Mormonism and Same-Sex Marriage: Towards a Mormon Theology of Gender
Tomorrow I will be presenting a paper at the American Academy of Religion’s Mid-Atlantic regional meeting. The topic is Mormonism’s unique theology of gender. In my paper, I offer up a perspective on Joseph Smith’s teachings regarding exaltation and sexuality which may seem foreign to some “modern” Latter-day Saints.
Essentially, I argue that Joseph Smith’s teachings — both public and private — as well as his own practice of plural marriage show no indication of celestial procreation. In my view, Smith’s teachings and practices make much more sense when viewed within the context of individuals becoming part of the larger Abrahamic covenant. My argument’s strengths are that it relies on contemporary sources and gives them primacy over later recollections of Smith’s teaching.
The biggest challenge to my line of reasoning is the Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt. Pratt claims that in 1840, Smith explained that celestial offspring was the purpose of plural marriage. I am skeptical of Pratt’s account for reasons given in the endnotes of my paper.
In any case, if you would like to read the paper in its entirety, you can find it here:
Mormonism and Same-Sex Marriage: Towards a Mormon Theology of Gender
I seem to recall reading statements by Joseph Smith to the effect that God did not create the spirit of man – meaning that it wasn’t just primordial intelligences that God did not not create, but also our spirit bodies themselves. Under this view, God would have become our spirit Father more via a process of adoption and free affiliation than by creation.
I’ll have to read the paper.
Hi Seth,
I have a vague recollection of similar teachings. If you find a reference please let me know, as it would certainly bolster my position.
Seth
Found it. It’s a blogger going by the name of “aquinas” who’s been covering topics in the new Gospel Principles manual. Here’s his post on the evolution of Joseph’s concept of the origin of spirits:
http://thepierianspring.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/joseph-smith-revelations-on-preexistence-and-spirits/#comment-147
You might check out some of his other stuff too. Generally well thought-out and referenced.
http://mormonapologeticsandtruth.blogspot.com/
[...] Mom) loyal readers I must apologize for the delay in putting this post together. A paper which I recently presented at the American Academy of Religion’s Mid-Atlantic regional… For those of you who have an interest in learning more of my own personal views on Joseph [...]