LDS in the USA: Mormonism and the Making of American Culture

Conclusion: The Most American of Religions

111 Conclusion The Most American of Religions After reviewing the contributions that Mormonism has made to American civilization in such areas as popular culture, national politics, and social controversies, one could argue that Mormonism is the most American of all of the American religions—not only because it is indigenous to this country and cedes a special place to America in its theology, but also because it both confirms and challenges the core values of American civilization, thereby situating itself in a unique position as both an affirmer and questioner of America itself. Although all religions in America have played, to some extent, the role of both defender and critic of this country, Mormonism has done so from the very beginning of its existence and continues to do so today, as attested by the fact that Mormons are still received with alternating acceptance and suspicion from the American public. Mixed reviews on the role of Mormonism in American culture may be clearly found in popular culture, where Mormons are often portrayed as representing both the familiar and the bizarre: the 112 — LDS in the USA all-American values of family and church and the secretive culture of mysterious temples and the past practice of polygamy. Through these various interpretive lenses, Mormonism is shown to simultaneously affirm and critique mainstream American values, thereby exposing the tension inherent in them. The resulting popular sentiment is mix of admiration for the material success and social wholesomeness of the LDS and a fascination with the seemingly strange and inscrutable beliefs and practices they hold sacred. The increasing presence of Mormons in popular culture serves to educate the public on the nuances of LDS life while raising important questions regarding what it means to be American. Among the important cultural questions brought forward in this exchange is that of the role and function of marriage in the United States. Historically, with its revelation and practice of polygamy, Mormons challenged the American conception of monogamous marriage as well as other jurisprudential areas like church-state relations and federalism. When the Utah Territory applied for statehood, these issues became front and center in the national conversation and in the evolving definition of American civilization. Remarkably, despite a general national commitment to both religious and individual freedom, it was necessary for the LDS Church to renounce the practice of polygamy, remove church involvement in secular affairs, and accept federal intervention in a state matter in order to become accepted into the union. Through these actions, they demonstrated their willingness to become American and helped to clarify precisely what that meant. In many ways, these accommodations to the nation were a conscientious step toward Mormonism becoming the American religion: whereas they had once challenged the American concept of marriage, family , and government, they now accept and promote them. Still, the Mormons’ promotion of American values has not resulted in full acceptance into American civilization. Remaining apprehensions on the part of the public at large are evident in the mistrustful treatment of Mormon politicians, particularly conclusion — 113 those who run for the presidency. The irony is that these apprehensions —about Mormons’ intolerance, their social homogeneity , and their religion—actually reflect the American public’s own religious intolerance and disregard for social pluralism. Americans project their own fears and prejudices upon the Mormons, a group about which they know little and which, despite its continued efforts to embrace and embody all that is American, remains outside the mainstream. Continued reservations about Mormons, as manifested in popular culture and politics, often stem from arguments surrounding the LDS conception of Christianity and reveal the continuing importance of Christianity in defining the cultural foundations of American civilization. By challenging the accepted parameters of what it means to be Christian in America—particularly in their source of revelation and their understanding of the role of Christ and America’s place in Christian theology—Mormons have indirectly questioned the religio-cultural foundations of America. This challenge has not gone unnoticed by the mainstream, and has been met at alternate times with prejudice, reservations, and partial acceptance. Whether the current relationship of accommodation and simultaneous suspicion between Mormons and Americans at large will ever change depends heavily on whether Americans can ever accept Mormonism as legitimately and fully Christian. As an experiment in democracy, America continues to evolve into something new, with its core values being defined and redefined over time. Certain values, such as...