A Conversation With Hugh Nibley

Nibley, Hugh; Wright, H. Curtis

doi:10.2307/45228202

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

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“…However, many of the key resources I found referenced in these papers were only locally published and were not readily available in the original either online or in print in the United Kingdom (incl. Handley, 2020; Handley et al, 2006; Nibley, 1972; Williams et al, 1998).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this doctrine is nuanced, and, in conjunction with several of the above principles, has often been understood in a way that supports environmentalism rather than occluding it. Famed LDS theologian and scholar Hugh Nibley states that dominion was never intended to mean exploitative control, but rather service and care (Nibley, 1972). Handley (2016), Hedges (2006), and England (1998) also all assert that though supporting mankind is clearly a primary purpose for creation, it is not the only purpose—anthropocentrism is “tempered” by the fact that all creation is alive and has goals beyond supporting human life (Handley, 2016, p. 98).…”

Section: Early Lds Ecotheology and Ecological Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The land could not bear the pressures of the growing population that relied so heavily on resource intensive industries to survive, very unlike the small, largely migratory populations of Native Americans who had managed the landscape for generations (Flores, 1983). As discussed in depth below, wider Western values also came to play a key role, resulting in a “great grabbing game” where settlers of all stripes, including Mormons, sought to take as much as they could from the land before it could be stripped by someone else (Nibley, 1972, p. 95).…”

Section: Ecotheology Put Into Practice In the Early Churchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

From eco‐theology to eco‐skepticism: How American Latter‐day Saint environmental perspectives changed over time, and how they may change again

Hahne

2023

WIREs Climate Change

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Modern American members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints (aka LDS or Mormons) are among the most environmentally skeptical American groups, but it has not always been this way. The church has an exceptionally robust eco‐theology. In the 19th century, it espoused a strong “ethic of stewardship.” The review focuses on the story of how and why this shift from eco‐theology to eco‐skepticism occurred, shedding light on how theology, wider culture, and other forces can influence value creation, and how these changing values can transform the environmental attitudes and behaviors of an entire people. LDS eco‐theology shares some principles in common with some other Christian faiths, but also includes a number of unique or unusual beliefs and egalitarian/agrarian practices. In the early church (19th century), eco‐theology contributed to a value system which prioritized creation care. However, early LDS community land practices did not necessarily live up to these ideals and the local environment suffered serious consequences. Then, with an influx of external influences, including a growing population of non‐LDS frontiersmen, Latter‐day Saint values shifted away from creation care and egalitarianism and toward individualism and capitalism. Church leaders stopped regularly preaching about the earth's value, instead focusing on individual salvation. Environmental action antipathy and climate skepticism became the norm. This volte‐face demonstrates both how theology can influence values and actions, and the inverse.This article is categorized under: The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Perceptions of Climate Change

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Early Lds Ecotheology and Ecological Valuesmentioning

confidence: 99%