One of the troubling aspects within certain parts of Islam seems to be the instances where some adults, previously casual in their religious observance, suddenly or over a short period of time, become devout.
In the case of the shooters in San Bernardino, both the man and the woman were known to their family and acquaintances as not particularly committed to a strict observance of Islam, but over a two-year period, seem to become more religiously observant in dress and practice. It seems that in some cases, but certainly not all, this is a possible indication of radicalization.
Most religiously observant parents would welcome a return to religious observance by their children, if they have taken a different path in life. In the LDS culture, an inactive child who returns to activity in the Church would be hailed as the return of the prodigal son. The parent would generally be overjoyed if that happened. I suspect this is true in every religion as well.
But, what if, like in the case of the San Bernardino shooters, it was taken to an extreme in Mormonism. What would that look like? I can think of three potential scenarios that are real. Now, please keep in mind the word “extreme.” In other words, this is not just attending Church on Sunday, having a calling, holding FHE, reading scriptures as family-type stuff.
Scenario One – The person or family begins to study early Mormon writings, attempting to understand “what Joseph and the early Brethren really taught.” They begin to attend the Temple a lot and seek out persons who seem to know a substantial amount about the “mysteries of the kingdom.” In that study, they conclude that the Lord instructs certain people go outside the structure of the Church and follow certain “other teachings” that are, in their mind and the minds of these certain people, being strictly obedient to the real teachings of the Savior as revealed to Joseph the Prophet. This leads to a path out of the Church as the main driver almost always includes the practice of polygamy.
Scenario Two – Similar to number one, but instead of beginning by studying, a person shares with you a deep, dark secret–the Church is in a state of apostasy, a fallen organization. That it has gotten off track somewhere along the line. The person might recommend a book, a website or invite you to attend a talk. The writer or speaker seems to make sense, proves his or her points by scripture, quotes from General Authorities and what appears to be logic. You read another book, go to another talk and the next thing you know, you are convinced the person is right. Maybe the author/speaker is still in the Church, or maybe not. But, they have made their case and you are now a devotee.
Scenario Three – Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in divers place, turmoil and trouble in the world. The Prophets and Savior have instructed us to be prepared and “ye shall not fear.” It’s time. You are not really prepared, Yes, you have some food storage, a little money in the bank. But, yet, you feel insecure. You google, you ask a friend and you come upon some “information.” The world is about to enter into a state of complete turmoil as a prelude to the last days. AND YOU NEED TO GET READY. A year’s supply is not enough. It might be a longer struggle through the Apocalypse and Armageddon. You need fuel as well and most of all, you need weapons to defend your supply from marauders who will find out you have it. You have now entered the world of Mormon Survivalist Preppers. You can still be an active member of the Church, but now you know the secret……
So, what other scenarios can you think of that might lead to becoming a risky devotee…..
Wheat & Tares 
Another scenario would be someone taking on a prophetic role in the LDS tradition, receiving revelation, translating scripture, and organizing a new church. So in this scenario, it’s not just learning about things in the past or believing things about the present, it is having a vision and trusting in your own revelation.
Another less than desirable “extreme” would be for someone to become very belligerent self-righteous, absolute letter of the law abiding, and making sure everyone else knows where they are coming up short. They would be “Spiritually Over Bearing” – or SOB for short.
scenario 3: they join the LDS Last Days Prophecy Discussion group on Facebook, currently at 5333 members…
Things are not always what they seem Jeff.
Government manufactured consent of the people is now legally occurring in the US via the formula problem + reaction = demand for solution. That is a PsyOp is planned and implimemted by the powers that be often via some kind of street theater to provoke a predictable public outcry for example gun control, that is the problem and reaction. Then the same people who created the “problem” and manipulated the reaction offer the obvious solution; Gun Control and the cycle is complete, the threat of terrorism is thereby used to reduce our rights and freedoms via fear.
Naomi Wolf explains fake news
Shooters’ family attorney: A lot of things don’t add up
The Lafferty Brothers approach is another scenario. Mormon teaches, taken to an extreme, would include living polygyny and blood oaths.
It is sad to me that all religions, taken to extremes, can lead the mentally ill to violence and evil.
Heber13:
“The Lafferty Brothers approach is another scenario.”
Kind of roll up of all three, I think.
Your focus seems to be on what causes people to become extreme. Unfortunately, I have no idea what caused my high school friend’s parents to kick him out of the house when he came out to them as gay. (This was many years ago). It doesn’t jive with the gospel I learned, but I don’t think any radical reading or influence was required beyond the regular meetings and magazines.
Perhaps they would be so extreme that they would support the leaders in persecuting some members, who are living their lives as they are intended.
Even though the scriptures say If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
In the name of loyalty of course.
Danites, vigilante groups.
Another scenario is this whole business of “Exact Obedience”. You are told that blessings come when you are exactley obedient and so if the blessings don’t come or when you want or the right kind of blessings you figure that you weren’t exactley obedient or that the whole thing is fake and you just dump the Church. Kind of a perfectionistic view of life