Crazy Pete wrote:
Wren wrote:
This writer has not given permission to make his name public.

I would like to propose a third way of viewing the book, a view that, to my knowledge, has not yet been articulated: I think the book must be read on several levels, similar to the cognescenti would view certain pieces of Soviet art, created during the Communist era; or similar to the way one would read a Modernist piece of literature, such as Eliot's Waste Land, or Pound's Cantos.

Going back to the Soviet example, some artists would create a piece of art that on the surface was not seen as dangerous to the authority of the state, but, for those with some sophistication, the work was clearly an indictment of the Soviet system. Thus, the work would pass by the unsophisticated censor, but the meaning would be apparent to some individuals. (&# 8232; From the Eliot/Pound example, I think it is important to realize the importance of allusion, and how one passage in literature alludes to another, although the allusion is not made explicitly .& #8232;( Take this passage from the Walker et al book, where they quote GAS (page 53): (( "Will we sell them grain or forage? I say damn the man who feeds them; I say damn the man who sympathizes with them; I say curse the man who pours oil and water on their heads." [shades of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright!]

I assumed that the authors, when quoting this passage know some of their readers will connect the above passage with the following passage ( "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

Thus, read in this light, Walker et al are documenting, albeit subtly, is that in the summer of 1857 the Mormon hierarchy and laity had turned Christ's message on its head, and that the MMM flowed from the repeated failure of Mormon leaders and laity to apply basic Christian ethics.

There are multiple other passages, littered throughout the book, that need to be understood in the same way. However, reading the book, what struck me most strongly was that the MMM is the story of the Good Samaritan turned completely on its head, in almost a Kafkaesque form.

Walker's book, IMO, is in no way exculpating Brigham Young. Rather, the book indicts him in the harshest terms: relentlessly it documents that the spirit of prophecy and true Christian leadership were absent from Deseret in those fateful months of 1857.

What could be a stronger condemnation?

WOW what an interesting post and what an interesting way of looking at this Book I will have to re-read because I am blind only seeing apologetic and weak arguments, often going backwards, as my past posts have indicated. Thanks Wren. I would be interested in more information and discussion on this view.

And a double WOW!

I too am going to reread the book from a "love thy neighbor as thyself" point of view. I will apply to the federal officials and the members of the wagon train as well as the LDS leaders and members.

Since I think we all agree that Walker et al are certainly pro-LDS; thus if we follow objective evidence and then examine it with New Testament standards, I think we can fairly assess the work from this point of view.

James writes:
"Again my opinion this issue will continue to plague the Mormon Church until the church leadership actually exercises their principle of repentance that they so tyrannically demand of the membership to adhere too. Until this happens this wound of hypocrisy will fester and show its ugly head until the Mormon Church leadership garners the courage to follow this wonderful healing principle."

I agree, James, that the LDS Church, although it has taken big steps forward on MMM, still needs to publicly and humbly apologize, in which regret is only a minor part, and accept responsibility, a major part of apology.

Until it does that, then the Church can no have creditiblity about this matter.

Very interesting Wren, I need to take a closer look at the book now myself. My husband is still trying to meet with my brother in laws family. I will inform you when that takes place.

Thanks and do let me know.