When chanson asked me to fill in for her this week, I was glad to give the hardest working Ex-Mormon blogger a well-deserved weekend off. Especially since she just got through naming Joanna Brooks the X-Mormon of the Year! What I didnt anticipate was how much I would enjoy spending a week on Outerblogness, where members from all sides of the broader Mormon community have one thing in common: they can take on the tough issues without worrying about checking with the LDS Church Correlation Committee, consulting with their bishops, or offending someone in Testimony Meeting.
Take the topic of Mormonism and race, for example. To some it inspired rage, to some a defense of the faith, to others an examination of their sheltered environment, and, to President Paternoster, the scolding of an entire continent. Then we moved on to politics, where Mormon candidates, Romney in particular, invited confusion, satire, and uncomfortable encounters. Gender and same-sex attraction came up as well, in the form of a plea for tolerance, a heartbreaking story, andan examination of Mormon theology.
Speaking of theology, LDS history and doctrine took center stage this week in discussions over whatJesus would really do, the true definition of a Christ-centeredfaith,interpretations of the Book of Mormon, Alma 32,and the teachings of Abraham, and when to tell the kids the whole story. Also, what exactly is a Mormon anyway? Or an Ex-Mormon, for that matter? And heaven help an intelligent Mormon!
Of course we sisters weighed in as well. Sulli reflected on decision-making, Heather on turning twelve, and Starfoxy on the role of women. Molly mused over healthy messages to women and girls, and Jennifer recalled some less than healthy messages. And we remembered the forgotten wives of Joseph Smith, as well as a couple of birth days.
Last but not least, there were some good reads, an art contest, blogging opportunities, pictures worthmanythousands of words, suspicious scooters,fantasies, theories about LDS retention rates, General Conference predictions, interesting quotes, thoughts onorgan donation, gorgeous poetry, a filmdebutand a long anticipatedmall opening.
And in closing, I would be remiss if I did not stand and express my gratitude for the wonderful writers that make up Outerblogness!
The woman is the glory of the man; what is the glory of the woman? It is her virginity until she gives it into the hands of the man that will be her Lord and master to all eternity.
Gotta love all the work God went to so we could have Prophets around to serve up pearls of wisdom like that. It’s almost as much hard work as trying to find a story of prophetic chivalry to include in church manuals that doesn’t end with the prophet taking the sweet sister to bed. The Restoration sure has given those Exponent II gals plenty of material to work with.
Donna — Great job, and thank you so much!! I had a fantastic weekend, and I especially enjoyed the train ride, reading your novel!
Any time. You took my novel to Paris? Boy do I ow you one! @Chino, that Brigham Young quote is a winner all right.
Must admit to having trouble understanding why Joanna Brooks is taken so seriously. Her work is very softball, and frequently skirts meaty issues or downplays legitimate problems completely.
Molly — I think you’re right about her softballing, etc. IMHO, the reason she gets so much attention is not so much because of her absolute stance, but because of her relative stance. That is, for someone who affirms positive affiliation with the CoJCoL-dS, her work is pretty out there.
The discourse over Mormonism is (and has probably always been) so polarized, that to find someone with any kind of Mormon cred with the believers, but who isn’t “correlated” is actually kind of interesting.