B. Jay Gladwell is the author of a new book called What’s Wrong with Mormons? As part of his blog tour, Mr. Gladwell agreed to answer a few of my questions about this book and his writing. Look for my review of the book tomorrow!
TBS: What made you want to write this manual about Mormonism?
BJG: I wouldn’t use the word “manual” to describe this book. That denotes an in-depth reference book on the subject. At only 232 pages one would be hard pressed to think of this book as being in-depth. At best, we might to refer to it as an “introduction to Mormonism.”
What’s Wrong With Mormons? grew out of the endless falsehoods and gross inaccuracies being perpetuated by the opponents of [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]. For instance, in the year 2007 (when the book was being written) [a Mormon ran] for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. There were endless articles about that candidate and nearly each one, in one way or another, brought up the issue of “Mormons as Christians.” This concern was most prevalent among evangelical Christians. One such article spoke about a recent survey that showed many of these evangelicals were drawn to this candidate’s values but repelled by his Mormon faith. Can you see the irony in that statement? Isn’t that like saying, “I like apple pie, but I am repulsed by apples”? How can one accept the teachings of Jesus Christ but reject the Savior?
Think about it. How many times have you read or heard how people really admire Mormons for their family values, yet their teachings are abhorrent. Mormons are held in high regard on account of their work ethic, but the Prophet Joseph Smith was a scoundrel. Mormons are respected for their moral points of view on chastity, honesty, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, yet their doctrines are of the devil. Mormons are appreciated for their humanitarian contributions and the goods and services provided in the wake of natural catastrophes around the world; nevertheless, they aren’t Christians. Where has there ever been a greater contradiction of thought?
In light of the above, this book was written as my attempt to answer the simple question: “What’s Wrong with Mormons?”
TBS: You specifically directed this book toward Christians. Why did you limit it that way?
BJG: Because Christians are the ones that appear to be having the most difficulty with accepting Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as Christians. Of all the anti-Mormon information out there, and I’ve not seen it all, I have yet to see any from Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, et cetera. . . .
Recently, I was interviewed on a talk-show radio program. During that interview, the host (not a member of the [Mormon] Church) asked, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” and “Do you believe He is the Son of God?” Both questions were answered in the affirmative. Then, much to his credit, he said, “All right, my Bible tells me that all I need to do to be saved is to repent of my sins and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. And this is where I have a problem with my evangelical brothers and sisters, who in the world are we to suggest that you, or anybody else, is wrong if you have met the requirements of salvation?”
Herein lays the heart of the matter. What . . . those who refuse to recognize Mormons as Christians [have said], in so many words, is that the term “Christian” is only defined to mean “those who believe as I believe.” When a person claims Mormons aren’t Christians what he’s really saying is Mormons don’t embrace the traditional idea of the Trinity. “Their Jesus is different from our Jesus” is the usual response. . . . Therefore, the book was written in answer to [this] opposition.
TBS: Do you think a different book would be necessary for non-Christians?
BJG: That would depend on what the author’s ultimate goal was. Anyone, regardless of his or her faith, could sit down and read this book and walk away with an accurate understanding of our basic doctrines and why [we] believe the way we do.
TBS: How did you choose the major topics that you covered?
BJG: Those were the original topics of my six-week discussion with the Mormon missionaries. That accounts for the basic or foundational introduction to the Restored Gospel.
TBS: Religion, as you note, is a pretty volatile subject. How did you balance honesty with sensitivity?
BJG: Very carefully. Seriously, though, I take your question as a compliment. That was, without a doubt, my greatest concern while writing the book. I tried to present the information how I remembered it had been presented to me.
Yes, religion can be (it doesn’t have to be) a volatile subject. That’s why the preface addresses that subject right up front, literally! I tried to be honest without being brutal. For example, experience has taught me when my wife asks, “Does this dress make me look fat?” I have two options. The first, as honest as it may be, can be hurtful: “Yes, it makes you as wide as a tour bus.” That reply doesn’t go very far toward winning friends and influencing people. On the other hand, I can be equally as honest and say something more positive like: “That dress isn’t nearly as flattering as the navy blue one you wore last week.”
Unfortunately, there are times when you don’t have such options. You share the truth as softly and truthfully as you know how. The rest is up to the one receiving it, depending on what’s in his heart and head determines how it’s received. It’s the message, not the messenger that is in question. Look at how Jesus and his message [were] received.
TBS: What research did you conduct in preparation for writing this book? Did you do any research on other religions and how they currently perceive Mormons?
BJG: There was no formal research per se, other than the thirty-three years of experience living the doctrines and ordinances [of the Mormon church]. I do study (and have studied) the scriptures and the writings of the prophets and apostles. So I guess that could be counted as research—ongoing and never ending research.
The same can said about the perceptions of other Christians toward Mormons. Anyone who’s a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has, at one time or another, been exposed to anti-Mormon literature, whether it’s pamphlets, books, videos, audio tapes, Web sites, whatever. It comes with the territory. Many ignore it. I didn’t. I wanted to know what the opposition was saying. So again, I guess that would account for a certain level of research, although I never had it in mind at the time to write a book.
TBS: I noticed that you have an MFA in screenwriting. With your creative background, why did you turn to nonfiction?
BJG: That’s an excellent question. I’ve wondered the same thing. At the present, I really can’t come up with a compelling answer. It was purely accidental, believe me. Then again, I have no doubt the Lord had a hand it, though.
TBS: How did your film/screenwriting background influence your writing on this book?
BJG: Surprisingly enough, I recently got an e-mail from a reader who said my writing was “visual.” I took that as a compliment and attribute it directly to my skills as a screenwriter. There’s a considerable difference between prose and screenwriting. In comparison to prose, screenwriting is very much abbreviated. With an average of between ninety and one hundred twenty pages per script, the screenwriter is very limited in the number of words he can use to describe any given picture, action, or situation. The writer of prose, on the other hand, has no page limitation. Many authors can go on for pages to describe something that may be reduced to a brief paragraph in a screenplay or a few seconds on the movie screen. It goes back to the old adage that says less is more. In my particular situation, it seems to have worked.
Also, now that you mention it, as I think about how the book is structured, I can see how it’s similar to a screenplay. Screenplays, generally speaking, have three parts: Act I, the set-up, act II, the confrontation, and act III, the resolution. Chapter one in the book would be the set-up, chapters two through ten are the confrontation, and chapter eleven is the resolution. You’d have to read the book to see what I’m referring to here (hint, hint).
TBS: Do you have any other projects in the works – nonfiction or fiction?
BJG: Insofar as books go, I have an idea for a follow-up book, but noting definite yet.
TBS: What book are you reading right now?What are some of your favorite books in general?
BJG: Right now I’m reading The Questory Of Root Karbunkulus, by Kamilla Reid, and enjoying every minute of it!
As disappointing as this sounds, and I do apologize, I really don’t have any favorite book or books (excluding the scriptures). When I was younger, I read a great deal of fiction, the earliest being the Hardy Boys series. As I got older, and I don’t know why, I found myself reading more and more non-fiction. That may have grown out the need to do research for the screenplays I was writing, many of which were placed in or based upon historical settings. In any case, the bottom line is I enjoy reading good writing, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction.
TBS: Thanks for all of the insights into this book!
Buy What’s Wrong With Mormons?
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I am not Christian, but do enjoy reading books about the Christian faith. This one sounds interesting
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