The first day of this class, we were asked to make a list of facts about Mormonism. Many of them ended up being false, while only a few were true. In my opinion, these two articles capture the driving force for our previous perceptions of Mormonism by exposing the different branches of Mormonism. In these two articles, the authors elaborate on different branches of Mormonism such as the Community of Christ (RLDS) and the Fundamentalists.
Although each varying branch of Mormonism is seeking to go down the path which is most truthful, their beliefs continue to differ from each other. As William D. Russell points out, the Latter-Day Saints Church and Community of Christ have had differing beliefs in the past and continue to in the present. There were four main issues which caused conflict between the LDS and RLDS for at least a century. These issues were polygamy, succession in the presidency, the plurality of gods, and baptism for the dead and other secret temple rituals. As well, in recent times, the LDS and RLDS still have various differences such as the historicity of the Book of Mormon, the nature of revelation and prophecy, women in the priesthood, homosexuality, apostasy and restoration, and life after death. Overall, the RLDS “tried to be seen as legitimately Mormon and legitimately Christian” to the point which they were characterized as a “moderate Mormonism” (Russell 185).
Another form of Mormonism is Fundamentalism. Fundamentalists believed that “if an ‘eternal principle’ was valid at one time it was valid for all times” (36). This is the basis for one of the major differences between fundamentalists and LDS – polygamy. While the majority of the U.S. and mainstream Mormons denounced polygamy, the fundamentalists continued to believe that it was essential for human salvation.
In my opinion, although there are distinct differences among mainstream Mormonism, RLDS, and fundamentalists, the public image of Mormon appears to just be major views of each group merged into one group. Although only fundamentalists still support plural marriage, the public still perceives that most Mormons support polygamy and have multiple wives. As well, I think that the reason why there is not significant tension between other religious sects and Mormonism is because the RLDS tries to be legitimately Christian.
Furthermore, I think that the differences exist for varying reasons. In my opinion, the differences between RLDS and LDS seems like it’s based on religious interpretation. For example, the historicity of the Book of Mormon appears to be more based on religious purposes rather than personal desire. On the other hand, the difference between LDS and fundamentalists do not seem as legitimate because the main difference is polygamy. Although it is not certain, there is still a possibility that the fundamentalists continued to practice polygamy for personal desire rather than for religious purposes.
- What role do you think the differing forms of Mormonism play in the public perception of Mormonism?
- Do you think that the reason differences exist among the groups is based on legitimate religious interpretations or is it due to personal wants?
It is interesting how, like Betty said, that even though the majority of Mormons do not practice polygamy that polygamy is always the first thing most people think of when they hear about Mormons. I think that most people link polygamy with the LDS and not just the FLDS because when polygamy is shown in the media (Yearning for Zion Ranch controversy, Big Love), the media does not do a good job differentiating between LDS and FLDS. Furthermore there is still a prejudice against Mormons present in society, which I believe is a holdover from historical tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons. People like to assume the worst about the Mormons because they like to brand them as an "other", or an outside group that everyone can band against. Thus even though polygamy is only practiced by the FLDS people assume that the LDS practices it still because people are still wary of the mainstream Mormons and it is always easier to judge and condemn something than taking the time to understand it correctly.
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ReplyDeleteIn analyzing the various factors that caused the three Mormon sects to initially develop and to further differentiate from each other, I am unsure if one can even separate justifiable religious interpretations of the faith from personal desires, wants, and needs. These two reasons that potentially explain the numerous differences among LDS, RLDS, and FLDS relate to each other in complex ways. For example, concerning the RLDS, this moderate branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints originally differed from mainstream Mormonism due to a myriad of conflicting beliefs concerning the Church, notably their understanding of the issue of plural marriage. Russell states that the RLDS maintained for years that “Brigham wrote [Section 132] and published it under Joseph’s name in 1852, eight years after Joseph died and no longer could defend himself” (Russell 179). The RLDS, in their religious stance towards plural marriage, both plausibly interpret the Mormon faith's relationship with polygamy and reject the notion of plural marriage to mirror their personal moral feelings towards the subject. Overall, one must remember that a religion’s worldview affects personal needs; i.e. the interpretation of a faith fulfills and creates certain desires, including the desires for hope and for community. At the same time, personal needs affect a religion, determining how one reads and interprets certain documents, doctrines, and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the different forms of Mormonism have anything to do with the public's perception. The RLDS and the Fundamentalists both branched out from the main Mormon Church. All that seperates them are a few minor differences in interpretation of the Mormon religion. They all believe in the Book of Mormon to some extent and share Joseph Smith as the founder of their most basic core beliefs. Most people still believe that they are all the same group and practice the same ideals. As humans, we feel the need to group people into categories regardless of inherent differences. While the RLDS were formed because they despised polygamy and the FLDS supported it, all the churches- including the main one, are branded as polygamists because of ignorance and circulating rumors and stories. We also choose to focus on the things about people or groups that aare the most entertaining or unusual. As Maggie Howell stated above, the media does not do a good job of differentiating the groups. The media does not try to dispel myths but instead focuses on the things that will get the most attention. I believe that as time goes on and the different Mormon religions are more in the spotlight, each group will be able to differentiate itself in the public eye. Perhaps they will be known as the "Other" Christians (LDS), the Mormon Protestants(RLDS) and the "Other" Mormons (FLDS).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maggie that many people associate polygamy with all Mormons, not just the FLDS, because of the media coverage of the FLDS. The FLDS are the more interesting Mormons because the fundamentalists are so different from mainstream America. The media, including not only television, but also movies and books, chooses to accommodate the public’s desire. Thus the public (although probably not the public in Utah) learns snip-its about the FLDS, a Mormon group and thinks that FLDS is the Mormon group. Without studying Mormonism, I would have had no idea that there were different sects within the religion. As an answer to Betty’s question about the differing forms of Mormonism and public perception, I would have to say that the public does not distinguish the multiple forms of Mormonism. Instead the public is spoon-fed information about the FLDS and believes that its practices relate to all Mormons.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why Mormonism is singled out by the media in negative stereotypes because their religion involves tenets that actively define a particular lifestyle. Such differences united Mormonism when "opposition separated out the fainthearted, stengthened the strong, and found willling martyrs" (Fundamentalism, 18). Due to the similarity between Protestantism and the Community of Christ or former RLDS, certain sects have dropped out of the official LDS and conformed to societal norms within their religion. I think the RLDS rejected polygamy and other Mormon conventions because it went against their previous Protestant beliefs, and they reorganized in Missouri as to incorporate mainstream ideals into Mormon beliefs. However they've lost many distinctively Mormon features, which may explain their lower numbers. The "mountain Mormons" led by Brigham Young led the group that gave up certain customs for assimilation yet held on to others. Their acquiescence is due to government pressure and not necessarily change in belief, however they maintain more uniquely Mormon customs and is more prominent than the LDS because they've maintained the balance between religious identity and social acceptance. As for the fundamentalists, I don't think they made any concessions for social acceptance, and follows Mormonism in its unadulterated form. It's very extreme and requires complete dedication from its members to follow Mormonism at any cost, even reprimands from the LDS church in Utah, as was in the case of Musser. The split between the sects is based on a combination of religious interpretation and social pressure, and it's hard to say which one weighs in more. Different people in each of the sects chose their paths based on different reasons, and their decisions are more individualized than reasons accredited to an entire church.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the distinctions in the various sects of Mormonism are perverted in the eye of the rest of society. The public’s perception of Mormonism and various other ideas is tainted with the negative publicity that Mormonism receives due to the stereotyping concerning the FLDS sect of Mormonism. A majority of uninformed people in the public- including myself prior to taking this class- believe the worst about Mormons that is portrayed in the Media on television and in newspapers. Due to the negative publicity that the FLDS sect has been receiving overtime in American society, a majority of people believe that all Mormons are strange and promote polygamy and living weird and off lifestyles opposing the rest of society’s ideals and morals. Also, in my opinion I believe that the differences in the differing sects of Mormonism is based off of personal wants as opposed to religious interpretations. The main reason that the FLDS was created and separated from the LDS is because those members wanted to continue the practice of polygamy even though it was made clear that polygamy was not necessary anymore to gain salvation. A lot of differing religious beliefs all over the world are a product of personal wants that has been falsely translated as differing religious interpretations.
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