Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A faithful account of that singular imposition and delusion from its rise to the present time. Paperback – July 28, 2020

Received in good time and as described

The writing style is snarky, interjected with facts that tend to support the author's conclusions. However, the author writes with a strong bias, and misrepresents some facts which can be easily discovered with a little independent review. For example, the author claims a 'gotcha' by misstatements that Book of Ether contains 29 generations from Adam down to Jared, the beginning character of that account, and skips past Noah, thus making it an account of other survivors of the flood. Oops! But go to Ether and see for yourself that the account of the generations is actually representing to be the genealogy of the last survivor of the civilization back to Jared. This makes one wonder what other mischaracterizations and misstatements the author has made. Many of the other inconsistencies he points out, however, seem to have merit, some of which require the application of simple logic.Skepticism should be applied to the affidavits of former acquaintances, as they were sought after and provided years after the claims of Mormonism had already been made and the frenzy of religionists had already had time to whip up sentiments against the characters involved. This doesn't make the accounts false, just puts a lien on the credibility of the affiants. The Solomon Spaulding angle requires some logical and historical gymnastics to come to the same conclusion as the author. I would argue reasonable doubt, and even a lack of preponderance of the evidence, as there are no accounts that support the ultimate demise of the lost manuscript.All that said, this provides a fresh historical perspective to the sentiments against the new church, having been given while J. Smith was still alive and before his Nauvoo experiences, which seem to align with many of the characterizations made of him in taffairs.While doubtful that this is enough to accomplish the aim of the author, to save Mormons from Mormonism, it is fascinating to read and should cause one to pause and consider some of facts and arguments presented.

Eber D. Howe (1798-1885) Editor of the Painesville Telegraph (1822–1835) published many articles on the Campbellite movement and the Mormon movement, when both were making a stir in the area. His book, Mormonism Unvailed [sic],1834, was the first to "expose" Mormonism as a fraud. It's the first to present the Spalding-Rigdon theory. It discusses relations between Campbell and Rigdon, and publishes a long letter from Thomas Campbell to Rigdon (all "Campbellites," Disciples of Christ). The Mormons say he was motivated by resentment that his wife and other family members became Mormons. Mormon history and apologetics deal extensively with this book, "exposing" its faults.Howe (1834) writes that Parley P. Pratt [Campbellite preacher and ancestor of Mitt Romney] converted soon after the Book of Mormon was published, that Pratt "had, some time previous, formed an intimacy with Sidney Rigdon, and become a convert to his doctrines. This Rigdon was a man of great eloquence, belonging to a denomination of Christians, who style themselves, 'Disciples,' or 'Reformers,' and who are also, by their opponents, in derision, called 'Campbellites.' ...He was a very popular preacher, and had large congregations in different parts of the country. If there was a man in the world that could successfully spread and give a name to the vagaries of the Smiths, it was Rigdon. They soon became convinced of this, by the representations of Pratt. ... an opinion has prevailed, to a considerable extent, that Rigdon has been the logo, the prime mover, of the whole conspiracy. Of this, however, we have no positive proof; but many circumstances have carried a suspicious appearance ... " (Chapter 8) Howe was courageous in criticizing Mormonism, whose adherents were fairly vigorous in defending their new movement. Fascinating chapter in frontier American history.

This book, like so many others written by ex-mormons fascinates me. My interest in the Mormon church stems from having neighbors and friends who believe in this religion. I have read several books on the subject in an effort to reconcile these people, who are incredibly intelligent with a religion that makes you put common sense in the tank and are convinced they will own their own planets when they die and will continue to have spirit sex and give birth to lots of spirit babies. The reasoning behind pushing Mormon couples to have lots of children is to give these spirit babies the body they need which ensures that the church will carry on. Maybe it's the subject matter and the need to see what these very bright people see, and what sucked them into believing these teachings. I still haven't been able to reconcile how rational, intelligent people join such a church that opens them up to incredibly high scrutiny by the church. The higher ups can actually take someone's salvation away if they do not like what they are seeing a parishioner do on his/her own time. I thought that was something between a believer and God. Why these people think it's somehow okay to leave their immortal souls in the hands of mere men is a mystery to me. I'll keep reading until I can figure it out. But as far as I can see, it just gets stranger and stranger. So keep on writing all you ex-mormons.You have a fan in me.

First hand account of Joseph Smith, Jr.. This was a book written by one of his contemporaries that was vitally important for the record!

It is unfortunate that a lot of people want a thing to be true, or at least touch on known facts. But with the way that the LDS church was founded is rooted in nothing but heresay and deceit. I have always felt that if something raises more red flags than its contemporaries then there is a definite problem. This books explains some of those things, not in clarity, but in a way that does shine a candle on it. I cannot say that I enjoyed this work, but it has opened my eyes. I can only imagine that it would do the same for anyone looking for answers.

GREAT TO SEE IT IN PRINT