Binding Earth and Heaven

Patriarchal Blessings in the Prophetic Development of Early Mormonism

Gary Shepherd, Gordon Shepherd

• Publisher: Penn State University Press
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780271056333
• eBook ISBN: 9780271060408
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations
• Index: Social Sciences

In Binding Earth and Heaven, Gary Shepherd and Gordon Shepherd use early nineteenth-century Mormonism as a case study to examine questions about how new religious movements may, as rare exceptions, survive and even eventually become successful in spite of intense opposition. Initial scorn and contempt for Mormonism—the fledgling creation of the young Joseph Smith—quickly elevated to mob violence as both Smith's innovative teachings and converted followers proliferated, resulting in the widely held perception that the Mormons constituted a social menace. This book examines how Mormonism attracted and maintained the loyalty of increasing numbers of people despite mounting hostilities and severe hardships.

The book focuses on the unique Mormon ritual (and accompanying doctrinal underpinnings) of "patriarchal blessings." Patriarchal blessings were an innovative adaptation of the Old Testament practice of fathers making quasi-legal pronouncements over the heads of their sons—a way of verbally conferring rights, promises, admonition, and guidance to heirs. Binding Earth and Heaven shows how the organizational complexities of this practice contributed to strengthening and sustaining member faith and fealty, thereby bolstering the continuity and development of Mormonism.

Table of contents

• COVER Front
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• Preface
• Notes to Preface
• Introduction
• Notes to Introduction
• Chapter 1: The Commitment and Doctrinal Functions of Early Mormon Patriarchal Blessings
• Notes to Chapter 1
• Chapter 2: Unity and Conflict in Early Mormon History
• Notes to Chapter 2
• Chapter 3: The Office and Calling of the Church Patriarch
• Notes to Chapter 3
• Chapter 4: The Problems and Promise of Patriarchal Blessings as Historical Artifacts
• Notes to Chapter 4
• Chapter 5: Patriarchal Blessing Themes, 1834–1845
• Notes to Chapter 5
• Chapter 6: Gender Differences in Early Patriarchal Blessings
• Notes to Chapter 6
• Chapter 7: Latter-day Saint Patriarchal Blessings Yesterday and Today
• Notes to Chapter 7
• Appendix A: Examples of Oracular Versus Inspirational Modes of Prophetic Rhetoric Recorded in the LDS Doctrine and Covenants
• Appendix B: Blessings Randomly Sampled from Michael Marquardt’s Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Appendix C: Thematic Word Index for Patriarchal Blessings
• Notes
• References
• Index
• COVER Back