The Cultural Evolution Inside of Mormonism

By: Greg Trimble

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

There's a cultural evolution taking place inside of Mormonism. 

The evolution of church culture has been something that has needed to happen for a long time. Culture, traditions, oral laws, and the status quo can be a good thing...but it can also be a bad thing.

Do you remember what was happening in Israel around the time that Christ came on to the scene? Israel started to live by their own set of oral laws and traditions, or what we might refer to today as "culture". The "culture" in Israel when Christ showed up was one of the most judgmental and hypocritical cultures the world had ever seen. It was a very isolated and unaccepting culture.

But Christ showed up and cast a net over all types of people: the Greeks, the Romans, the Samaritans, and every other nation across the globe. His net covered even the worst of repentant sinners. The only people that were excluded or "damned" were the unrepentant elite, the "scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites" who "strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel" (Matthew 23:23-24). 

Christ took the existing covenants and commandments and simplified them. He brought an evolution of love, empathy, and compassion. He built a culture that was geared toward the lowly of heart and revolted against those who spent their lives pointing out the flaws in others. "For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27). The bulk of Israel was living according to their culture and their superstition instead of their religion. 

This has been the bane of each and every covenant society, which caused Joseph Smith to say, "What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down." The doctrine of the LDS church doesn't lose people. It's the culture and superstition that cause unnecessary strife.

©2018 Greg Trimble (P)2018 Greg Trimble

Excellent insight!!

A well written and superb explanation of may of the issues facing the LDS church and its members. Also, Kirby Heyborne was an excellent narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A timely and open book

Greg is very proud and grateful to be LDS and he articulates why very well. He’s not a traditional scholar per academic training, but he’s very well read and a good writer. The combination of his rationale, personal story, and open-ness all comes together with ideas and explanations in ways that are in enlightening, original, and heartfelt.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Thank You!!!

I absolutely loved everything you wrote! I especially love the Frank, or straightforward approach to so many sensitive issues that truly need to be gone over. I appreciate your insight and the research that you undoubtedly devoted to so many topics. Growing up with the gospel as part of my life, I have often wondered about many of these topics. Please continue with the great work that you do. I am very grateful for the wonderful wife you have and family that support your efforts. I know that through our lives we are challenged with trails. we can choose to make them a blessing or a curse... thank you for the choices you have made!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is an amazing book!

I loved how simple his explanations of the church were. This book is enjoyable and easy to relate to.

Cultural change

For those who enjoy studying changes in cultures, Gregg Trimble's observations of the evolution of a religion are enlightening and thoughtful. The reader was excellent.