"Grok"ing Jesus

[_SteelHead]

As symbolically I have eaten of his flesh.

Ritual cannibalism....... What's a little flesh and blood between old friends?

[_just me]

Delicious.

[Anonymous]

Its been such a long time since I read Stranger in a Strange Land, Steelhead, but I remember my teenage self thinking there were parallels between Valentine Michael Smith and Joseph Smith. The whole reorganization of the Fosterites, his death and I guess polygamy?

I'd prawly have to read the book again to figure out what it was that made me think that. I've not read it since I was 12 or 13, so I read the earlier version and not the later "restored" one.

[_SteelHead]

There are marked similarities, and I think Heinlien did it on purpose.

[_Blixa]

There are marked similarities, and I think Heinlien did it on purpose.

YAY ME!

So I guess I have to read it again.

Thanks!

[_consiglieri]

There are marked similarities, and I think Heinlien did it on purpose.

I am pretty sure he makes a direct reference to Joseph Smith in the book.

Something about "once you get people to believe in gold plates from an angel, they will believe anything."

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[_Blixa]

There are marked similarities, and I think Heinlien did it on purpose.

I am pretty sure he makes a direct reference to Joseph Smith in the book.

Something about "once you get people to believe in gold plates from an angel, they will believe anything."

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

Ok you've convinced me to re-read it. I've carried this impression all my life, but whenever I read synopses, I'm left wondering just what my teenaged brain put together.

[_moksha]

That's it!!! When there are eight billion Mormons in the world simulanteously grokking, the Martians will have to relent in blowing up the Earth.

[_Morley]

Its been such a long time since I read Stranger in a Strange Land, Steelhead, but I remember my teenage self thinking there were parallels between Valentine Michael Smith and Joseph Smith. The whole reorganization of the Fosterites, his death and I guess polygamy?

I'd probably have to read the book again to figure out what it was that made me think that. I've not read it since I was 12 or 13, so I read the earlier version and not the later "restored" one.

I always assumed the same. I was surprised (when I googled Stranger, just now) to find that Joseph Smith isn't mentioned in critiques on the book.

[_SteelHead]

Heinlein made various references to Mormons and the Book of Mormon in a number of his books. I read about everything he wrote during my teens. I think the parallels in Stranger in a Strange land are some of the strongest in his writings.