Due to recent events I would like to learn more about how Mormonism in the US has evolved and what effect it's had on the modern US. I don't want this to be political but a real look at how Mormonism was founded and grew. There is a netflix series that depicts Mormons in the 19th century as ruthless brigands masquerading as a legitimate government (see photo). I understand netflix series are not a good representative of reality.Are there any good books to read on the origins of Mormonism that aren't tainted by either side?
>>18515738It's a pretty good representation of reality. Joseph Smith openly preached a version of the End Times where Mormons would physically kill all the "gentiles" as he called them. It's woven into their culture.They will deny it every time because they are raised to be insular and "lie for the lord"
>>18515738>Due to recent events?
>>18515748Search "lego" on /pol/ if you want it but there is some talk of Mormon control of government entities.
Mormons are over represented in the FBI/CIA because they are trusted to pass the lie detection when they say they haven't done any hard drugs.
>>18515752>retarded internet legal drama over some manchilds Lego collection means there's a government conspiracy involving MormonsMan...autism sure is one hell of a mental illness
>>18515738Honestly, Fawn Brodie's biography of Joseph Smith, "No Man Knows my History" is quite even handed even today. TBMs still treat it like it's a pack of lies but I think it does a good job emphasizing both Joseph's strengths along with his character flaws. You ultimately end up seeing how people would love and follow him as their prophet, and how his unique urges and energies eventually led to his martyrdom.I just got done reading Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, and I would say it is a good crash course on the undercurrents in protestant Christianity that framed the Mormon revelation and a lot of its doctrine. I took the author's obsession with hermeticism with a grain of salt and it gets annoying at times (basically anything that has to do with change he tries to tie with hermeticism which I found to be exaggerated at times). American Zion by benjamin park should cover the rest, I haven't read it but I have heard him speak on a few podcasts so I am confident in recommending it. I have been meaning to check it out myself. For a serious treatment of the philosophy underlying mormon doctrine, the Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion by McMurrin is a great overview but doesn't dive into the history.
>>18515743>Mormons would physically kill all the "gentiles"I did always find it strange how Mormons call their place "temple" much like that other insular tribe.
>>18515958Thanks anon this is the answer I was looking for. I will check these books out.
