Bucket's Questions on LDS Christian Literature

1. From a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, does orthodox Church literature demand the same spiritual implications as orthodox texts including general conference talks and memoirs? i.e. does it become esoteric doctrine?

2. In what ways do Latter-Day Saint authors have to work around moral responsibilities when writing literature? 

3. How does the Church's fierce focus on doctrinal truth effect their writings? Can a work be meaningless and still be LDS literature?

4. With LDS history often given narrative already, why is it that we push back on rewriting the poetic "embellishments" that surround our early narrative to begin with? 

5. I have some issue with seeing journals, especially journals of prophets, as either doctrinal and/or literary, especially when I think of my own journals. How should faithful members treat personal records of the prophets when their personal writings may contradict with other writings? When does studying these things become historical, doctrinal, and literary?

Julie's Questions about LDS Literature

• In order to qualify as LDS literature, to what extent does a work have to be inspired by the writer’s religious beliefs? Can a work that merely expresses “love of the world God has given us” (paragraph 8) be considered religious enough?
• How do we see Latter-day Saint literature progressing today? Are authors trying too hard to be orthodox and to conform to the world’s standards?
• Elder Packer said that too many Latter-day Saint authors want to “be in style” and that our “devotion will remain as unique from the world as the Church is different from the world.” Should we be more focused on expressing our devotion in writing (even if that means the work may be unpopular or “preachy”) or on the literary value in writing?
• How can we apply our theological principles to fiction? Are famous Latter-day Saint authors like Brandon Sanderson and Orson Scott Card succeeding in this?
• There are so many things in the LDS religion that are sacred and should be kept that way. How do we maintain a balance between keeping things sacred and sharing our unique views with the world? At what point is exploring Latter-day Saint theology and our religious views in writing going too far? 
• How can literature that is supposed to be faithful fit into what critics see as literary trends when we have movements characterized by pessimism and disillusionment (like postmodernism)?

Ana's Questions about LDS Literature

• ·         Why has there just recently been more of an emphasis of the portrayal of the various Church history stories via media?
  ·         How could’ve past religious views influenced the early members of the Church and their writing specifically?
  ·         Would it be noticeable, due to the differences in the beliefs what the early saint’s background was?
  ·         England mentioned that the early saints might have read novels, and that they were considered a waste of time. Why would that possibly be the cause?
  ·          Because Flannery O’Connor was Catholic, she said couldn’t be anything less than a good artist—so how does this same principal apply to writers in Latter-day Saint culture?
  ·         How have you see the principal suggested play out of: the more removed a work of Mormon fiction is from orthodoxy, the better its art, and vis versa.

Marcus's Questions about LDS Literature

• What did Packer and Kimball expect to read as the greatest poems, hymns and literature of the Restoration?
• I feel that the Book of Mormon and other works done through God are what not regarded as outstanding literature - why is that?
• I feel that there are works done by religions that are very popular like "Amazing Grace". Are there any works that the LDS church has created that could be held up to that standard?
• Can testimonials and singular diary entries be considered literature (like a poem), or would they have to be group together in a journal?
• I think that it is important to understand that Mormon fiction aren't Mormon "lies". Where did the thought that fiction was evil come from?

Kendal's Questions about LDS Literature

1. What is considered to be LDS literature?
2. Are the scriptures?
3. Is there a format at which it should be written or is it just faith based?
4. How long has it been around? When does it start? Who started it?
5. Are non members excluded?
6. How do we include them?

Siera's Questions about LDS Literature

Do we consider literature written by members of the Church as literature, even if it's geared to an LDS audience?

How do we encourage creativity and originality in Church member literature without moving away from the doctrine?

What is the cultural response to having our own literature? Is frowned upon? encouraged?

Can a cultural of literary criticism exist within the realm of LDS literature?

How can we use LDS literature to change outsiders view of the Church and its members?

Is it religiously significant to understand our literature and how it affects us?