The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the Unification Church have unique religio-cultural backgrounds: the LDS church was founded in North America and the Unification Church was founded in Korea. Yet there are numerous similarities between these two successful new religious movements. Significantly, both the LDS and Unification churches are recognized for their strong emphases on family-centered belief and practice, having the same underlying purpose of establishing the kingdom of God on earth. This book examines the transitions in the family-centered beliefs and practices of the LDS and Unification churches as a case study of new religious movements and the family under the influence of growing individualism and multiculturalism since World War II.
"Tark's comprehensive use of primary sources and his ability to work with...writings in the original language (Korean) results in a fine comparative study of how two religious movements have recurrently adapted their teachings about marriage and the family over time. While he highlights some fascinating parallels in the way each founder created a distinctive identity for his movement by connecting beliefs and practices to the mission of building God's Kingdom on earth, he sees strikingly different outcomes and prospects for sustainability and growth." (Phyllis D. Airhart, Associate Professor, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto)
"Ji-il Tark's research is highly innovative in that it opens a whole new dimension to the study of Mormonism and of the Unification Church. His work provides a thoughtfully conceived, fully examined, and useful description of how individualism and multiculturalism have influenced the growth of family-related religious movements since World War II."(Young-Sik Yoo, Associate Professor, East Asian Studies, University of Toronto)
"Ji-il Tark's research is highly innovative in that it opens a whole new dimension to the study of Mormonism and of the Unification Church. His work provides a thoughtfully conceived, fully examined, and useful description of how individualism and multiculturalism have influenced the growth of family-related religious movements since World War II."(Young-Sik Yoo, Associate Professor, East Asian Studies, University of Toronto)