Search This Blog







2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2026 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (6)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (1)
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (2)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico
- New York (2)
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio (2)
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (1)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee
- Texas (2)
- Utah (1)
- Vermont (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (2)
- Austria (1)
- Canada (2)
- England (10)
- Ireland (1)
- Italy (1)
- Scotland (1)
- The Bahamas (1)
- Vatican City (1)





2026 Build Your Library Reading Challenge








Dragon Rambles' Law of Fives Bingo



2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge





Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Mormon Mention: Kali Wallace
9:33 AM
If you're not sure what a Mormon is, let alone a Mormon Mention, allow me to explain: My name is Susan and I'm a Mormon (you've seen the commercials, right?). As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon or LDS Church), I'm naturally concerned with how my religion is portrayed in the media. Because this blog is about books, every time I see a reference to Mormonism in a book written by someone who is not a member of my church, I highlight it here. Then, I offer my opinion—my insider's view—of what the author is saying. It's my chance to correct misconceptions, expound on principles of the Gospel, and even to laugh at my (sometimes) crazy Mormon culture.
--
In Shallow Graves, a debut novel by Kali Wallace, the main character—recently deceased Breezy Lim—is talking to a friend. The topic under discussion is Mr. Willow, the leader of a cult who claims he can "fix" undead people like Breezy. This exchange between Rain and Breezy occurs at the 30% mark in the e-ARC of Shallow Graves:
"Is he as scary as they say? I'm picturing the mutant offspring of Charles Manson and Ted Bundy."
"He looks like a middle-aged Mormon missionary," I said, and Rain laughed. "I didn't realize he was famous."
- You'd be surprised at how many times book/movie characters are described as looking like Mormon missionaries. Why? Because that's probably the easiest, most visual way of conjuring an image of someone who has a clean-cut appearance. The connotation of the phrase goes beyond that, though, indicating that the person is also honest, honorable, even innocent. All of which Mormon missionaries should be. Not only do they abide by strict dress and grooming standards (read more here), but they also adhere to an exacting code of personal worthiness. If elders and sisters are doing their best to live by these standards, then they are, in fact, clean, virtuous, and worthy of serving as the Lord's ambassadors.
(Book image from Barnes & Noble; missionary image from nearingkolob.com)
--
In Shallow Graves, a debut novel by Kali Wallace, the main character—recently deceased Breezy Lim—is talking to a friend. The topic under discussion is Mr. Willow, the leader of a cult who claims he can "fix" undead people like Breezy. This exchange between Rain and Breezy occurs at the 30% mark in the e-ARC of Shallow Graves: "Is he as scary as they say? I'm picturing the mutant offspring of Charles Manson and Ted Bundy."
"He looks like a middle-aged Mormon missionary," I said, and Rain laughed. "I didn't realize he was famous."
- You'd be surprised at how many times book/movie characters are described as looking like Mormon missionaries. Why? Because that's probably the easiest, most visual way of conjuring an image of someone who has a clean-cut appearance. The connotation of the phrase goes beyond that, though, indicating that the person is also honest, honorable, even innocent. All of which Mormon missionaries should be. Not only do they abide by strict dress and grooming standards (read more here), but they also adhere to an exacting code of personal worthiness. If elders and sisters are doing their best to live by these standards, then they are, in fact, clean, virtuous, and worthy of serving as the Lord's ambassadors.
(Book image from Barnes & Noble; missionary image from nearingkolob.com)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)

Readin'
Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee
Listenin'
The Daisy Children by Sofia Grant
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
Top Ten Tuesday ~ May Flowers5 hours ago
-
-
XOXO10 hours ago
-
-
-
Who Knew The Ridpath Girl by Stacy Jones11 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
April 2026 Reading Wrap Up2 days ago
-
Young World2 days ago
-
Sunday Salon: May 10, 20262 days ago
-
-
The Confessions by Paul Bradley Carr2 days ago
-
-
Odessa By Gabrielle Sher2 days ago
-
Week in Review #192 days ago
-
-
Go Gentle by Maria Semple4 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
May TBR1 week ago
-
Books read in April1 week ago
-
-
-
Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney3 months ago
-
10 Book Covers with Unique Typography3 months ago
-
-
-
Sunday Post #5681 year ago
-
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus1 year ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?2 years ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?3 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ▼ 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)
2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction



0 bookworm(s) said...:
Post a Comment
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!