Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

Fundamentalist Mormonism—Religion or Cult?

In this activity, students will reflect on Westover’s experiences growing up in an extremist Mormon household, and then engage their critical thinking skills as they debate this hotly contested question.

Fundamental Mormonism is at the center of family life for Gene Westover. As detailed throughout Educated, the Westovers were not like other families: They did not believe in doctors’ offices or hospitals, the children did not receive birth certificates, and they were deeply mistrustful of the US government.

Given the relationship between extremism and fundamentalist Mormonism, many have questioned—is fundamentalist Mormonism actually a cult? In this activity, you will debate this question, as follows:

• Break into groups. Your teacher will split the class into two groups. One side will argue that fundamentalist Mormonism is a “cult,” and the other side will argue against it. Keep in mind that members of the LDS Church, or mainstream Mormons, reject principles that are upheld by fundamentalist Mormons; this is not a debate of Mormonism itself but of extremist contexts like the one Westover was raised in.