From Gerald McDermott’s conclusion:
In sum, then, Mormon beliefs diverge widely from historic Christian orthodoxy. The Book of Mormon, which is Mormonism’s principal source for its claim to new revelation and a new prophet, lacks credibility. And the Jesus proclaimed by Joseph Smith and his followers is different in significant ways from the Jesus of the New Testament: Smith’s Jesus is a God distinct from God the Father; he was once merely a man and not God; he is of the same species as human beings; and his being and acts are limited by coeternal matter and laws.
The intent of this essay is not to say that individual Mormons will be barred from sitting with Abraham and the saints at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We are saved by a merciful Trinity, not by our theology. But the distinguished scholar of Mormonism Jan Shipps was only partly right when she wrote that Mormonism is a departure from the existing Christian tradition as much as early Christianity was a departure from Judaism. For if Christianity is a shoot grafted onto the olive tree of Judaism, Mormonism as it stands cannot be successfully grafted onto either.
I read both carefully. They both contain silly blather about silly beliefs. Mormonism is on a par with the worst superstitions that people hold like astrology, the sonic differences between identical devices, not to mention a thousand and one baseball beliefs all of which are demonstrably disprovable. Most of the major beliefs that the Mormons hold to like the “egyptian heiroglyphics” the ‘Semitic new world Indians’ are easily dismissed by even the most cursury observation. The Book of Mormon was to myself and the linguists I consulted an obvious attempt to sound like King James English with a made up text. So someone who believes in this nonsense would have some ‘splanin’ to do if they expect me to trust their judgment in other areas. Secret Decoder glasses, disappearing Golden Tablets and Magic underwear? Syncretic Fantasy Fiction that makes the worst of Heinlein seem reasonable.
An excellent book containing a scholarly, in-depth analysis of the Mormon religion is authored by Dr. Ray L. Parker, Ph.D., entitled “What You Always Wanted to Know About Mormonism: Historical, Theological, and Evangelistic Survey.” , Trinity Press Publishing, ISBN No. 978-1-937064-08-2.
The work thoroughly dissects all aspects of the evolution of Mormonism during the 19th and early 20th century. It highlights the many “revelations” that added to the Book of Mormon during the latter part of Smith’s life and after his death by subsequent “Prophets”. It is a thorough and fascinating read.