An interesting AMA exchange with Richard Bushman was recently posted at Reddit. In one of the more interesting comments, Bushman states:
We are in a period of transition with regard to our history. The narrative is in the process of reconstruction. Right now that means there is the standard, comforting story, and then a series of controversies. Teachers are wondering how many of the surprises can be brought up in Sunday School without disrupting the spiritual purposes of the class.
Bushman continues:
In time I think this problem will go away. All the controversial questions will be absorbed into the standard narrative and we won't have a sense of two tracks. ... We must, however, not relent in getting all this material included. We want the story we tell each other to be based on the best possible historical evidence. Any shrinking from that mandate will only lead to more problems down the road. I think the Church is trying to create that kind of comprehensive, accurate narrative. In a few years there won't be any more surprises.
There was a follow-up question about how informed the General Authorities are about LDS history. Here is Bushman's response, sort of a peek behind the leadership curtain:
They were not [well informed] for many years, but recently they have had to get up to speed. The recent Church historians have done a great job of informing the Brethren. The gospel topics were a surprise to many. They are often charged with concealing the truth. I think the fact is the old narrative was all they knew. I don't think that all believe we have to tell the whole story. Why bring all that up they are wont to say. But those on the side of transparency are prevailing.
Related post: A few years back I heard Richard Bushman give a presentation on Rough Stone Rolling and I posted notes of that presentation.
Posted by: Dave | Jul 22, 2015 at 07:04 AM
Between telling the church what it ought to be doing and foretelling the future, this seems like a clear case our scholars usurping the prophetic prerogative.
Posted by: Jeff G | Jul 22, 2015 at 07:52 PM
Usurping the prophetic prerogative? I fail to see it. Our leaders are free to utilize information provided by scholars, or not, as the spirit guides (which I trust it does). That is their -as yet, unencumbered- prerogative. Or am I missing something?
Posted by: KAS | Aug 16, 2015 at 02:10 PM