Richard Abanes
One Nation under Gods
A History of the Mormon Church

"Abanes presents an unvarnished history of Mormonism … His intention here is primarily to expose falsehoods and contradictions. In the process, he has created a chronological account of Mormonism that includes many things often intentionally suppressed by leaders of the Latter-Day Saints. Abanes knows his facts and documents his material with careful footnotes, creating a good counterweight to the one-sided image presented in LDS-approved histories … The resulting book gives a piercing historical overview of Mormonism's teachings and development … This well-researched and readable history will be of interest to anyone seeking an objective Mormon history." — Library Journal

"No one challenges accepted religious doctrines, ideologies, and behaviors more cogently and bravely than Richard Abanes. And with One Nation under Gods he has once again triumphed in bringing to light matters most religious leaders would rather leave buried. One Nation under Gods is a triumph of research and wisdom." — Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science

• Who are the Mormons?
• What do Mormons believe?
• How did Mormonism begin?
• Are Mormons Christians?
• Was Joseph Smith a prophet?
• Is Mormonism a cult?

The 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, have placed Mormonism, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), in the world's spotlight as never before. This media attention has certainly increased the church's popularity around the globe. But what exactly is Mormonism?

Many people believe it to be just another Christian denomination seeking the world's betterment. But there was a time in America when the Mormon church was seen as little more than a cult-like collection of polygamous, religious zealots seeking the political overthrow of America. This aspect of Mormon history, dating back to Palmyra, New York, in the early 1800s, is but one facet of an enthralling saga laced with all the elements of a classic Hollywood movie: sex, lust, violence, greed, murder, deceit, and betrayal. As historian D. Michael Quinn has noted, "Nineteenth century Mormonism was not polite."

Nevertheless, Mormonism has managed to emerge as one of the world's wealthiest and most influential religions. In fact, it wields more economic power more effectively than any other organized religion in existence. Yet many people continue to be unfamiliar with the origins and doctrines of Mormonism. This is due in part to the fact that Mormon leaders have consistently withheld information that would place the LDS church in a less than flattering light. Consequently, a great many misconceptions exist among the general public regarding Mormonism.

One Nation under Gods will clear up this confusion by providing a user-friendly, detailed history of Mormonism that once and for all explains what Mormons believe, as well as how Mormonism came to be the religion that it is today. Using exhaustive documentation — and literally thousands of endnotes — Abanes reveals the true origins of Mormonism, the socioeconomic factors that contributed to its growth, its ongoing political agenda, and its religious teachings. Moreover, Abanes details what may be some of the most intriguing, yet rarely discussed, events in LDS history that continue to make it one of the most controversial of all religions.

Religion journalist Richard Abanes lives in Southern California and is a highly regarded authority on cults, the occult, and new religious movements. He is the author of End-Time Visions: The Road to Armageddon?

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