Hey readers,
It has been super long since I have posted. I recently wrote a paper for my anthropology of Mormons class that I thought was interesting. It will at least show you what I’ve been up to. It is in no way Mormon doctrine, just some ideas and comparisons that I found to be interesting. Enjoy reading!
In class we have discussed and read about Magic, Religion, and Shamanism. As I respond to the differences between the three I also show how they relate to Mormonism. My purpose is to show that Mormons participate in all three behaviors. I will do this by discussing the characteristics and differences of the three, and then sharing my ideas as to how they are implemented in the practices of Mormons. Let us begin with magic.
Magic
Class defined magic as the manipulating of a supernatural force. The idea is an amoral one, meaning that the manipulation can be used either for good or for bad. We were given many examples of magic in class and discussed the four types of magic: pure, contagious, imitative, and witchcraft. It is not my purpose to discuss these types of magic in this response.
Some examples of magic as discussed in class would be “the force” as understood in Star Wars. Jedi knights have the ability to control and manipulate the force with their minds. And with it they do supernatural things. They use the force to control others’ thoughts, to sense danger, and even to move heavy objects with only the use of their minds.
Our class presentations focused heavily of magic used in the New England territory during the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Being part of that culture, the Joseph Smith family members were practitioners of magic. They used magic to search for gold and to tell fortunes. They used it to influence their luck and fortune, to conjure up good spirits, and to expel bad ones. They even used it to change their proneness to depression. All of these methods involved objects such as seer stones, divining rods, parchments, and incantations that were aids in the manipulation of the supernatural force. It was mentioned that the practice of magic is amoral. It might be well to note that the Smith family manipulated the supernatural force for good. It was always for the betterment of themselves and others, never for the harm of another.
Magic today is harder to spot. But it is present, especially in the Mormon beliefs. If you were to ask any Mormon who understands basic doctrines and principles if they believed in the power to manipulate a supernatural force, they would tell you yes. And then they would probably tell you about their belief in the Priesthood.
The Priesthood is magic. It is a way to heal where natural things would not. It is a way to give direction and instruction where natural things would not. The priesthood can move mountains and other large objects that could not be moved naturally. It can bless others in a way that could not be done without the Priesthood.
Other forms of magic could be seen through other Mormon practices and traditions. The garment that they wear is seen as a protection from evil sources both natural and supernatural. This relates to magic that we discussed in class presentations. Magical parchments were used and worn at times to protect form evil. The signs on the parchments symbolized certain things just as the garment does for Mormons today.
Shamanism
Shamanism is different than magic. According to class discussion, shamanism is the manipulating of a supernatural spirit, unlike magic, which is the manipulating of a supernatural force. The article that we read in class by Jack M. Potter is one of significance in its relation to our understanding of shamanism. I find the old ladies that talk to spirits extremely interesting. The travel to the Heavenly Flower Gardens is a trip worth remembering for the people of the Cantonese village of Ping Shan. The voyage itself is a time when the villagers can commune with their deceased relatives that take possession one of the spirit medium old ladies. The communication will usually involve an unresolved issue, a quarrel, or advice. Some will bring peace to the villagers, while some will bring anxiety and distress.
Reading the responses of the villagers to the requests of their deceased relatives shows that they truly believe in the supposed contact. The society functions and changes according to this practice of shamanism. Villagers will plead for forgiveness. They will try to negotiate for a change in their “luck”. They will offer sacrifices to appease the deceased. The communication and belief practically determine the villagers’ behaviors.
Eventually the old lady spirit mediums make it to their destination: the Heavenly Flower Gardens. There they are to inspect the flowers that represent the people of the village. One flower equals one person. Their inspection of the individual flower is an individual fortune telling. The condition of the flower tells the villagers specific things. They can tell the village women who will be barren and who will not. Spirits also are present in the Heavenly Gardens. The deceased can represent omens, good or bad, depending on what they are doing there.
This works for villagers because it is a way to have the answers. If a mother loses her child, she has an answer as to why. One of the female deities that watch over the young flowers has simply decided that the child was meant to die. Another social function that this séance fills is it is a way to preserve their religion and their beliefs. Deceased relatives will counsel the younger generation. Some will be scolded for not having proper images of guardian deities that allow the spirits peace and a permanent place of rest. In the light of preserving religion and belief, it is a way of connecting the families. An experience such as the Heavenly Gardens Voyage will draw the hearts of children to their fathers. They will grow a respect and understanding and especially a closeness because of the communication.
For me, stories like this originally seem fantastic and not true. But through reading, I find myself believing the story. One convincing evidence for me is that the spirit communications are so specific and individual that an old lady couldn’t just make it up as she goes. It would seem that a person in a different world really does possess the ladies. And why not? Mormons believe in an after life, as well as a pre-mortal life. And we whole-heartedly believe in visions and in the possibility of contacting these different worlds. It is easy to think that this type of communication can only happen to those worthy of it. But who am I to decide who gets to be “close to the thinning veil”? Reason states that there must be a natural process to which a person in this world can contact a person in another world. And further reason states that the privilege to do so must be available to anyone, regardless of race, culture, or gender, for God is not a respecter of persons.
Mormonism, in a way, has some similarities to Shamanism, or the manipulating of a supernatural spirit. Mormons believe in an afterlife as well as a pre-mortal life. They also believe in communication between the different worlds. I have heard many stories, especially by early Church leaders, that deal with the communication of the deceased. Those communications form similar social behaviors among the participants. A former leader might counsel the seer, or they might be comforted, or they might be taught about doctrines. It is a way of connecting the past with the present and a way of preserving the religion and the beliefs. Mormons also believe in being close with their ancestors. It is a major part of the Mormon religion to know their geneology, just like it is with the Cantonese Villagers that practice Shamanism.
Religion
Unlike magic and shamanism, which both are forms of manipulation, religion is a form of worship. It is the worship of a supernatural spirit or being. An example of religion is prayer. Prayer is a way to worship the supernatural. In a way, it is similar to magic because by petitioning a supernatural spirit or being to help you or give you protection or guidance you are asking for something supernatural to be done for you. A worship of a God is a way to allow the God to benefit you. I would say that religion is closely related to both magic and shamanism in that sense. Mormons, for example, worship God for a supposedly good standing. With a good standing they are able to access the Priesthood blessings (magic), and they are worthy to receive guidance from the Spirit and other visions, communications, etc. (shamanism). It is through their worship that they are able to access the supernatural.
When we talked about religion in class we discussed three different categories: individualistic, communal, and ecclesiastical. The individualistic form of religion is like the vision quest that we have discussed. It is the personal quest to find deity. Mormons would call this personal testimony or a personal relationship with God. The communal form includes rites of passage and rites of solidarity. That was likened to sacrament meeting for Mormons. And the ecclesiastical form was compared to the Mormon’s general conference where three things happen: 1) The social order is made clear 2) relationships are defined and 3) knowledge is revealed. All three of these forms of religious worship draw people closer to deity. They remind them of their blessings and their life purposes.
One way that I like to look at it is comparing religion to a classroom. It is in the religion classroom that one is able to learn about the supernatural. People can worship deity and learn of deity so that they can become associates with deity and thereby have access to the supernatural. It is in the classroom setting that one is able to learn of magic and shamanism (or priesthood and spiritual communication) and then go and practice it more fully. The relationship with deity enhances the abilities to practice and understand the supernatural.
Worship for Mormons is a major part of their belief. They are taught to petition constantly to God for help and guidance. They sing praises to God and to Christ. They are to be thankful to both in all that they do. In this practice their purpose is to gain good standing and be blessed with supernatural. Mormons would say, “We go to church and learn of God so that we may become like Him and live as He would live.”
Conclusion
All three practices of religion, magic, and shamanism are used to connect the natural with the supernatural. It has been enlightening to me to realize that that is the whole purpose of the Mormon religion. Mormons talk of their journey back to Heavenly Father. They talk of growing close to Him and to His Son. They talk of becoming like them by somehow connecting the gap between the natural and the supernatural, or between the mortal and immortal, ungodly and godly. And they do it in many different ways, some in the manipulation of supernatural forces, some in the manipulation of spirits, and some in the worship of the Beings.
