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katjaja's review against another edition
4.0
Over the years I have had quite some contact with the Mormon church and their missionaries. I've always marvelled at their determination and courage - to go to a foreign country to convert strangers to your foreign belief is no small task.
The most interesting thing about this book was the insights into all the rules and regulations these people have to follow. I was surprised by the "no fish, no mushrooms" rule, and outraged at the "no hot drinks" commandment. I had no idea their lives were so restricted.
And I already knew more about them than most outsiders. For example, I experienced the "never be alone with a girl" rule firsthand when I was about 20 and two Elders visited my house in New Zealand. While I was okay discussing God's plan with them, they told me they could not enter my house because I was alone. I swiftly solved that by putting 3 chairs out on the driveway and we had our discussion in front of the house in the sunshine. Alas, they still failed to convince me, but such is life. I did attend a number of lovely sunday services at their chapel, though, and even went to a picnic at the Temple once.
I was, however, involved with other fundamental churches, and could relate to many of the author's moral dilemmas from personal experience. Reading that even the outwardly stalwart and steadfast Mormons have the same thoughts and questions and struggles of faith as everyone else made this book very personal.
I tore through this book in a day and a half, because I really wanted to find out how things ended for Elder Young. I'm glad I picked this up.
The most interesting thing about this book was the insights into all the rules and regulations these people have to follow. I was surprised by the "no fish, no mushrooms" rule, and outraged at the "no hot drinks" commandment. I had no idea their lives were so restricted.
And I already knew more about them than most outsiders. For example, I experienced the "never be alone with a girl" rule firsthand when I was about 20 and two Elders visited my house in New Zealand. While I was okay discussing God's plan with them, they told me they could not enter my house because I was alone. I swiftly solved that by putting 3 chairs out on the driveway and we had our discussion in front of the house in the sunshine. Alas, they still failed to convince me, but such is life. I did attend a number of lovely sunday services at their chapel, though, and even went to a picnic at the Temple once.
I was, however, involved with other fundamental churches, and could relate to many of the author's moral dilemmas from personal experience. Reading that even the outwardly stalwart and steadfast Mormons have the same thoughts and questions and struggles of faith as everyone else made this book very personal.
I tore through this book in a day and a half, because I really wanted to find out how things ended for Elder Young. I'm glad I picked this up.
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