Sightings of the Mormon Sacroscape: Mormonism as a Test Case for Thomas Tweed‟s Theory of Religion.

Author

Sean Soren Deitrick, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Date of Award

8-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Philosophy

Major Professor

Rosalind I. J. Hackett

Committee Members

Rachelle M. Scott, Mark D. Hulsether

Abstract

This work explores Thomas Tweed‟s theory of religion as presented in Crossing and Dwelling, taking up the author‟s challenge to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses in his theoretical model by applying it to new cases. Mormonism is ideal as a case study in this context because of the visibility of Mormon mass migrations in the Nineteenth Century, the global significance of Mormonism in the Twentieth Century, and the distinctively spatial theology of Joseph Smith. The paper proceeds by (1) outlining Tweed‟s theory of religion, (2) applying a Tweedian “itinerary” to Mormon spatial practices, and (3) reflecting on critical themes in Mormon studies which are obscured by Tweed‟s theory. I hope this study can illuminate both the spatial theory of religion to which Tweed contributes and the field of Mormon studies in general.

Recommended Citation

Deitrick, Sean Soren, "Sightings of the Mormon Sacroscape: Mormonism as a Test Case for Thomas Tweed‟s Theory of Religion.. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2009.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/72