middleman

I finished reading Jon Krakauer’s “Under the Banner of Heaven” (recommended by Dave A.). I’ve wanted to write about it since I started reading it about a week and a half ago. Mormon culture has always been fascinating to me and now that I work with a couple of Saints it is even more so. I’ve studied Mormonism in the past but I have never read anything that gets so close to the fabric of their culture. I have wanted to ask my co-workers some questions not only about the book but also about their decision to convert. I will go ahead and admit that I am biased against the LDS church. It amazes me that people join. I just wanted to state my bias and say up front that I know it is somewhat ridiculous to adhere to one faith tradition and look condescendingly upon another.
The book focuses on a family of fundamentalist Mormons who commit a hideous murder after receiving a “revelation”. Krakauer does a good job of finding the seeds that were sown more than a hundred years earlier that led to the religion’s short but violent history. His main focus is on the Latter Day Saints’ polygamous doctrines that were implemented by their founding leader, Joseph Smith, and then overturned when the government began to make forceful moves at putting an end to polygamy in Utah. I would like to ask a Mormon why polygamy is now frowned upon since it was practiced by the founding leaders (Smith, Brigham Young) and its practice is commanded in their scriptures. It is one thing to see evidence of polygamy being practiced in the Old Testament; it is another to have it as a tenet of your faith. I understand that Saints can get around this by saying that God revealed to a later prophet, Wilford Woodruff, but earlier Smith had received a revelation that God told him he would never revoke the plural marriage command. Revelation has always been a huge concern of mine concerning my own faith. As a follower of Jesus I can always go back to his words and actions to find a foundation. Where would a Mormon go? Their own scripture has been repealed. Again this is why I wish I could just sit down and talk with one of the guys at work but I am concerned that they will see it an attack and an opportunity to challenge my beliefs whereas I just want to have a discussion.

All of the history behind how this religion was started and who started it was fascinating and at times ridiculous and unbelievable (as is a story about someone rising from the dead). Joseph Smith almost comes across as a sympathetic figure, at times. I’ve never studied Smith’s successor Brigham Young much but from what I have heard and now read he fits the role of villain. Krakauer writes that Young once bragged, “We have the greatest and smoothest liars in the world.” They even have a name for it, “Lying for the Lord”. Whereas Smith is portrayed as both compassionate and monstrous Young usually only fits the latter category.
A Mormon owns the bike shop and he supplies bikes for missionaries all over the country. There are times when we build these bikes. So far I haven’t had to build a missionary bike but I have a hard time with the idea of contributing to what I think is a detrimental ideology being introduced into people’s lives by Mormons. I’ve talked to Jenn about it and I have asked other people their opinion as well but I haven’t yet been able to figure out how I should respond when the request is made. I want to live out peace but should that include helping a faith system I am opposed to?