Item Detail
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13400
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1
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0
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English
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Religious Conversion : A Longitudinal Study
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University of Utah
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Ph.D. diss.
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"This study examines the process of religious conversion and the factors associated with it. The primary focus is a qualitative analysis of an existing data set generated by a study of conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS or Mormon Church). Interviews were conducted at eight locations in the US among a sample of prospective converts engaged in formal study of Mormonism with full-time missionaries. Subjects were interviewed at several points in time during their series of proselyting meetings. This procedure yielded longitudinal data on the socioreligious beliefs, behaviors and experiences of converting (recruited) and nonconverting (control) subjects. Ten converting and ten nonconverting subjects were randomly selected for intensive analysis for the present study. Comparisons between outcome groups were made in terms of various subject characteristics, missionary characteristics, and aspects of the proselyting encounter. Three raters were used to generate qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data were derived by means of discussion sessions during which raters compared their perceptions of individual cases, patterns and trends across cases, and the factors associated with multidimensional outcomes. The results of quantitative analyses were used to clarify qualitatively derived impressions and to focus consensus discussions. Quantitative data were generated using Likert scales designed to measure a predetermined set of variables. T-tests were performed to determine significant differences between converting and nonconverting subjects. Correlation coefficients were also calculated to assess agreement among raters and the relationship between pairs of variables. An integration of qualitative and quantitative results produced many insights into conversion process and outcome. Converting subjects manifested a more seeking disposition than did nonconverting subjects at the outset of their series of meetings. The nature and intensity of subjects' interactions with missionaries and LDS acquaintances were prominent situation variables. Converting subjects tended to have more intimate and meaningful relationships with Mormons than did nonconverting subjects. Missionaries' relationship-building and instructional skills were strongly associated with the spirituality or transcendent nature of the meetings. The spirituality of the meetings was associated with subjects' willingness to become behaviorally involved in religious study and to adopt a global acceptance of LDS doctrines." [Author's abstract]