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What should I do?: Johnny Townsend’s “Behind the Zion Curtain”

chanson, November 2, 2014

With all big problems in this world, it’s easy to feel small — like there’s nothing you can do to make a dent in any of them — and wonder whether your life has any value. Religion to the rescue, right? Well, not exactly. The CoJCoL-dS can provide answers to these problems, but can’t really promise they’ll be satisfying.

That’s where Johnny Townsend’s new book Behind the Zion Curtain comes in. He doesn’t offer easy answers, but he understands. In his signature style, with humanity and humor, Johnny Townsend offers portraits of a variety of people grappling with questions about who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives. The characters are at different places with respect to their Mormon roots and faith, and while Mormonism influences their perspectives, individuals have to direct their own lives.

If you’re looking for an interesting read that is thought-provoking without getting too heavy, I recommend picking up a copy of Behind the Zion Curtain.

Book Review

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Comment

  1. Donna Banta says:
    November 2, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Great cover for a great new book! Thanks for posting this review, chanson.

    Reply

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  1. Holly on A dialog on women leaving the CoJCoL-dSAugust 10, 2026

    My pleasure!

  2. chanson on A dialog on women leaving the CoJCoL-dSAugust 10, 2026

    Oh, and BTW -- thanks for inspiring this discussion and double thanks for joining in!!

  3. Holly on A dialog on women leaving the CoJCoL-dSAugust 10, 2026

    Wow. Words fail.

  4. chanson on A dialog on women leaving the CoJCoL-dSAugust 10, 2026

    Regarding the contempt, I read an anecdote on some exLDS facebook group a while ago that really stuck with me:…

  5. Donna Banta on A dialog on women leaving the CoJCoL-dSAugust 9, 2026

    Great point at the end, Holly. So that was Pres. Nelson's take on "Man is that he might have joy."…

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