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Introduction, A Thread of Prophecy
The Mormon Quest for Power
The Quote
One Nation under Gods, page xvii-xviii
This lofty aspiration [to transform the US government into a Mormon-ruled theocracy], which dates back to
Mormonism's earliest years, continues to be a dominant element of the faith espoused by Joseph Smith's
followers. Mormon journalist and University of Utah spokesperson, Fred Esplin, candidly explains:
Mormons believe they have a divine commission to prepare the world for Christ's millennial [i.e., 1000-year]
reign in which they will serve as officers and administrators. The faithful Saint believes he is building
the Kingdom of God. This is what motivates thirty-thousand full-time missionaries [60,000 in 2002] to
preach the gospel, and this is what keeps men in their eighties working at a pace that would pitch younger,
less-motivated men into their graves.5
The Reference
Endnote 5, page 479
5. Fred Esplin, "The Saints Go Marching On," Utah Holiday, June 1981, 34.
The Problems
Abanes use of Fred Esplin's quote to support a purported plan for Mormons to somehow take
over the US Government would be laughable if it weren't so sad. The use of this quote shows a distinct
and deep-rooted misunderstanding of Mormons.
First of all, notice that Abanes, not Esplin, asserts that the desire to transform the US Government into
a Mormon-ruled theocracy "continues to be a dominant element of the faith." The first question one could reasonably
ask is how this could possibly be. Is Abanes suggesting that the "dominant" nature of this aspiration is
evidenced somehow by the current teachings within the Church? If so, where are those teachings? The case
for this concept as a current teaching is never fully presented, developed or supported; it is only
asserted.
Further, does Abanes believe that such a teaching would hold any relevance for the non-US majority
of the Church's members? Of the eleven-million-plus members in the Church, well over 50% live outside of the
United States, and it is reasonable to assume that for them, a desire to somehow transform the US Government
would be somewhat less than dominant. Of course, the average non-LDS reader may not be aware of the incongruity
of Abanes' assertion in the reality of a world-wide Church.
The use of Esplin's Utah Holiday quote is very odd, particularly since Esplin is not
talking about the US Government or an LDS takeover. Instead, Esplin is discussing missionary work in
this portion of his article, and is explaining what motivates the membership to do such work. As Esplin
clearly explains, the motivation is a desire to prepare the world and its peoples for the return of
Jesus Christ, not a desire for taking over the US Government. Abanes apparently confuses the two issues
as he asserts that Esplin's quote "explains" his concept of the Church's alleged real goal. Thus, Abanes
uses a quote explaining one facet of LDS membership to support an assertion with which it has nothing
whatsoever to do.
It is interesting to note that Abanes chooses not to use an earlier statement by Esplin,
in the previous paragraph of the same article, where he says,
While the most cynical might suggest that a subliminal quest for power flaws the
Mormon character...such simplistic explanations ignore the core of the faith: Nearly every believing
Mormon is convinced he or she is a steward of a divinely restored plan and is under the obligation to
share it with others. While the only non-Mormon on a suburban Salt Lake Valley block no doubt finds
little comfort in this explanation, it is difficult to understand the Saints without appreciating this.
Not only does Abanes misapply the Esplin quote, but his assertion that the LDS want to transform the
US Government into a theocracy (a desire for power) classifies him as one of the "most cynical" who "ignore
the core of the faith." In addition, the inabiliity or unwillingness of Abanes to appreciate what
really motivates the LDS (according to Esplin) makes it difficult for him to understand the Saints.
Without such understanding on Abanes' part, how can anyone expect him to give a truthful, unbiased account
in One Nation under Gods?
Written by Allen L. Wyatt
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