When Judy and Jim Robertson felt a spiritual void in their lives, they found "the finest people in the world" to embrace them and a beautifully packaged religion to entice them. Once drawn into Mormonism, they quickly climbed to leadership positions and became worthy temple Mormons, only to become disillusioned with the teaching and demands of the Latter-day Saint religion.
From her unique insider's viewpoint, Judy shares her life as a Mormon woman, her rediscovery of the Jesus of the Bible, and how she and Jim found freedom as they left the LDS church in the face of persecution and confrontation. (back cover)
In addition to Robertson's personal story, I found the glossary at the end of the book to be extremely helpful. It explains many details of the Mormon church, as well as the terms the religion uses that are the same as Christianity's yet mean different things (for instance, the definition of Jesus).
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book if you are looking for some sort of guide to Mormonism or something to explicitly detail the Mormon religion. Out of Mormonism is mostly a memoir. That said, if you're curious about a Mormon woman's life, this book is for you. Robertson's story not only shows the pitfalls of Mormonism but also encourages readers to really know what they believe in. At the close of the book, Robertson shares her and her husband's start as speakers about the Mormon religion and later founders of Concerned Christians, an organization that's goal is to witness to Mormons.
Some reviewers on Amazon.com are inclined to think that Robertson has serious revenge issues, but I didn't get that at all from her story. The woman I saw was one who felt unsatisfied, became a Mormon to feel whole, felt unsatisfied again, realized that only the Jesus of the Bible could fill her, and then helped others to realize the true nature of Mormonism. It's not revenge, it's testimony. Her desire to help unsatisfied Mormons turn to the true Jesus is commendable, really.
Out of Mormonism is an interesting book, and Robertson's honest look at her choices is refreshing and encouraging. I can't see someone reading it and not being changed at least a little by her story.
Also, in case you are curious, this edition of Out of Mormonism is revised and now includes a few chapters that share other ex-Mormons's stories.
Out of Mormonism (224 pages) is published by Bethany House Publishers.
I was kindly given a review copy of this book from the publisher.
