The Keystone of Mormonism [Hardcover]

Arza's is yet another story of a faithful lifetime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon) who decides to investigate the claims of the Book of Mormon and research church history only to discover all sorts of problems, inconsistencies, and deception. And, like others, Arza went on to write a book about what he found and ended up getting excommunicated. Such is the all-to-common fate of intelligent and honest members of the church who look too deeply at the shadowy history of Mormonism.

"The Keystone of Mormonism" is ostensibly a book about the Book of Mormon, which was written by the church's founder, Joseph Smith, and is presented by the church as literal scriptural history of ancient America. Arza's taken the title of his book from a comment by Joseph Smith (founder of the Mormon Church) to the effect that the Book of Mormon is ".... The most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion..."

While the first part of Arza's book is about the Book of Mormon, and its many well-known and serious problems with science, the second half is a treatise on LDS doctrine and some of the darker episodes in LDS history. Woven throughout Arza's book is his clear and unmistakable conclusion that Smith was a con artist, adulterer, and a shrewd and calculating cult leader devoid of common standards of morality and decency. This, of course, is the polar opposite of how Mormons view their leader. The difference being largely due to the way in which Mormons are raised on a diet of official historical fiction/fantasy, while Arza's conclusions are drawn from his extensive examination of historical documents and even-handed application of standards for moral decency.

For devout Mormons, Arza's book will hardly be convincing. It's simply too easy for true believers to glibly ignore critical information about the church while claiming the apostates are possessed of a "lying tongue," and given over to the devil. What these members would see, if they'd bother looking, is that virtually all of Arza's conclusions are drawn from pronouncements made by church leaders, who were speaking in their capacity as "prophets, seers, and revelators" while publishing their teachings using church avenues of communication.

For example, one of Arza's points is that Smith was full of himself, and that he organized the church, in part, to feed an insatiable ego. To back this up, Arza quotes dozens of passages from church documents that illustrate how egotistical Smith really was. Here is an example from the Doctrine and Covenant (official LDS scripture):

"Whatsoever they [Smith and other priesthood leaders in the church] shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."

Mormons often quote this scripture to justify strict obedience to their church leaders, but Arza helps see this statement (and dozens of others, equally full of pride) as the ambition of a backwoods con artist who had finally attained the level of respect and adoration that he so desperately needed. Arza then shows how this thirst for human praise exists today in the General Authorities of the church when they do things like having themselves "sustained" twice yearly as "prophets, seers, and revelators."

To many non-Mormons the esteem with which Mormons hold Smith borders on worship. Indeed, while mainline Christian churches attribute the resurrection solely to Jesus Christ, in Mormonism the resurrection is predicated upon Joseph Smith's say-so. Here is another choice reference from Arza's book:

"How are you going to get your resurrection? You will get it by the President of the resurrection pertaining to this generation, and that is Joseph Smith Jun. Hear it all ye ends of the earth; if ever you enter into the kingdom of God it is because Joseph Smith let you go there. This will apply to Jews and Gentiles, to the bond, and the free; to friends and foes; no man or woman in this generation will get a resurrection and be crowned, without Joseph Smith saying so. The man who was martyred in Carthage Jail, State of Illinois, holds the keys of life and death to this generation. He is the President of the resurrection in this dispensation, ..." (Brigham Young, unpublished Discourse, October 8, 1854).

Another persistent theme in Arza's book is the manner in which the LDS Church uses "persuasive techniques" to cajole members into compliance. For example, on page 131, Arza says:

"If a child can be so thoroughly indoctrinated that he or she becomes incapable of spontaneous, independent thinking, this extinguishment of individuality may be considered a serious form of child abuse."

Arza illustrates the church's use of family as an extension of power, effectively using mothers, fathers, and siblings to exert extraordinary pressure on individuals to conform, pressure that the organization alone could never muster.

The preeminent example of a hidden agenda, deceit, and sexual exploitation all rolled into one is the practice of polygamy as taught by the LDS Church. Indeed a significant portion of Arza's book is aimed at discussing polygamy, and especially the immoral way in which Joseph Smith committed adultery while pretending that his sexual indiscretions were done at the command of God under the guise of polygamy. Particularly damning is the manner in which Arza reviews the historical documentation showing that Smith engaged in this lewd sexual conduct under the guise of polygamous marriages to women who, at the time, were already married to other men.

I found Arza's book to be hard hitting, but mostly fair and balanced. He certainly pulls no punches in holding Mormonism up to the standards it professes, and illustrating quite convincingly (I think) the church's failure to do as they preach.

I loved reading this book. I started on a Saturday morning and could not put it down. I was locked in, and read it straight through over a weekend. As a lifetime active member of the LDS Church, this book moved me deeply to my very core in every way: emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. I learned more about the Book of Mormon and Church history from Professor Evans than I had anywhere else before. This book is a treasure chest of essential information from official LDS Church sources for anyone who takes study of the Book of Mormon seriously.

Evans' many years of impeccable research for this book is very evident in his unwaveringly honest and well organized approach. His sources are verbatim quotations from official LDS Church publications so they are unimpeachable. As a result, The Keystone of Mormonism is one of the most important analysis of the Book of Mormon and relevant LDS history written to date. It is highly recommended for the both the LDS reader and those interested in understanding the history of Mormonism. The author is a lifetime member of the LDS church, a former missionary, church leader, and former college professor. Evans' teaching expertise is evident in his writing. His personal style will engage the average reader, yet all his references are meticulously footnoted in the back of the book to satisfy the interests of the most ardent scholar.

The Keystone of Mormonism is a highly factual historical analysis of official LDS records but it is far from a dry historical read. What makes these facts so spellbinding and valuable to the reader is that Evans relates his historical discoveries in a voice that reveals his most personal inner reactions on his unfolding journey of discovery into official Church documented history. Ultimately his research reveals much more that is unsettling about Mormonism than he had counted on discovering and the challenge it presents to Evans faith will be echoed in the heart of every honest LDS reader.

As a Utah physician, raised in and around Mormonism my entire life, I had a hard time putting this one down. I have given out multiple copies of this book over the last week! The Keystone of Mormonism is an excellent reference work for those wanting a well researched, well written book on the Book of Mormon and early Mormon leaders and 'prophets'. This author does a great job not only exposing the truth as well as documenting his statements. Particularly moving are his struggles through disillusionment, psychological pain, and disappointment. A must read and sure to be talked about for years to come!