More than two decades after its original publication, Thomas G. Alexander's Mormonism in Transition still engages audiences with its insightful study of the pivotal, early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Serving as a vital read for both students and scholars of American religious and social history, Alexander's book explains and charts the Church's transformation over this 40-year period of both religious and American history. For those familiar with the LDS Church in modern times, it is impossible to study Mormonism in Transition without pondering the enormous amount of changes the Church has been through since 1890. For those new to the study of Mormonism, this book will give them a clear understanding the challenges the Church went through to go from a persecuted and scorned society to the rapidly growing, respected community it is today. From the Second Edition Foreword by Stephen J. Stein: "Thomas Alexander confronts the reality of change and does not try to disguise it or hide it in the shadow of earlier traditions. Rather, he acknowledges that Mormonism in 1930 was radically different from what it was in 1890 or at the time of its origins. He catalogues change without apology. In fact, Alexander celebrates change as the basis for the continuing success the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints enjoys."