Rusty Nelson

What a hurtful book. It was clearly written by someone who has a cult mentality and wants to indoctrinate the youth of the organization. Dont trust my review look at the reviews on Amazon. It may have the worst review record of any children's book out there.

This book was written by a active member of the LDS church who is a current Patriarch. It can be purchased at Deseret Book and so its a "safe" church history book for members who are scared of reading "non approved" and unsanitized church history. The book is written in a faith promoting way, but acknowledges many issues with the churches truth claims and major issues and inconsistencies with the narrative the church teaches members. Bushmann acknowledges issues with the restoration of the priesthood timeline. Joseph Smiths polygamy and polyandry, his 14 year old wife, and the Joseph married almost a dozen other men's wives. He admits the book of Mormon was indeed translated with a stone Joseph found in the ground by pacing the rock in his hat.He admits the issues with the churches first vision account vs the actual recorded events. He admits the church has not been honest in its presentation of church history. This book forced the church to admit things they had denied for years. If you looking to learn more about why so many members are leaving the church this is a safe place to start.

This is a fantastic book on the origins of the Mormon church.