| Description |
The general purpose of this research has been to explore and critically analyze the public rhetoric evolving fro the Mormon-black conflict. Three specific groups were delineated for this analysis: (1) the Church structure supporting and defending the present position of the Church; (2) selected individuals within the LDS Church who have publicly opposed the present position of their Church; and (3) various non-Mormon sources of opposition to the Mormon Church's racial position. This rhetoric was criticized and evaluated in order to describe accurately what has happened and to clarify the relationship among these rhetorical events. In order to generate meaningful questions in a systematic manner for the rhetorical criticism, the Burkeian Dramatistic pentad was employed as both a means of analysis and criticism as well as for its organizational qualities. The pentad directed the criticism of all three groups through five general questions: (1) What individuals and groups (agents) have become publicly involved in the controversy: (2) What specific rhetorical acts have these agents performed that have resulted in increased public attention in the issue? (3) What means or methods of expression (agency) have been employed by these groups? (4) How has the setting surrounding the Mormon-black controversy (scene) affected the evolving (4) How gas the setting surrounding the Mormon-black controversy (scene) affected the evolving public rhetoric? (5) Why (purpose) have the various agents become involved in this controversy? In addition, special attention was given to the determination of whether or not this rhetoric, or parts of it, constitutes a rhetorical campaign. The general controversy centers around the Mormon Church's denial of the Priesthood for its Negro members and the popular beliefs associated with that denial. The Church has attempted to make the controversy a non-rhetorical issue by ascribing the origin of the Priesthood denial to God and thereby dividing it from the issue of civil rights. Those within the Church membership who oppose the present position of their Church generally argue that the Priesthood denial is not a doctrine but, rather, a practice which resulted fro social and historical pressures exerted against the Church in the early days of its existence. A wide variety of non-Mormon sources have criticized the Church during the 1960's for its position with regard to the Negro. This criticism, local, regional and national in scope, has been directed against both the Mormon Church and Brigham Young University. The research suggests that the reaction to the Mormon position toward the Negro from both Mormon and non-Mormon critics has been partially an outgrowth of the civil rights oriented atmosphere surrounding the 1960's. The intensity of the criticism of the Church in this area from both groups will probably continue to be a reflection of the general attitude of society toward the implementation of civil rights for Negroes in all institutions. Rhetoric has generally been ineffectual, and in some cases counterproductive, in resolving the Mormon-black controversy. Many of the rhetorical events have had a polarizing effect and, as a result, the eventual resolution of the controversy through rhetorical interaction has become even more remote. The local chapter of the NAACP appears to be the only agent in the controversy that has been involved in a rhetorical campaign to initiate change within the Mormon Church with regard to racial issues. That campaign has been generally unsuccessful, partially because of its poor conception, organization and direction. The Church, as a rhetorical agent, has controlled the controversy rather successfully. They have used rhetorical methods only when it appeared to be to their benefit to do so. By presenting the Priesthood denial as a non-rhetorical issue, they have refused to interact rhetorically with both Mormon critics on a public level. |
