Brigham Young and Mr. Boogedy

BY was first and foremost what JS was not, an excellent organizer, but not good at the spiritual stuff. He was also a hard man, which is also what kept the LDS church above water in difficult times. Sometimes you need such a person, when you are being mistreated or abused by outsiders. However, he did have dictatorial tendencies, which meant that sometimes that was turned inward.

Well I guess I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels a little creeped by Brigham young.

Though I am just wondering if anyone else remembers the fun little spooky films. and if not if they bothered to check it out on the youtube.

I’m just wondering if anyone else can see any kind of parallel between Mr. Boogedy and Brigham Young. Or at least a similar look when it comes to the statue in the 2nd movie.

I know it will take time to watch the little shorts but honestly it will take about as much time to listen to an average Mormon Stories pod cast.

Like I said maybe part of my dislike is just rooted to the statue. When I was a kid I was afraid the Brigham young Statue in Temple square was going to come to life and start shooting green lighting bolts.

I have such mixed emotions about him. For example I really like this statement made by him on “Personal Responsiblity”:

In the early history of the Church, many converts who joined with the body of the Saints expected to find a spiritual utopia. Frustrated at finding that the communities of the Saints were populated with people, who in many instances were no better than themselves, some of these immigrants voiced their disillusionment and left the Church. These people had anticipated a Zion in which they could bask in spiritual light day and night. Longing to be nurtured by revelations, miracles, and manifestations of divine power, they sought heaven on earth. They did not realize that spiritual maturity often comes slowly and that many, like themselves, find the courage and strength necessary to overcome their own weaknesses. Of such people, Brigham Young would inquire, “What hinders you from enjoying all that you anticipated?” If you are not as you desire to be, if you do not feel the prompting or influence of the Holy Ghost to the extent that you think you should, where is the fault to be found? Responding to his own question, President Young explained that it was a mistake to suppose that others could prevent you from enjoying the light of God in your soul. “All hell,” he said, “cannot hinder me from enjoying Zion in my own heart, if my individual will yields obedience to the requirements and mandates of my Heavenly Master “ (JD 1:311). Brigham Young declared himself to be the only man in heaven, on earth, or in hell responsible for Brigham Young. Further he held that the same doctrine applied equally to every Latter-day Saint. Salvation is an individual matter. “I am the only person that can accept Christ and save myself,” said Brigham. We cannot pin our faith on someone else’s sleeve. No one can accept or reject salvation in behalf of another. It is not the object or design of the gospel to create spiritual dependence. Of those who constantly suspend their own judgment to lean upon others they suppose to have greater wisdom than themselves, President Young said that they ‘will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming gods.” They cannot rule themselves, let alone give direction to others. Spiritually, he likened them to children who need direction in every trifle. “They cannot control themselves in th least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them. They can never become gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives.” Who will?” asked President Young, “those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heave, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course.” Ibid, p.312) (taken from SEEKING THE SPIRIT by Joseph Fielding McConkie)

And I like some of his quotes on health as well but so much of what he said was wrong. So, I see him as a mixed bag.

Take the polygamy and racism out of Brigham and he would be one of the greatest leaders of American history. As it is he has the millstone of polygamy hanging around his neck that will forever overshadow his achievements in other areas.

Take the polygamy and racism out of Brigham and he would be one of the greatest leaders of American history. As it is he has the millstone of polygamy hanging around his neck that will forever overshadow his achievements in other areas.

Quelle ironie!

I say this because many of the American founding fathers were slave owners – as Samuel Johnson wrote, “”How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?” – including Jefferson who sired children by his black housemaid; you’ve got Pres. Woodrow Wilson, who managed to help reintroduce/strengthen segregation, and annoyed the Japanese so much that they chip they carried drove them into the spiral that led to Pearl Harbor…

And pretty much all recent presidents have had mistresses. Some of them manage to keep it quiet, some of them don’t like, erm Bill Clinton.

When it comes to sex, modern society is hypocritical. You can sleep with as many people as you like, just as long as you’re not married to them, or if you’re a serial monogamist, like Liz Taylor, that’s okay too. This is why I think polygamy is one of Mormonism’s lesser sins. I appreciate women could be oppressed by it, but women are also oppressed by monogamy, so called “free love”, and pressure to look beautiful and sleep around.