A Book of Mormons Latter-Day Saints on a Modern-Day Zion

A Book of Mormons not only provides a fascinating glimpse into a religion that has taken center stage in the last presidential election, but will prompt insights into what living an encompassing religion means both individually and for the community trying to understand exactly “What does it mean to be a Mormon today?”

Mormonism is at a crossroads, having been under the microscopic lens of the media for the past five years, even as Mormons young and old grapple with the openness and accessibility of The Information Age. Both the institutional church and its lay members are working to better define the faith for outsiders as well as within.

This collection of essays from a broad swath of Mormons — some who live their faith quietly, others who wrestle with how it colors their professional endeavors — is an attempt to broaden perspectives about Mormons and demystifying stereotypes.

Emily W. Jensen writes, edits, and mothers five children, often simultaneously. For five years, Emily covered the online world of Mormonism for the Deseret News and currently webedits Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. She blogs for By Common Consent.

Tracy McKay-Lamb is an adult convert to the church, raised in California by wonderful and loving atheist flower children who may still be mourning her assimilation into the Mormon collective. Her essays appear at the blogs By Common Consent and Dandelion Mama.

Janan Graham-Russell is an African American Mormon doing graduate studies at Howard University.