Title
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : What the Mormon Faith Is All About
Chapter 1: A New World Religion
Why Know about Mormonism?
The Mormon Worldview
Joseph Smith and Mormonism’s Beginnings
Day-to-Day Mormon Life
What Makes Mormonism Different?
Chapter 2: The Mormon Plan of Salvation
Mormon Karma: The Premortal Life
Acing the Test of Mortality
The Afterlife: Eternal Progression
Chapter 3: Heavenly Parents, Savior, and Holy Ghost
The Head Honcho: God the Father
Second Mate: Christ the Son
God’s Whisperer: The Holy Ghost
Chapter 4: Restoring the Priesthood and the Church
Gospel Comings and Goings
Beginning the Restoration
Bringing Back the Church Step by Step
Understanding the Priesthood
Chapter 5: Together Forever: The Eternal Importance of Family
The Eternal Family Unit
Shaking the Family Tree: Family History Work
God’s People: The Family of Israel
Personal Prophecy: Patriarchal Blessings
Part II : Eternal Rituals and Endless Meetings
Chapter 6: Welcome to the Meetinghouse!
What’s a Ward?
Participating in the Ward
Participating in the Stake
Chapter 7: Sacred, Not Secret: Inside Mormon Temples
Distinguishing the Temple from the Meetinghouse
Temple Ordinances — Why Mormons Go to the Temple
Becoming Eligible for Temple Ordinances
Finally! Receiving Your Own Temple Ordinances
Sealing Families for Eternity
Chapter 8: In and around Church Headquarters
A Tour of Church Headquarters
Governing the Church: General Authorities
A Two-Day Marathon: General Conference
The LDS Welfare Program and Humanitarian Relief
Survival of the Smartest: Mormons and Education
Part III : Holy Books and Sacred History
Chapter 9: The Bible and the Book of Mormon
The Bible: True, with a Few Tweaks
Getting Acquainted with the Book of Mormon
How the Book of Mormon Came to Be
The Book of Mormon in Mormon Life
Chapter 10: Mormonism’s Other Scriptures
A Scriptural Hodgepodge: The Pearl of Great Price
Modern-Day Revelations in the D&C
The Beat Goes On: Recent Revelations Not Found in the D&C
Chapter 11: Searching for a Home
A Significant Pit Stop: Kirtland, Ohio
Seeking Zion in Missouri
Nauvoo, Illinois: A Refuge on the Mississippi
Chapter 12: Moving on to Utah with Brigham Young
A Crisis of Leadership
The Lion of the Lord: Brigham Young
Westward Ho! The Pioneer Experience
Mormon Groups That Didn’t Go West
Chapter 13: Building the Kingdom in Utah
Building Zion
Conflicts with the Outside World
Polygamy: A Divine Principle (But an Outdated Practice)
Mormonism in Transition
Part IV : Mormonism Today
Chapter 14: Called to Serve: Missionaries and International Growth
Missionaries of All Shapes and Sizes
Enlisting in God’s Army
Living the Missionary Life
Rapid Growth: Mormonism around the World
Chapter 15: Hot-Button Issues for Mormons
Race and Gender Controversies
Hullabaloo over History and Holy Books
Voices in Conflict
Beyond Heterosexual Monogamy
Chapter 16: Sacrificing on Earth to Receive Blessings in Heaven
Chase and Be Chaste: The Law of Chastity
Whaddya Mean, No Coffee? Living the Word of Wisdom
Tithing: Paying the Lord’s Tax
Fast Sunday: The Slowest Sabbath of the Month
Chapter 17: Connecting with God and Each Other
What Mormons Do Daily . . . Ideally
What Mormons Do Weekly . . . Ideally
What Mormons Do Monthly . . . Ideally
Chapter 18: In the World but Not of the World
Becoming Self-Reliant
Crafting, Chronicling, and Stuffing Face: Mormon Traditions
Taking in a Bit of Culture
Part V : The Part of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten Famous Mormons
Jane Clayson
Stephen R. Covey
Liriel Domiciano
Richard Paul Evans
Orrin Hatch
Gladys Knight
The Osmond Family
Mitt Romney
Sharlene Wells
Steve Young
Chapter 20: Quick Answers to Ten Common Questions About Mormonism
Are Mormons Christian?
How Can Mormons Give Up 10 Percent of Their Income?
What Happens inside an LDS Temple?
Why Don’t Mormons Drink Alcohol or Coffee?
Why Do Mormons Have Such Large, Strong Families?
Do Mormons Believe in the Bible or Just the Book of Mormon?
Do Mormons Really Believe that Humans Can Become Gods?
Why Can’t Women Hold the Priesthood?
Do Mormons Still Practice Polygamy?
How Can Mormons Revere Joseph Smith?
Chapter 21: Ten Mormon Places to Visit
Sharon, Vermont
Palmyra, New York
Kirtland, Ohio
Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois
Missouri
Winter Quarters, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa
Martin’s Cove, Wyoming
Salt Lake City, Utah
Provo, Utah
Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii
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