At first glance, as I thumbed thru the pages of "Mormons: An Open Book", I was struck by the layout of the book. Instead of taking a straight prose style, the book is set up much like a modern textbook. Packed with nuggets of information and an appealing visual presentation, what would have been a monologue on plain white pages is instead something exciting and engaging.

Peppered throughout the book are separate text boxes of thoughts, statistics, and asides triggered by the topic on that page. It has some of the best info-graphics about the Church I have seen. The well-placed illustrations are humorous, satirical, and visually appealing. —Read the full review from the Association of Mormon Letters (Click Here)

With the growth and exposure of Mormonism across the country and world, more and more people are curious about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although most Americans have an opinion about Mormonism, many of them admit they don't really know what Mormons actually believe. Using scriptures, quotes, facts, engaging visual images, and even some humor, this one-of-a-kind book is designed to openly explain the beliefs, practices, history, and culture or Mormonism. Chapters answer such questions as "Are Mormons Christians?" "What happens inside LDS temples?" and many more. Chapters address topics such as LDS beliefs about marriage and family, the position of women in the Church, and LDS views about politics and America. There are even sections that dispel some common myths and misconceptions about Mormonism.

Written from the perspective of those who know and live the religion, the pages of Mormons: An Open Book invite you to come in, learn about, and better understand a growing body of faith in American and across the world: Mormonism.

Contents
Author_ã_s Note
Preface
Introduction

PART 1: MORMON BELIEFS
1. Ten Facts to Know When Meeting a Mormon
2. The Message of Mormonism
3. Are Mormons Christian? Latter-day Saints and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
4. What Is the Purpose of Life?
5. LDS Priesthood Authority and Ordinances
6. Mormons and Marriage
7. Mormons and Family
8. What Happens inside LDS Temples?
9. LDS Scriptures and Sources of Truth
10. The Mormon View of the Afterlife

PART 2: MORMON HISTORY
11. The History of the LDS Church in Thirty Seconds
12. The Joseph Smith Story
13. The Book of Mormon
14. Latter-day Prophets
15. Temple Square

PART 3: THE MORMON WAY OF LIFE
16. Mo-cabulary: Understanding Mormon Vernacular
17. What Does It Take to Be a Mormon? LDS Standards
18. Mormons and Sex
19. Mormon Women
20. LDS Teenagers
21. The Organization of LDS Church Congregations
22. A Peek inside a Mormon Worship Service
23. Mormons and Missionary Work
24. Mormons and Money
25. Mormons, Politics, and America
26. The Weird and Wonderful World of Mormon Culture

Q&A with Anthony Sweat on Mormons: An Open Book (Click Here)

The primary job of modern prophets and apostles is to be “special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:23). Modern prophets oversee and “build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:33). the LDS guidebook True to the Faith says: “Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future evens for our benefit.”

As a unified body, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles obtain the Lord’s will through divine revelation and, by inspiration, make decisions regarding LDS Church policy and doctrine (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:27). The modern prophets speak to the worldwide Church twice a year during the LDS Church’s general conference and also through published articles in the LDS Church’s magazines (such as the Ensign) and other media. Although their prophetic responsibilities are broad and global, in the words of current LDS Apostle Elder David A. Bednar, “the ministry of an Apostle is to find the one…[and] to bless individuals and families.”