Above All Else, Be Good

In Orson F. Whitney's ambitious plead for the LDS people to create and advance the artistic and technological advancements of the world, he practically begs for us to, "above all things, [...] be original." He reasons that we have a culture and a religious history that is so unique and innately different that it should be easy for us to create works of art that are, if nothing else, unique from anything else in the world.

Considering the time of Whitney's address (1888) and the release of Nephi Anderson's Added Upon (1898), I can't help but imagine Anderson hearing this plea, running home to his favorite writing spot, and putting pen (quill?) to paper (parchment?). His ambitious portrayal of the Plan of Salvation in its whole--including the parts wholly unique and original to our religion--is practically a direct response to Whitney's statement.

The question that must then follow this, is "was he successful?"

Successful in being original? Absolutely.

Successful in being good? Not quite.

I understand that this book comes from a time early in the church's history when fascination with our doctrine must have (understandably) been incredible. But to now read a book where we get to follow two characters through the War in Heaven and then find each other (as "soulmates" nonetheless--something of a dirty word among LDS singles nowadays) on Earth and then into the postmortal realm, gives me the same icky feeling that I get when I see a painting of people in robes standing around in what's supposed to be the pre-Earth life, or seeing old Church videos depicting heaven.

We have absolutely no clue what either of those places would be like. And until we do, any attempt to depict it will fall miserably, unsettlingly short.  

Humble Your Heart

My absolute favorite theme in "Added Upon" is to humble your heart and become worthy to live with God once again. In the novel, we are able to see that many of the characters needed to become humble. Heavenly Father gave them many trials which help them to humble their hearts.

I believe being humble is extraordinarily difficult for people in this world. Everybody wants to drive the fancy drives, wear the expensive clothes, be the best of the best, show everyone that they are successful and know that they are successful. I grew up in Southern California where this is extremely prevalent Many people do not take the time to notice that there life is this way because God blessed them to have these amazing lives. Seeing this so often, I try to make it a priority in my life to remember that all of my talents and gifts were given to me from God and without out him I would not be where I am today.

In Orson Whitney's talk, he discusses how people need to be humble and need to seek to live with God once more. I believe that Nephi Anderson did a fantastic job of displaying the need to have humble heart. The best display of needing to have a humble heart is when Rupert was prideful about what he had done for the city he lived in. Next thing we know, Rupert lost his house, farm, and fiancé without any notice. This is when Rupert becomes humble and changes who he is. He also joins the church at this time.

Having a humble heart is one of the most necessary thing in this life. Being prideful you nowhere in this life. We are all so blessed so just remember that Heavenly Father has given you everything!

The Bosom Burns in Added Upon

Orson F. Whitney’s 1888 address, “Home Literature,” discussed the need for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to channel their talents and create works that would “not only be a credit to (them) and to the land and people that produced (them), but likewise a boon and benefaction to mankind.”

Nephi Anderson attempted to follow this charge in his 1898 novel, Added Upon. He took readers on a (fictitious) journey from the pre-mortal existence through exaltation, showing various characters’ experiences through this progression.

There are literary concerns with Added Upon. However, Anderson’s ability to evoke an emotional response from readers through his tone meets Whitney’s challenges to write books that uplift and edify.

“Experience has taught me that it is the heart, not simply the head, we must appeal to, if we wish to stir the soul,” Whitney said. “The intellect may shine, but it is the bosom that burns, and warms into life every movement that is born to bless humanity.”

Anderson achieves this burning of the bosom by writing with a spiritual tone that (usually) feels credible. His prose evokes thoughts similar to those one would have while reading other religious works, despite his book being fiction and not Church-sanctioned material.

The strength of his tone is best illustrated in the pre-mortal existence section of the novel. When Homan is called to leave his spiritual home and enter mortality, Anderson writes:

“He was now to take the step, which, though temporarily downward, would secure him a footing by which to climb to greater heights.”

Each of us made that difficult transition. Anderson uses an authoritative and hopeful tone to remind us why that choice was so necessary, and how we will be blessed with stronger footing because of it.