The Not Quite Not Mormon Worldview of the Testament of Man

This chapter explores the influences of Mormonism on Fisher’s twelve-volume Testament of Man series. Mormonism is mentioned by name only in the final volume, Orphans in Gethsemane, a rewriting of Fisher’s autobiographical tetralogy. However, the plan of the series—to create a third “testament” to supplement the two testaments of the Bible—parallels the purpose of the Book of Mormon, and nearly all of the books have prophet characters modeled, at least partially, on Joseph Smith. Two of the novels feature religious nonbelievers trying to navigate the periphery of a close-knit religious community for the sake of their loved ones—a position Fisher himself was often in. The chapter argues that Fisher’s personal experience with religion, which came almost entirely through Mormonism, had a significant impact on the shape of the Testament of Man.