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Place holder for The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power by D. Michael Quinn, second volume in the series. I just finished the first volume and I am excited to start the second . . . Chapter 1: The Twin Charges of the ApostleshipAn interesting introduction on Apostles as (1) Special witnesses of Christ and (2) individuals in a hierarchy that demands unanimity. Quinn clearly debunks the notion that current Apostles have visionary/visitation experiences with Christ/Angels (which I had already largely accepted before becoming disaffected). I was unaware of the need for unanimity. Of course, before my disaffection, I figured that it shouldn’t be that hard to be unanimous when the answers came from God, but I can now see how good men who are trying to make the right decisions can come to different conclusions (just like my decision to vote for Obama and my friend’s decision to vote for McCain).
Chapter 2: Tensions among the First Presidency and Quorum of the TwelveA very interesting treatment of documented dissension between members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and some of their power struggles. The most interesting bits of the chapter were when Quinn discusses general authorities that have presided during my lifetime. Quinn clearly illustrates the many ways in which our general authorities are merely humans, which is a healthy view to have of our leadership, I think.
Chapter 3: Ezra Taft Benson: A Study of Inter-Quorum ConflictThis was a “delicious” chapter that I “gobbled” up. I must admit personal bias while reading this chapter. Recently, many of my TBM facebook friends have been posting criticism of Obama in the form of Ezra Taft Benson conference addresses. It was great to read of the personal conflicts many of the other apostles had with these conference addresses. I now have some great quotes from Elder Brown to use in refuting my TBM facebook friends. I can see how Ezra Taft Benson may be, in part, the cause for such conservatism with the LDS church and a distrust of liberalism. It was fascinating to read about the secret espionage set up at BYU by Ezra Taft Benson, as well as the origins of the “Strengthening the Members Committee.” This chapter further helped to dispell the myths I have regarding the inspiration the apostles receive and I can see how personal opinions can be preached over the pulpit. It also shows me the danger in following the prophet, no matter what he says. I would be interested to hear recollections of this time period from those that remember it clearer than I do, as I was quite young when Ezra Taft Benson was giving these types of conference addresses.
This chapter also contained many fascinating parallels with current situations in the church regarding Prop 8. It made me think about the conflicting messages from the apostles on homosexuality. Such as:
President Faust wrote:
[There is a] false belief of inborn homosexual orientation. . . No scientific evidence demonstres absolutely that this is so. Besides, if it were so, it would frustrate the whole plan of mortal happiness.vs
Elder Oaks wrote:
[There is] some evidence that inheritance is a factor in susceptibilities to various behavior-related disorders like aggression, alcoholism, and obesity. It is easy to hypothesize that inheritance plays a role in sexual orientation.Chapter 4: Presiding Patriarch, Presiding Bishop, the Seventy, and an Expanding BureaucracyQuinn presents more evidence for disagreements and conflict between the upper levels of the church hierarchy with lower levels of the hierarchy. It is very interesting history, including the discussion on why we no longer have a presiding patriarch in the church. The most disturbing part of this chapter is Quinn’s discription of the expanding bureaucracy. It seems to compare quite nicely with governmental bureaucracy, except with lifetime appointments and without the ability of the “people” to chose their representation. While this is not a problem to TBM believers, I am having some issues with this structure given my more realistic understanding of our leaders’ humanity.
Chapter 5: Family RelationshipsAn interesting discussion of “dynastic appointment” in the church hierarchy (what might otherwise look like nepotism). It seems that nearly all of the GAs are related to each other, either directly or through their wives. Much of this comes from polygamous relationships, which interrelated many early Mormons. While most of the chapter is related to the historical hierarchy, Quinn also examines the current leaders of the church (as of 1996) and shows that extensive family relationships still exist within the hierarchy. There is also an appendix in the book on family relationships and one can look up most of the more recently called apostles and see their relationships to other apostles (they are still related, except Elder Uchtdorf).
Chapter 6: Church FinancesA fascinating analysis of finances within the church, including little discussed facts, such that our lay ministry not receiving pay is relatively recent development (for a long time Bishops and Stake Presidents received money based on how much tithing they collected). The chapter does make me wish the church published a detail report of their use of funds (like they used to).
Chapter 7: Post-1844 Theocracy and a Culture of ViolenceA very disturbing chapter on violence in the church, including blood atonement. The “theocratic ethics” are frightening and what lead to my belief that JS may have founded a cult that has developed into a church. Blood atonement sins included adultery, apostasy, covenant breaking, counterfeiting, “many man who left this Church”, murder, not being heartily on the Lord’s side, profaning the name of the Lord, sexual intercourse between a white person and a black person (also for the offspring of such a union), stealing, and lying. That list is much lengthier than I’d ever heard before.
Chapter 8: Priesthood Rule and Shadow GovernmentsA discussion of the theocracy in Utah and the Council of Fifty. The information in this chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book, as Quinn explores the church’s use of political power. An interesting read to help understand the foundations and beginnings of the church’s role in things such as prop 8.
Chapter 9: Partisan PoliticsMore historical bases for the church’s political arm in things such as prop 8, including a discussion of “Follow the Prophet” and prophet worship, a relatively new phenomenon in Mormon culture.
Chapter 10: A National Force, 1970s-1990sPrimarily an analysis of the church’s role in defeating the Equal Rights Amendment. However, the methods used have an uncanny resemblance to tactics used in the Prop 8 fight in CA. In fact, the church largely used a disinformation campaign against the ERA, labeling ERA leaders as lesbians and building on homophobia to defeat the ERA. If you are upset about the church’s role in Prop 8 and other political battles, this is a must-read chapter. Unfortunately, it also lays out the case as to why the church is not likely to back down from such battles in the near future.
Overall, this seems to be a well-researched book. I like that Quinn largely deals with the more modern church (where the references are more abundant and less ambiguous) but also where I recognize the names as leaders within my lifetime.
No mention of potential unreliability of footnote references? You chose one, and it was extremely problematic… HiJolly
I have to agree that the footnotes do not always directly support Quinn’s facts or assertions, such as the one footnote I specifically asked about. I cannot say that his assertion is necessarily false (here regarding the use of computers to assign mission calls), but it is not verifiable by the provided reference. I should have mentioned this in the review. However, overall, Quinn seems to be a careful researcher and the majority of his facts are at least corroborated by accounts given in other church history books. And while much of his work diverges from the church’s version of events, it is largely similar to the accounts given in history books, by both Mormon and non-Mormon historians, including in Bushman’s Rough Stone Rolling.
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