Postmormon Postmortem

When Mormon teenagers come of age, an elderly man delivers a personal prophecy — their tribe from ancient Israel, blessings and life calling, all conditional on remaining faithful.   When Mormon teenagers come of age, an elderly man places his hands on their head and delivers a personal prophecy about their eternal future. Almost everyone gets assigned to the tribe of Ephraim. Even the Korean conv...

Hundreds of thousands of young Mormons leave home for up to two years to knock on strangers' doors. Never alone. Can't call home most days. Sixteen-hour days.   Hundreds of thousands of young Mormons leave home for up to two years to knock on strangers' doors, never alone, rarely able to call home, working sixteen-hour days in whatever city headquarters assigns them. The companion syst...

Every religion has official doctrine and folk religion. Mormon folklore is particularly rich — and understanding it explains a great deal about the culture that official manuals never will.    Jess and Hannah cover the major examples: the Three Nephites, three immortal disciples who wander the earth rescuing stranded motorists and then vanishing without a trace — no official church verification, b...

Your worthiness to enter God's house is determined by a volunteer with zero professional training asking you detailed personal questions in a private room. He might be your dentist. He has a handbook.   The Mormon bishop interview system assesses members on sexual purity, tithing compliance, testimony, and sustaining church leaders — but in practice, questions about masturbation and pornograph...

Your Mormon friends disappear inside for hours doing ceremonies they can't describe to you. Non-members can't attend their own children's weddings. There's special underwear involved. This explains all of it. Your Mormon friends disappear inside the temple for hours doing ceremonies they cannot describe to you. Non-members — including parents — cannot attend their own children'...