Contemporary Mormonism Latter-day Saints in Modern America

In Contemporary Mormonism Claudia Bushman, a third-generation Mormon and recognized religious scholar, sets out to explore the faith through a look at the everyday lives of modern Mormons. By some accounts, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest religious denomination in the United States, but many Americans' only knowledge of the faith is through media highlighting unusual events and practices in the life of the church. Contemporary Mormonism provides a critical look at what it really means to be Mormon today, as well as an historical background of the faith's founding and development. Bushman offers readers a vivid look into the lives of contemporary Mormons-their beliefs, rituals, and views on issues such as race, social class, gender, and sexual orientation. She also analyzes issues facing the Mormon church in the future, including missionary work and the public face of the church. Contemporary Mormonism provides information essential to understanding not only the Mormon faith today, but also how this rapidly growing denomination fits in the American religious landscape.

Claudia L. Bushman is professor of American studies at Columbia University