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The Mormon Culture of Salvation
The Mormon Culture of Salvation presents a comprehensive study of Mormon cultural and religious life, offering important new theories of Mormonism - one of the fastest growing movements and thought by many to be the next world religion. Bringing social, scientific and theological perspectives to bear on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Douglas Davies draws from theology, history of religions, anthropology, sociology and psychology to present a unique example of a truly interdisciplinary analysis in religious studies. Examining the many aspects of Mormon belief, ritual, family life and history, this book presents a new interpretation of the origin of Mormonism, arguing that Mormonism is rooted in the bereavement experience of Joseph Smith, which influenced the development of temple ritual for the dead and the genealogical work of many Mormon families. Davies shows how the Mormon commitment to work for salvation relates to current Mormon belief in conversion, and to traditional Christian ideas of grace. The Mormon Culture of Salvation is an important work for Mormons and non-Mormons alike, offering fresh insights into how Mormons see the world and work for their future glory in heavenly realms. Written by a non-Mormon with over 30 years' research experience into Mormonism, this book is essential reading for those seeking insights into new interdisciplinary forms of analysis in religion, as well as all those studying or interested in Mormonism and world religions. Douglas J. Davies is Professor in the Study of Religion in the Department of Theology, Durham University, UK. He is the author of many books including Death, Ritual and Belief (Cassell, 1997), Mormon Identities in Transition (Cassell, 1994), Mormon Spirituality (1987), and Meaning and Salvation in Religious Studies (Brill, 1984).
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 10, 2015
The Mormon Culture of Salvation looks at Mormon life aims to conquer death theologically. Davies offers new theories of Mormonism by examining the Mormon Church through social, scientific and theological perspectives drawing from theology, religious history, anthropology, sociology and psychology. His interdisciplinary analysis demonstrates model work for religious studies. Written by a non-Mormon with over 30 years' research experience into Mormonism, this book is useful for any student of Mormon Studies (also see Samuel Morris Brown's 2012 book: IN HEAVEN AS IT IS ON EARTH: Joseph Smith and the Early Mormon Conquest of Death, which is more readable than this social science work).
Davies shows that while Mormons are not preoccupied with death (and fear of it), they are heavy preoccupied with the dead as seen in their temple rituals that involve death-conquest (5). He divides and examines Mormon culture at three levels: the domestic (home), the ward (local community level), and temple (place of high religious ritual) [Molen, 1991: 25] (6).
This book makes an alternative case for the origin of Mormonism by arguing that the movement was rooted in the bereavement experience of Joseph Smith. His sense of mortal loss of family members thus influenced the development of temple rituals for the dead, which now has its legacy in the genealogical work of millions of Mormon families. Furthermore, Davies demonstrates how the Mormon commitment to work for (or merit) salvation relates to present Mormon conceptions of conversion as well as to the traditional Christian idea of grace.
‘The idea of grades of glory reflects the variation in human endeavor and the degree of insight motivating that endeavor. What was certain was that this culture of salvation not only made the conquest of death available for the individual but also reinforced an individual responsibility to foster the salvation of others, dead or alive” (26).
Davies shows that while Mormons are not preoccupied with death (and fear of it), they are heavy preoccupied with the dead as seen in their temple rituals that involve death-conquest (5). He divides and examines Mormon culture at three levels: the domestic (home), the ward (local community level), and temple (place of high religious ritual) [Molen, 1991: 25] (6).
This book makes an alternative case for the origin of Mormonism by arguing that the movement was rooted in the bereavement experience of Joseph Smith. His sense of mortal loss of family members thus influenced the development of temple rituals for the dead, which now has its legacy in the genealogical work of millions of Mormon families. Furthermore, Davies demonstrates how the Mormon commitment to work for (or merit) salvation relates to present Mormon conceptions of conversion as well as to the traditional Christian idea of grace.
‘The idea of grades of glory reflects the variation in human endeavor and the degree of insight motivating that endeavor. What was certain was that this culture of salvation not only made the conquest of death available for the individual but also reinforced an individual responsibility to foster the salvation of others, dead or alive” (26).
August 6, 2007
An interesting book by Davies that describes the LDS notion of Salvation. Some interesting parts were the way there is an "inner" church, of temple-goers and the mormon forms of "gestus" for religious devotion.
January 5, 2011
Davies is a non-Mormon, legitimate Mormon-studies scholar. Fascinating to hear his outsider perspective. Some real insights along with some mis-readings. Kind of jargony, very much talking to other religious scholars.
June 3, 2010
A great anthropological look at the LDS Religion.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews