Viewing Hinckley's presidency as a response to Mormon millennialism - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

MikeWaters · 02-07-2008, 08:57 PM

I'm no religious scholar. I'm just a part-time observer. That's my preface.

I saw Hinckley's presidency as an effort to maintain a hopeful, upbeat vision of the future of not only the church, but of the world. Why?

Mormons are millennialists. They believe in Armageddon. They believe the earth will descend into more and more wickedness. Wars and catastrophes will come, unlike any before. And just when all hope is lost, Christ appears, to usher in the millennium. This is not a very hopeful view of society.

I maintain that Hinckley's optimism should be viewed as a counter to the natural tendency of Mormons to harbor these negative views of the future.

I believe there is a battle at the heart of Mormonism. Is Zion now, here on earth, possible? Or is it impossible? Is this world, in 2008, worth saving and redeeming and building?

Those who would say no, would resign Mormonism to a dark vision and a passive stance to the world. Hinckley's presidency is counter to that. The world is worth saving, redeeming, and building.

02-07-2008, 08:57 PM	#1
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,367	Viewing Hinckley's presidency as a response to Mormon millennialism I'm no religious scholar. I'm just a part-time observer. That's my preface. I saw Hinckley's presidency as an effort to maintain a hopeful, upbeat vision of the future of not only the church, but of the world. Why? Mormons are millennialists. They believe in Armageddon. They believe the earth will descend into more and more wickedness. Wars and catastrophes will come, unlike any before. And just when all hope is lost, Christ appears, to usher in the millennium. This is not a very hopeful view of society. I maintain that Hinckley's optimism should be viewed as a counter to the natural tendency of Mormons to harbor these negative views of the future. I believe there is a battle at the heart of Mormonism. Is Zion now, here on earth, possible? Or is it impossible? Is this world, in 2008, worth saving and redeeming and building? Those who would say no, would resign Mormonism to a dark vision and a passive stance to the world. Hinckley's presidency is counter to that. The world is worth saving, redeeming, and building.