Search This Blog







2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2026 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (2)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (8)
- Colorado (2)
- Connecticut (1)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (4)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (2)
- Indiana (2)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (2)
- Maine (4)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (4)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (1)
- New Hampshire (2)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (3)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (4)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (2)
- Texas (3)
- Utah (1)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (3)
- Washington (2)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (3)
- Wyoming (1)
- Washington, D.C.* (1)
International:
- Australia (8)
- Austria (1)
- Canada (4)
- England (27)
- Fiji (1)
- France (1)
- Ireland (3)
- Italy (3)
- Mexico (1)
- Morocco (1)
- New Zealand (1)
- Norway (1)
- Romania (1)
- Scotland (3)
- 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'
The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee
Listenin'
Death By Demo by Callie Carpenter
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
-
-
-
Solzhenitsyn, Alexander "In the First Circle"16 hours ago
-
-
-
Puzzle a Month – 300 Piece Edition18 hours ago
-
Excellent Women19 hours ago
-
-
-
-
Audiobook: We Chase Shadows1 day ago
-
-
October reading so far...1 day ago
-
-
Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-Zi2 days ago
-
Week in Review #442 days ago
-
-
The Patient by Jasper DeWitt3 days ago
-
-
Extra Witchy3 days ago
-
-
A Review of Fallow4 days ago
-
Books Read in August 20261 week ago
-
-
-
-
-
Brimstone Hollow By Archer Sullivan2 weeks ago
-
Weekly Update for October 4, 20263 weeks ago
-
A short fall break....1 month ago
-
Seasonal TBR: Fall1 month ago
-
Bookmarked 2026 Week 303 months ago
-
-
Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney8 months ago
-
-
Sunday Post #5681 year ago
-
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus2 years ago
-
-
What Happened to Summer?3 years ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra3 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?4 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!