University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Pages: 284
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-1-61147-772-6 • Hardback • May 2015 • $136.00 • (£105.00)
978-1-61147-774-0 • Paperback • May 2018 • $57.99 • (£45.00)
978-1-61147-773-3 • eBook • May 2015 • $46.50 • (£36.00)
Mauro Properzi is assistant professor of religion at Brigham Young University.
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
Introduction. Setting the Stage for an LDS Theology of Emotion
A Latter-day Saint Theology
Methodology and Overview
Part 1: Emotions and the Mormon Worldview
Chapter 1. Emotion: Definitions and Classifications
Emotion through the Ages: Philosophical Views
Emotion today: Scientific Descriptions
Distinguishing Different Emotions: Three Major Approaches
Chapter 2. Emotion: Three Essential Characteristics
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Chapter 3. Mormon Foundations of Existence
Mormon Doctrine: the Gospel as Principles in Tension
Materialistic Monism
Moral Agency
Chapter 4. Mormon Foundations of Eternal Progression
Revelation
Repentance
Family Relations
The Atonement
Part 2. Emotions and the LDS Canon
Chapter 5. Emotions in Mormon Scriptural Texts
The Mormon Canon
The Book of Mormon
The Doctrine and Covenants
The Pearl of Great Price
Living Prophets and the “Open” Canon
Exploring Emotions in the Bible
Emotion Classification in the Present Analysis of LDS Texts
Chapter 6. Hope: the Positive Predicting Emotion
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Hope and the Atonement
Chapter 7. Fear: the Negative Predicting Emotion
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Godly Fear, Satan, and the Obstacle of Fear
Chapter 8. Joy: the Positive Assessing Emotion
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Joy and the Spirit
Chapter 9. Sorrow: the Negative Assessing Emotion
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Sorrow and the Atonement
Chapter 10. Love: the Positive Relating Emotion
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Love and the Atonement
Chapter 11. Hate: the Negative Relating Emotion
Cognitive Necessity
Personal Responsibility
Developmental Instrumentality
Hatred vs. the Atonement
Conclusion. Mormon Emotions: Knowledge, Character, Spirit
Directions for Further Research
Bibliography
Mormonism and the Emotions is a worthy contribution. It seeks to break new ground, and I hope to see more attention given to the merits of phenomenologically informed textual analysis of our LDS scriptures, building on what Mauro Properzi has done here. I also recommend his reasoned and LDS-centered approach as a contribution to the emerging field of Mormon theology. I hope to see more from this promising scholar.
— BYU Studies Quarterly
As he writes in the introduction, Properzi designed this book as an 'introductory Mormon theology of emotions' in which he engages in a theological 'dialogue between science and religion.' He positions factors and outcomes in the constructs of emotion within a particular faith culture, involving conflicting and complementary dualities within Mormon views of authority, cognition, and responsibility. The book comprises two parts: the first lays out a rationale for emotion generally and in LDS context for scripture and modern revelation, especially between parallel churchly and secular authorities; the second examines three dualities (hope/fear, joy/sorrow, love/hate) in some detail, with an identical scaffold for each. . . .Properzi's book is rich, sophisticated, and a pathbreaking study—a valuable resource for those interested in psychology, Western sociology, and Christian theology. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers.
— Choice Reviews
Many aspects of this book make it commendable for both the interested lay reader and the scholar of social science and/or religion. Properzi . . . is meticulous in setting out the scope of his study, rigorous in defining his methodology. . . .Properzi’s discussion of what theology is . . . and how a Mormon theology will situate itself clear, illuminating, and even motivating. . . .[This book] is thorough and well-supported. Students and scholars of LDS theology and of the emotions in human life will find much to mull over, with pleasure, interest, and even, perhaps, joy.
— AML's Dawning of a Brighter Day
As a nonLDS Christian scholar, I found this book fascinating. The psychological and philosophical sophistication is quite striking; its integration of the multiple disciplinary findings on emotion is worth the price of the book alone. I recommend it to anyone who wants deep insight into the LDS religion, if not the Mormon culture.
— Brent D. Slife, Professor of Psychology, Brigham Young University
Through Properzi’s bifocal philosophical and psychological engagement with classic Latter-day Saint texts, this book prepares the ground and already helps lead the way into an expanding field of study. Properzi creates a seminal ‘Emotions’ volume within Mormon Studies with a method applicable to many wider Christian traditions and beyond.
— Douglas J. Davies, Professor in the Study of Religion at Durham University
• Winner, Choice Outstanding Academic Title