By Jerald and Sandra Tanner

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In 1963 we published our most important work on Mormonism. A major publishing company predicted that it wouldn’t sell over 250 or 300 copies, but by 1965 Wallace Turner reported that we had sold “about 3,000 copies” (The Mormon Establishment, page, 157). It was not long after this that our metal plates for printing began to break down, and the book went out of print for a number of years. In 1972, however, we issued a new enlarged and revised edition which has become a tremendous success. We have now sold almost 2,000 copies of the new printing, and this brings the total sales to over 7,000 copies. Dr. Jennings G. Olson, of the Department of Philosophy at Weber College, made these comments concerning it:

. . . there is now in existence a book which every Mormon and interested non-Mormon should study and ponder. . . . it is called Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? . . . it is tightly packed with serious, responsible research which no one can deny is the most comprehensive and thorough analysis and evaluation of Mormonism ever produced in the history of the Church.

Any Mormon of Elemental identification who wants to “answer” the Tanners will have his hands full for a long time to come because the Tanners have the microfilm sources from the early Mormon Church which no one before has had in such abundance. . . . I seriously doubt Dr. Nibley will take this new revised book on, because he is quoted often enough in it to be identifiable as one of the major contributors to Mormonism’s obfuscation of issues; and he has actually contributed (unknowingly perhaps) to the growing painful dilemmas now facing the Elemental Mormonism I have previously identified . . .

But if Dr. Nibley or anyone else decides to “answer” the Tanners’ book point for point I certainly promise to study that book carefully and review it in public. In the mean time I will state publically this book of the Tanners is a major contribution in the search for integrity and truth about Mormonism, and I shall quote from it a number of times. (“The Uniqueness of Mormonism: An Evaluation.” by Dr. Jennings G. Olson, October 7, 1972, pages 22-23)

The following are some other comments concerning the new edition of Mormonism—Shadow or Reality?

. . . the original was good—the new edition is a marvel. (The Utah Evangel, Sept.-Oct. 1972, page 1)

We must admit it is the greatest thing yet written on the subject . . . (The Utah Evangel, November-December 1972, page 4)

The most comprehensive and revealing work on Mormonism in print today . . . a must for all students of Mormonism. (Utah Christian Tract Society Newsletter, September-October, 1972, page 2)

Perhaps the most exhaustive expose of Mormonism between two covers . . . Based largely on primary sources. (Mormonia—A Quarterly Bibliography of Works on Mormonism, Fall 1972, page 89)

May this find you all well and busy shipping out the greatest compendium that ever existed on a most intriguing subject concerning the greatest religious hoax of all time . . . please prepare another 50 copies . . . (Letter from California)

We believe “Shadow or Reality” to be the best book available in refuteing Mormonism. I showed it to more of the students & I now place an order to you for (55) more copies of Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? (Letter from Texas)

. . . I must say that your new work, Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? is a lulu! I have read it from cover to cover—much to the neglect of my other duties, but can & should become familiar with what you have found. It is interesting that so much of what you have printed I have found to be so in my own independent study . . . I sincerely need to know how you go about making a commitment to Christ, and I feel a real need to do so, . . . (Letter from Illinois)

Our customers seem to be well pleased with the new edition of Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? and it is taking a good deal of our time just to fill the orders. In our spare time we are working on a book about Creation which we hope to complete in about a year. This is a project we have worked on for many years.

Recently we decided to put a hard-backed binding on all copies of Mormonism—Shadow or Reality? Though this costs us more money, we feel that it gives the book a much better appearance and will make it last a great deal longer. Considering the size of this book and the fact that it is hard bound this is a real bargain. As one customer expressed it: “It never ceases to amaze me how for the price of two hours work I can buy a book such as your new enlarged edition.”

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