Mormonism and the Nature of God - by Kurt Widmer (Paperback)

About the Book

Until the latter part of the twentieth century, Mormonism has been presented in scholarly reconstructions as a religion that has not changed significantly from its beginnings, that presently held beliefs existed as a central core of doctrine at the church's founding in 1830.

Book Synopsis

Until around the latter part of the 20th century, Mormonism has been presented in scholarly reconstructions as a religion that has not changed significantly from its beginnings, whose presently-held beliefs existed as a central core of doctrine at the church's founding in 1830.

The author argues, instead, that the development of Mormonism has been primarily due to external events, popular, cultural, philosophical, religious and scientific, and that these influences have led to the emergence of several streams of thought that are actually in opposition to the early beliefs of the church. Mormonism can be seen as a reflection of the development of American society and culture from the early 1800s to the present. The major aim of this work is to establish a proper chronology for the development of Mormon thought, specifically in its concept of the nature of God.

Review Quotes

"the first book-length treatment of the subject...ample documentation...well-researched and well-documented...definitive"-The Journal of Mormom History.

About the Author

Kurt Widmer is an instructor at the University of Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta. He is also the editor of North American Religion: The Journal of the Centre for the Study of North American Religion. He lives in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.