Product Overview
Jeremy Christiansen offers an intimate account of life as a faithful—sometimes stumbling—member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Growing up in a small Mormon town, he served as a Mormon missionary for two years in Argentina, raised a young family in the Mormon Church, and served in Mormon leadership positions. But as he grew older, he became unsettled about the principles of his faith, setting him on a long search for God and for truth that would ultimately lead to the Roman Catholic Church.
Based on detailed personal journals, this vivid book explores the highly unique approach to religious epistemology found in Mormonism. Although the faith theoretically encourages the use of reason, Mormons' beliefs, in practice, are rooted chiefly in emotion. Christiansen offers singular insight into life within this system—with all its beauties and its limits. Thanks to the subtle workings of Providence, Christiansen discovered Catholicism through the ancient writings of the Church Fathers, who revealed a robust Christian intellectual tradition, and through the mystical glory of her liturgy.
Editorial Reviews
"Writing with emotional tenderness and theological heft, Christiansen has a special way of infusing the great and indescribable love God has for every one of us into the hearts of his readers. This is an honest journey that is not only an education in Mormonism but an invitation to consider—and reconsider—the Roman Catholic Church. A brave and heart-stirring tale."
—Tyler Blanski, Author, An Immovable Feast: How I Gave Up Spirituality for a Life of Religious Abundance
"A compelling testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit in the search for truth. Christiansen provides fascinating insights into Mormon beliefs, culture, and practices. A beautiful reminder of Christ’s teaching that the truth will set you free to become the person who God created you to be."
— Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Author, Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality
"A journey from the beginnings of the Mormon religion on the shores of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania less than 200 years ago to the Roman Catholic Church founded by the Prince of the Apostles on the banks of the Tiber River over 2,000 years ago. This theologically astute testimony will be a welcome treasure. It flows with the elegance and drama of an engrossing novel."
— Steve Ray, Author, Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church
"It is not simply that Mormons believe different things than Catholics; they believe them in an entirely different way. Christiansen has done a great service to both Latter-day Saints and the Catholic Church by explaining what it really takes to convert from America's most successful sect to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church—and he does so in an engaging way that will attract believers and non-believers."
— Douglas Beaumont, Ph.D., Editor, Evangelical Exodus: Evangelical Seminarians and Their Paths to Rome
"Anyone who has been a sincere believer in one faith and converted to another knows how agonizing the process can be. It can be especially agonizing for someone raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It can come as a shock to realize just how different Mormonism's teachings about God and man are compared to those of the Bible and the historic Christian faith. Jeremy Christiansen seeks to build a bridge of understanding between the two communities."
— Jimmy Akin, Senior Apologist, Catholic Answers; Author, Why Mormonism Is Not Christian