Richard Bushman at Weber State

I just read a speech Richard Bushman gave at Weber State earlier this month (March 5th). In it he shares some good thoughts.
First the reason Mitt Romney failed was because he didn't understand that although Mormons are respected as good people, they are not trusted because their beliefs are too preposterous. Anyone that really believes that Mormon stuff can't really be trusted to have good judgement.
Second, we are trying too hard to be accepted into the fold of traditional Christianity. We are different. And the difference is what we should be proud of. No, we are not Christian in the same way that evangelicals are Christian, but we still believe in Jesus Christ. We are, of course, Christian in ways they will never be, but there is no need to be impolite and point that out. In his book Bushman pointed out that Joseph's revelations never tried to prove themselves. They simply stated what they were with the assumption of authenticity. We should stand on our own merits, and not whine that "they won't let us in their club".
Third, if we want to get to the point where our beliefs are accepted as legitimate (see the first thought), we need to work on how we present ourselves (see the second thought), and of course develop a patina on our faith that only time can produce.
Lastly, we need to understand what we have to offer to the world that non converts can take and use. We look around at the rest of the world and we see things we can borrow all over. Our prophets had said that we accept truth wherever we find it. So what truth can we offer to the outside world that doesn't require conversion in order to accept.
What do you think?

New Book

I started a new Mormon history book. It is Jospeh Smith: Rough Rolling Stone by Richard Bushman. It is a examination of the cultural environment in which Joseph grew up, and how it prepared him for the various rolls he took on through his life. It also looks at how Joseph differed from the other visionaries from the same period. For example, the common path to prophethood was to preach, and gather a following. Joseph's path did not include any preaching. He wasn't really that good at it, until later in his life. At the founding meeting of the Mormon church there wasn't even a sermon delivered.
Another example was The First Vision. The account described in the Pearl of Great Price was not the only version. The story changed over time. Bushman deftly explains this by the change in meaning it had based on the rolls Joseph took on through out his life. When he was very young, the primary purpose of the first vision was for the forgiveness of sins. Later, as he came to understand that he was to be a prohet, he saw the first vision in a different light (no pun intended). He saw it as the begining of his roll as visionary. So his explanation of the event changed. If I were to explain a pivotal moment in my life I'm sure the description might change as I grew to understand ultimate results of my choices.
The tone of the book is generally sympathetic. But the understanding of the book does not require acceptance of his claims, only an acceptance that he made the claims and that people believed him.
Bushman is the Chair of Mormon studies at Claremont University in southern California.

Iron Rod or Liahona

I read a talk written by Richard D Poll in 1967 entitled "What the church means to people like me". In it he compares two common approaches people have toward membership in the Mormon church. He describes them using Book of Mormon imagery; Iron Rod Mormons and Liahona Mormons. The terms were new to me. But the talk has been circulated for many years.
The general idea is that the Iron Rod represents strict adherance to the Gospel. Doing so will lead you like a handrail to eternal life. The Liahona represents an indication of the direction we need to go like a compass, so long as we have faith in God and keep his commandments.
Iron Rod Mormons tend to know the church is true, favor literal interpretations of scripture, and view the world in terms of absolutes. Liahona Mormons tend to have faith that the church is true, have many unaswered questions, but accept that there are many things yet be be revealed pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Of course I feel few people are one or the other. They are usually a mixture. But that may just be my aversion to viewing the world in absolutes. Extremes of each group lead to apostasy. Iron Rod Mormons are a careful step away from Fundamentalism. Liahona Mormons can quickly find themselve questioning every aspect of church authority.
You can read the article for yourself at the link below.
http://www.zionsbest.com/people.html

Lady J
Thats really cool.My mother and I always had a different opinion on how to approch the church. Guess it's normal to be different than your parents
Thursday March 6, 2008 - 12:35am (PST)

Mr Froggie
That is normal as a young adult. But I'm actually surprised how similar my attitudes toward many things (includng religion) have become more similar to my parents as I have gotten older.
Thursday March 6, 2008 - 11:50am (CST)