Authors to Discuss Books on Polygamy, Electoral College in Malibu

Local authors Everett and Zoe Murdock will take on two issues related to the 2012 presidential election this weekend at Bank of Books in Malibu.

The event, which is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, is part of a 10-day grand opening celebration at Bank of Books at 29169 Heathercliff Road in Malibu.

Zoe Murdock said she will read and discuss her book, Torn by God, a novel based on her father’s exploration of polygamy when she was a child, which devastated her mother.

The book shows the dichotomy between the original doctrine of the Mormon Church, which included polygamy, and current Mormon doctrine, which makes polygamy grounds for excommunication, she said.

Zoe said she will be prepared to discuss Mormonism and how it has been frequently been raised during Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

"The issues raised by my book, Torn by God, are more about Romney's Mormon belief system and how that might influence his decisions if he were to become our next president," Zoe said. "Some people have suggested that he would legalize polygamy given that his great, great grandfather practiced polygamy and because the doctrine was only rescinded because of pressure from the U.S. Government. I think that line of thinking is ludicrous."

She added that the issues of gay marriage and abortion come under category of a Mormon's belief in the sanctity of marriage and the family.

"Given the changing stance that Romney has taken on these issues over the course of his campaign, it's hard to know exactly how he would come down on these issues were he to be our next president, but I do think the influences are there," Zoe said.

Dr. Everett E. Murdock, an Emeritus Professor at California State University, Long Beach, will discuss his non-fiction book, Obama Will Win, but Romney Will Be President, a historical analysis of every U.S. presidential election, with an emphasis on the role the Electoral College has played in determining who became president.

Everett Murdock plans to discuss his belief that the Barack Obama may win the popular vote, but lose in the Electoral College. This would be a repeat of 2000 presidential election in which Al Gore won the popular vote, but George W. Bush won in the Electoral College.