Part II. Nehor Rises Again

Jacob Z. Hess

Note: I believe healthy deliberation includes space for strong critique, passionate contestation, and efforts to persuade. I do all of that here without questioning the sincerity, intelligence, or intentions of those with opposing views. Although I believe most people are doing the best they can to love, to help, and to understand, I also believe the patterns outlined in these essays are little considered or understood in the broader discourse.

That’s why I write. These are perilous times for America. In my view, anyone willing to preserve space for thoughtful people to disagree on these and other matters (no matter your actual position) is part of the solution – and helping lay the foundation for our collective future. Anyone contributing to a recession of this same space (no matter your position) is part of the problem – and helping lay the foundation for even greater misunderstanding, hatred and violence than we have yet seen in our country.

Latter-day Saints revere the Book of Mormon for its role in re-establishing truth that was lost, or made dim, by a Biblical interpretation process that confused or omitted certain “plain and precious” parts of God’s message to the world. 

One of the lesser-appreciated truths clarified in the Book of Mormon is the role of anger in subverting the long-term trajectory of both individuals and entire communities, through a variety of means.  For instance, virtually all scriptural references to a people being “stirred up to anger”^[1] happen in the Book of Mormon. 

In part I, I summarized the way in which Mormons Building Bridges (and other allied organizations) became a persuasive force that convinced many Latter-day Saints to adopt the larger narrative of the gay rights movement, along with its accompanying anger (and built-in explanations for that anger).        

In that first part, I only began to touch on problems with that larger narrative frame – mostly focusing, instead, on how these new ways of seeing identity and sexuality became a significant wedge for so many people in their faith – effectively distancing so many precious brothers and sisters from their spiritual home, and leaving them wounded in their attachment to anything related to the same.  As one woman told me recently, “I’ve got to stay away from the Church…it’s just too toxic for me!” 

In what follows, I round out the picture, introducing an alternative way to make sense of this movement that has unfolded and overflowed into members’ lives – one that contrasts sharply with the framework outlined in Part I (true-identity discovery in a larger movement about liberation and civil rights that welcomes any allies willing to stand by their bravery). 

My post on Come Follow Me: 3 Nephi 1-7

Excerpt:”The Gadiantons have attempted to gain power through religious preachings (Korihor), assassination (Kishkumen), war (Amalickiah), secret combinations (Gadianton), and overthrowing the government.  Now they try another tactic: building their own nation into a power so great they threaten the Nephite and Lamanite nations. “The Gadiantons did not immediately attack army against army, but used a hit and run terrorist strategy.  They destroyed small towns on the borders and elsewhere that were not well defended. They probably carried off the women and children.  Their efforts brought chaos and instability, until the Nephites and Lamanites were forced to take up arms against them.”

https://joelsmonastery.blogspot.com/2020/09/come-follow-me-3-nephi-1-7.html

Pat Chiu, who has been a regular commenter here at M*, passed away this past Wednesday, September 2.

We wrote her obituary in June, when she first learned cancer had been the cause of her recent weight loss and discomfort. She insisted we document the fact that she “never managed a decent loaf of wheat bread.” We listed her profession as “artist,” but she was foremost a mother, with ten children privileged to reach mortality within the umbrella of her covenant with God.

From early June the cancer would often prevent her from eating. But it wasn’t until August 10th that she finally was unable to keep any food down. Like the child of pilgrims and pioneers that she was, she astounded us by continuing day after day thereafter, for the large part clamping her mouth shut whenever we would suggest pain medication.

All her living children traveled to visit her in her final weeks. Immediately after her passing, the daughters in the area gathered to dress her as appropriate for one who had served for decades in the temples of the Lord. We held a wake for family, under a stained glass she had created of the moments before the martyrdom.

If you have beloved parents who remain near, please take a moment and refresh or renew your connection with these who gave you life and who have done so much to form the way you interact with the world.

Pat’s final resting place is at approximately 5th East and 12th North, west of the Veterans Monument and near the Angel Garden. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com. As the obituary states, “In lieu of flowers, please take yourself out to dinner in memory of Pat or donate to your favorite charity.”