Binding Earth and Heaven

Patriarchal Blessings in the Prophetic Development of Early Mormonism

Gary Shepherd, Gordon Shepherd (Autoren)

Buch | Softcover

184 Seiten

2016
Pennsylvania State University Press (Verlag)
978-0-271-05634-0 (ISBN)

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Focuses on Mormonism as a case study of how unpopular new religions may survive and even flourish in spite of unrelenting opposition. Examines early patriarchal blessings bestowed upon early converts to Mormonism from 1834–1845, and their function as a commitment mechanism for converts.

In Binding Earth and Heaven, Gary Shepherd and Gordon Shepherd use early nineteenth-century Mormonism as a case study to examine questions about how new religious movements may, as rare exceptions, survive and even eventually become successful in spite of intense opposition. Initial scorn and contempt for Mormonism—the fledgling creation of the young Joseph Smith—quickly elevated to mob violence as both Smith’s innovative teachings and converted followers proliferated, resulting in the widely held perception that the Mormons constituted a social menace. This book examines how Mormonism attracted and maintained the loyalty of increasing numbers of people despite mounting hostilities and severe hardships.

The book focuses on the unique Mormon ritual (and accompanying doctrinal underpinnings) of “patriarchal blessings.” Patriarchal blessings were an innovative adaptation of the Old Testament practice of fathers making quasi-legal pronouncements over the heads of their sons—a way of verbally conferring rights, promises, admonition, and guidance to heirs. Binding Earth and Heaven shows how the organizational complexities of this practice contributed to strengthening and sustaining member faith and fealty, thereby bolstering the continuity and development of Mormonism.

Gary Shepherd is Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Anthropology at Oakland University. Gordon Shepherd is Professor of Sociology at the University of Central Arkansas.

Contents

List of Tables

Preface

Introduction

1The Commitment and Doctrinal Functions of Early Mormon Patriarchal Blessings

2Unity and Conflict in Early Mormon History

3The Office and Calling of the Church Patriarch

4The Problems and Promise of Patriarchal Blessings as Historical Artifacts

5Patriarchal Blessing Themes, 1834–1845

6Gender Differences in Early Patriarchal Blessings

7Latter-day Saint Patriarchal Blessings Yesterday and Today

Appendix A: Examples of Oracular Versus Inspirational Modes of Prophetic Rhetoric

Appendix B: Blessings Randomly Sampled from Marquardt’s Early Patriarchal Blessings

Appendix C: Thematic Word Index for Patriarchal Blessings

Notes

References

Index

Erscheint lt. Verlag	15.3.2016
Verlagsort	Pennsylvania
Sprache	englisch
Maße	152 x 229 mm
Gewicht	295 g
Themenwelt	Religion / Theologie ► Christentum ► Liturgik / Homiletik
Themenwelt	Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie ► Spezielle Soziologien
ISBN-10	0-271-05634-7 / 0271056347
ISBN-13	978-0-271-05634-0 / 9780271056340
Zustand	Neuware