In his chapter on "Sources of Strain and Conflict," Catholic sociologist Thomas F. O'Dea discusses the following subjects:

• The Mormon encounter with modern secular thought

• Rationality versus charisma

• Authority and obedience versus democracy and individualism

• Consent versus coercion

• Plural marriage and change of doctrine

• Family ideals versus equality of women

• Progress versus agrarianism

• Political conservatism versus social idealism

• Patriotism versus particularism

• Belief versus environment