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Everyone, I just started a Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (with an emphasis on Non-Fiction) last week, and there are a number of possibilities going through my head regarding the type of work I want to create for my thesis in two years. The one that is relevant to this forum is a compilation of stories, interspersed with my own commentary, within a framework that focuses on differing constructions of faith, illustrating Elder Wirthlin’s metaphor of the orchestra in “Concern for the One” – highlighting individual instruments, harmonies, counter-melodies, complementary rhythms, etc.
What I am thinking of doing is focusing on each aspect of the Articles of Faith (each internal component, not just each article), with examples of different ways members interpret and translate them into their own lives. I’m thinking of having at least three distinctly different views described for each aspect – and I want those views to range from traditionally orthodox to radically heterodox. I want to include so many individuals that the “sound” my thesis produces is “representatively orchestral” for the entire Church (or close to it). My dream would be to have the finished product (whenever it is finished) be published by Deseret Book or some other recognized LDS publisher, but that is way down the road at this point.
I will request input here in individual posts with specific contribution parameters (and ask people I know at other group sites to help me publicize the effort), and I just want you all to know what’s going on.
Since this is at the beginning stage, I would appreciate in this thread any thoughts regarding the project itslef – NOT anything about the Articles of Faith, but the concept as a project.
No offense, but will you state something that Joseph Smith was hesitant about drafting and publishing the Articles of Faith since he was against anything that came close to the creeds of Christendom. The Articles of Faith are a brief synopsis of faith, yet have nothing to do with Temple work, or Baptisms for the Dead. That would be really interesting. I think the Articles of Faith do hold a unique place in the church. They are kind of important, we make kids memorize them. But not really, doctrine is not based on them. As has been pointed out, they miss a lot of critical points of theology. It would be great if it was published, I have long thought that the church needed a good treatise about the Articles of Faith in addition to Talmage’s.
I like it. Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
I focused on the Articles of Faith for two reasons: 1) They are explicitly linked to “faith” (things hoped for but not seen, which translates into “unknown”), which is something I want to stress in the project;
2) Pretty much everyone in the Church knows them, most life-long members have memorized them at some point, they are about as “standard” as anything in the Church, etc. If even the most commonly accepted, least controversial teachings in the Church can be interpreted differently by active members . . .
I like it as a topic. They have become such a mantra that it would be interesting to understand the history of them and the current language of them. I’d also be interested to understand why it’s mainly become the 8 or 9 Articles of Faith. How often do we here this one quoted:
Quote:11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
Sounds like a whole lot of work but I like the topic. I used to be ambitious but currently I just don’t have the energy. Good luck with your new project. Old-Timer wrote:What I am thinking of doing is focusing on each aspect of the Articles of Faith (each internal component, not just each article), with examples of different ways members interpret and translate them into their own lives.
Ray, I’m thinking you may be biting off a bit more than can be chewed in taking on all 13 Articles, and all internal components. Just a few thoughts:
Article 1: We believe in {God the Eternal Father}, and in {His son}{Jesus Christ}, and in the {Holy Ghost}. In just Article 1 you’ve got at least four possible sub-areas to address.
Article 10: We believe in the {literal gathering of Israel} and in the {restoration of the Ten Tribes}; that {Zion} {(the New Jerusalem)} will be built {upon the American continent}; that {Christ will reign personally upon the earth}; and, that the {earth will be renewed} and {receive its paradasaical glory}. In Article 10, you’ve got perhaps 8 sub-areas to cover.
For a master’s thesis and an approach you described, I think you’d be better of taking a smaller chunk from the A of F, perhaps just Article 1 and Article 4.
This advice is, of course, only worth what you paid for it
😆 Ray, Is this still on? Thanks for asking. Right now it’s on hold, since I’ve decided to tackle a book about the Sermon on the Mount first. It’s something I’ve wanted to write for a long time, and it’s more manageable as a first attempt at a book, so I decided to make the project I described in this post the second project I tackle.
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