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Academic world training an eye on Mormonism

My son graduated from Harvard last June. He had such a positive experience there, despite the fact that he is a Mormon and most professors don't take that religion seriously. Although I must say that tolerance there for anybody who is intelligently sincerere with their beliefs is normal. I'm glad to see that they are now offering some Mormon studies courses. There is a small but strong LDS presence at that school.

Go Crimson!

I never wanted to attend BYU. My decision to go to a non-church school was deliberate. The story makes it sound like LDS kids knock on the door of BYU and don't get an answer so they go elsewhere. Well, this one never knocked on BYU's door. GO JAYHAWKS!

On the surface, this scholarship movement seems like a good idea, but the impetus behind it might be lighter than the number of words in the article suggests. Non Mormons are not bursting at the seams to uncover and expose a valid academic understanding of Mormonism. And the Mormon hierarchy, for its part, seems as closed to openness as it has always been. But it is a good sign that within the church and from the outside world there is verifiable interest in non prejudicial enlightenment on the topic of Mormonism. For this interest to grow from a spark to a fire is going to take longer than most of us have to wait for that to happen. Let's just say that Veronica will not hold her breath while this thing unfolds into substantive reality. Yipppeeeee!

I would love to take this course. I'm glad to hear that scholars are taking interest in Mormonism, and I hope it gains the respect it deserves. It is a faith that I truly love and that has made me a better, happier person in so many ways. It kills me to hear people talk about Mormonism with ignorance and bigotry, so I hope my religion becomes better understood.

The more interesting consideration will be if academia can adapt to Mormon metrics and discover a new perspective on their former understanding of who Jesus Christ is.

I am encouraged and gratified by the Harvard board of trustees' progressive attitude, eye on the signs of the times, recognition of the need for and interest in serious scholarship of varied religious tenets, and action to join the 21st century in their action to add Mormon Studies to the curriculum.

I'd like to know, though, if they're considering Mormonism as a religion, sect, denomination, creed, cult, faith, or myth, etc.

But whichever, with Harvard's esteemed and honorable stature in the world educational community, the best I can say is, "WE'VE ARRIVED!"

Can Mormonism pass the scrutiny of the world putting a microscope to the Church and its' history? I think not.
Even true blue believing members hide their heads in the sand at any notion of conflict with the standardized version history/doctrine that comes out of Salt Lake now.
The Church may be a fine culture for some to live and raise their families (I don't think such), but this could be the beginning of something pretty difficult for LDS inc.

I hope they get the facts straight and it is not a Mormon slam class. Maybe they'll add the Book of MOrmon to their literature classes...

In the study and understanding of the mormon church it is helpful to recognize that in essense mormonism is america's muslim era.

I hope that LDS students at Harvard and elsewhere take courses that reveal the theological underpinnings of their religion. Maybe these students can push the LDS Corporation--which has lost the generous spirit of its origins--to abandon the politics of bigotry that typify Mormon policies.

Until the archives are open to serious scholars without any restrictions there will never be any serious studies done. Unfortunately, modern LDS leaders are afraid of the inconsistencies and human foibles. It has been sanitized and "mediaized" to be palatable. Personally, I find the human side to be the most inspirational. If they (the first members and leaders) could make mistakes, change their minds, fumble for what is right and come out ahead, so can I. I say let the doors of the archives swing wide open, let's face our history, learn from it and quit pretending that it all happened in a straightforward manner. As long as we treat the LDS members as children who must be told about the stork because they can't bear to hear the true human story, they will have a weak faith.

It's a good thing for any sizeable religion to be included in world religious studies. Just be prepared for the scrutiny of things that Mormons claim to be factual for which there is no supporting evidence.

The problem I see with studying Mormonism as merely a subject is that, without the spirit or without faith, it will simply be a study of imperfect men and women who struggled with the times. Too many of the Mormon scholars who have been excommunicated blurred this line opting for the more secular approach. The most basic tenet of the restored gospel as, I believe, was revealed to Joseph Smith is that the only way to fully understand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to study the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, and kneel on your knees and ask God for guidance. This, as said before, requires faith.

Unfortunately, the intellectual establishment believes they are too smart (or prideful) to rely on the spirit (which will teach you all things as spoken by Christ) or feel a need for faith which requires humility. They tend to rely solely on their above-average intellect and try to persuade others that they know better than us. There is a reason why it says in the scriptures not to 'rely on the arm of the flesh'.

Vindication for BH Roberts and his "comprehensive" view of Mormon history and Mormon studies! As he said, "We have no need to be afraid of the truth for, in the end, only the truth will stand."
I hope there will be some memorial to Brigham H Roberts in the naming, perhaps, of these new endowed chairs. I hope, too, that states where the history of the church is rooted - Vermont, New York, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois - will not let too many years go by before their great universities get on the Mormon studies bandwagon.
"And in the days of these kings, the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom..."

We do like that 'fastest growing' claim, don't we?

I'm glad to hear this and hope other schools follow. It's important to teach the truth - the whole truth and nothing but. People have the right to know the whole truth before jumping into something they really don't believe in. Giving "the milk before the meat" is not ethical. It is not Christian.

Could someone please define "ghettoization"?

It is about time. This new Mormonism Studies Program besides being at Harvard Divinity School will literally compete in some way. Watch, once the doctrine is studied, researched and processed, it could be a GOOD thing. Why not? It will just give some of those protestant ministers a "run for their money." I am enthused to watch how the assignment given "Are Mormons Christians" come to to pass to shed some light on the TRUTH. Students of the faith will thrive, those non-Mormons will have to decide for themselves and maybe even read the Book of Mormon along the way. It is a good move and I have nothing but respect, praise for the objectivity of this kind of scholarly approach. There will be No politics in the way either. Institute can always do the rest.

Who knows? It could open the way for good to come to pass and more knowledge of LDS' to bridge the gap of communication and stop the bigotry so prevalent in the media and the religious right. If those not afraid of the truth search it out, they will dissect it and find it. I know. a mc, AF, UT

The FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN THE WORLD.
Hmmm.
What about the rather inconvenient fact that people are leaving in droves?

I have two concerns about Harvard teaching a course(s) on the LDS faith. It looks like they are already referring to us still as "Mormons". That has got to be corrected. I hope the school does not advertise in their curriculum a course called "Mormonism" My second concern is "who is going to write the curriculum so that is absolutely accurate." I sure hope that it will be done by LDS scholars. Next, just a little concern. Who will monitor the course for awhile so that it is be taught without prejudice.