Article for Review: Bill Russell
In anticipation of an interview with the author, Dialogue has made available to BCC readers Bill Russell’s recent article, "The Remnant Church: An RLDS Schismatic Group Finds a Prophet of Joseph’s Seed." The article can be downloaded from Dialogue’s website here (if that link doesn’t work for some, it can also be downloaded from BCC here). We’re excited to hear what Prof. Russell has to say on his highly interesting insights into the RLDS world. The interview will appear here in another day or so.
I am looking forward to reading Professor Russell’s interview. I have already received this issue and the article is fascinating.
BCC may want to include the website of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints described in the article - http://www.theremnantchurch.com. One advantage of online journalism is the ability to provide fast access to other relevant sources.
One advantage of print is that one can be struck by the coincidence that Professor Russell has *two* pieces in this issue of Dialogue. The other is a review of Dan Vogel’s Joseph Smith biography. In the review, Professor Russell spends considerable space strongly agreeing with Vogel that Jospeh Smith wrote the Book of Mormon.
If the interview isn’t closed, I would be curious to know how Professor Russell feels personally about the fact that the rejection of Book of Mormon historicity by influential RLDS (sorry CoC) intellectuals such as himself is a major reason for the schism which he has been so ably studying in this and other articles as well as a forthcoming book.
Comment by JWL — September 16, 2005 @ 3:44 pm
The article is quite good. I’d read a lot of the stuff that he wrote about from the point of view of the schismatic churches trying to describe what they think went wrong. This is the first oppurtunity I’ve had to read about it from the point of view of an RLDS/CoC intellectual who is in basic agreement with the direction of his church.
His book review of Dan Vogel’s Joseph Smith Bio is good , too.
What is his forthcoming book?
Comment by DKL — September 16, 2005 @ 7:09 pm
I thought his bio in the Dialogue said he was writing a book about this subject but I could be remebering incorrectly - I don’t have the Dialogue issue with me here.
Comment by JWL — September 17, 2005 @ 2:41 pm
It’s tough enough explaining to people what being a Mormon means or doesn’t mean compared to orthodox Christian claims. Imagine having to explain to people that yes, you are a Mormon, but not the regular sort of Mormon. Then add another layer to explain that you have separated from those “not the regular sort of Mormon” types because they were becoming too much like regular Christians.
While I don’t questions their sincerity, at some point it becomes confusing enough that I question whether rank-and-file members of these third-iteration schismatic congregations really have any coherent, shared view of their core religious identity. What are they defining themselves against: Mainstream Protestant Christianity? Utah Mormons? Mainstream RLDS/Coc Mormons? All three?
The other thing that grabs me from the article is how effectively the Utah Church has institutionalized revelation in the office of the President, whereas the RLDS movements really struggle with the issue of who does or doesn’t hold those “keys” and how they can establish their claims. Institutionalization may present its own problems, but it puts the “search for the true prophet” quest to rest.
Comment by Dave — September 18, 2005 @ 2:37 am