I Like Mauss. He ha keen insite.
2) From the viewpoint of the “religious economy” model recently popularized by Stark et al. (and by Laurence Moore among historians), might we understand the strains between Mormons and Evangelicals in part as a natural result of competing for “customers” in the same market niche? The moderately educated, upwardly mobile segment of American society seems to be the main stratum from which both Mormons and Evangelicals are drawing their converts. Ultimately, how much of the tension between Mormons and Evangelicals is theological and how much is sociological?
So much for idea that the church targets converts from people with money or, conversely, the poor. On the contrary, it targets the middle class.
I do not think that is what he said. He said that the converts are coming from these groups not that they are targeting these groups. That said, I think that is the preferred customer. However, I am not sure I agree that this is where most are coming from in the US, at least where I live. It seems they are coming from the lower middle class and poor.
3) What is the impact on the Mormon leadership and grassroots of the unwillingness to accept Mormons as Christians – an issue very much highlighted for Mormons by the Romney campaign? Is the tension over this issue likely to accelerate Mormon assimilation into the American mainstream, or have the opposite effect – i. e. encourage a new retrenchment and “circling of the wagons”? Will the effect be different among U. S. Mormons than among Mormons elsewhere (who are now the majority of the world’s Mormons)?
This I found highly interesting. I think what we're seeing currently is a retrenchment, and a deep one at that.
Could you outline why? I agree that we have seen one for most of my life. But I am interested in your views. I thought President Hinckley was loosening up a bit. I am not sure what President Monson will do. He certainly seems less in the public eye. Has he interacted with any news people or media outside LDS mainstream since he was first made prophet and gave the obligatory interview in the Joseph Smith Building?
Further:
Of course, the major symptoms of assimilation were the abandonment of polygamy, theocracy, collectivist economic experiments, the adoption of American 2-party politics, and the embrace of American patriotism. Theologically, during the first half of the 20th century, LDS leaders such as Talmage, Widtsoe, and Roberts undertook to codify and “Christianize” LDS theology, and to emphasize use of the King James Bible over the use of the Book of Mormon.
So all those revelations were... kicked to the curb? We should be so lucky.... (my comments in italics within the quote)
Please clarify.
Then, after midcentury, symptoms of retrenchment were a new emphasis upon use of the Book of Mormon {Pres Benson's charge that the church was under condemnation because of the lack of emphasis on the Book of Mormon, in the early 80's}; a renewed focus on the president of the church as a prophet (with additions to the D & C for the first time in the century, recurrent slogans about following the prophet and obedience) {again, Pres Benson}; the centralization and standardization of the church program and administration known as “correlation;” {Pres Hinckley?} great expansion in such “peculiar” Mormon programs as genealogy, temple-building, missionary work, and religious education (seminary and institute programs) {Pres Hinckley's push} – all of which had languished for decades; and finally a renewal and redefinition of the LDS theology of the family, with a conservative definition of women’s roles {the subjucation of women outlined in the POTF} and an ongoing program to bolster the nuclear family institution as a bulwark against the creeping vices of sexual indulgence, substance use or abuse, and many other social ills afflicting American society since the 1960s.
Hinckley was not the main mover on Correlation. Lee was.
Addressing Mormon culture:
For Mormons, living in a certain way is more important than believing in a certain way.
Truer words were never spoken. Amen and amen!
Ideally, people will learn both correct belief and correct behavior from membership in the LDS community, but it is the behavioral boundaries that really define the Mormon identity.
So... someone please tell me that I'm wrong when I say Mormon culture defines the church, not Mormon doctrine.
Unfortunately I think you are correct.
