The Nonbeliever's Guide to the Book of Mormon

By: C. B. Brooks MD

Narrated by: Rich Miller

Even for the most ardent skeptic, it's hard not to be curious about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maybe you've seen the hit musical comedy The Book of Mormon. Maybe you've heard about Holocaust victims and deceased celebrities like Elvis being posthumously baptized in Mormon churches. Or maybe you've come across some other belief or facet of the Mormon faith and can't help but wonder whether the religion is actually as wild as it seems. Sure, the young Mormon missionaries who knock on your door with promises of a book that will change your life are happy to speak with you about their religion and provide their own answers. But if you accept their offer, you'll likely be heavily recruited, repeatedly contacted, pressured to become a church member, and perhaps even told you're going to be tortured in hell if you don't accept their claims. Enter The Nonbeliever's Guide to the Book of Mormon, which offers an easily accessible, entertaining introduction to Mormonism. For those with a curious but skeptical mind, it also provides a no-pressure, no-strings-attached way to learn about what's contained in Mormonism's sacred text, without the tedium of having to read the whole thing - or the risk of being pestered in this life (or the afterlife, for that matter).

©2017 C. B. Brooks, M.D. (P)2017 Pitchstone Publishing

An Illustration of Absurdity

Would you listen to The Nonbeliever's Guide to the Book of Mormon again? Why?

Yes. As a former Mormon, there's a lot of angst involved in trying to leave the religion. You get lots of judgement and embarrassment from Mormon friends and family, and it can really be depressing. Sometimes, you really need a good laugh. Something to make you remember some of the reasons you left, and something to lighten your mood when people try to make you feel bad for quitting the religion.

Which scene was your favorite?

I was completely surprised by Chapter 21. Up until Chapter 21, everything had been a humorous poking and mocking of the silliness that is The Book of Mormon. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it really was the gem of the entire book. To hear and MD suggest a medical reason for why Joseph Smith did the things he did was really fascinating, and not something I have ever heard suggested, before. I REALLY responded to that chapter!

Any additional comments?

The narrator was delightful. He had just the right tone, and his timing and delivery kept me chuckling the whole book long. He also did a pretty good job at pronouncing unique Mormon words correctly. I've listened to books before, where the narrator had not been coached properly on pronunciations, and it affected my enjoyment of those books. Rich Miller did great. I suspect this book will have most appeal to people who are former Mormons. So getting the pronunciation right is important for the insider audience.

Is Anyone Out Their

As an excommunicated member of LDS, the author was right on the money when it comes to Mormons. One day when you go to ballot box to vote for Mitt Romney, remember what the books main point is.
1. They are not Christians
2. Mitt believes that he can become a god of another planet only known to the roving angel Moroni
3. They fit the definition of a cult
4 They are just wayward nice people that don't believe in the Holy Bible they carry as a cover
5 They are a Cult once more and do not throw away your soul, and they do not believe in the Trinity.

Too darn funny!!

C.B. does an amazing job at compacting the book of Mormon, trace the history and do so in such a hilarious way. but it was a two man show with C.B. setting the tone and Rich Miller delivering the punchline.

Rambling off base and uninteresting

I legitimately wanted to understand Mormonism. The author gets off topic and is rather disrespectful. I wanted neutral information but not crude irreverence.

Biased and negative

If I was looking for someone's heavily biased opinion I could ask some random guy off the street and get as much help on the subject. I found the book unclever and laced with an agenda, which might be helpful to some disgruntled Mormon, but I like to create my own opinions and was looking for unbiased information like the description claimed would be in the booThis was not helpful for what I was looking for, will be returning.