Sports is a religion with some people, and even Mormons at times. When a favorite team wins it can feel like all is right in the world. A loss can bring depression and even anger. Rivalries are often pitched as a battle between good and evil. The obsession has limitless potential to unbalance and unhinge the most serious minds. That said, when third ranking Brigham Young University basketball player Brandon Davies was suspended from playing because of breaking the school’s honor code, a different kind of discussion took place. The Internet and sports enthusiasts asked how could a championship be jeopardized by something so silly as sleeping with your girlfriend? That sounded too irrational and, well, old fashioned. Actually, it was described as archaic as if a relic not of recent history, but of all history. No one came to the school’s defense of having the honor code, even among the religious. Mormons alone seemed convinced that his behavior was wrong and had consequences.

Most of the positive reaction was that BYU, despite the position it would put the sports team, upheld the honor system when it might have waited until safely after the championship. Others were impressed that that the honor code was upheld at all. None of them felt that the honor code should exist beyond the academic ethics of no cheating. Punishment for what is seen as a “youthful fact of life” was unconscionable. A few even called it un-American and worse. Such is modern Western culture that expectations of virginity before marriage and fidelity after has become disgraceful. Has it come to the point where Mormonism alone teaches a long held belief in the sanctity of marriage and procreation? It is hard to conclude otherwise. Continue reading →

Last time I discussed secular movies that had themes that could be interpreted with spiritual values. Some of those were intentional and others perhaps part of the natural evolution of the story. This post is about movies that were written specifically about religion. Of course, not every movie about religion is positive and might be to scorn or mock. The list I would like to present take religion and traditions seriously. The two I mentioned last time “Its a wonderful life” and “Chariots of Fire” easily fit into this post. Because they are not my favorites, I will pass talking about them more. As usual this is of a personal nature and others are free to add on or disagree with my observations. We each enjoy art and entertainment for different reasons. The ones I will talk about are movies that I have enjoyed and think influenced my perceptions of religious topics.

The Ten Commandments. There has been more than one movie, either for television or the silver screen, with this name. The most popular and I would say the best is still the one with Charlton Heston as Moses. It has the most spectacular scenery while staying faithful to the Biblical text story. All others with the name are rightfully judged by this production. The Director Cecil B. DeMille actually made a silent version first, incorporating a then contemporary storyline about a man who breaks the commandments and suffers the mortal consequences. For its time the silent version was also lavish, but it isn’t nearly as memorable. Continue reading →

Inspired by discussions of Randy Astle’s presentation on how film criticism can help improve Mormon film making, and reading the interesting Notes of a Mormon Filmmaker blog, I decided to write about movies that have touched me spiritually. These are not particularly religious films and some were never meant to be more than secular entertainment. Yet, they still touch the mind and soul in a way that transcends the medium, material, and creators. Watching the movies is an experience beyond a viewing. They remain with me and sometimes have been transformational. They are art and greater than art.

Lawrence of Arabia. I struggled to decide if this one should be included because it is the most secular of the movies with spiritual value to me. There are others with stronger spiritual themes, but it is my overall favorite movie and that can’t be ignored. Other movies I have seen twice as many times, are more exciting, quote and mention in casual conversation, and would be expected to be a favorite if asked. Still, none of them are pure artistic genius in my mind with a character as rich and textured as any Hamlet production. When I think of near celluloid perfection, I think of this one. That impression has to count for something.

Miracle on 34th Street. Christmas is always a special time of year when gifts are exchanged and thoughts turn to a little baby in a swaddling clothes that will grow up to become the Savior. Despite the movie’s hero as Santa Clause, its theme is about more than children’s faith in the mythical character. It asks the eternal question of how faith can be maintained when life becomes harsh and we all grow up. The ending might be wrapped and tied in a bow like a forgettable present, but the message lingers. We must remain as innocent and caring as little children even as we mature in experience if we are to hold onto the best of human nature. Continue reading →

Discussions of Mormon doctrine often end up confusing to an outsider as they struggle to understand what the faithful believe. Many times outsiders don’t understand the nuances and possible interpretations of the faith. Most are used to specific articles and statements that define a religious sect or denomination. It is said that Mormonism is like jello; hard to pin down. There is truth in these observations because systematic theology has been rejected since at least Joseph Smith who considered the necessity to believe in creeds as objectionable. But, this hides the very real doctrines that are specific to Mormons that make it unique and its own.

A creed can be defined as a set of doctrines and teachings that must be accepted by religious believers to be a sect or denomination member. Some religious organizations are more flexible than others in what constitutes official creeds. Regardless, the point of creeds is to have a unity of faith. Even the Unitarian Universalists have a set of principles and purposes that guide the membership. Their doctrine can be summed up as spiritual based humanism. Encompassing as it sounds, this sets it apart from other religious organizations. It would be hard to believe very many Evangelical Christians or pious Muslims would be members of the organization.

There aren’t very many hard and fast rules to what can be considered Mormon doctrine, but there are enough to recognize. It might even be said that Mormons have a loose, but binding, dogma that flows from the very reason for its founding and continued existence. Outsiders are constantly bringing up doctrinal and historical teachings of the LDS Church almost without hesitation. They might be mistaken in the interpretation or critically over-dramatic in the presentation, but for the most part do notice cohesive beliefs. Continue reading →

Here is a post I wrote on my straight and Narrow Blog that I think should be discussed again. It is an important topic because Mormonism is founded on Revelation and claims the continuance of same. Recognizing and seeking it in our daily lives can be difficult.

One of the more interesting ideas in By the Hand of Mormon by Terryl L. Givens is the idea that the Book of Mormon introduces a form of revelation that is rejected by most Western religions. He states that almost all Christians have described the word “Revelation” as a metaphorical transmission of God’s revealing Himself. There is no actual concrete information that is given to a person who contacts the Divine entity. The argument seems to be that to claim a direct communication of actual words is to 1) ascribe anthropomorphism to God who is not human and 2) be open to fanaticism and heresy. However, the Book of Mormon explicitly introduces “dialogic revelation” as a true sign of faith and spiritual development. It should be part of the lives of everyone:

The Book of Mormon here becomes a study in contrast. Through chiastic form, thematic structure, numerous textual examples, and a final concluding instance of readerly invitation, the scripture hammers home the insistent message that revelation is the province of everyman. As a consequence, in the world of the Book of Mormon, concepts like revelation, prayer, inspiration, mystery find powerful and substantive redefinition. That may well be the Book of Mormon’s most significant and revolutionary – as well as controversial – contribution to religious thinking. The particularity and specificity, the vividness, the concreteness, and the accessibility of revelatory experience – those realities both underlie and overshadow the narrated history and doctrine that constitute the record. The “knowability” of all truth, the openness of mystery, the reality of personal revelation find vivid illustration within the record and invite reenactment outside it. (Givens, pg. 221)

Continue reading →