Luna Lindsey - Recovering Agency: Lifting the Veil of Mormon Mind Control

I began writing Recovering Agency with one goal in mind: To help former Mormons understand and process their feelings of having belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Additionally, I wanted to help members who are doubting and unsatisfied to cope when, for various reasons, they have to remain members of the Church.

In that sense, this is a self-help book for exmormons who are laboring to put their lives back together.

However, as my writing progressed, I realized I had a second audience. People who have never been LDS expressed eager interest. So I expanded my scope a little to include them. While the content is still aimed at former Mormons, I have added footnotes to explain LDS doctrines and practices that may be confusing to outsiders.

In that sense, this is an intellectual or academic work. My research was quite extensive, and I don't think anyone has ever correlated this kind of information in one place before. Anyone from the mildly curious to the seasoned cult researcher should find this book informative.

A third audience exists: True believing Mormons, i.e. those who are very happy with their beliefs and their membership in the Church. I did not set out to write for this set, yet many will read. For those with unwavering faith, my perspective may seem incomprehensible. Though you may not understand it, know that I wrote this book from a loving place and a sincere desire to help those who are hurting and confused.

If you truly believe that all people are the children of God, then your heart should go out to those who suffer, even if you can't fathom how the convictions that bring you joy could hurt others. I hope this book will help you understand their pain, and through your understanding, that it helps you love them more unconditionally.

Mind control techniques leverage natural human tendencies and mental shortcuts we all use to avoid the exhaustion that constant mistrust and skepticism would bring. This type of manipulation is used to varying degrees by many churches and other kinds of organizations, including businesses, political groups, and charities. The degree to which controlling tactics are used is what separates the freest groups from the most coercive. The LDS Church falls someplace on unethical end of the spectrum, but it doesn't have to. Mormonism can still retain its unique identity as a religion without using coercive persuasion methods.

As this book goes to press, the LDS Church is in the news. Two prominent members of the Church have been notified of disciplinary action for opinions they have expressed online. Their excommunication hearings are scheduled within weeks.

One, John Dehlin, runs the podcast and blog at MormonStories.org, which helps Mormons come to terms with difficult information they have discovered about the Church. He is also a vocal LGBT ally. In this book, I cite one of his studies about why Mormons leave.

The other, Kate Kelly, founded the organization OrdainWomen.org, which seeks to bring attention to women's issues within the Church and argues that women cannot be equal unless they are allowed to hold the Priesthood.

And just yesterday, it came to light that other, less prominent LDS bloggers and online commenters have been contacted by their bishops and have been asked to stop making public commentary or they will face probation, disfellowshipping, or even excommunication.

It is not known yet whether Dehlin and Kelly will be excommunicated. As of this writing, Dehlin's bishop has asked to deescalate. Kelly's bishop is standing his ground in spite of the negative media attention.

They have both drawn an outpouring of support from devout Mormons who believe the Church has gone too far. Even those who do not agree with their heterodox stances or unorthodox methods agree that they should have the freedom to publicly express their views and still remain members in good standing.