LITR 5737: Literary & Historical Utopias
Historical Presentation 2007
Donny L. Leveston
Mormonism: Alive and Thriving
Since the dawn of time, religion and religious movements have been at the fore in establishing personal and communal relationships with God (the devil, too), social and cultural norms, and oxymoronic ideas like preaching peace and starting wars. Most people, however, view religion has a “good thing.”
One religion that is always a subject for debate—based on its doctrines and practices—is Mormonism. Regardless of how debatable Mormonism is, the argument can still be made that it is a utopia—or, at least utopian like. On the one hand, detractors of Mormonism will almost assuredly discredit this claim; while on the other hand, architects of Mormonism will most likely attest to the claim.
The seminar will form its own conclusion on whether Mormonism is a utopia or not?
Historical Context:
Mormon—Prophet-Warrior, Native American Indian, and Author. 385 C.E.
Moroni was Mormon’s son and was thought to be a heavenly messenger.
Joseph Smith, Jr. founded the Mormon group known as Latter Day Saints on April 6, 1830. (The group was later named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). LDS was the Mormons largest religious movement.
· Historical Texts: The Bible and The Book of Mormon
· Charismatic Experiences
· “Great Apostasy”
· The Second Great Awakening
· Bobby Ausmus, "Mormonism as Utopian Movement?" (lds.org)
Discussion:
Due to religious persecution directed at Mormons, the Latter-day Saints made several moves over a period of about two decades. Mormons moved from western New York to Ohio, from Ohio to Missouri, from Missouri to Illinois—the move to Illinois resulted in an event known as the “Mormon War in Illinois.” The group faced inner turmoil and non-Mormon conflicts. As a result the war, the group split into several factions of Mormonism that include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church of Jesus Christ (Community of Christ), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Strangite). Based on the information above Objective 3a stands out: to investigate historical attempts by “communes,” “intentional communities,” or even nations to put utopian ideas into practice. “Admittedly, all utopian communities eventually fail,” or do they? Did Mormonism fail because of the split, or is it alive and thriving?
Various aspects of Mormonism:
Cultural Mormons:
1. Practicing Cultural Mormons
2. Jack Mormon
3. Ex-Mormon
Humanistic Mormonism:
1. A Mormon who identifies with the history, culture, and future of the LDS’s way of life.
2. Supernatural authority is not relevant; the people possess the power.
3. Ethics and morality derive from human needs.
4. Religious texts are purely human and natural phenomena.
Mormonism and Christianity:
Historically, Mormonism and various forms of Christianity have had strained relationships based of the unorthodox doctrines of Mormonism.
Mormonism and Judaism:
Based on the scriptures of the Old Testament, Mormons have taking a liking to Judaism and Jewish ideas.
Mormonism and Polygamy:
“Plural Marriage” [highlight]
Mormon Movement Today:
1. The Church of Latter-day Saints has approximately 12 millions members worldwide, in about a hundred countries
2. The Community of Christ has approximately 250,000 members
3. The Church of Jesus Christ has about 15,000 members
4. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the largest polygamist Latter Day Saint group, reports having about 10,000 members
5. Mormon Religious Map (2000 U.S. Census)
Today Mormonism flourishes in the western United States and in many other parts of the world. The LDS reports having the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the country. In addition, the group also reports having the lowest drug and alcohol addictions in the country. It also has the highest number of high school and college graduates (Mormon.org.). Apparently, Mormons are doing something right to have succeeded thus far especially if “all utopias fail or submerge.” The LDS was founded in an “apocalyptic era,” which many people (especially, theologians and religious philosophers) believe. What are some of the apocalyptic events that one can attribute to the founding and continuing existence of Mormonism? Look at objective 2d.
References
Lds.org
Mormon.org
Other Electronic Sources
FAIR
Moutain Meadows Massacre
Latter Day Saint Historians
Mormonism and History