Equal rites : the Book of Mormon, Masonry, gender, and American culture / Clyde R. Forsberg, Jr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Forsberg, Clyde R., Jr.

Series:

Religion and American culture (New York, N.Y.)

Religion and American culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Book of Mormon--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Book of Mormon.

Latter Day Saint churches--Doctrines--History--19th century.

Latter Day Saint churches.

Freemasonry--Religious aspects--Mormon Church--History--19th century.

Freemasonry.

Women--Religious aspects--Mormon Church--History of doctrines--19th century.

Women.

Women--Religious aspects--Latter Day Saint churches.

Freemasonry--Religious aspects--Latter Day Saint churches.

History.

Latter Day Saint churches--Doctrines.

United States--Church history--19th century.

United States.

Church history.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 326 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, [2004]

Summary:

In this sweeping social, cultural, and religious history of nineteenth-century Mormonism and its milieu, Clyde Forsberg argues that masonry, like evangelical Christianity, was an essential component of the Prophet Joseph Smiths vision. This was to have significant repercussions for the development of Mormonism, particularly in the articulation of specifically Mormon gender roles. The original vision of the "Book of Mormon," which boldly heralded the inclusion of women as active and equal participants in the Masonic rituals of manhood, gave way as Mormonism moved west and the practice of polygamy became more prevalent.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [291]-310) and index.

ISBN:

0231126409

OCLC:

50184925