Description

From back cover:

In 2012, Mormon General Authority Marlin K. Jensen acknowledged that members are leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “in droves.” Access to the internet is often credited and blamed for this mass exodus, where members learn about problematic doctrines and cover-ups of LDS history.

Many are happy as Mormons. And many are not. Those who leave, and those doubters who stay, face struggles that few others can understand. Much of this suffering is caused by manipulative and controlling techniques pervasive throughout LDS doctrines and culture. Understanding these techniques will help recovering Mormons overcome the effects of belonging to a high-demand group.

As a former Mormon, Luna Lindsey experienced this coercive persuasion firsthand. Recovering Agency presents years of research into social psychology and the science of cult dynamics, to describe 31 mind control techniques, alongside examples of their use in Mormon scripture, lessons, and from the pulpit.

Even if you have never been Mormon, chances are that coercive influence techniques have been used to manipulate you at some point. Turn the pages and learn the answers to longstanding questions about this unique American religion and about the human mind.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD

PART 1: IN THE BEGINNING
    IT STARTED IN A GARDEN . . .
            Free Will vs. Determinism
            Exit Story
            The Illusion of Choice
    WHAT IS MIND CONTROL?
            What is a Cult?
            Myths of Cults & Mind Control
    ALL IS NOT WELL IN ZION
            Is Mormonism A Danger To Society?
            Why Should We Mourn Or Think Our Lot Is Hard?
                 Self-esteem
                 Square Peg, Round Hole Syndrome
                 Guilt & Shame
                 Depression, Eating Disorders, & Suicide
                 Codependency & Passive-Aggressive Culture
                 Material Loss
    DON’T JUST GET OVER IT – RECOVER!
            Though hard to you this journey may appear . . .
            Born Under the Covenant
            We Then Are Free From Toil and Sorrow, Too . . .
    SLIPPERY SOURCES
            Truth Is Eternal (And Verifiable)
            Truth is Eternal (Depends on Who You Ask)
            By Their Fruits
            Unto Whom Much Is Given

PART 2: THE SCIENCE OF BELIEVING
    EXPLOITED HUMAN TENDENCIES
    COGNITIVE CONSONANCE/DISSONANCE THEORY
            Dissonance in Mormon Life Five Fictional Case Studies
            Antidote—Cognitive Awareness
    WHEN PROPHECY FAILS
    BIASES, BEHAVIORS, & OTHER BOOGEYMEN
            Seek and Ye Shall Find – Confirmation Bias
            Six Compliance Practices
                  Reciprocation
                  Commitment & Consistency
                  Social Proof
                  Liking
                  Obedience to Authority
                  Scarcity
            Mirror Neurons
            Milgram Experiment

PART 3: THOUGHT REFORM METHODS
    THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
            Breastplates, Shield, & Helmets of Faith
    LOVE BOMBING
    DESTABILIZATION
            Put Your Self on the Shelf
            Targeting Unstable Individuals
            Born in the Covenant
            Regaining the Self
    DECEPTION
    SACRED SCIENCE: A CLOSED SYSTEM OF LOGIC
            The Church Is Universally True (And Logical)
            The Prophets Speak for God
            Suppression of Dissent
            An Open System of Logic
    MYSTICAL MANIPULATION
            Magical Thinking
            Wages of Sin and Miracles of Forgiveness
            Spiritual Surveillance
            Missions
            Prophecy
            Prayer
            Tithing
            Word of Wisdom
            Loops of Logic
            Grounded in Reality
    MILIEU CONTROL
            Doctrine Correlation
            Outside Friends & Media
            The Family Milieu
            Miscellaneous Milieus
            Strengthening Church Members Committee
            Without Milieu Control
    DEMAND FOR PURITY: PERPETUAL INADEQUACY
    DISPENSING OF EXISTENCE
    DOCTRINE OVER SELF
    LOADING THE LANGUAGE
    TOTALIST REFRAMING
    THOUGHT- TERMINATING CLICHES
    SOCIAL PRESSURE
    BELIEF FOLLOWS BEHAVIOR
    PUBLIC COMMITMENT
    CREATING DEPENDENCY
    BLACK AND WHITE THINKING 
    ELITISM
    US-VERSUS-THEM THINKING
    INDIRECT DIRECTIVES
    INFLUENCE THROUGH IDENTIFICATION & EXAMPLE
    EMOTION OVER INTELLECT
    INDUCED PHOBIAS
    TRANCE INDUCTION & DISSOCIATIVE STATES
    TIME CONTROL
    THE DOUBLE-BIND
    BLAME REVERSAL
    GUILT & SHAME
            Guilt
            Shame
            Understanding & Love
            Unintended Consequences of Shame
            The Shame of Sex
    CONFESSION
    EUPHORIA INDUCTION
            Ideals
            Loss of Individuality
            Trance Inducement
    PROSELYTIZING
    BAIT, HOOK, LINE, & SINKER

CONCLUSION
    FLEEING THE GARDEN

APPENDIX
    RECOMMENDED READING
            Cults & Mind Control
            Official LDS Sources
            LDS Controversies
            LDS Exit Stories
            Liberal Mormon Resources
            Support and Communities for Former Mormons
            What Now?
    INDEX