Thursday, February 17, 2011
Growing up, I knew several Mormon families. The LDS Church purchased a home in the neighborhood as a residence for the President of the PA mission. After several Presidents with older children that did not accompany them to PA, a family with 13 children arrived. Of all the families to occupy this house, I came to know the "B" family the best. As I read this book, I recall things about my Mormon friends I haven't thought about in a quite some time - like their mothers were always baking bread! Based on my prior experiences and perceptions, if I were to describe a member of the LDS Church, a few adjectives come to mind - wholesome, adventurous, friendly, and caring. Given their caring nature, I can understand why Martha felt the need to return to that community, given all that was going on in her life. As a result of reading this book, I also realize my perceptions of the LDS Church are based on what I observed through my interactions with these families. Other than knowing Joseph Smith was considered a prophet and they didn't drink coffee or tea, their faith was always a mystery to me. Things Seen and Unseen, a title of a book we've previously read, seems to apply here as well. Considering the LDS Church's strong emphasis on mission, how do you reconcile what is outwardly projected with the beliefs that are so secretive? How does it compare with what we as Lutherans and Christians project in our interactions with others? What are your perceptions based on what you've read so far?
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16 comments:
I didn't know much about the LDS church, however, much of what I know now has been influenced by the book "Under the Banner of Heaven: A Violent Story of Faith" which is about the LDS church.
I'm fascinated by Martha's quest to find that feeling of connection with a higher power. She seems detemined to find the connection she had while pregnant with her son.
Yes, you wonder if that is an aspect of her faith that she didn't know was missing until she felt that connection with Adam
I think that aspects of their faith seem normal to them because that's what they've always known and then when they leave their communities, it must be hard not to question certain different traditions. The "undergarments," the multiple wives, etc. I think it's hard for us to understand when they believe in the Bible and the additional Book of Mormon as well.
Kim - did you notice that Pat and Connie left comments under the original posting?
Ok, I found their postings. I found the first 3rd of the book to be a really fascinating read - the way it jumps from the confrontation in the hotel room complete with hidden spies to her experiences throughout her pregnancy with Elizabeth. But, I agree with Pat the wedding was very weird.
I'm with you both, I find their rituals so different and I'm not sure what the basis is for them. I think it must have been difficult for her to go to Brigham Young to teach (not sure why they hire women) when their views on feminism are so strick. I haven't finished the book but I can imagine things don't end well at the university!
It really did seem contradictory for someone raised as a Mormon to pursue the study of feminism. I know that one of my friends went to BYU(she became a neonatal nurse), but the rest did not pursue careers. I wonder what percentage of BYU students are female?
I was impressed with her ability to quote literature!
I couldn't believe she remained fairly quiet in her first department meeting when they were told certain topics were off limits and that they could only publish within the Mormon publishing. That's probably the kiss of death for any book. I can't imagine other schools would use anything written by them. Then when she tried to research the topic and they had wiped it from the archives -- that's a scream.
Yes, that's the point when the book returned to the thriller aspect of the first chapter. If it were a movie you can hear the dramatic music when she realizes all the information is gone.
I hadn't thought about it that way but you and Pat are right, you can almost hear the music da da da. In the movie version we'd see someone ordering the removal of the information late at night. I keep thinking about how friendly her new neighborhood is but how unemotional her parents seem. Is that keeping up appearances? Too many years of having opinions that don't matter?
You are right, her parents don't fit the mold.
Thanks for blogging. I look forward to finishing the book.
Truly my mental image is many families like the Osmonds. I don't think I would have ever fit in -- they would have cast me out a long time ago!
I'm looking forward to finishing it as well. Thanks for hosting!
Oh, I had forgotten about the part with the wiped archives. Can you imagine? I guess the contradictory nature of what happens is part of what made it such a good read - to me. As you noted, the secretive society but the missionaries, the warm, supportive neighbors but the parents who were anything but, the acceptance of Adam but not of anything else "outside the norm."
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