Binding earth and heaven : patriarchal blessings in the prophetic development of early Mormonism /

Focuses on Mormonism as a case study of how unpopular new religions may survive and even flourish in spite of unrelenting opposition. Examines early patriarchal blessings bestowed upon early converts to Mormonism from 1834-1845, and their function as a commitment mechanism for converts.

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors:	Shepherd, Gary, 1943- (Author), Shepherd, Gordon, 1943- (Author)
Format:	Book
Language:	English
Published:	University Park, Pennsylvania : The Pennsylvania State University Press, [2012]
Subjects:	Patriarchal blessings (Mormon Church) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints > History > 19th century. Mormon Church > History > 19th century.

Table of Contents:

The commitment and doctrinal functions of early Mormon patriarchal blessings
Unity and conflict in early Mormon history
The office and calling of the Church patriarch
The problems and promise of patriarchal blessings as historical artifacts
Patriarchal blessing themes, 1834/1845
Gender differences in early patriarchal blessings
Latter-day Saint patriarchal blessings yesterday and today
Appendix A: examples of oracular versus inspirational modes of prophetic rhetoric
Appendix B: blessings randomly sampled from Marquardt's Early patriarchal blessings
Appendix C: thematic word index for patriarchal blessings.