Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 144
Deception by Design: The Mormon Story. Allen F. Harrod. Morris Publishing,
Kearney, NE 68847. 1998, paperback with illustrations. 326 pages. Listed at
$12.95.
Mr. Harrod is clear about his motives for writing this book. He wants to refute Mormon
teachings and Joseph Smith as prophet. Secondly, he wants to evangelize and point out the
biblical errors in their unique theology, and, thirdly, he wants to equip his readers with tools
to counter Mormon propaganda. He is also clear about his Christian evangelical partiality.
This is especially apparent in Part Five. Readers, other than fundamental or evangelical
Christians, might write off this book as just another biased anti-Mormon diatribe. This is
unfortunate because the author presents valuable information. Even though his evangelical
position may be uncomfortable to the non-evangelical reader, this book deserves
consideration. Harrod‘s sensitivity to the Mormon people is commendable, and he desires all
readers to be educated, charitable, and tolerant, thus refraining from any emotional or
irrational hostility toward the Mormon people.
The title, Deception by Design, succinctly captures the theme of the book and the reality of
Mormon history. Abundant documentation corroborates the author‘s thesis. The Mormons‘
own documents map out the ―deliberateness‖ in the creation of the Mormon organization,
especially the origins of the three Mormon scriptures. Their religious practices, their
isolation and insulation from other communities, and an effective public relations campaign
have made Mormonism cryptic to most Americans. It also masks the real and devastating
control and manipulation, which the leadership applies to their recorded history (the
foundations of the group, their original theology, and their early 1800‘s world view of native
American origin, etc.) as well as their people (their blood atonement practice, the
mandatory missionary (recruiting). Mormon records do seem to reveal a history of
―deception by design.‖
Mr. Harrod has done his homework. The body of facts on Mormon doctrine and history
makes the book valuable to the casual reader. He uses Mormon and non-Mormon historians
to support his thesis, and this contributes to the author‘s credibility. The book is easy
reading, providing the reader with a clear picture and understanding of Mormonism. The
bibliography is excellent.
Mr. Harrod chronicles Joseph Smith‘s early family history, especially the influence of religion
and spirituality (i.e., his mother‘s visions and superstitions) and the early 1800 social and
cultural customs (i.e., common treasure seeking customs and the book View of the
Hebrews). He concludes, ―It matters little to many that the authority for Mormonism arose
from such a questionable beginning.‖ Harrod also describes: (1) Joseph Smith‘s personal
behaviors, (i.e., his drinking, his ownership of a bar, being a Mason, a general in his own
army, and his candidacy for president) (2) the conflicts and tensions that occurred in all
cities Mormons moved into (3) the struggle for leadership after the death of Joseph Smith
and the proliferation of visions mimicking those of Smith – including angels appearing to
every want-to-be-leader (4) the controlling and manipulative design ―revelations‖ play in
Mormon culture (5) the actual purpose and goals of Mormon theocracy and (6) the
creative imagination within their scriptures (i.e., the Book of Abraham deception and cover
up, the lack of supporting archeological proof for the Book of Mormon) and how they have
been altered over the years. These, and many more facts of the Mormon history, make this
book engaging reading.
Mr. Harrod classifies Mormonism as a cult. I tend to agree, but for different reasons. Mr.
Harrod lists six standards by which he defines a cult, all based on Christian theology and
scriptural interpretations. A belief system, even one contrary to established tenets, in itself,
does not necessarily constitute a cult in my opinion. Belief in Mormon theology (non-biblical
Christian as it is) does not make one a cultist. Mormonism becomes cultic by its years of

Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 145
deception changing the definitions of Christian terminology and not admitting to altering its
history, doctrines, rituals, and membership requirements and then denying the change.
Furthermore, he points out their anti-intellectual loyalty to the organization and refusal to
acknowledge the realities of their history, (as Mormon‘s avow, even if everything about
Smith is found to be fraudulent each one would still believe in the organization as being
true, because of the ―burning of the blossom.‖) He goes on to detail their fear and the
condemnation of the organization‘s historians, as well as the fear of dissent and leaving the
organization (Blood Atonement practice and its continuing influence), the control the
organization has on the daily and personal lives of its members, and the secretiveness and
exclusion qualities of their ceremonies. Harrod makes evident 150 years of a willful
theologically, archeologically, historically ―design to deceive‖ non-Mormons, new recruits,
and even their own people.
In short, Deception by design is a commendable book. It clearly attains the author‘s goals. I
recommend it with the one reservation- that its evangelical bias muddles the raw data.
Brother Timothy Mayworm, FSC
Pasadena, California
Why Waco? James D. Tabor and Eugene V. Gallagher, University of California
Press, Berkeley, CA, 1995, 186 pages.
By now, the answers to four of the five journalistic ―w-questions‖ of Waco are well known:
What happened at Waco? When did it happen? Where, specifically, did it occur? Who was
involved? These queries may be researched, if necessary, and answered definitively, even
among individuals with differing opinions concerning the events. But, what about the fifth
w-question: why? Why Waco? Why did such a thing happen? Why could it not be
prevented?
Tabor and Gallagher, college instructors of religious studies, address the why question in
Why Waco? A thoroughly documented study and thoughtful analysis of the Waco event, a
major part of this book deals with the negative usage of the word ―cult‖ (sandwiched
between quotation marks throughout the book) by anti-cult proponents and their pursuits to
promote education concerning destructive cults.
Unlike most media portrayals of David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and the final days at
Mount Carmel, which focus on the bizarre and sensational aspects of the situation, Why
Waco? challenges readers to consider the story from the viewpoint of Koresh and the
Davidians. The entire premise of the book appears to be the authors‘ perceptions of an
unnecessary cataclysm resulting from an intolerance of unconventional religious practices
and an inability to communicate.
The book begins with the background and development of the Mount Carmel community
and Vernon Howell‘s rise to the position of a self-proclaimed messiah. A detailed narration
of the fifty-one-day siege, rescue attempts, the tragic climax of the standoff, and the trial
ensue. A collection of photographs (including shots of the compound before and after the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm‘s [BATF] raid, Koresh, and members of the group)
anchor reality to the place Koresh and his ―family‖ called home. It also attributes a sense of
individual identity to those known to most of us only as a death statistic or a ―wacko‖ from
Waco. The book concludes with information about the cult controversy, religious freedom in
America, an unfinished manuscript by David Koresh, and extensive notes.
Awareness of an adversary‘s mindset or viewpoint constitutes a critical component in
conflict resolution. Authors Tabor and Gallagher chronicle the extensive efforts law
enforcement officials undertook attempting to understand the ―why‘s‖ motivating Koresh so
there could be diffusion instead of an explosion. However, as the book reveals, attempts to