Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints formed less than two hundred years ago. The Church has a following of about fourteen million people worldwide. The headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mormons believe that their Church is the same one that Jesus had initially established. They follow the Book of Mormon which is ancient scripture that had been recorded at the same time that the Bible was being written.
2. Who is Joseph Smith and why is he important to the Mormons?
Joseph Smith is the man that originally founded Mormonism. He believed that an angel directed him to a book of religious history of ancient people which was written on gold plates. He then translated it and published it in the Book of Mormon along with other ancient scriptures. Then, he set out to restore Christianity and he sent missionaries to preach the new bible. The religion grew across America and gathered many followers along the way.
3. Who is Brigham Young and why is he important to the Mormons?
Brigham Young became the leader of the Mormons after Joseph Smith was killed. After conflicts in Illinois, Brigham relocated his pioneers to Nebraska, then Salt Lake City. He then became the President of the Church. He colonized and founded Salt Lake City and organized his Mormons to build roads, forts, establish public welfare, and to make peace with the Native Americans. He had them create a university called the University of Deseret. After the Utah war, he retired. Brigham Young helped to establish a place for the Mormons to call their home and headquarters.
4. What are some of the rules of the Mormon Community?
Members of the Mormon Community must dedicate some of their time to helping the poor and building the church. They must give at least ten percent of their income to the church as well as work ten to fifteen hours of unpaid service. Mormons follow the Word of Wisdom which prohibits them from consuming alcohol, coffee and tea; as well, it forbids them from viewing pornography, gambling, or partaking in any practice that is addicting. Additionally, they practice chastity very strictly.
5. What is a plural marriage? Are they legal in Canada?
Plural marriage is when a man marries more than one woman. Along with all other forms of polygamy, plural marriage is fully outlawed in Canada.
6. John Ferrier agreed to follow the Mormon rules when he was saved and he did, but in the chapter "Ferrier talks with the Prophet", now disagrees with their wishes for Lucy, what are your thoughts about his reversal? Is he justified? Is a sacred promise exactly that?
I believe that John Ferrier should not be punished to disagreeing with their wishes for Lucy. Considering all that he has contributed to the community as well as his kindness and success, he has not done anything wrong that he should be punished for. Mormonism is very strict, but I wouldn't think that it would be so black and white. It is understandable that a father, who is very protective of his daughter, would want her to be happy and not married off to a random man who has many other wives as well. In my opinion, he is justified as it is unfair that he should have to completely follow the Mormon's ways as, at the time of his rescue, he had no other option. A sacred promise should be one where the person knows what they are agreeing to and accept it. In this case, Ferrier's options were either die or become a Mormon, and he did not know the consequences of his promise that were to come.
7. How is/was polygamy acceptable in some societies, and why is it banned in Canada?
Polygamy is acceptable in some societies as, like in the Mormon faith, it might have been practiced for hundreds of years, and therefore a part of people's culture. Additionally, the practice is sometimes allowed if the man treats his wives equally and with respect. In Canada, polygamy is banned because it is seen as a way to easily cause harm to women, to children, to society and to regular monogamous marriages.
8. A "norm" is a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behaviour. What are some norms in your culture/family?
In most families, a method of regulating behaviour is through "grounding" or taking away electronics. In my family, we were just denied something, for example, ice cream or going to the mall, as well as the silent treatment where both people take time to think. The children in my family were pretty obedient so there was not a big need for controlling them. In my culture, I know that if a student wasn't listening, the teacher would hit their hand with a ruler but scolding and lectures are more common.
9. Lucy is nicknamed the "Flower of Utah"; however that nickname leads to trouble for her. Explain. What is Lucy's dilemma? How do you feel about her situation?
Being the Flower of Utah, Lucy is seen as the beautiful young girl, or a desirable wife. Since there is a lack of women in Salt Lake City, it is necessary to the Mormons that Lucy is married off, so that she can reproduce and help to populate the community. Lucy's dilemma is to either escape, leave behind their wealth and marry the man she loves or stay a Mormon, and be married off to any older man. I see how difficult her situation is as if she attempts to escape, she is risking being caught or being killed. It is unfair how the Mormons in the story treated her as an object to marry and not like an actual person.
10. There are no women in this story, other than Lucy. How does her fate suggest how women are probably treated in the community (in the story)? Doyle alludes to possible kidnappings of other women outside of the community in order to make them Mormon wives. How does Doyle portray the Mormon community?
Women in the community are treated like objects to auction off to a random rich man. They don't even consider the fact that she will be unhappy and that she wants to marry someone else. To the Mormons in the story, women are necessary only because of their reproducing capabilities. Most men have more than one wife and each one is neglected and used.
Doyle portrays the Mormon community as an abusive, strict group that cares more for their religion than for people's feelings. For example, they don't take in John Ferrier out of kindness; they tell him that they'll only allow him to join them if he becomes a Mormon. They rescue him to gain followers and for their own gain. As well, after John and Lucy are discovered by the Mormons again, they kill John. They didn't even try to spare him; instead they killed him and gave him a shallow grave for Jefferson to discover. Finally, when Lucy dies, Drebber doesn't even care. He sees her as disposable and he is abusive in that he neglects her and doesn't even care or comfort her.
Sources:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canada-s-polygamy-laws-upheld-by-b-c-supreme-court-1.856480
http://www.mormon.org/faq/beliefs-of-mormons
https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-and-families-in-early-utah?lang=eng
http://www.mormon.org/faq/the-mormons
http://www.gotquestions.org/Mormons.html
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Latter-Day-Saints/2002/01/Who-Are-The-Mormons.aspx
http://www.mormon.org/faq/mormon-lifestyle
http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/commandments
Picture: https://mormonsoprano.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/mormon_angel-moroni.gif
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