Description
Book SynopsisMormonism and the Emotions: An Analysis of LDS Scriptural Texts is an introductory Latterday Saint (LDS) theology of emotion that is both canonically based and scientifically informed. It highlights three widely accepted characteristics of emotion that emerge from scientific perspectives—namely, the necessity of cognition for its emergence, the personal responsibility attached to its manifestations, and its instrumentality in facilitating various processes of human development and experience. In analyzing the basic theological structure of Mormonism and its unique canonical texts the objective is to determine the extent to which LDS theology is compatible with this three-fold definition of emotion. At this basic level of explanation, the conclusion is that science and Mormon theology undoubtedly share a common perspective. The textual investigation focuses on unique Mormon scriptures and on their descriptions of six common emotions: hope, fear, joy, sorrow, love, and hate. For each of these emotional phenomena the extensive report of textual references consistently confirms an implied presence of the outlined three-fold model of emotion. Thus, the evidence points to the presence of an underlying folk model of emotion in the text that broadly matches scientific definitions. Additionally, the theological examination is enlarged with a particular focus on the Mormon theology of atonement, which is shown to play a significant role in LDS understandings of emotions. A broad exploration of such areas as epistemology, cosmology, soteriology, and the theological anthropology of Mormonism further contextualizes the analysis and roots it in the LDS theological worldview.
Trade ReviewMormonism and the Emotions is a worthy contribution. It seeks to break new ground, and I hope to see more attention given to the merits of phenomenologically informed textual analysis of our LDS scriptures, building on what Mauro Properzi has done here. I also recommend his reasoned and LDS-centered approach as a contribution to the emerging field of Mormon theology. I hope to see more from this promising scholar. * BYU Studies Quarterly *
As a nonLDS Christian scholar, I found this book fascinating. The psychological and philosophical sophistication is quite striking; its integration of the multiple disciplinary findings on emotion is worth the price of the book alone. I recommend it to anyone who wants deep insight into the LDS religion, if not the Mormon culture. -- Brent D. Slife, Professor of Psychology, Brigham Young University
As he writes in the introduction, Properzi designed this book as an 'introductory Mormon theology of emotions' in which he engages in a theological 'dialogue between science and religion.' He positions factors and outcomes in the constructs of emotion within a particular faith culture, involving conflicting and complementary dualities within Mormon views of authority, cognition, and responsibility. The book comprises two parts: the first lays out a rationale for emotion generally and in LDS context for scripture and modern revelation, especially between parallel churchly and secular authorities; the second examines three dualities (hope/fear, joy/sorrow, love/hate) in some detail, with an identical scaffold for each. . . .Properzi's book is rich, sophisticated, and a pathbreaking study—a valuable resource for those interested in psychology, Western sociology, and Christian theology. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. * CHOICE *
Through Properzi’s bifocal philosophical and psychological engagement with classic Latter-day Saint texts, this book prepares the ground and already helps lead the way into an expanding field of study. Properzi creates a seminal ‘Emotions’ volume within Mormon Studies with a method applicable to many wider Christian traditions and beyond. -- Douglas J. Davies, Professor in the Study of Religion at Durham University
Many aspects of this book make it commendable for both the interested lay reader and the scholar of social science and/or religion. Properzi . . . is meticulous in setting out the scope of his study, rigorous in defining his methodology. . . .Properzi’s discussion of what theology is . . . and how a Mormon theology will situate itself clear, illuminating, and even motivating. . . .[This book] is thorough and well-supported. Students and scholars of LDS theology and of the emotions in human life will find much to mull over, with pleasure, interest, and even, perhaps, joy. * AML's Dawning of a Brighter Day *
As a nonLDS Christian scholar, I found this book fascinating. The psychological and philosophical sophistication is quite striking; its integration of the multiple disciplinary findings on emotion is worth the price of the book alone. I recommend it to anyone who wants deep insight into the LDS religion, if not the Mormon culture. -- Brent D. Slife, Professor of Psychology, Brigham Young University
Through Properzi’s bifocal philosophical and psychological engagement with classic Latter-day Saint texts, this book prepares the ground and already helps lead the way into an expanding field of study. Properzi creates a seminal ‘Emotions’ volume within Mormon Studies with a method applicable to many wider Christian traditions and beyond. -- Douglas J. Davies, Professor in the Study of Religion at Durham University
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction. Setting the Stage for an LDS Theology of Emotion A Latter-day Saint Theology Methodology and Overview Part 1: Emotions and the Mormon Worldview Chapter 1. Emotion: Definitions and Classifications Emotion through the Ages: Philosophical Views Emotion today: Scientific Descriptions Distinguishing Different Emotions: Three Major Approaches Chapter 2. Emotion: Three Essential Characteristics Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Chapter 3. Mormon Foundations of Existence Mormon Doctrine: the Gospel as Principles in Tension Materialistic Monism Moral Agency Chapter 4. Mormon Foundations of Eternal Progression Revelation Repentance Family Relations The Atonement Part 2. Emotions and the LDS Canon Chapter 5. Emotions in Mormon Scriptural Texts The Mormon Canon The Book of Mormon The Doctrine and Covenants The Pearl of Great Price Living Prophets and the “Open” Canon Exploring Emotions in the Bible Emotion Classification in the Present Analysis of LDS Texts Chapter 6. Hope: the Positive Predicting Emotion Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Hope and the Atonement Chapter 7. Fear: the Negative Predicting Emotion Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Godly Fear, Satan, and the Obstacle of Fear Chapter 8. Joy: the Positive Assessing Emotion Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Joy and the Spirit Chapter 9. Sorrow: the Negative Assessing Emotion Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Sorrow and the Atonement Chapter 10. Love: the Positive Relating Emotion Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Love and the Atonement Chapter 11. Hate: the Negative Relating Emotion Cognitive Necessity Personal Responsibility Developmental Instrumentality Hatred vs. the Atonement Conclusion. Mormon Emotions: Knowledge, Character, Spirit Directions for Further Research Bibliography
