LDS Books: Mormonville

HELAMAN, UTAH - Luke Manning, an investigative reporter from New York City, is assigned to spend one year in Utah, incognito, to infiltrate a Mormon ward and uncover the truth about the LDS Church.

Early indications are that his success is certain, but along the way Luke discovers these people exhibit traits he has rarely seen before-- kindness, compassion, and sincerity, to name a few. As he struggles to complete his assignment in so-called "Mormonville," Luke unwittingly learns the truth about himself.

This book was a joy to read. The writing flowed along so smoothly. It was very well written and kept my attention throughout the entire book.

I liked the characters in this book. They could be found in just about any ward in the Church. I liked seeing the way the main character, Luke, changed, often without realizing he had. This book will alternately make you laugh out loud or cry though a box of tissues. The flow of the story is a little bumpy at times, but it is well worth taking the time to read.

As you read this book, you will have an unsurpassed amusing, emotional and spiritual experience. You will see yourself or your fellow members and leaders on every page. You will smile and laugh as you are reminded that we are indeed a peculiar people. Suddenly and often a pure and plain incident of gospel living will send a surge of joy into the most tender part of your heart.

Through an inside and outside examination of the church and the gospel, you will desire to cheer for the Saints, and to give thanks to the Lord for this treasured way of life.

This book was completely unexpected. It was not a nice, easy conversion story about someone who gains a testimony while living in Utah. Luke really is determined to find that scandal and hurt the church in order to insure his million dollar payment. He is hard, deceitful and completely believable. His gradual discovery that Latter-day Saints can be nice people who genuinely love their religion is also surprisingly believable. The outsider's view of LDS culture is unexpectedly accurate and enlightening for long-time members.

I admit that I approached this book with much skepticism. I expected something completely predictable and sugary sweet. It just did not seem possible to convert Luke Manning in any way I would be willing to believe. I was delighted when I found myself so immersed in the story that I had to double-check and make sure it really was fiction, and not a biography. The progression of the plot was astoundingly convincing, unlike most conversion fiction.

I just wanted to write and thank you for "Mormonville" by Jeff Call. I am the fourth in my family to read this book since we bought it two weeks ago. I always get upset when I find myself crying / laughing / crying / cheering / crying over a story. It is well written and very enjoyable. Both my wife and I expect to see this come out as a movie - it has the feel of one. Please keep us informed if any more stories from Jeff Call are coming out, as we would like to read from him again. Thanks again for the great read.

I wanted to write to tell you and Mr. Call how much I enjoyed his book "Mormonville." I found it engrossing. The characters were people I came to care about. As a non-Utah Mormon living in upstate NY, I could identify with the differences between the east and the west. Please pass on my congratulations to Mr. Call for a wonderful book and thank you for publishing it.

I'm impressed with the debut novel from Jeff Call which gives perspective view of the Latter-Day Saints as how non-Member would look at them.It will educate non-Members about the lifestyles and society in the LDS community.It is also entertaining with some hint of humour.You can't taste the sweet without tasting the bitter.I have bought this book from a bookshop in England and I'm reading it again.Top marks to the author of this book and more novels please.

Mormonville allows LDS readers to laugh at themselves. The characters residing in Helaman can be found in any ward and Call provides an insightful and amusing look at LDS culture in conservative Utah. Mormonville gleefully points out that Latter-day Saints are a somewhat "peculiar people" but the book never belittles the LDS church. I enjoyed this book and I was surprised by the ending.

I picked up 'Mormonville' today at my local Wal-mart, and I wasn't able to put it down until I finished reading. The humour, depth and spirituality were all engrossing, thought-provoking and almost addicting. Being a foreign convert, I can relate to all the situations and descriptions. Luke's conversion process is realistic, as he grows from hypocritical sarcastic to humble believer. It was a delight to read, and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times, and then teary-eyed toward the end. I'll be waiting for the next novel from Jeff Call.

Please let Jeff Call know how much we LOVED his book, Mormonville! It was refreshingly honest – I really liked how he portrayed small town Mormondom. He is the first one to show it honestly, without being either cynical or overly idealistic. I grew up in Utah, and appreciated where he mentioned how non-Utahns think Utah Mormons have it so easy. Sure, my BYU roommates from California had the problems he mentioned growing up outside of Utah, but I’m glad it was mentioned that Utah Mormons had their own struggles – it was the Bishop’s kid trying to get you to go to the keggers, and the Stake President’s son trying to feel up his girlfriend on Saturday, and then nonchalantly pass the sacrament on Sunday. On my dance team in high school, I was the only one declining to wear some new, alarmingly revealing uniforms for performances while the rest of the team, girls in my stake, glared at me. Sometimes Utah Mormons had to have testimonies of themselves, not because a bunch of non-members were watching them. It was the other members who acted like it wasn’t cool to do the right thing, and shunned the few who dared to.

I also liked how the book wasn’t easily predictable. I was hoping it would have a good ending, and it came intelligently, not just conveniently fluffy. I also liked the feelings he portrayed in Ben and his perceived failings as a missionary. My husband and I both went on missions where the baptism rate was about 1 per missionary per mission (JapanandSwitzerland), and I liked his honesty in showing the feelings those missionaries may have. Regarding that scripture talking about saving only 1 soul, how great shall be your joy: my mission president told us that even if that soul is your own, how great shall be your joy. Put that in your next book, Jeff!

So please ask Jeff Call to write MORE! The honesty, intelligence and inspiration are validating and uplifting. Thank you, Jeff! Write more!

Cheri Smalley Egbert, Kent, Washington

This book is absolutely one of my all-time favorites. I love how it brings the Spirit and humor together in such an artistic way. It's a great book that I don't have to worry about lending to my friends or letting my little siblings read. Kudos to Call!

Tiffany, a reader from California