven from the supposedly civilized United States to the wilderness of the Salt Lake-a truly remarkable story that most of us were not taught in our high school history books.AUTHORBIO: A convert in his late teens to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Coke Newell graduated from the journalism program at Colorado State University. For most of a decade a media spokesman for the LDS Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, he has authored or contributed to a number of books and periodicals and has been quoted extensively on Church policy, history and doctrine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

An LDS Public Relations Hack Spins Mormon History
This review was done for the hardback edition (and is submitted here due to the fact that Amazon does not transfer reviews of the same title, hardcover to paperback).

This book is clearly a response to Mormon America: The Power and the Promise, by Richard and Joan Ostling. Now I will readily admit that this is a serious accusation, and that I will never be able to ever prove a thing, yet it has the "fingerprints" of the LDS Church public relations department all over the book. Consider the following,

* The author admits both on the dust jacket and in the preface that he works presently (as he has for nearly a decade) for the LDS Church as an "international public relations officer at world headquarters in Salt Lake City."

* The author in the acknowledgments thanks (and I quote) "At the headquarters offices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint: Brian D. Garner of the Church Educational System, and Ronald O. ("Omivorous") Barney of the Historical department for their close reading of the manuscript, sought for both to keep me accurate and to keep me employed...". This is clearly an admission that continued employment by the LDS Church requires that he not write anything that would displease his employers.

* At the end of the book is a "Selected Bibliography"; it should be called a "Selective Bibliography". Only two out of the 18 bibliographic references given were to non-Mormon publishers. AND, even at that, one of the two non-Mormon references was to The Encyclopedia of Mormonism published by Macmillan, but produced under the independent editorial control of Mormon apologist Daniel H. Ludlow (i.e. Macmillan gave Ludlow final say on what went to press). While BYU Studies was mentioned, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Journal of Mormon History and Sunstone were omitted from bibliography. What makes the omission of Dialogue and Suntone odd is that the are mentioned in what passes for footnotes in 3-4 spots in the text (for example, Dialogue is cited on page 145n299, and then again on page 160n330; Sunstone is cited on page 165n339).

Yet what most clearly seems to identify this book as a reply to Mormon America is this remark on page xiv. "Those books written by outsiders to the Latter-day Saints' faith and employing a reasonable range of objectivity vary widely in their ability to get it right, to really comprehend LDS thought and doctrine...Those texts written by dissidents, or even by objective outsiders who surrender to some odd compulsion to get their "research" from the mouths of such dissidents, continually end up with the same dirty water, contaminated and dangerously unreliable. (Would you study Catholicism at the knee of a rabbi?)"

Admittedly, the endnotes in Mormon America that go on for 30 pages include "controversial facts and opinion" about LDS Church history and doctrine (included in their "For Further Reading" section, the Ostlings' include many titles about the same by faithful Latter-day Saints; nearly 6 full pages in all). Unlike the author of Latter Days however, the Ostlings' have more faith and trust in the intelligence of their readers.

Additionally, the treatment of two well-known figures from early Mormonism in Latter Days tipped me off to the author's inclination to distort historical fact for partisan religious advantage (and might I add, to the disadvantage of those that can no longer speak for themselves). The first figure is none other than Emma Hale Smith, the wife of Mormon Prophet and Founder, Joseph Smith. Beginning on page 130, the author writes, quoting an early LDS Church leader, "Many people have turned away from the truth because things did not come exactly to suit them...Emma Smith, for example." This is an unalloyed a slur against a woman who, like Hillary Clinton, stood by her man. And Emma was not merely "discomforted" (the adjective the author uses) with the principle of polygamy, she was diametrically opposed to the practice. Indeed, the women's organization (the Relief Society) was disbanded in part because it was being utilized to rally opposition against polygamy. The first president of the Relief Society? Emma Smith. And finally, in one final attempt (and a rather ghoulish one at that) to discredit Emma Smith, the author alleges that in her attempt to make a break from the LDS Church, she attempted to literally take her dead husband with her. And while Mary Fielding Smith, the widow of Hyrum Smith, Josephs' brother that was killed along with him at the same time, was not invited to a private reburial of the their bodies, she did know for a fact of the whereabouts. The primary consideration of Emma here was that the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum not be dug up and desecrated by their enemies.

The other individual that comes in for rough treatment is Oliver Cowdery, the scribe for Smith during the "translation" of the Book of Mormon, the Second Elder and Assistant President of the LDS Church. Starting on page 86, the author writes that "by midsummer, the threats to the church were not only external but internal. Four church officers, including...Oliver Cowdery were found profiting from funds designated for helping the poor incoming settlers, and excommunicated. In his own way, each began to retaliate." Since the author does not state who the other three church officers were, nor does he even so much as leave a citation to this unsubstantiated allegation, we the readers are left to wonder. Nor is the author any more specific about how "each began to retaliate."

Please, if you want to learn more about LDS Church history and doctrine, there are many titles available to choose from, even some by faithful, believing and observant members of the Church. One such book, The Mormon Experience: A History of Latter-Day Saints, by Leonard Arrington (now deceased) and Davis Bitton (and published by the more discriminating University of Illinois Press) available from Amazon, not only cost less (so you can do like I do and buy more books from Amazon), but is a more balanced account of LDS Church history and doctrine.

Very Readable and Informative
This book is an appealing review of both Latter Day Saint history and doctrines.It is written in a clear and familiar way.It has helped me articulate for others why I chose to join the Mormon church.

superb
This is an excellent read.Coke can paint a picture that draws you in.If you think his writing is good, he can keep you on the edge of your seat as an audience member.The man is gifted.

A GREAT BOOK TO ANY SERIOUS PERSON
i think its great that a book was finally written about our gloriuos faith!!!

The truth is revealed!!!

I am sick and tired of all these satanists and "Christians" telling us we are bad when we are so much better than them.
They dishonor the sabath, disgrace their bodies, swear, drink, smoke , and commit fornification so easily and then just "REPENT", No
Its is not a true repentence if you do it again and learn nothing from it!

GOOD JOB BROTHER NEWELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent but seriously flawed
This is an excellent presentation of what Mormons are taught to believe and what most do indeed still believe, worded in the sacred tone in which Mormons have learned to appreciate and revere it, but this is accomplished by injuring, skating past and ignoring various historical and scientific discoveries that unhappily disengage from important parts of the official story line. To get the most balanced perspective, the reader may want to read this alongside of that of another insider, Grant H. Palmer, whose more recent book, An Insider's View of Mormon Origins, conducts the reader on a backstage tour, explaining how the current extravaganza was put together over time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fantastic, reference of LDS history.
Yes I know it's expensive. But it has it all. This the best LDS history book I've ever seen. I am a member of the church and returned missionary who has studied a lot of church history. What I like best about this book is the extensive timeline comparison with world history, US history and Church history in chronological order so you can compare what was happening in each, also in depth research, vast information resource and it includes unique stories as well as well known history. (...) ... Read more

Product Description
Created and Illustrated by Karen Finch family Games, 8 x 11 paperback, 64 pages. A Creative Idea book full of fun file folder games that teach and preach. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great choice!!
I have been looking for something new to excite my studies & give me a fresh outlook on reading the BOM again. This book is amazing & has so many great ideas & information!! I am excited to have it & use it with my family! Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description
For many families, scripture study is a challenge at best.Too often, it means the same old thing - quickly going around the room with each person reading a verse or two.Isn't there more that parents can do to bring the power of the scriptures into their families?

Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families offers a solid answer: Yes!This power-packed resource book is full of great ideas for family scripture study.Parents will thrill as they open up chapters and discover activities, object lessons, stories, quotations, and insights that will help them lead their families through the Doctrine and Covenants.

The authors write, "Every effort has been made to make this book simple to use, even for children.As you thumb through its pages, you will notice that it follows the Doctrine and Covenants sequentially.Creative teaching ideas have been provided for every section, for Joseph Smith - History, and for the Articles of Faith.In addition to the teaching ideas, historical background is provided for each section, as well as biographical sketches of people mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants.Object lessons, activities, scripture insights, prophetic statements, discussion questions, stories, and many other learning aids are provided to help your family unlock the scriptures and deepen their testimonies."

Imagine what might happen as a result of studying the scriptures together.As President Ezra Taft Benson promised, "When individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently…testimonies will increase.Commitment will be strengthened.Families will be fortified.Personal revelation will flow."

When Alma the Younger was in the darkest abyss of sin, it wasn't the words of his seminary teacher that came to his mind but the teachings of his father.And when Enos's soul hungered, it wasn't the teachings from a Young Men's president that he remembered; instead, it was the spiritual teachings of his father.And although the stripling warriors did not doubt, it was not because of what they learned from a Primary teacher; it was the words of their mothers that strengthened their faith.

It is not the job of institutions, including the Church, to teach and raise our children.Primarily, that job belongs to parents.The purpose of this book is tohelp you in that sacred responsibility. ... Read more

Book Description
In celebration of the 175th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sherm and Peg Fugal, publishers of the million-selling Especially for Mormons series, have edited this, the first nationally released collection of LDS stories and cartoons, written by saints from every corner of the world.You'll find sweet, funny and thought-provoking stories on faith, family, gratitude, holidays, miracles, missionaries, overcoming obstacles, prayer and serving others: stories that youll want to read and use yourself, then share with family and friends."Read these stories and you'll understand how the LDS Church became the fastestgrowing Christian religion in the world, the fourth largest church in America, and the second largest church in the American west." Maren Mouritsen, former dean of students, Columbia University; retired assistant to the president, Brigham Young University"This is what we need: inspiring stories from fellow saints from all over the world with whom we share not only the restored gospel and Church, but also the same worldly challenges." Matt Kennedy, publisher, LDS Living magazine; vice president/marketing, Deseret Book"I have known and worked with both the Fugals, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen for years.What a brilliant combination of talent and ideas." Robert G.Allen, bestselling author of Nothing Down and the One-Minute Millionaire ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One half interesting, the other half shockingly awful
I enjoy reading about LDS culture although I am not LDS. Many of these stories are rather old or recycled pieces previously published. They are what is known as "faith promoting stories." Apparently this series is some kind of Christian inspirational series, and frankly many of these stories display a shocking lack of intelligence. For instance, asides are included about how "Jewish people don't believe Jesus is the Savior, and so they don't celebrate Christmas." Oh really? Never figured that out. Either the stories were written by simpletons, or the editors edited them that way, to achieve a kind of annoying "simple folks" whimsy and soft focus patina.

I enjoyed the stories about people who came from dysfuctional homes, or from great tragedy, and then found comfort in LDS life. Also, there are a umber of really amazing stories of basically unashamed giving, sometimes giving of quite significant things.

However, there is also many stories of people describing their families and along the way, unintentionally, they reveal some extremely negative characteristics. For example, one woman consistently gives her daughter two bowls of cereal, knowing she'll only eat one, and then complains about her daughter's wastefulness. Her families acceptance of the saughter's selfishness is taken as true spiritual serenity. Uh, not quite--it's just bad parenting. Another person titles an essay "Satan and My Car Keys" with predictably superficial results. Actually, that author is one of the four listed authors of the book. Peg Fugal is her name and she has upwards of 12 pieces, mostly about her favoring one granddaughter and--get this--writing down each of her words. "I'm on page 700 now, and she's not yet 4," Fugal writes. Instead of heartwarming, Fugal's stories were all alarmingly revealing of very self-involved adults.

I enjoyed the stories that revealed the dark side of American life, reflected through the very rarified world of LDS. For instance, stories of people growing up adopted, turning into drifters, and then coming across LDS. Also, many of the authors are very wordly and cosmopolitan, in the best senses of those words. But I loathed the insipid, Lifetime-esque stories of how "my baby knows Jesus, and he's not even crawling yet!"

This book is just rehash of things you can find online fro free. Do not buy this book.

A really uplifting book!
I love this book!It's great for those who don't have a lot of time to sit and read.The stories are each only 2-4 pages long, so you can read one or a bunch and still get some inspiration for the day!It's a collection of very moving and uplifting stories from every day people.I've read many of them and none have been disappointing.Highly recommended!
... Read more

Product Description
Parents tell us that Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families has worked miracles for their family scripture study. “The scriptures are now coming to life for my children,” said one parent. “We have seen our children share their feelings, thoughts, and testimonies through our discussions. They are participating gladly, which is a miracle in itself.” Families throughout the Church have discovered that Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families can help make their study of the scriptures more effective. In this new edition, parents will find activities, object lessons, stories, discussion questions, quotations, and insights to help them lead their families through the New Testament. Simply review the material for the section or verses you are studying and select those teaching ideas you think would be most helpful to your family. Packed with creative suggestions for every age group, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families is an invaluable aid to family scripture study. ... Read more

Product Description
8 volume set ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Intriguing religious commentary on America/Constitution
A must-read for all serious constitutional scholars, political science majors, American history buffs, religious scholars, and anyone generally interested in the genesis of America.

I found this book to be very enlightening and extremely useful in my personal studies of the Constitution.A delightful intellectual feast, it gives the reader a complete view of the sort of religious overtones the Founding Fathers assumed the American people would intrinsically understand, but which have been lost to many.For Latter-Day Saints (lds.org), it is a wonderful feast of knowledge, shedding light on many lesser-known facts about the American continent, the Constitution, and everything which is related to these two subjects.

This has moved to the top of my list of ideological books that have a foundation in religion.I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the Constitution and/or America.

The best thing about this book is that once you are finished reading it, you will feel as if an entire world of thought which was previously unknown to you has been exposed to the point that it cannot be hid from you any longer.It really has opened my eyes to truths which I had not supposed existed.It really broadens your perspective on the stated subjects.

All in all, highly recommended to anyone who bothered to click on the link to read this far.

Intriguing religious commentary on America/Constitution
A must-read for all serious constitutional scholars, political science majors, American history buffs, religious scholars, and anyone generally interested in the genesis of America.

I found this book to be very enlightening and extremely useful in my personal studies of the Constitution.A delightful intellectual feast, it gives the reader a complete view of the sort of religious overtones the Founding Fathers assumed the American people would intrinsically understand, but which have been lost to many.For Latter-Day Saints (lds.org), it is a wonderful feast of knowledge, shedding light on many lesser-known facts about the American continent, the Constitution, and everything which is related to these two subjects.

This has moved to the top of my list of ideological books that have a foundation in religion.I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the Constitution and/or America.

The best thing about this book is that once you are finished reading it, you will feel as if an entire world of thought which was previously unknown to you has been exposed to the point that it cannot be hid from you any longer.It really has opened my eyes to truths which I had not supposed existed.It really broadens your perspective on the stated subjects.

All in all, highly recommended to anyone who bothered to click on the link to read this far. ... Read more