The Mormon Faith: A New Look at Christianity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded on April 6, 1830, with six official members. Sociologists of religion project that membership in the year 2080 could be as high as 265 million. Such growth cannot be entirely explained by pointing to "the good life" practiced by members of the Church; Latter-day Saints believe strongly that their style of life grows out of their theology. We cannot understand why they do what they do until we understand what they believe—their doctrine and their theology. Millions have heard about their health code, about polygamy, about Brigham Young and the exodus across the plains, but few know about

• The LDS concept of God ant their teachings about Jesus Christ
• The LDS view of the canon of scripture
• Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible
• LDS teachings about the premortal nature of men and women
• The Mormon view of grace and works
• The purpose of LDS temples
• The LDS view of life after death

Robert L. Millet discusses these and many other matters, with an emphasis on fundamental doctrines and practices. Dr. Millet writes, "Many in the religious world have taken the time to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... One need not become either a convert or a crusader for Mormonism to understand the phenomenon or the people. This book is not written to convert but to aid in understanding. And if anything is needed in this complex and confusing world, it is understanding."

Whether one chooses to pursue a study of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints out of sheer curiosity or more academically from a sociological, historical, anthropological, or theological point of view, there is a great deal to investigate. The movement that began as a frontier faith will undoubtedly continue in a healthy and unhindered fashion to influence the religious world.