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2003.06.06
Recovering from Mormonism, Part I:
An Introduction
I was born into the heart of the Mormon religion and culture. I come from polygamist stock and religious leadership--although most of that was removed from my immediate influence by a couple of generations. My devout grandparents raised me for a good portion of my first 8 years and then I was off to live in Japan where my single father was to be stationed by military service for 5 years.
If you don't know anything about the religion and have only heard the rumors of cults and many wives, then let me tell you: the Mormon "brand" of worship is only another version of Christianity. It is supported by their belief that Jesus Christ visited the Americas after his resurrection and left those people with scripture (The Book of Mormon), also. And that Jesus Christ, himself, conferred the only true authority of Priesthood upon the Founder and Prophet, Joseph Smith. No Orthodox Mormon has had more than one mate since the early 1900's.
The Mormons have embraced an outlook on eternity that demands the building of their temples so that they can be baptized and married, by proxy, for previous generations of family. Salt Lake City is the World's Mecca of genealogical study and records.
These people revere natural and organic living -- keeping their bodies healthy by strict abstinence from tobacco, alcohol and other chemicals.
They are an incredibly resourceful, organized, generous and strong people. Wouldn't you guess such a thing from a history of murderous persecution and their fleeing to the Desert West as the first serious settlers of that region? They were successful--building a "Zion" that was prosperous and an amazing testament of determination, skill and effort.
Their progressive and inventive attitudes give high regard to academic learning and aspirations for utopian society. Utah was the first state in the Union to permit women's suffrage. The Mormon culture was the birthplace of the television, the artificial heart and progressive theories on cold fusion. Senator Orrin G. Hatch (UT), is frequently a visibile leader in Republican Political representation.
Even tho I have embraced different attitudes than the Mormon culture, I am grateful this is my background. My heritage is a group of highly intelligent people devoted to high work ethics, integrity, benevolence and excellence. Where can you go wrong those kinds of values? (Except to be the leading target for scam artists?)
But, like all institutions, it does have its dark side. Only because people are, just that, people. The issues of flaw attend them as it does anyone else. The inconsistencies of religious belief take their toll as does every other religion that I know of. So, just as people are "converted" by legions of Mormon missionaries, people also fall from the "fold" or out right reject it. I happen to be one of those vocal rebels who specifically requested a voluntary excommunication.
I couldn't buy the whole kit and kaboodle. I mean, obviously, a good portion of the religion is like the many other theologies and philosophies I have studied, just down right good sense--common sense, even. But the details, the premises, the idiosyncrasies of the dogma--I just couldn't embrace. A lot of this had to do with my exposure to many magnificent people with different thought systems, my perspective of male/female equality and my sexual experience.
I believe, there are conflicts in the "Latter-Day Saint" concepts of God, gender authority and sexual conduct, that are not healthy. Mormons are told there is only one true authority and way to God. Mormon Women are told that they are a help-mate, a complimentary equal with your husband. And yet, when they take their oaths of marriage in the temple, they are told that their husband's authority is their link to God. That they require their husband's priesthood to be admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven. He is permitted many wives in the afterlife, but she must be committed to one husband, only.
Mormons are expected to abstain from all sexual expression until they find "the One" to mate with for Eternity. One is to be certain about these things or at least lie in the bed they make--not just for life, but ForEVER? How is one to make such a final decision or keep all their sexual urgings (including masturbation) at bay until that "one and only" reveals themselves? Many seem to do it, or at least they claim to.
How many truly succeed? My grandparents were married as virgins at 20 years of age in 1939. I believe they have been honorably faithful to one another for 64 years -- to this date. Awe and respect are deservedly theirs!
I wonder however, at the ratio of youth who attend the offices of their religious leadership to confess their sexual transgressions and receive restrictions of religious privilege and reputation for their deeds? How many couples lose the honor of the "special temple" ceremony for their marriage, because they were unable to keep their desires inactive? How many outright lie about their sins?
Did I reject the Mormon message because I couldn't cut the mustard? Was I too contrary and compulsive to keep the discipline? Was this an expression of weakness or flaw in my character? Did I permit the Devil to invade my life? Perhaps, the faithful Mormon would suggest all of these things are true, but my personal experience and spiritual yearnings suggest a different answer is accurate.
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