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Brigham Young University

Mormon Studies

Criticism

Articles 1 - 10 of 10

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Mormon Culture Meets Popular Fiction: Susa Young Gates And The Cultural Work Of Home Literature, Lisa Olsen Tait Jan 1998

Mormon Culture Meets Popular Fiction: Susa Young Gates And The Cultural Work Of Home Literature, Lisa Olsen Tait

Theses and Dissertations

The few studies of Mormon home literature that have been published to date dismiss it as inferior artistry, an embarrassing if necessary step in the progression towards true Mormon literature. These studies are inadequate, however, because they divorce the texts from their context, holding them up to standards that did not exist for their original audience. Jane Tompkins' theory of texts as cultural work provides a more satisfactory way of looking at these narratives.

Home literature is thoroughly enmeshed in the cultural discourse of its day. Beneath the surface, these didactic stories about young Mormons finding love with their foreordained …


Mormon Opposition Literature: A Historiographical Critique And Case Study, 1844-57, William P. Connors Jan 1994

Mormon Opposition Literature: A Historiographical Critique And Case Study, 1844-57, William P. Connors

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is in three parts. The first part looks at the historical scholarship on writings opposed to Mormonism, especially those from the nineteenth century. The conclusion is that, despite hundreds of works written against Mormonism in its early years, the historical scholarship has not done justice to the writings or people involved. The vast majority of the writings and writers have not been analyzed, and those that are discussed are usually the most sensational and not representative of the genre.

The second part of this thesis is a a case study giving an example of the kind of work …


Mormon Stereotypes In Nineteenth Century German Literature: The Fiction Of Amalie Schoppe And Balduin M Ollhausen, Robert Lee Warthen Jan 1983

Mormon Stereotypes In Nineteenth Century German Literature: The Fiction Of Amalie Schoppe And Balduin M Ollhausen, Robert Lee Warthen

Theses and Dissertations

Leonard J. Arrington and Jon Haupt have identified seven stereotypes of Mormons in nineteenth century American fiction which influenced public opinion about them, ultimately resulting in anti-Mormon legislation. Since westerns were also extremely popular in Germany, the writings of two popular German novelists of the eighteen hundreds, Amalie Schoppe and Balduin Mollhausen, were analyzed to determine whether their Mormon characters are similarly stereotyped. Mormon stereotypes associated with adventure writing were found in the works of both authors, but not those associated with polemical novels. It was concluded that their writing still had an adverse effect on public opinion, though the …


Conceptual Patterns Of Repetition In The Doctrine And Covenants And Their Implications, Richard Cottam Shipp Jan 1975

Conceptual Patterns Of Repetition In The Doctrine And Covenants And Their Implications, Richard Cottam Shipp

Theses and Dissertations

In laying a general foundation for this study, a brief survey of language, its origin and use by man, and its basic levels of structuring, will be presented. Patterns generated through language structuring and the inherent value of structure in language to convey meaning or esthetic qualities will also be considered. Finally, basic implications of patterns incorporated into language will be presented.


A Comparative Study Of The Book Of Mormon Secret Combinations And The American Mafia Organization, Ray G. Morley Jan 1972

A Comparative Study Of The Book Of Mormon Secret Combinations And The American Mafia Organization, Ray G. Morley

Theses and Dissertations

The Book of Mormon and the Book of Moses, sacred scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have woven into their pages a brief history of secret combinations on the "American" continent. Secret combinations have caused the destruction of three previous civilizations that have existed on this continent.

The prophet Moroni warned the Latter-day American inhabitants that "This secret combination... shall be among you..." (Ether 8:24).

The evidence summarized in this study leads one to the conclusion that the American Mafia Organization (Cosa Nostra) is the same organization warned against in sacred scripture.


The Song Of The Righteous: An Historical And Literary Analysis Of The Latter-Day Saint Hymnal, Ruth Alene Thomson Symons Jan 1971

The Song Of The Righteous: An Historical And Literary Analysis Of The Latter-Day Saint Hymnal, Ruth Alene Thomson Symons

Theses and Dissertations

The hymnal of the Latter-day Saints first proposed only shortly after the organization of the Church and published continually every few years between 1835 and 1871, is a remarkably accurate indicator of the changing fortunes and beliefs of the early Saints. The first hymnal, gathered by Emma Smith, uncompromisingly sets forth the basic Mormon belief in man's free agency, his innate perfectability, and his kinship to his Heavenly Father. Later editions reflect the missionary concerns of the church (1840), the tremendous persecution the saints are subjected to (1841), the Church difficulties after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith (1849), the call …


An Analysis Of Selected Changes In Major Editions Of The Book Of Mormon - 1830-1920, Jeffrey R. Holland Jan 1966

An Analysis Of Selected Changes In Major Editions Of The Book Of Mormon - 1830-1920, Jeffrey R. Holland

Theses and Dissertations

As the title indicates, this thesis is a consideration of selected changes that have been made in major editions of the Book of Mormon. Much has been said recently about changes and modifications in this record but, unfortunately, most of it has been said by those who have been unfriendly toward both the book itself and the church which endorses it. Because this kind of bias is usually an obstruction to objective scholarship, this study has been undertaken by one firmly within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to document not only what changes have been made, but …


A Study Of The Criticisms Of The Book Of Abraham, Calvin D. Mcomber Jan 1960

A Study Of The Criticisms Of The Book Of Abraham, Calvin D. Mcomber

Theses and Dissertations

This study involves an analysis and evaluation of criticisms made of some of the work of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, and a reevaluation of his work and character in the light of the findings of the study. The criticisms were concerned in particular with the method used in translating into English certain material from the language of the original source found on papyrus in an Egyptian tomb. This material is part of a book known as "The Book of Abraham." In general the criticisms dealt with the life's work and character of Joseph.


George Edward Percy Careless: His Contributions To The Musical Culture Of Utah And The Significance Of His Life And Works, Howard Hoggan Putnam Jan 1957

George Edward Percy Careless: His Contributions To The Musical Culture Of Utah And The Significance Of His Life And Works, Howard Hoggan Putnam

Theses and Dissertations

Through study of the conditions of the past one is often able to appreciate the present a great deal more. Particularly does this seem true when one looks into the early musical activities in our State of Utah. Most people are aware of the great amount of musical activities existing at the present time in Utah, but many fail to stop and realize the background of work and effort applied to bring these musical experiences before the public. Many fail to realize the pioneering work done by individuals to advance music to its present degree of performance. Names such as …


A Study Of The Doctrine And Covenants, John William Fitzgerald Jan 1940

A Study Of The Doctrine And Covenants, John William Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

The general topic of this thesis is the changes that have occurred in The Doctrine and Covenants through its various editions, beginning with A Book of Commandments which was printed in 1833, to the 1937 edition of The Doctrine and Covenants.