Strange Roads and Forbidden Paths

Richard G. Moore surveys apostasy from premortal rebellion through Old and New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Latter-day Saint history, profiling breakaway groups and figures who left the restored Church. He identifies the roots of personal apostasy—pride, unrepented sin, fault-finding, 'steadying the ark,' greed, and being deceived—and offers concrete defenses: prayer, scripture study, learning doctrine, keeping covenants, service, following the Brethren, and humility. A hopeful, warning-toned guide to spiritual self-protection in the last days.

• Explains the anatomy of losing faith—how apostasy is a process that starts small, just like conversion.
• A rare, accessible catalog of the 400+ breakaway groups from Joseph Smith's restoration, with vivid historical case studies.
• Reframes the classic 'Sunday School answers' as genuinely powerful spiritual defenses.
• Includes a striking original device: the author rewrites President Benson's famous 'Beware of Pride' into 'Seek for Humility.'

“I have a perfect knowledge that Rich will be an imperfect bishop. But I know that he will do his best to follow the Spirit.”

Perfect for a committed Latter-day Saint adult concerned about staying faithful, or interested in the history of Mormon breakaway movements and the anatomy of losing faith.