Mormons in American Politics: From Persecution to Power

by Luke Perry, Christopher Cronin

Overview

This book provides a comprehensive explanation of how the Mormons have transformed from a hated and persecuted fringe group to a well-established world religion with viable candidates for all levels of American government.

The Mormon tradition is unfamiliar and mysterious to most Americans outside of the religion, and understandably generates much curiosity. Mormons in American Politics: From Persecution to Power provides an intellectual foundation of Mormon development and emergence in politics, comprehensively examining significant issues and developments from historical, theological, cultural, and modern perspectives. The work analyzes diverse, contemporary topics including Mormons in popular culture, Mormon understandings of the Constitution, the Mormon welfare program, Mormon opposition to same-sex marriage, and the global expansion of Mormonism.

The book is ideal for scholars and students of American politics, history, and culture; Mormon studies; religious studies; and religion and politics; as well as general readers who are interested in Mormon religion and culture or the rise of Mormon figures in mainstream American politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798216119456
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/17/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	7 - 17 Years

About the Author

Luke Perry, PhD, is associate professor of government at Utica College, Utica, NY.

Christopher Cronin, PhD, is assistant professor of government studies at Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

1 Introduction 1

2 A Uniquely American Story 13

3 From Temple Square to Broadway 29

4 First a Catholic, Then a Mormon? 49

5 Mormon Understandings of the Constitution and Welfare 69

6 Now It's Okay to Redefine Marriage? 85

7 Mormon Patriotism 103

8 Going Global 119

9 Mainstreaming Mormonism 137

10 The Saints Go Marching On: A Conclusion 159

Notes 163

Bibliography 177

Index 185