The angel and the sorcerer : the remarkable story of the occult origins of Mormonism and the rise of Mormons in American politics

The Angel and the Sorcerer: The Remarkable Story of the Occult Origins of Mormonism and the Rise of Mormons in American Politics Based on Levenda’s research into Mormonism, Freemasonry, and esoteric societies over the past thirty years, this book is intended for an audience that is curious about Mormonism in light of the fact that at the beginning of 2012 there were two Mormons running for the GOP presidential nomination against two Roman Catholics. There has been much confusion in the media over various Mormon phenomena, such as the “magic underwear,” polygamy “Big Love” style, and much else. This book examines the beliefs and reveals the facts of Mormon ideas and practice, starting with its founder Joseph Smith Jr. who began his religious career with rituals of ceremonial magic and divination, and ended it with Freemasonry, the largest militia in the state of Illinois, a candidacy for US president, and assassination. Levenda also discussed the Mormons connection to Howard Hughes, Richard Nixon and Watergate as well as the role of Mormons in contemporary Presidential elections. This is the fascinating story of a purely American religion, its occult origins, and the rise of Mormons in American politics.

Based on Levenda's research into Mormonism, Freemasonry, and esoteric societies over the past thirty years, this book is intended for an audience that is curious about Mormonism in light of the fact that at the beginning of 2012 there were two Mormons running for the GOP presidential nomination against two Roman Catholics.

There has been much confusion in the media over various Mormon phenomena, such as the "magic underwear," polygamy "Big Love" style, and much else. This book examines the beliefs and reveals the facts of Mormon ideas and practice, starting with its founder Joseph Smith Jr. who began his religious career with rituals of ceremonial magic and divination, and ended it with Freemasonry, the largest militia in the state of Illinois, a candidacy for US president, and assassination. Levenda also discussed the Mormons connection to Howard Hughes, Richard Nixon and Watergate as well as the role of Mormons in contemporary Presidential elections.

This is the fascinating story of a purely American religion, its occult origins, and the rise of Mormons in American politics.

This timely exposé of Mormonism discusses the occult origins of the faith and places the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. in his context as a sorcerer and Freemason. It is the story of an indigenous American religion whose origins are as strange as its beliefs and practices. The Angel and the Sorcerer explores some of the mysteries of Mormonism: plural marriage, baptism of the dead, and the genetic search for the Lost Tribes of Israel. It examines the career of its founder Joseph Smith, whose religious mission began with rituals of ceremonial magic and divination, and ended with an embrace of Freemasonry, the largest militia in the state of Illinois, a candidacy for U.S. president, and his assassination. Based on the author's research into Mormonism, Freemasonry and esoteric societies over the past thirty years, this book is intended for an audience that is curious about this unique faith and its political agenda. What will it mean for America to elect a Mormon as president? Introduction PART I: ORIGINS Chapter 1. The Sorcerer Chapter 2. The Angel Chapter 3. The New Religion PART II: IDEOLOGIES Chapter 4. The Book of Mormon Chapter 5. Piety's Rainbow Chapter 6. Chemical Weddings PART III: AGENDAS Chapter 7. The Promised Land Chapter 8. Treasure-Digging in Salt Lake City Chapter 9. Howard Hughes, Bob Bennett, and the Mormon Spooks PART IV: IMPLICATIONS Chapter 10. A Mormon Presidency Appendix: Famous Mormons Recommended Reading Acknowledgements