Reviews

Moroni and the Swastika: Mormons in Nazi Germany by David C. Nelson

missamandamae's review

5.0

The author opens the book by explaining that the impetus for the research was his stepson learning about persecuted groups of the Nazis during WWII, and asking how the LDS Church fared in the circumstances. This is a question I've had since a young kid, in awe of Anne Frank and incredibly interested in this time of history. The answer to that is complex, and even the evidence put forth in this book can't definitely answer the question without a lot of caveats. A very uncomfortable narrative is put forth, of faithful members who were ardent Hitler supporters, of church leaders in Utah who ignored Jewish converts pleas for help, and a church community that as a whole was not bothered by the Nazis to cease meeting or change teachings. (Teachings were altered preemptively.) Exceptions to the rule are made, of church members who sought to help their Jewish neighbors, or quietly protested the Nazi regime by pointedly not becoming party members. Helmuth Hubener, the Mormon resister to the Nazis who was executed at 17 for his efforts, and excommunicated from his faith by a church leader who was a strong Nazi supporter***, is included near the end of the book, as well the story of how his story came to light and was repeatedly pushed aside for various reasons outlined in the book. It makes for uncomfortable and fascinating reading, and begs for long conversations outside the context of the book. Conley presents his research in a clear manner, and the chapters are divided into sections that allow the reader to move at a good clip. I definitely had trouble putting the book down, and will definitely have these stories in mind for a long time.


*** Conley mentions a previously published account of Hubener's story called Hubener vs. Hitler, and treats it rather snarkily. This made me laugh since I tried to read that book when it was first published, and found it so poorly written I had to stop, despite the compelling story. It's telling that a second edition had to be released to make corrections.