tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31930515089335111872024-03-05T16:04:53.616-07:00Literary MormonismGideonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13328578010572353558noreply@blogger.comBlogger772125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-14776922287212102332015-04-22T13:00:00.002-06:002015-04-22T13:00:57.690-06:00What is Religious About Literature?
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Religion. It addresses questions of
existence: Where did we come from? Why are we here? It is concerned with human
morality: What is good? What is evil? What lies in the between, in the morally
gray? Is there even such a thing? Religion seeks to “explain, to justify, to
reconcile, to interpret, to [give] comfort.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy/Documents/LDS%20Literature/final.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> And
all these things, are they not the same things that literature attempts to do? Therefore,
the answer to the question of what is religious about literature is a fairly
simple one in my own personal view. What makes literature religious is its
ability to transcend us; to elevate the human mind (such as religion does) to
higher places where questions of existence, of morality, of the universe, of
the overall human experience, are explored. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Homer, Virgil, Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare,
Milton, Voltaire, Austen, Hugo, Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Twain, Orwell, Wild,
Faulkner, Hemingway, Steinbeck—all are authors of great literature. They are explorers
of human emotions (passion, love, fear, hate), of mans’ freedom of will, of
sin, of righteousness, of deliverance, of identity, of reason, of insanity—of the
human experience. What can be more transcending, more religious than the
exploration of these things, the things that make up life? This is what is
religious about literature—the examination of life and the transcendent and elevated
place our minds can reach through the truths discovered in this examination. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If literature can be religious, it would
make sense to suppose that religion can not only help us see how literature is
religious, but encourage the idea that literature—good literature—is religious.
Mormonism, in my own opinion, does in fact do this. As a Mormon myself, I think
I can say that Mormonism not only aids us in seeing that religious dimension to
literature, but actually encourages us to be enlightened, influenced for good,
and elevated to higher places by wholesome literature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Our scriptures state, “Seek ye out of the
best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy/Documents/LDS%20Literature/final.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Wherever
we can find truth and wisdom, God encourages us to seek after it. Our leaders
of the church have also made it clear to us that “In the kingdom of God, the
search for truth is appreciated, encouraged, and in no way repressed or feared,”
and that “Church members are strongly counseled by the Lord himself to seek
knowledge.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy/Documents/LDS%20Literature/final.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> With these encouragements
then, I believe that Mormonism does indeed allow us to see a religious aspect
to literature, and for that I’m grateful because literature is truly wonderful,
inspiring, elevating, and religious through its ability to transcend and lift us
to higher places by exploring life, the human experience, and all that goes
with it. It imparts wisdom and truths to our minds, and for that it’s great and
worthwhile of our time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Notes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">1.
“Religion and Literature.” Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin
College. <http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc09/htm/iv.vii.cxxxix.htm>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2..
Doctrine and Covenants 88:118<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">3.
Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitus. “If Ye Lack Wisdom.” April 2014 General Conference.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy/Documents/LDS%20Literature/final.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
Amy Moraleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14423489149064385201noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-14789718175328222182015-04-20T23:06:00.001-06:002015-04-20T23:07:51.971-06:00Inherent??? Duh???<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is religious about literature? </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Obviously
some literature is overtly about religious belief or experience. But is there
anything inherent to literature that is also inherent to religion? Does
Mormonism aid us in seeing this dimension to literature?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After reviewing all the prompts I
decided on this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The honest reason
why I chose this prompt was because out of the four this was the only prompt I
felt most unsure about answering. I wasn’t positive what my answer would be
right away unlike the others questions provided. In honor of my last semester I
wanted to turn to “soul searching” and a little bit of research to answer this
deep question.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Literature and religion have one of the
most important things in common. They are or should be the most apparent things
in our lives daily. Every day we are constantly reading, whether it’s a news
article, Facebook post, or a reading assignment given in class. More than ever
I have seen and been exposed to the more modern types of literature, such as
the blog post we conducted in our course. This has helped me to start seeing
different connections to literature (old or modern) and religion. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Disclaimer: Now before I start babbling my own words I want
to share something simple but was profound to me.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A simple Google search led me to a BYU
website named <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Literature and Belief. </i>Here
I found SEVERAL analyses of literature and their inherent connection with
religion. As I scrolled through these articles I realized that at one point of
another I had read many of the original pieces of these analysis during my four
years as an undergraduate in the English department. And then I was shocked.
Where had MY mind been this whole time while I was reading? I had done several analyses
on these pieces, and sure I probably compared them to Mormonism of some sort
because I attended BYU but not in the same way these authors connected them to
religion. "Rereading 'Christabel',” by Daniel K. Muhlestein is an article
I found on this website. Now, I have taken a course in which I was required to
read Christabel and it was one of the most interesting pieces of literature I
had ever analyzed due to the many critics who had their own interpretations. In
class we discussed the most prevalent religious hints in this piece however, we
did not dig as deep as Professor Muhlestein. During his essay he discusses the
transformation of this piece from a Christian poem to a more anti-Christian
poem. When I finished reading his piece I was mind blown. I mean MIND BLOWN. He
summarizes his piece by saying that this poem was neither a Christian or
anti-Christian piece but rather a piece about families, and trails, because of
society’s expectations. (I know this is going to be a longer blog post but I
can’t stop writing) Professor Muhlestein was able to disfigure this poem that
was arguably about Christianity and now all at the same time and bring it to
one idea that the Mormon Church is founded on, families. Now, these were not
his intentions nor did he ever mention Mormonism however, why was it he brought
it back to the foundation of our gospel? Because he couldn’t help it. He didn’t
even know he was doing it. We can’t help the influence that appears in our
writing from the background of our childhood and beliefs. This is WHY AND HOW
religion is inherent to literature. Because authors can’t help be influenced by
their beliefs even if they are intentionally trying to avoid adding them within
their works. They are still there. And they are apparent to those who are
looking for them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And This is What I Believe Our Class Did This Semester. We
were those eyes in search of those perfect little secrets.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One other thing I would like to mention
is "Born Square: On Being Mormon, Western, and Human,” by Eugene England.
In the first few pages he explains his own connection he has with landscape and
his faith Mormonism. But I don’t have any more words for my blogpost . . . so
I’ll have to skip this. But I did FIND this SO interesting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to me babbling and I promise I will keep it to 4-6
sentences because I know I am well over my words for this post. (please don’t
doc me for going over I just couldn’t stop typing) Back to discussing how we
READ everyday regardless the genre. This is when I would like to say that being
Mormon has aided me in seeing religious context in my everyday reading. Whether
it is a religious or not I find myself finding connections to my religion. And
I like it. I think that is how it is meant to be. And how I would like it to stay</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437000946702892896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-64113649691886774512015-04-20T22:46:00.003-06:002015-04-20T22:46:57.600-06:00Mormonism: In Pursuit of MeaningEssay Option #1: How is Mormonism literary?<br />
<br />
The characteristic of literature that I feel is most relevant to my life is how it attempts to understand and find meaning within specific areas of the human experience and the cultures that surround it. I think this is a powerful and vital role that literature plays in our society and in our individual lives. Literature is a tool for learning. As a Mormon, I've felt my religion compel me to learn and understand my place in this world and in eternity. There are so many literary aspects to life in the LDS church.<br />
<br />
Every Mormon congregation is full of people trying to understand the events that surround their lives. Trying to understand why things happen and what they mean for each of us is an integral part of being LDS. This mirrors the way that literature explores ideas and looks for meaning through stories, characters, poetry, fiction, and non fiction. My favorite reading this semester was our study of Fire in the Pasture, a collection of poetry written by Mormons. Through their poetry, these people attempted to come to terms with difficult and complex ideas: Christ's sacrifice, motherhood, the death of loved ones, ancestors, family life...the list goes on and on. Even though I believe we have the blessing of a true gospel that helps us understand the answers to difficult questions, we still feel compelled to look deeper and gain a more thorough understanding of our experience as human beings and children of God. This effort to search, to learn, to discover patterns, to see beyond the trivial events of life and find true and real meaning is what studying literature and being Mormon is all about. This is what makes Mormonism literary.<br />
<br />
Mormonism places a huge emphasis on scripture. Both the Book of Mormon and the Bible are considered by many, inside and outside our faith, to be works of literature. When I made the decision to make English my major, I did so partially because I knew that the strategies and skills I would learn would help me to better understand the scriptures. Studying great writing as a full-time college student has exceeded my expectation in this regard and I've come to realize that the very foundation of our faith is based on a strong literary experience with the scriptures. Only after Joseph Smith studied and pondered a verse in the Bible did he realize he needed to pray about which church to join, leading him to the revelation that would initiate the formation of the LDS church. This same process is key to each member's journey in the faith. We place heavy influence on the sincere and diligent study of the scriptures, and we believe in the power it has to lead us to act and do God's will. I've felt my study of literature enhance this principle and I've had similarly powerful experiences from secular books as well. Studying, learning, and acting is a process that Mormons try extend to every part of our lives.<br />
<br />
As mormons our history, theology, and everyday lives lead us in a literary path. I truly believe that the mormon experience is a literary experience.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820247062233989906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-61632713075267967312015-04-20T21:41:00.000-06:002015-04-20T21:41:19.412-06:00The Future of the "Mormon Novel"Nephi Anderson forged the path of the Mormon Novel with <i>Added Upon</i>. While the work was revolutionary in it's own right, it soon gave way to works of more palpable aesthetic and further creativity such as <i>Mountains Between Us</i> and <i>Will Wonders Never Cease.</i> <br />
<br />
I certainly hope the pioneering will not end with these works. Instead, I hope we will continue to improving and expanding the tradition, particularly in the following areas:<br />
<br />
<u><b>Mormon-inspired National Market Novels:</b></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Should LDS literature only be for LDS people? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe not. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can people outside our culture still appreciate and understand the experiences and feelings of Mormons? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think yes. Mormons have a lot to offer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I appreciated, in words of Luisa Perkins, novels that are <span style="color: purple;">"profoundly LDS, but not overtly LDS." </span>Since authors in general are (obviously) inspired by what they personally see and experience, it makes perfect sense for LDS authors take the peculiar aspects of their rebellion, lives, and cultures ro inspire novels. Orson Scott Card used our LDS heritage to inspire <i>Seventh Son</i>. Our beliefs in Joseph Smith and restoration are intriguing and spectacular--what else goes in a novel-writing formula? <br />
Going along the same vein, Luisa Perkins explored the possibilities tied with our beliefs in body and spirits and took creative libertiesto complicate and push ideas of spirit and body further. Perkins published her novel with a LDS Publishing company, but like Card, she wrote a Mormon-inspired story that didn't require a Mormon reader.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Mormon Characters for General Audiences</b></u><br />
Even better, I recently read LDS author Emily Wing Smith's<span style="color: purple;"> <i>Back When You Were Easier to Love</i> published by Penguin Group</span>. This book feature an LDS girl, struggling to fit in with Mormon culture in Utah, but it was written to a wider audience (as obvious by the publisher). This book was more masterfully written than many of the other Mormon novels I've read this semester, and I have no doubt a non-LDS reader would enjoy it just as much as an LDS one.<br />
<br />
Along the same lines, A.E. Cannon wrote a successful historical fiction novel featuring a newly-converted LDS girl traveling from England to Utah to join the saints. Though I've yet to read it, I know the novel focuses her experiences on her voyage, caring for a baby who's mother died on board. Doesn't that sound appealing to more audiences than the LDS one? I'd hope for more of this kind of novel. If there's books about Jews and Catholics and Muslims enjoyed by people of all faiths, why not Mormons too?<br />
<br />
<u><b>National Market Worthy Novels for LDS Audiences:</b></u><br />
Now, it does make sense that some explorations would be bogged down with Mormon culture explanations and are therefore best written for a specifically LDS audience. I don't think there's anything wrong with this genre, and it some cases it might be prefered. However, I can't stress enough that wish the stylistic crafting will continue to reach higher standards. As someone interested in publishing YA, I've taken classes severally creative writing classes from nationally published authors and read as much as I can to become a better YA writer.<br />
<br />
Of course, I've still got a long way to go (hoping to find an agent for my first novel by December), but even with my small experience, I can recognize the <span style="color: purple;">major writing flaws </span>in many of the books we have read (see my Jenny Proctor post for more specifics). While I liked each book, I couldn't fully enjoy the majority of them
because of the rookie mistakes that I've trained to see and correct.And even though other people not as interesting in publishing may not be able to name the problems coming up in these novels, they still affect the how they feel about the novel. <br />
<br />
It's not that these authors are bad writers, but in my maybe-not-humble-enough opinion, they are not ready to publish. They need to hone their craft further: mastering show don't tell, developing character, trimming wordiness, correcting unnatural dialogue, etc.<br />
<br />
Why <i>wouldn't</i> we want future Mormon authors can write to skill level of nationally-published authors?Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04253905215788436440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-78116064580817943322015-04-20T13:08:00.001-06:002015-04-20T13:08:39.664-06:00Truth, Beauty, and The Good<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This seme<span style="font-family: inherit;">ster<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have spent a lot of time learning about the curriculum of t<span style="font-family: inherit;">he T<span style="font-family: inherit;">ruth, Beaut<span style="font-family: inherit;">y, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">T</span>he Good, in relation to literature<span style="font-family: inherit;">, religious pursuit, and life in ge<span style="font-family: inherit;">neral. Truth is also known as the meaningful life and primarily deals with epistemology or how we know what we t<span style="font-family: inherit;">hink we know.</span> Beauty<span style="font-family: inherit;">, whic<span style="font-family: inherit;">h<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is the <span style="font-family: inherit;">rich life<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and stands out to us in <span style="font-family: inherit;">form and aesthe<span style="font-family: inherit;">tics, and can act<span style="font-family: inherit;"> as an access point to <span style="font-family: inherit;">Truth</span></span>. B<span style="font-family: inherit;">oth of these correlate with The Good<span style="font-family: inherit;">, which is <span style="font-family: inherit;">known as the life of authentic happiness <span style="font-family: inherit;">and is primarily seen through ethics. When combined<span style="font-family: inherit;">, Truth, Beauty, and The Good for our ontology, or who we are and what it means <span style="font-family: inherit;">for <span style="font-family: inherit;">us to be and not just exist</span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reason I give you this quick introduction to <span style="font-family: inherit;">Truth<span style="font-family: inherit;">, Beauty, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">The Good<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is to <span style="font-family: inherit;">better articulate what I believe is the authentic and innate connection between religion and literature. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the <span style="font-family: inherit;">first concepts that struck me <span style="font-family: inherit;">while studying Mormon literature, was that in the <span style="font-family: inherit;">early stage<span style="font-family: inherit;">s of LDS Literature, <span style="font-family: inherit;">specifically <i>Added Upon</i>, the work <span style="font-family: inherit;">and author seemed to be more concerned about por<span style="font-family: inherit;">traying Truth<span style="font-family: inherit;"> than they were interested in portray<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing <span style="font-family: inherit;">Beauty. Althou<span style="font-family: inherit;">gh I think this<span style="font-family: inherit;"> tactic accurately accomplishes its goal<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (</span>yes, I can definitely see Tr<span style="font-family: inherit;">uth in the book</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>)<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it made i<span style="font-family: inherit;">t difficult <span style="font-family: inherit;">for me to want to read the book<span style="font-family: inherit;"> because it was not first beautiful. This example highlights on <span style="font-family: inherit;">of the main differences but also similarit<span style="font-family: inherit;">ies between literature and religion. It seems to me, th<span style="font-family: inherit;">at in general, religion is most often primarily worried about Truth and The Good. Wishing for its devotees to li<span style="font-family: inherit;">ve ethically and understand why they <span style="font-family: inherit;">believe what they believe, is religions primary goal. On the whole,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> this approach works<span style="font-family: inherit;">. It gives it<span style="font-family: inherit;">s <span style="font-family: inherit;">followers a sense of the meaningful life of authentic happiness<span style="font-family: inherit;">; at least, that is what I have felt from my membership in The C<span style="font-family: inherit;">hurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Similarly, literature also deals with Truth, Beauty, and The Good. But, its priorities are slightly different. Usually primar<span style="font-family: inherit;">ily focused on Beauty, litera<span style="font-family: inherit;">ture uses Beauty<span style="font-family: inherit;">, via aesthetics and form, to enlighten us to principles of Truth and <span style="font-family: inherit;">The Good. All <span style="font-family: inherit;">good literature leaves me feeling <span style="font-family: inherit;">expanded in regards to questions about what I know and how I think I know it<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and what I believe to be <span style="font-family: inherit;">ethical. In this way, literature often accomplishes all three aspects (Truth, Beauty, and The <span style="font-family: inherit;">Good)<span style="font-family: inherit;">, whereas, religion often goes straight to the heart of the matter of Tr<span style="font-family: inherit;">uth and <span style="font-family: inherit;">The Good, hoping that it appears beautiful to the members. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both religion and literature seem to want to enhance our lives, although they <span style="font-family: inherit;">often go about that goal in different ways. <span style="font-family: inherit;">The only time that their different tactics present a problem, though, is when religion and literature try to join forces while still <span style="font-family: inherit;">tugging their own directions. </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A perfect example of this tug-of-war <span style="font-family: inherit;">is Mormon<span style="font-family: inherit;">ism and its efforts to create inhe<span style="font-family: inherit;">rently religious literature. <span style="font-family: inherit;">In many of the books we read this semester<span style="font-family: inherit;">, I found myself always coming back to the same problem. The lessons and experiences of the book <span style="font-family: inherit;">could be so impactful if they were portray<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed with Bea<span style="font-family: inherit;">uty instead of just<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Truth. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Religion doesn't necessarily need to present its information beautifully because easily<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span>comprehended information ensures that ever<span style="font-family: inherit;">yone understands the doctrines taught. But literature, in order to be effective, must be beautiful. Obviously <span style="font-family: inherit;">Beauty can be manifested in a number of ways. T<span style="font-family: inherit;">h</span>is doesn't require a <span style="font-family: inherit;">prescribed style<span style="font-family: inherit;">, but rather </span></span></span></span>the <span style="font-family: inherit;">qualities<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that will st<span style="font-family: inherit;">rike the reader</span></span></span> b<span style="font-family: inherit;">ecause of</span> the inevitability of what is writte<span style="font-family: inherit;">n.</span> L<span style="font-family: inherit;">iterature is <span style="font-family: inherit;">less force<span style="font-family: inherit;">ful</span></span> than religion. The beauty of literature<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is that it <span style="font-family: inherit;">embeds Truth and The <span style="font-family: inherit;">Good subtly<span style="font-family: inherit;">; it takes external reality and filters it through the internal workings of the human mind and soul. This is beautiful. Because of this Be<span style="font-family: inherit;">auty becomes the access point to infinite amounts of Truth and The Goo<span style="font-family: inherit;">d. Because literature is subtle, we can discover the truths that <span style="font-family: inherit;">affect us, not just the truths <span style="font-family: inherit;">that are prescribed and explained. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mormonism has a great potential to create literature that embeds <span style="font-family: inherit;">immense <span style="font-family: inherit;">possibilit<span style="font-family: inherit;">ies for Truth and The G<span style="font-family: inherit;">ood. But in order to succeed, <span style="font-family: inherit;">Mormon literature must not ignore <span style="font-family: inherit;">Beauty. We must be <span style="font-family: inherit;">prioritize Beauty and then, without doubt, the Truth, <span style="font-family: inherit;">The Good, and the authentic h<span style="font-family: inherit;">appiness in our meaningful lives will be embedded into the pages of what we write<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Others wi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ll find it through Beauty, and they will believe in the treasure they found. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Natalie Cheriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10251408793266482686noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-9314284562303036072015-04-20T13:02:00.001-06:002015-04-20T13:02:16.320-06:00The Evolution of the Mormon Novel<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the early beginnings of the LDS Church, Mormon literature has come a long way. I’m sure that the early members of the Church never expected to see such a huge growth in Mormon literature. In the beginning, it seems that members of the Church wanted to advocate Mormon theology. Novels such as Nephi Anderson’s “Added Upon” were written to explain Mormon doctrine in a new way. Anderson and other early Mormon authors wrote with the larger intent to instruct rather than to simply entertain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />As the years passed though, LDS authors began to realize that their audience wasn’t necessarily looking for another instructional story. Although religious literature can be very beneficial to society, that is only one genre of literature. Many people are looking for good, well-written literature, not just didactic tales but entertaining stories that they can talk about. Mormon authors can greatly enhance any genre by adding good, clean stories that provide more than just an explanation of Mormon doctrine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />There seems to be a difference however between Mormon literature and literature written by Mormons. Mormon literature seems to encompass literature that only members of the Church would come across and read. Stories such as Douglas Thayer’s or Jenny Proctor’s seem to fall into this category. The writing of Mormon literature itself has greatly improved over the years, but there seems to still be a disconnect between author and a wider audience. On the other hand, literature written by Mormons, which is literature not explicitly connected to the LDS faith, has had great success in recent years. Orson Scott Card, Stephanie Meyer, and Obert Skye, to name only a few, have all found a wide readership outside of the Mormon world.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />One of the benefits of Mormon literature is that it can instruct and be edifying while also being an entertaining story. For example, Douglas Thayer’s novel “Will Wonders Never Cease” is an entertaining anecdote about a young LDS teen who gets himself trapped in the snow during an avalanche. As he ponders and reminisces over his short life, readers are caught up in wondering what their last moments on earth would be like if they were caught in a life-threatening situation such as this one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Many issues wider than the doctrine of the LDS Church are discussed in the novel, such as relationships between parents and teens and the influence of religion. Yet this novel and others like it will probably only ever reach those readers within the LDS community. There could be many reasons for this disconnect such as the advertising of LDS companies that publish these types of novels or the explicit Mormon content of the stories. Perhaps readers outside of the LDS faith feel that they can’t fully understand the connotations and inside jokes shared between characters. For whatever reason, it seems that those Mormon authors who have branched out from the traditional Mormon novel have found greater success among non-LDS readers. While this separation isn’t necessarily a bad thing, finding a way to connect these two opposite ends of the spectrum could greatly benefit both genres of literature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902927465722295043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-83670974238497924792015-04-20T10:17:00.001-06:002015-04-20T10:18:19.021-06:00really, really good at literature.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->Literature is religious by virtue of how it is approached by those who, simply put, are really, really good at it. We do not start out understanding the complexities of <i>Oedipus</i> or the subtleties of <i>Hamlet</i>. Nor do we start out understanding the eternities or what the Atonement of Christ truly is. But once we get to the point of being experienced in looking at literature and looking at religion, then we can better understand it and see deeper meanings than we ever could have if we would have stayed reading <i>Go, Dog, Go</i> or just watching bible videos. <br />
<br />
To begin this comparison, we can look at how we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin to be ‘religious’. We start in nursery, being more or less babysat by people in our ward. They teach us lessons of Christ that <br />
<a name='more'></a>go over our heads at that point since we are only really interested in the crackers and juice they give us at snack time and the toys that are pulled out of the seemingly giant closet in the corner. We then graduate to primary, where we become more involved. We start to give our own talks, telling other little kids how much we love Jesus and what we know about the gospel (with the help of mom whispering in our ear). We sing songs of praise, with meanings beyond our comprehension at that point in time. We are taught to sit quietly and reverently, despite the fact if we do so or not. <br />
<br />
Eventually we make our way into Young Men’s or Young Women’s and into a bigger, more advanced Sunday school. We are expected to understand more, as we have progressed through the years. We are also expected to do more: give talks without the help of our mothers, lead projects and earn recognition for our hard work, consciously participate in discussions, give our very own insights to things we have been talking about for years, and even socializing on a regular basis as we go through an awkward phase of life. After years of this mostly uncomfortable struggle, we make it to a singles ward, where we are thoroughly on our own. Our testimonies are no longer monitored by adults—we are responsible for figuring things out on our own. But after all the years of preparation, we are surprisingly able. We conduct our own studies and come to our own conclusions which build up our testimonies. We go through processes of deep thought, analyzing scripture, looking for deeper meanings we might have overlooked when we were eating those crackers and juice. If we keep this up, we eventually become really, really good at religion. <br />
<br />
Literature is the same way. We start with some Dr. Seuss, move on to Harry Potter and maybe make our way up through some other young adult fiction. We usually stay in the realm of fiction and fantasy for a while, until a certain point in school when we are given historical-fiction. There is more to this than just magic and made up lands—this has a real context in which we could possibly relate. We start to read the classics, the ones that maybe have a similar story line to those first few books we read, but this time we are equipped to find more to it than we did before. We graduate to books that challenge us, make us look beyond the written words and find those deeper meanings we were previously ignorant of. In short, we become really, really good at literature. And this is what is religious about literature—expanding our knowledge and wisdom by seeking truths and deeper meanings beyond just what we are given.DanielleAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043562989775219271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-84880670102724750012015-04-20T10:06:00.002-06:002015-04-20T10:08:14.241-06:00The Sublime Spirituality of Literature While writing to her eight-year correspondent T.W. Higginson, Emily Dickinson wrote "If I read a book [and] it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me I know <i>that</i> is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know <i>that</i> is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?<br /><br />Recently, I have extensively studied eighteenth-century aesthetic theory. Theorists such as Edmund Burke and Joseph Addison explored multiple aesthetic concepts such as beauty, sublime, taste, imagination among others. Specifically analyzing the sublime, Joseph Addison argued that a sublime experience was a type of elevation, heightening or intensification. Shawn Irlam describes the sublime as an "encounter with infinity or what mimics it; that which exceeds the capacities of the senses, massive or minute" (Irlam 515). As I studied the descriptions of sublime encounters of poets and theorists, I realized that this concept is not new to me.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAUkFjCToo4S1YHcA0wNBlG_dvu85guq4jIdDqq_3ku8InveG3MtmmqIdY3d951KhDp27z8FgizxJ8Ds523A6QdxUshndP8A5L-QKbad6IyhdKjxx6u6bnafcPF_PJOL9QXrM8nUjLJ0/s1600/the+sublime.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAUkFjCToo4S1YHcA0wNBlG_dvu85guq4jIdDqq_3ku8InveG3MtmmqIdY3d951KhDp27z8FgizxJ8Ds523A6QdxUshndP8A5L-QKbad6IyhdKjxx6u6bnafcPF_PJOL9QXrM8nUjLJ0/s1600/the+sublime.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Growing up as a Latter-Day Saint, I am quite familiar with the belief that one can be connected with "the infinite" or God, in more religious terms. I have had these moments of elevation as I attempt to grasp something larger and grander than myself. As I think of eternity or the Plan of Salvation, my mind can barely comprehend the meaning. Enlightenment theorists described such experiences as sublime; I describe them as a witness from God. To be honest, I don't find my description and the theorists description much different. <div>
<a name='more'></a> I have often had these moments reading the words of the church such as General Conference talks or the Book of Mormon, moments where I am struck with a new feeling or a new understanding. Multiple eighteenth-century theorists and their modern day scholars believed that through the written word a reader could be instantly connected with a divine power; many of those theorists recognized that power as the Creator or God. However, I do not only receive these moments of awe and inspiration when reading Mormon literature. I have had these moments when reading William Wordsworth's "We are Seven" or even Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". Literature, to me, is inherently spiritual. Literature presents different truths and different understandings and at unexpected moments though truths surpass common thought. <br /><br />As Emily Dickinson described, when I read a verse of scripture from the Book of Mormon, a line of poetry or a section of a novel, when I feel something deep within or when tears are brought to my eyes or even a "burning in my bosom", I know that is truth. I think Mormonism can illuminate the religious, spiritual dimension of literature because it teaches that there are higher truths and higher powers that we cannot even imagine or comprehend yet they exist all the same. From that perspective, readers can find and experience moments of great awe-filled inspiration through any medium of literature. The Book of Mormon can be the sublime the Enlightenment theorists studied and the classics can be and provide religious inspiration if we open our minds to a higher way of thinking. In God's own words "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (King James Version, Isaiah 55: 8-9). <br /><br /><div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Irlam, Shaun. "The Sublime." A Companion to Eighteenth-Century Poetry. Ed. Christine </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Gerrard. Oxford: John Wiley &Sons, 2014. 515-33. Print.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-kXPuY4EAgg8%2FVTUjDkA4iNI%2FAAAAAAAAAPc%2FuMJd29xDWsw%2Fs1600%2Fthe%252Bsublime.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAUkFjCToo4S1YHcA0wNBlG_dvu85guq4jIdDqq_3ku8InveG3MtmmqIdY3d951KhDp27z8FgizxJ8Ds523A6QdxUshndP8A5L-QKbad6IyhdKjxx6u6bnafcPF_PJOL9QXrM8nUjLJ0/s1600/the+sublime.jpg" -->Paige Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11247954231648357794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-45276212353469124552015-04-20T08:20:00.000-06:002015-04-20T08:20:13.271-06:00The Religion of Literature<div class="MsoNormal">
This weekend I've been in Cincinnati with Teach for America.
On Thursday, I went with one of the current TFA teachers to visit his fourth
grade class, observe his teaching technique, and teach a math lesson to his
kids. During the lesson, I noticed that while many of the students sped through
the math problems in their worksheets, they were uniformly stumped when they
reached the word problems, either flinging their hands in the air for me to
help them, or sitting back in their chairs, arms crossed, defeated. This was
strange, I thought, since the word problems were just like the math problems
before them—the only difference was that they used words instead of numbers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are the kids
big readers?” I asked Nick later. Most of them seemed to like it, he said. They
even read Harry Potter together as a class. “But to be honest,” he said, “I
hate reading. I can’t remember the last time I read a book for myself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This didn’t
faze me; I’ve heard the same thing from many people in my generation, and from
many in the generation before mine. Movies and television are more popular in
our day, and I don’t condemn anyone for not enjoying literature, because that
would be like if someone condemned me for not liking peanut butter. Moreover,
reading is not easy. It demands energy; you have to sit still, usually without
distraction, and put millions of letters into your eyes, and somehow get your
brain to process them into words, and then into an aesthetic experience. Really
good reading requires reading practice—every day—and if you don’t like the
experience, it can be hard to find the motivation to have that practice. Word
problems are harder than number problems if you have never read a book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgP9zwv0G8MivOAD1xKI3CuBp9ol4j_vhJseF-CspS8i4CU0aUdo-is_744QsVpNmGX6DNC9X9Xss9Q2NsQ-XGFOQliacOO_-nnrYOO3pW4N7MQMjeAGMFbgqSPHZNQZe5UULBIIPgHA/s1600/image+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgP9zwv0G8MivOAD1xKI3CuBp9ol4j_vhJseF-CspS8i4CU0aUdo-is_744QsVpNmGX6DNC9X9Xss9Q2NsQ-XGFOQliacOO_-nnrYOO3pW4N7MQMjeAGMFbgqSPHZNQZe5UULBIIPgHA/s1600/image+(2).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading is
hard, yes, and reading well is harder. Millions of Americans are literate, and
I would bet that a smaller number of millions honestly read for fun. They read
books that give them stories they want, with the excitement that they want, in
language that they expect. But if you want to read for wisdom—the truth of the
ages passed down by the conscious—that requires work. And more than work, it
requires humility. You have to put yourself aside; you have to ignore your own
thoughts and feelings and seriously consider the ideas of another. You have to
have discipline, you have to have reverence, you have to have meditation, you
have to have solitude.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such is the
religion of literature. And such is so much religion—Hinduism, Christianity,
Mormonism, Judaism. This is the religion of selflessness: put yourself last. Do
difficult things. Ponder wisdom continually. Learn to love others.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-38448050009349095752015-04-19T20:02:00.003-06:002015-04-19T20:03:35.009-06:00Seeking the Best Books<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b>What is religious about literature? </b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Obviously some literature is overtly about religious belief or
experience. But is there anything inherent to literature that is also inherent
to religion? Does Mormonism aid us in seeing this dimension to literature?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good literature is more than
story telling. A friend of mine once approached me about my choice to study
English during my undergraduate studies. Perplexed, he asked, “Why would I read
a book when all they do is teach you about how to interact with people? I would
rather just go to the source and spend my time building relationships than
indulging in fantasy worlds and imaginary people.” Although I fundamentally
disagree with my friend, I couldn’t find the words to explain why. The question
had a root that perplexed me. What is the true value of literature? Are there
elements of literature that build something inside of us like nothing else can?
And, finally, is there something spiritual about even secular literature?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some elements of literature are inherent to religion as
well. Socrates once stated, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This
principle is consistent within all great literature and theology. Speaking
about literature, <span style="background: white; color: black;">CS Lewis once
said, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches
the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this
respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” A good
book amplifies our understanding of the world and ourselves instead of merely portraying
it. If the latter were the case, my friend would have been right, and living
and interacting with others would be enough for us to live a fulfilling,
meaningful life. But great literature makes us seek truth in places that
unreachable without it. The scriptures likewise admonish us, stating, “And as
all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom;
yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by
study and also by faith.” Both great books and the scriptures look beyond the
surface of life, to the very marrow of our existence. True happiness is not
found in diversions, hobbies, or activities. It is found in true principles
that are consistent through all faiths and beliefs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this sense, literature
penetrates to the core of human existence, even unintentionally at times. As a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I have often found
truths reflected in the secular literature I have studied that amplify and
sharpen my understanding of a doctrine or belief. I believe that the Light of
Christ shines through all great literature, relating true principles to people
who may even claim to not believe in Christ. There are inherent similarities
between the purpose of literature and the purpose of religious introspection.
But Mormonism adds to the literary experience by providing a scope for truth to
be filtered through. Instead of accepting every possible view at face value,
Mormonism has helped me to know which ideas to explore further and which to
abandon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But truth is truth no matter
the source. And for the exploring minds of the church, that is good news. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>478</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2725</o:Characters>
<o:Company>BYU</o:Company>
<o:Lines>22</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3197</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09070089542070182398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-1666504225415113752015-04-18T12:23:00.002-06:002015-04-18T12:23:35.899-06:00The Uniqueness of the Mormon NovelThe Mormon novel had a bit of a rocky start. Nephi Anderson's book, <i>Added Upon</i>, one of the first novels in this genre, is far from a literary masterpiece. The characters are underdeveloped and there's a lot in the novel that would confuse non-LDS readers; however, it was a start and from that beginning the Mormon novel has grown in interesting, unique ways that have broadened its audience and increased its impact as a genre.<br />
The LDS genre contains a wide variety of novels from Jenny Proctor's overtly Mormon, contemporary novel, <i>Mountains Between Us</i>, to Luisa M. Perkins' paranormal, young adult novel, <i>Dispirited. </i>These two books are as different in content and approach as two books could possibly be. Proctor's novel tells the story of Eliza Reading and Henry Jacobson, two employees at a rehabilitative boarding school for youth, that are facing a lot of serious problems in their lives ranging from divorce to alcoholism to identity struggles. Perkins' novel, on the other hand, tells the story of Cathy, a young girl who gets sucked into a world of spirits where she has to help her step-brother's soul return to his body from which he's been displaced by a terrible creature. These books sound nothing alike and yet they share a common thread, they are both Mormon novels written by Mormon authors which means they both contain Mormon doctrines and beliefs exhibited in their themes.<br />
For <i>Mountains Between Us</i> this is a lot more obvious. The main characters are both Mormon and base their actions on their beliefs. For <i>Dispirited </i>the connection isn't as obvious but it's still there. The book carries a strong theme of family history and the connection between ancestors and descendants, something that plays a huge part in LDS doctrine.<br />
These two novels are just the tip of the ice burg when it comes to the variety found in the LDS genre. The genre also includes Orson Scott Card's fantastical worlds and Kenny Kemp's personifications of Christ's really life. This variety is one of the best traits of these novels, that they come in such a variety of forms. This enables them to reach a wide selection of people, LDS and non-LDS alike, who can learn and grow from the LDS perspectives included in these novels.<br />
Given this trait of variety, the Mormon novel potentially has a bright future. Mormon novelists don't allow themselves to be limited by convention or a set definition, allowing them to write in order to appeal to all audiences. With this variety, the Mormon novel will continue to grow and impact a wide range of people, making it the literary genre that Orson Whitney once called for when he said "Make books yourselves that shall not only be a credit to you and to the land and people that produced you, but likewise a boon and benefaction to mankind." These books, that once started with a strictly LDS audience, have grown and will to continue to grow to encompass more and more people from all walks of life, enabling them to connect as Mormon beliefs are shared in writing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9v7iPuCLur_uzE5vn8l40nADkm83--5637gu60VmJHnK-SAuN" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9v7iPuCLur_uzE5vn8l40nADkm83--5637gu60VmJHnK-SAuN" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from Wikimedia Commons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18146540454666218404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-10281573809318019472015-04-16T15:35:00.005-06:002015-04-16T15:35:54.125-06:00Added Upon in a Different Light <div class="MsoNormal">
The scriptures admonish us to "Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). I’m not exactly sure what God meant when he instructed us to seek out of the “best books,” but I believe His criteria is different from that of modern literary scholars. Orson Whitney had his own ideas about that scripture as it pertains to Mormon literature. He stated, “Above all things, we must be original. The Holy Ghost is the genius of "Mormon" literature. Not Jupiter, nor Mars, Minerva, nor Mercury. No fabled gods and goddesses…Our literature must live and breathe for itself. Our mission is diverse from all others; our literature must also be.” I believe that to be an enlightened statement. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By this divine standard, I believe Nephi Anderson’s novel “Added Upon” falls under the umbrella of these “best books.” The story of various people journeying through pre-mortal, mortal, and post-mortal life, this novel focuses more on effectively teaching the Plan of Salvation than building its characters. In a way, it feels like a well-constructed Sunday school lesson, using allegories and stories form real people to strengthen the lessons about mortality and immortality. Although the book is far from eloquent by most worldly standards and relies more heavily on scriptural references than characters to deliver its points, I believe it still accomplishes something significant. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point of the novel is not to connect us with the happenings of the characters’ lives. Rather, we are meant to connect with the Plan of Salvation. I believe this is the case with the Book of Mormon. While Mormon Scholars have long interpreted the character and personality of characters off the pages, the Book of Mormon remains largely vague as to the personal lives of its characters (maybe with the exception of Nephi). Even the life of Christ is very sparsely covered relative to his 30+ years of life. I believe the reason is that these books take for their subject matter something bigger than personality. Nephi Anderson, in his own way, is trying to “add upon” the knowledge of the scriptures. While his style is not something I would be likely to emulate when trying to reach a non-LDS audience, I believe his efforts are commendable. At the very least, “Added Upon” understands its mission as being diverse from all others. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09070089542070182398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-1206524152040303872015-04-15T15:38:00.000-06:002015-04-15T15:38:03.824-06:00MAKEUP POST
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make Up Days</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
February 25, 2015</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first
half of the class we discussed the Book of Mormon. The class went around and
shared their experiences during their reading of the Book of Mormon. One of my
favorite comments made during this particular class discussion was Nicks. He
first started talking about Ether’s prayer, and comparing her prayer to other
in The Book of Mormon. First he compared Ether chapter 3, then to the brother
of Jared’s prayer and then ultimately to the Lords prayer with Enos. He noticed
several similarities and how the prayers are have positive responses. I thought
it was funny when he said he was looking for the “how” so he could use them…
Clever. Finding the different genres of prayer in the BOM is a really
interesting idea to me. Rhetorical prayer is something Professor discussed and
this is the most interesting. I never thought that there might be a deeper
analysis to the more open heard prayers we read about in the BOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the more out loud/untended to be
heard prayers are the most important to remember. They might seem like they
weren’t meant to be heard but in fact it is like inception, where that’s what
they are trying to make the people think. I never thought of it in this
perspective. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The second
half of the last period we had a guest speaker come and discuss his book with
the class. Doug Thayer had made a point to our class that stood out to me. He
first told us about how he thought the beginning of his book was going to be
overlooked by the reader. He said that he thought his readers might not believe
his story because the kid lives through this giant avalanche ant that just
wasn’t the believable. However, he said he had to do some of his own research
to see if that is even possible. And it was! I think is great aspect to point
out to the class. That doing a little bit of research on your story can make it
seem believable even if the story itself didn’t happen. He stated how once he
was passed convincing the reader that he wasn’t going to die and that it was
plausible the rest of his story set off. This was interesting to me because he
started his story off with such a BAM that it actually helped him ease into his
story rather than a building climax. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make Up Day ##### 2</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So the
other class period I missed, is actually not up on the LINK to listen to so for
a make up blog post I am going to do a little bit of everything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I first
want to discuss the one-on-one interviews we had with the different authors we
read in class. This was something I had never done in a class before and it was
extremely helpful/interesting to get inside the authors’ heads. One thing I
realized that surprised me is there wasn’t a whole lot of planning on the author’s
part during the writing process. One in particular I remember was Luisa
Perkins, Dispirited. She mentioned that she wasn’t originally going there with
that book but that’s where her mind and writing took her. It was important for
me to understand that when writing more creative writing because being an
English Major I had always been taught to plan out your next move and have
evidence to back it up in my papers. Her plot was complicated enough that it
made sense to me that her writing took her in that direction more than her
first initial plan. However, she did say even though it was different when she
first starting writing the novel she used many of her original idea through the
entirety of her novel. Interviewing the authors was a reliable way to know the
intentions of the novels, which I personally really enjoyed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One last thing I want to blog about is the blogged style
writing. This has open another vision of writing I have never tried and I am
OBSESSED. I think it has really broadened my writing style to a more modern type
of writing. I actually was inspired to start my own blog. I have written blog
post but I am yet to publish the blog due to the learning curve of developing the
actually page. But I can now write important aspect in life that EVERYDAY
people will read which is something I have never figured out. I used to have to
beg my friends to read my “boring” analytical readings. Well now I have learned
to analyze important information and rely it in a more modern way that people
enjoy reading. YES!!! Well I don’t know if this counted for a make up blog but
I wanted to write about it anyway. Thanks everyone for a great semester! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437000946702892896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-44768035687394751012015-04-14T01:57:00.003-06:002015-04-14T01:57:48.050-06:00Jer3miah vs Sherlock"The Book of Jer3miah" did what I thought was all but impossible: create a murder mystery intertwined with BYU culture.<br />
<br />
The story of a college freshman who's life comes crashing down after receiving a bizarre, supernatural calling to protect a box, "The Book of Jer3miah" delivers a suspenseful plot with the short segments of the wen series. After reading the reviews of some of my classmates and more critical commentary, it became evident that the choppiness of the web series did not appeal to the broad audience. There were also complaints that the story lacked character development and that the dialogue was scattered and inconsequential. While all of these comments hold water, there is still something to be said of the series when the genre is taken into consideration.<br />
<br />
Over the course of my life, I have gone through many TV show binges. Normally, I side with medical or comedic series, but I have tried on a few occasions to get into more mystery and crime based productions. My issue has always been the lack of depth, especially in shows where the plot is unrelated between episodes and the audience is left to enjoy the story just for the twists and turns of the day. As an avid reader, I personally tend to crave character development more than the average person, but this has not diminished my appreciation for the brilliance of the genre when executed well. Then, six months ago, I was turned on to BBC's rendition of Sherlock Holmes. Where other mysteries lacked in character development and meaning, Sherlock Holmes excelled. I believe the reason is the show's focus on portraying Holmes's personality as its primary hook. As opposed to other mysteries, it feels as though the plot is just the vehicle that the directors use to develop Holmes as a character, and not the end all be all of the show.<br />
<br />
While "The Book of Jer3miah" is not Sherlock Holmes, I do appreciate it for what it is. Jeremiah remains a somewhat flat character, but I believe that the main focus of this show was the suspenseful plot and not the development or journey of Jeremiah as a person. However, there are attempts at this development. For instance, Jeremiah's intuition and sensitivity to the Spirit makes him and interesting character to follow.<br />
<br />
While I do agree that some elements of BYU culture being portrayed in the series make me cringe (such as the scene from a ward prayer in which Jeremiah's love interest asks him to stay just after returning home from his parent's funeral because "Everyone needs to pray"), I think overall, this is a successful and engaging series.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09070089542070182398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-58670851254565372912015-04-09T22:20:00.002-06:002015-04-09T22:20:35.075-06:00Jer3miah: A Good WatchI remember seeing Star Wars Episode 3 in theaters as a 17 year old on the night it appeared in theaters. When it was over, I felt like it would be so cool to be a character in a storyline so epic and grandiose. Then, while on my mission, I finally realized that I was involved in an epic story, and I think Jer3miah captures that feeling. It parallels the eternal struggle that we are all in and makes it relatable and entertaining.<br />
<br />
The story is full of mystery and I think it’s executed well. Mystery surrounds the box, Jeremiah’s mission, and even Jeremiah’s very identity. It definitely kept me interested and wondering what each episode would reveal. I think the plot develops well and moves forward at a good pace. I like the emphasis on lineage and Mesoamerica. It has a lot of potential for rich eternal identity and purpose, while having a constant appeal to the Book of Mormon.<br />
<br />
I was very impressed with the way that the series was able to create an emotional impact on the viewer. I seemed like I could understand what Jeremiah was feeling during the intense moments in the story. This adds to the story's epic feeling and helps create a more authentic response in the viewer. The drama was interesting and well executed: It ranged from car accidents to cave adventures to interrogations. I was impressed with how far they were able to push the narrative while maintaining a sensible plot.<br />
<br />
My only negative response is that the story is set in Provo and surrounds BYU campus and activities. Not that I don’t find that interesting! I just feel like the story has the potential to reach a larger Mormon audience than the specific audience it seems to initially appeals to. But I could be totally wrong there. It does makes sense that the students who made the movie were attending BYU at the time.<br />
<br />
Overall I liked it and would recommend it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820247062233989906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-18238430624516048332015-04-08T15:14:00.000-06:002015-04-08T15:14:05.200-06:00Jer3miah: It Has PotentialThe video series <i>The Book of Jer3miah</i> tells the story of Jeremiah Whitney, a freshman in college whose world is turned upside down when he becomes involved in a conspiracy theory and learns of his religious/supernatural purpose in life. The series consists of multiple video clips, each about five minutes long, that tell Jeremiah's story in short segments. The video series is filmed from a hand-held video camera, giving the impression that the video is being "told" from the perspective of which ever character is holding the camera. It's a unique idea with a lot of potential; however, it still has a lot of bugs to work out.<br />
I've never watched a web series before so I was not prepared for or used to the short clips and segments Jeremiah's story was told in. It made the story feel choppy and disconnected as each segment ended. This caused jumps in the plot line and there were times when I felt I'd missed something when in reality it was just the end of one episode and the beginning of another.<br />
A big problem with the series for me was its lack of character development. From the beginning of the series bad things start happening to the main character and yet, I don't know why I should care. Within the first ten minutes of the show Jeremiah has found out his birthday is actually in April as opposed to December and his parents are both killed. While these are shocking events, I don't know enough about Jeremiah to care about the fact that his world is no longer what it seemed. I want to know the characters better so I can understand what is going on and its impact on the characters.<br />
One thing that did, to some degree, help with character development was the the shifting of the camera from one character to another. Seeing what different characters focused on as they recorded showed me their personality which helped me get to know them and start to connect with them. However, this base is not strong enough to carry an entire web series.<br />
Overall, I think the web series had a few issues, but it was unique and attention grabbing at its attempt to do something new. It's laid the foundation for similar efforts in the future that will potentially have less bugs and carry the concept of an LDS sci-fi web series even farther.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK94q9Xldj1c3WQVPEI92I_pk8uo8LKiFKlDcnn3q2AQZ45HMJ3BgiP-j1STM38UruClkTIffVWDyZmmWn9L0sCZRsksLMwUgn8gtoEUh7Jp-131hZTtuHu0mrFi3zErVoDREMhEMP6EA/s1600/camcorder-41496_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK94q9Xldj1c3WQVPEI92I_pk8uo8LKiFKlDcnn3q2AQZ45HMJ3BgiP-j1STM38UruClkTIffVWDyZmmWn9L0sCZRsksLMwUgn8gtoEUh7Jp-131hZTtuHu0mrFi3zErVoDREMhEMP6EA/s1600/camcorder-41496_1280.png" height="320" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Pixabay.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Hillaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18146540454666218404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-54183806745642792332015-04-08T14:56:00.004-06:002015-04-08T14:56:57.675-06:00Jer3miah: The Mormon Web SeriesThe Book of Jer3miah is a web series filmed right in the heart of Provo, Utah. The short three to five minute clips follow the unique, mystical story of Jeremiah, a college freshman. Jeremiah's story is not that of your usual college student though as he becomes involved in a strange and puzzling conspiracy theory.<br />
<br />
I have never been an avid watcher of web series, so the way in which this story was told was very different for me. As each episode was very short, it took incredible talent to cram a lot of information in for viewers in just minutes. For example, in the episode where Jeremiah flies to New York and attends his parent's funeral, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the producers handled it. I thought that a funeral scene could easily take the whole three minutes but then that would have been the entire episode and no one wants to watch a whole episode of just a funeral. There would be no drive to watch the next episode. They, however, handled it well, in a way that is was both artistically pleasing and story-driving.<br />
<br />
For me, even though The Book of Jer3miah was interesting and compelling to watch, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I had a hard time connecting to this strange mix of mystery and conspiracy theory all bundled up in Mormon doctrine and traditions. I don't know if I was reading too much into it, but as I watched I had flashbacks to reading Orson Scott Card's novel, The Seventh Son, which deals heavily with magic and the mystic and alludes to the story of Joseph Smith. The story of young teenage Jeremiah receiving an object from ancient America and then traveling to NY was just a little confusing and misleading for me.<br />
<br />
In general, web series can be an effective method for sharing stories. People these days are looking for instant gratification when it comes to entertainment. If you only have a few minutes for some down time, a web series is a great choice because you get enough of a story to entertain you, but it doesn't require you to sit through an entire movie or a whole book all at once.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02902927465722295043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-8008958880477294362015-04-08T14:45:00.003-06:002015-04-08T14:45:42.785-06:00I don't even think Jeremiah knows what just happen
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Jeremiah series is complied of
several short videos about a boy named, Jeremiah Whitney. Jeremiah is a
freshman in college and realizes that he holds a more important purpose in
life. The filming was constantly changing perspectives that threw me off. I
felt that it was distracting to the character development and the whole
plot/themes of the show. Even though it was distracting for me I could see how
it help rely needed information to the audience through short excerpts. Over
all when discussing the characters I thought they could have been developed a
lot more to intrigue viewers. There were only a handful of characters that had “umpf”
to them that made the show interesting. I think by developing more of the
characters this could have been given more credit. I even think the main character
could have had more about him. I didn’t even connect with the main character at
all, and as a viewer that is a problem. He could have meditated on his actions/experiences
more by expressing the whole processes more outwardly. <br />
<br />
The whole idea of the show is interesting. A religious boy who is connected to
an ancient writing and through experiences finds different connections all while
attending school. The idea is cool, but could have been implemented better. It
was hard to follow and I am still not even sure why. I mean, all being said and
done. I am glad I watched it other than an assignment because it was a kind of
media I had never experienced before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437000946702892896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-68817637011609794942015-04-08T14:28:00.000-06:002015-04-08T14:28:15.321-06:00Reflections on Jer3miahThe Jeremiah video series following a young boy named Jeremiah Whitney who is a college freshman. He learns that he has a supernatural/religious purpose he is supposed to carry out and said purpose often puts he and those around him in danger.<br />
<br />
This video series was definitely something. I have never really watched a video series before so this was a new medium experience for me; each episode was probably no more than ten minutes and I enjoyed the breaks the episodes provided to a two hour total watch time. Like I said, watching Jer3miah was an interesting experience.<br />
<br />
At first, I did not know if I liked that the perspective of the series was through a video camera. However, it does provide as opportunity to see through the eyes of Jeremiah. We got to see how he interacts and how he sees the world and people around him.<br />
<br />
I did think the mixture of religious and mystical elements provided for an new interesting genre. However, I thought some of the elements were hard to follow. The inclusion of mystical, supernatural elements sometimes seemed out of place and I often felt like I had missed important plot events that led to places such as the magical cave place. I felt like there was more focus on including supernatural elements rather than developing the plot and I wasn't always sure why the mystics were needed. <br />
<br />
I also wish there would have been more character development. I really wanted to care about the characters more than I actually did. They seemed a little flat. That being said, perhaps the purpose was not character development but creating a sphere where religion and the supernatural exist together. Though I desired more from the characters and even more explanation for certain elements and plot elements, this series did peek my interest. I hadn't noticed such a peek until the two hours ended and I was left wondering: what happens next? This video series has not been continued and part of me hates that I won't be able to continue watching and see how it ends. Paige Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11247954231648357794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-19798959710823996322015-04-08T13:30:00.001-06:002015-04-08T13:30:44.780-06:00Jer3miah: Lots of ActionThe webseries The Book of Jer3miah follows a college Freshman as is so-far very normal life becomes shrouded in mystery and racked with action and suspense. However, the interesting part of adventurous plot is that it's presented in clips of under five minutes. Therefore, the creators of The Book of Jer3miah had the challenge of making each clip entertaining and suspenseful.<br />
<br />
Since I viewed several episodes one right after another, I'm not sure I got the full webseries effect. When watching these tiny episodes altogether it almost seems silly when something outrageous happens every 2 and half minutes. A project like this should be enjoyed as it was intended. <br />
<br />
That being said, I noticed many areas in which the creators were successful.<br />
<br />
<b>The tight plot introduces several characters, but keeps them involved enough that the viewer wouldn't forget them from week to week</b>. In one of the earlier episodes, a girl name Claire introduces herself to Jeremiah, and I love story develops between them even though Jeremiah is often absent, busy speaking with mysterious men and getting beat up every other time he opens a door.<br />
<br />
<b>The creators trust the viewers to piece things together.</b> For instance, when Jeremiah's parents die the camera shows smoke while Jeremiah screams there names. The audience figures out for ourselves that they are dead, and that's enough until a conversation reveals further information (that his parents were hit my a semi) in a later episode.<br />
<br />
<b>While plot intensifies, the viewers are reminded of the normal everyday occurrences still happening. </b>Sometimes books and movies (and presumably webseries) seem to imply that the world stops when one of their character is facing challenges, but in Jer3miah, the insertion of Mormon activities such as ward pray and family home evening lessons into the plot grounds this over-the-top story in some reality.<br />
<br />
Overall, I seem to be one of the few of my demographic who has not caught on to webseries in general (Lizzie Bennett Diaries, anyone?). I can't seem myself being interested enough in a story to wait a week to catch another 3 minute segment, but if I wait for the whole series then I face the problem that they were not really meant to watched fluidly. So, for me and my friends at the old folks home, webseries in general aren't for us, but all you smart phone users and YouTube enthusiasts out there should probably give this series a try.<br />
<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04253905215788436440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-42664900506494523002015-04-03T10:38:00.003-06:002015-04-03T10:38:32.061-06:00perspective: Book of Jer3miah.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->In the short series of 3-5 minute episodes of The Book of Jeremiah, I noticed a very strong theme of perspective, especially emphasized in the very first couple of episodes. As Jeremiah navigates his freshman year at college, his life changes dramatically and very suddenly without any warning. He keeps his video camera on him, the last give he received from his parents before their untimely death, and records different parts of his interactions through video recording. This type of filmography is interesting because it allows the viewers to watch the events directly through the eyes of the one holding the camera. <br /><br />In the first and second episodes, his father is chastising him for having “one of those feelings” that Jeremiah claims is from the Holy Ghost. From Jeremiah’s perspective, these feelings are very real and very consequential. <br />
<a name='more'></a>By using his camera as a device to show his perspective (or at some points, the perspective of others depending on who is holding the camera) the ones making the film literally have Jeremiah holding the camera. The viewers are watching parts of the episodes through what he is directly seeing in the moment. At one point, Jeremiah’s father takes the camera and is the one whose perspective the viewers are watching the events through. This is one of the first times we see Jeremiah ‘in action’ with the camera intentionally recording him, his mother, and another lady walking through a dark hallway. <br /><br />This changing of perspectives of the camera adds a dynamic to the episodes that demonstrates thoughtfulness and intentionality. It becomes an invitation to the viewers to really be a part of the episodes, as they are not just viewers but a crucial element to the making of the series, as well as meditate on the implications that exist for the changing of perspective.DanielleAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16043562989775219271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-44462205719622951112015-04-01T15:34:00.000-06:002015-04-01T15:34:49.883-06:00Revised: Humanizing Tone and Wilderness Experience in the Book of Mormon<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">As I have spent time reading the BOM as a I would any literary work, I've come to realize that each separate writer in the book has a noticeably distinct voice and style. I've focused my study on a few examples of BOM prophets who's tone and voice are the product of their own specific life experiences and their separate but specific purposes. These distinct voices also bleed into a theme of surviving the difficulties that life presents. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">One young BOM author displays a unique and touching voice as he writes after some influential moments in his life. When his father passes away in the wilderness, Nephi feels the pain that we all have felt upon the loss of a loved one. In what is known as the psalm of Nephi, we see his raw feelings of pain caused by the loss of his father, the reality of his imperfect state as a human being, and joy that comes from the knowledge of a divine purpose to life. Nephi exlaims, "My God hath been my support; he hast led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness." Nephi's purpose is to help his readers be loyal to God so that we too can find strength in difficult times as we pass through our own afflictions in "the wildernesses" of our own lives. Coping with loss is a part of life, and Nephi's voice not only speaks to his distinct style, but provides readers with an example to follow in times of loss. </span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Moroni is the last writer in the BOM. His people were slaughtered by his enemies and he is left alone to make the journey to bury the record (that would one day become the BOM) so it could be recovered in the latter days by Joseph Smith. Finding himself in complete solitude and knowing that there would be many different audiences reading his work, he writes that people will one day "mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing." Moroni is aware of his human weaknesses and acknowledges that he is not "mighty in writing." Anyone who writes can relate to this fear, but Moroni pushes through this human feeling of inadequacy to write what he considers to be important for future generations to read. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">These human feelings of inadequacy, pain, and rejoicing are central to the purpose and relatable elements of the BOM that bind each of the writers' entries together. As readers focus on each prophet's distinct tone and style of writing, I think it adds to the authentic human qualities of the book. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820247062233989906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-17743265314682490502015-04-01T15:16:00.004-06:002015-04-01T15:17:23.352-06:00Are records the universal ice-breaker? A heavy theme running through the Book of Mormon refers back to the medium of the scripture itself: records. From Nephi to Moroni the authors repeatedly remind us of the importance of their record, but they also reveal the importance of records within their own culture in a variety of ways.<br />
<br />
For instance, Kin Benjamin takes a long time telling his sons about the advantages of their records; they preserve the language of the Egyptains, teach them the mysteries of God, give them good examples to learn from, and prevent them from suffering from ignorance (Mosiah 1). <br />
<br />
However, the importance of records and taking histories was not only practiced by the the righteous. In the book of Mosiah, a group of corrupt Nephite priests join the Lamanites. Amulon, the leader of the group, gains a teaching position for himself and his companions by finding favor with the king. With their new found power and the lack of religious tradition on the Lamanites part, Amulon's men has freedom to teach as they want to.<br />
<br />
The priests did not teach them the words of Abinadi or the law of Moses. They fail to teach them about God at all. Taking this under consideration, we can fully appreciate the weight of one thing Amulon and the priests do choose to teach: "They taught them that [the Lamanites] should keep record, and that they should write one to another" (Mosiah 24:6).<br />
<br />
Fast forwarding to the present, we see the emphasis on sharing our personal records with social media of all kinds. These modern day records come from Latter-day Saints and atheists and everyone in between. They allow all these people<span class="st">—who may not otherwise connect so easily with each other</span><span class="st">—</span>to interact as they share experiences, daily life, and beliefs. Other forms of record keeping have been significant as well. Think of Anne Frank. Hundreds of thousands of teenagers across America have connected to a young German girl who died almost a century ago because of her compelling diary. The examples of this could go on forever.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the authors of the Book of Mormon understood the power of their record keeping and the ability it has to communicate to others on a personal level. Seeing how big a priority records were to this people make the offering of the Book of Mormon that much more compelling.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04253905215788436440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-21700106655028899602015-04-01T15:11:00.000-06:002015-04-01T15:11:05.260-06:00In Connection with the Past: Humanizing the Book of MormonOne of the most instinctual characteristics of the human species is our emotional and physical connection with the past. We visit historical places, treasure old family stories, and seem to constantly inform the present with what we understand from the past. The people that wrote experiences in the Book of Mormon not only did it so we could have a record of the past and its lessons, but so they could follow a legacy that others had laid before them. Reading the Book of Mormon with this in mind further reveals the human elements it contains.<br />
<br />
Like many of us today, prophets of the BOM would use the past to find strength to complete difficult tasks. When Nephi and his family face the monumental task of retrieving records from Laban, Nephi encourages his brothers by referring to stories from their common past, which happen to also be scripture. He says, "Let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither." He helps his brothers find strength from stories from the past and they gain the confidence to move forward.<br />
<br />
Some prophets in the BOM show that they are learning lessons from the past. When Ammon is teaching King Lamoni about the existence of God, he makes a point to talk about their ancestors and the mistakes they fell into. The record states in Alma 18 that Ammon "rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel...he expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem." I think it's interesting that among the gospel topics of the Creation, the Fall, and the Plan of Redemption, Ammon chose to include elements from his and King's own ancestral past. Their present conditions and traditions were deeply connected with the rebellions of Laman and Lemual, thus Ammon saw a connection that would allow them to learn from those past mistakes and move towards a more righteous and prosperous future.<br />
<br />
All throughout the BOM we see references to the past. While these references fulfill a number of purposes, but they collectively represent the human element of being aware of and connected to our past.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820247062233989906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193051508933511187.post-60221906665564873972015-04-01T14:46:00.002-06:002015-04-01T14:46:39.590-06:00Humanize BOM part ::: 2
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today’s blog post I
decided to analyze the Book of Enos. While reading and doing a quick analysis I
found several ways I could humanize The Book of Mormon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Firstly, I would like
to discuss the conversations between God and Enos. Obviously all of the conversation
was through prayer, however, Enos uses the term “wrestled.” This means that God
and Enos were having a discussion back and forth. Throughout the entirety of
The Book of Mormon we can see this simple type of communication. I think often
we feel that God answers our prayers through significant events or in other
ways such as people, or feelings. In the Book of Mormon we see on many accounts
God speaking with prophets. Enos is one prime example, we all have different
relationships with God, and Enos felt that he could ask and communicate through
God in this way. Though, we don’t have these same conversations with God as the
Prophets do, this shows us that God can be personal and wants to be personal
with his children. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lastly, Enos was
written in a more retable way after I did a deeper analysis. He tells us how he
“was” before he became a prophet. Like many times in the Book of Mormon we read
these prophets but what was their life lie previous to becoming a servant of
the Lord. In Enos we see his writing in humility. (DISCLAIMER PROHETS IN BOM
ARE HUMBLE) He talks about time before being a prophet, when he had experiences
just like us. He had to plead for forgiveness to the Lord. Enos is a prime
example through writing how we can humanize The Book of Mormon and relate to
these “at times” very untreatable prophets of old. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437000946702892896noreply@blogger.com2