Mormonism and Utopia

Mormonism was born in New England America in the early 19th century...right in the heat of the American utopian craze. I think that utopianism had a deep influence on Mormonism, or, at least, the inherent utopianism in Mormonism was compatibile with the trends of the time. One obvious "utopian" concept central to Mormonism is that of Zion. We speak of stakes of Zion. We aspire to make our Mormon communities righteous and prosperous like Zion. Zion: a collection of righteous outposts in a wicked world. The favored slogan "in the world, but not of it," summs it up.

Tangentially, Zion extends to the individual. A prevelent theme in Sunday School lessons is that of "setting the example." In primary, one of the textbook exercises is to give kids slips of paper with scenarios in which they are forced to make a choice and "set the example." In the discussion of missionary work, "setting the example," is one of the stock answers thrown out there as a missionary tool. In our wards, we celebrate the great individuals who "set the example" (the Guy Cutlers and Murray Richardsons, sparker :) ).

I'd like to return to the concept of Zion and the Mormon community. Collectively, Mormons make the world a better place in much the same way individuals are urged to make the world a better place: by the setting the example. Mormons seek to create a utopia in the hope that others will follow. We have big, prosperous families. The ideal Mormon succeeds in work and in life. We have the well-manicured homes on the block. We are happy, industrious, and impressive pioneer stock, building Zions that can glow for the world. Seperate, apart, and beautiful from the ugly wickedness of the world.

....Meanwhile, the world rolls along in its wicked ways and I ask how many people really care about our beautiful, glowing Zions. Does the world need more candles in the dark or helping hands? Do utopian Mormon communities improve the communities they are nestled in? Or are they seperate, apart, (or despised and kicked out, in the case of early Church history?)

A utopian approach to service has more to do with Mormons making life rosy for other Mormons and then feeling spiritual and self-less because of it. Consider the latest "Service Auction" activitiy in Relief Society. Suggested acts of service included making jam, teaching other women to make jam, delivering desserts to someone for three months, and sharing favorite books with someone. Consider the offical Relief Society clubs I read about in the binder passed around today: the Luncheon Club, Mothers in the Park Club, the Quilting and Knitting Club. Sounds kind of like the Ice Cream socials we had in mutual, and the Stake Play, where moms busteled around to outfit the Mormon youth in sparkly costumes so they can sing and dance for each other. I'm not saying this stuff is bad, but it isn't the most important service. This is fun, social stuff. Meanwhile, why aren't we donating blood? Helping out at the soup kitchen? Helping poor Spanish kids with their homework? Why are we so darned isolated and trivial? We have a Bishop's Storehouse...why aren't more of us volunteering at it? But no. We'd rather create a perfect community that get our hands dirty with service that really matters.

Someone could very well ask me why I feel so strongly about this when I do so little service myself. Who am I to criticize when my own life has been so self-absorbed? I live, eat, and breath school. I am quite possibly one of the most selfish young women you will meet. Smart and accomplished, but selfish. Just like all the other successful, white, upper-class American youth who attend top-10 universities. The world belongs to US. It's about US!!

I'm sensitive to this issue of service because I desperately need a Church that will bring me out of my selfishness. Not to cook jam for other sisters. Not to visit teach. Not to be a glowing, righteous, successful example. Not to save my individual soul. Not to raise perfect children. I want a religion that will open my eyes to classism and racism, the real ills that plaugue society. Mormonism, with it's value of individual perfection and utopianism, has only fed my need to get perfect grades, to have a perfect image, to be the perfect example. It didn't enable me see the importance of things beyond my own damned success. In contrast to perfection, I think religion has a lot more to do with dealing with complexity and imperfection: extending help to the imperfect "other," the outsiders and downcast in the word, where things aren't as pretty.