Mormonism, whose followers are called the Mormons and Latter-Day-Saints, was founded by Joseph Smith less than 200 years ago. Mormons believe the Mormon church is a restoration of the Catholic Church as conceived by Jesus and that the other Christian churches have gone astray. Similar to Christianity, they believe that God is humanity’s Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, is their Saviour and atoned for the sins of mankind. Through repentance,, people can return to live with God for eternity. Mormons also believe in the Holy Ghost, which guides them and gives them knowledge of the truth of the gospel. They also do not believe in the Holy Trinity.
Joseph Smith, Jr. was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism. He is considered a prophet for the followers or Mormonism. Apparently, he was visited by an angel named Moroni who directed him to a buried book of golden plates. This book was inscribed with a Judeo-Christian history of the ancient American civilization. In 1830, he published the English translation of these plates and called it the Book of Mormon.
Originally founded by Joseph Smith, It was then developed by Brigham Young who migrated with the new Mormons to Salt Lake City in 1847. When Joseph Smith was killed, leadership of the church passed on to Brigham Young. Young was responsible for leading Mormon pioneers west to Salt Lake City in 1847 and the expansion of the faith.
Some rules of the Mormon community includes believing that the Heavenly Father has a physical body, the holy spirit is separate from God and Jesus, and having an afterlife. Mormons not only celebrate Easter and Christmas but have their own celebrations from events in Mormon history, birthdays, and national holidays. Mormons follow the book of mormons which supports and worship the Bible.
Plural marriage is a belief in the Mormon Church where a man can marry more than one wife. This is also known as polygamy and is also illegal in Canada. In Canada the polygamy is illegal thanks to the Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada and the bigamy is banned at Section 290. If someone is going to get married while being still married to another person, then they automatically commit the crime of bigamy. They are then persecuted by the higher authorities and then considered voided. Even if with the consent of the first spouse, the second marriage cannot be valid.
John Ferrier’s decision in allowing Lucy to marry a Gentile was surely the right one. He gives her the right to chose and live her life with the one she loves. He is justified in his actions as he was originally not a Mormon and was forcefully converted. Marriage is commitment and should not be forced on one person especially if one does not love their partner.
Some societies found polygamy acceptable as it is more efficient in a family. In some places and cultures, the more spouses one has, the more respected they are. A reason why this practice still exists, is the belief that women depend on men. The Supreme Court in the Canadian province of British Columbia has banned a polygamous group from using the name of the mainstream Mormon church. The church is pleased with the decision that protects its interests and reduces confusion. It is banned in Canada because the government do not want to ban their people of their basic human freedoms and civil rights which relates to the abuse of women and children.
Some norms my family practices comes naturally and date a long way back. When we enter our house, it is expected we put our pair of shoes together and neatly arranged it in the entrance; this is a Japanese tradition. While at dinner, we must say a short Japanese sentence, blessing the food and waiting until the guests begin to eat. Also, in Middle Eastern traditions, whenever we enter a new home, we must always bring a gift.
Lucy is nicknamed “Flower of Utah” as it portrays beauty, desire, and admiration from others although it is a serious issue. This is a dilemma as she attracts men she is not interested in, especially the Mormons which restricts her to only marry men within the circle of Mormons. Moreover, she must chose to marry either Enoch Drebber or Joseph Stangerson even though she is deeply in love with a Gentile, which is a sin. Furthermore, she is put in a position where any personal choice and dignity is taken away and is forced to act as an object where decisions are made for her. Lucy is treated inhumanly and unfairly without given the option of choosing her own path. Ultimately, basic freedom rights are taken away from her and her whole family is affected by any further decisions.
Lucy’s whole life in A Study in Scarlet portrays the unjust treatment women receive within the Mormon circle. Women and men are not treated equality and women and stripped of all their basic rights and are barely free to make their own choices. Doyle exemplifies the recurring theme of man’s being the dominant element in their culture. Lucy is forced to marry someone whom she does not love or else she must face harsh consequences. He illustrates that Mormons are hateful and power lusting people with selfish goals. Doyle proves this with this quote:"You have defied the Prophet and the Council of Four. You shall rue it to the end of your days."
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/ataglance/glance.shtml ←
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-101
http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/joseph-smith
http://www.religionfacts.com/mormonism/comparison.htm
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