This is a book that I had mixed responses to. The first things that I found frustrating is that the author told the history in two different parts. The first four chapters deal with the actual life of J. Reuben Clark, and his service in the Church, as well as to his Country. The remaining chapters of the book deal with his beliefs, ideals, and teachings. While this format, of itself is not really problematic to the history, and it does not break up the continuity -- it does present the problem of redundancy in some topics. These redundancies become monotonous by the end of the book. However, what I did like about this book is the very real light that Elder Clark is presented in. Frequently in religious histories, there is a tendency to present all of the good in people, and gloss over the bad -- or what I like to refer to as the human, of their characters. The author does not succumb to this tendency in this history. It is fairly presented, but it is also real in the portrayal of Elder Clark. Many of the teachings that were presented I found interesting, and enlightening. One of the topics that is dealt with in great detail in this book is Elder Clark's opinion of war. I found this particularly interesting at this juncture in our National history, and I couldn't help wondering what would Elder Clark think, if he were alive today? Throughout his life, he seems to have changed dramatically in his opinions about war -- and like many people, he had a divided nature towards this subject. I think it is normal for people to be opposed to war. Killing is not something that most humans find easy -- either in physical action, or idealism. This division within, is clearly presented in this book. But there is also a teaching that he presented that was taught by President Brigham Young that I found of particular interest -- one that I found especially pertinent to our world today. "When misuse of power has reached a certain stage, the divinity that is within the people asserts its right and they free themselves from the power of despotism." This is a teaching that he referred to as the Divine Right of Revolution. When I first read through this portion, I quickly dismissed it out of hand. This I considered radical thinking, from a man that lead a hunted, and persecuted people, which had to leave their own country to find any semblance of respect for their "inalienable rights." But then I remembered that this is a doctrine that is inherent in the very foundation of our own American ideology. In our own bid for freedom from oppression we boldly declared that "whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter of to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." (Declaration of Independence) This is a concept that I believe has frequently been forgotten, particularly in our world today -- and perhaps it is a belief that we, as a people need to return to.
This is also a book that presents and interesting portrait of the LDS church as it transitioned from a small group of hunted people, fleeing from the tyrannies of a despotic Nation, which its own government failed to protect them from -- into a church of international influence, and presence. This transition, while often rocky, is no less interesting, than its humble beginnings, and no less inspiring than the man that helped re-found it in this generation. I would consider this book worth the read, and it provides an interesting counterpoint to some of the most fascinating times of history.
No comments:
Post a Comment