Questions about Joseph Smith’s involvement in polygamy and polyandry, what teachings were to be regarded as authoritative, and J.W. Marriot’s (of the Marriot hotel chain) profiting from pornography were swept under the rug. Rather than eliciting answers or receiving thoughtful responses, Baker incurred the anger and disdain of the majority of those whom he went to for help, including his stake president, who emailed him to say he was no longer welcome at church.

I found Lee Baker’s book to be thought-provoking in many respects. Two of the author’s observations had especially powerful impacts on me. The first is that Mormon leaders have effectively absolved themselves of any responsibility for all of the reprehensible doctrines of Mormonism and horrendous actions by early LDS leaders by laying them at the feet of Jesus Christ. Essentially, they are telling members, "Look, if you have trouble with a particular doctrine or the actions of past leaders, take it up with God, he's the one who commanded it." Therefore, according to Mormonism, polygamy, taking other men’s wives, lying, and blood atonement (slitting the throats of “covenant breakers”) were all authored and commanded by Jesus Christ himself!

Baker’s other astute observation is that the integrity and character of "rank and file" Mormons is much superior to that of their leaders. It's tragic they must defend Mormon leaders for doing appalling things they themselves would never do. In addition, members are often left on their own to come up with justifications for the criminal activities of the founding LDS prophets and apostles. As the author keenly reasons, “how much official history or official doctrine can one subjectively discard for personal reasons? At some stage, individual membership in a church, any church, becomes pointless when a significant portion of doctrine is personally rejected” (p. 60).

The book documents many hypocrisies, inconsistencies, and outright falsehoods within Mormon history. One prevarication documented in the book, which I found somewhat humorous, was in regard to Abraham Lincoln. In a formal church-sponsored fireside the Mormon speaker described Lincoln as a friend of the Church, but real history reveals that “Abraham Lincoln campaigned forcefully against polygamy and slavery (both practiced by the Mormons) and was the first of several presidents to sign a federal law against the Mormon Church” (p. 139).

The book is not an apologetic for the biblical gospel. It is primarily the story of a former bishop’s experience as he investigated the claims of the Mormon Church and its leaders. While the author admits “the narrative style of this book at times will seem very irregular, unpolished, or disorganized” (p. xxxiii), his angst and personal struggle can be felt throughout his writing. All in all, I thought Mormonism: A Life Under False Pretenses was both interesting and absorbing, bringing to light aspects of Mormonism not usually addressed in other books on the topic. The inclusion of emails, recorded conversations, and photocopies of documents adds a personal touch and credibility to Baker’s account, “The True Story of a Mormon Bishop’s Journey of Discovery.”