The Importance to being Literary

An answer to Gideon Burton's first question:

When I began this class, I imagined a class that focused on the standard works of the church, then focusing the remainder of the class readings on foundations literature: journal entries and spiritual accounts from the early saints. We focused on this a little, noting especially in Grant Hardy’s editions of the Book of Mormon, that Nephi writes his journal entries in a “personal narrative” fashion. Our LDS Christian literary beginnings were founded upon what was written in the Book of Mormon. This led to sermons, another key element to our literary tradition. We believe that in speaking, the Holy Ghost can carry the truth of what we say into the hearts of the listeners, such as in Joseph Smith’s “King Follett’s Discourse" and 1 Nephi 33:1. When the Church was formed, it was difficult to be literary because people were being moved so frequently and life was more about survival than careful, reflective thinking.

A pivotal moment for me was understanding the different literary LDS Christian periods, outlined in Eugene England’s essay which explain the different periods from “Foundations,” to “Home Literature” to “The Lost Generation,” and concluding with “Faithful Realism.” The way that writing from church members has evolved over the years – from Orson Whitney’s cry for Miltons/Shakespeares of our own and Nephi Anderson’s Added Upon, to Terry Tempest William, Refuge, to more modern science fiction, drama, and poetry – is quite remarkable. The endeavor to be literary, reading and writing LDS literature, encourages future generations to create, reflect, and ponder on difficult issues. I have learned that the ability to remember history, and work through difficult doctrinal questions, practice bold journal writing, and stretch my LDS Christian vocabulary, in turn, opens the door, for myself and LDS Christians, to grow in faith and give place for the Holy Ghost to more fully influence our lives.