Customer Reviews

Making Peace: Personal Essays

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The late Eugene England is often described as a Mormon intellectual. While I have no doubt that he was an intellectual this collection of essays marks England as a rarity, a genuine Mormon theologian. This is a rarity because in Mormon institutions and culture the focus is on doctrine to such a degree that there is almost no such thing as Mormon theology. So England does a great service by using his generosity of spirit, his originality and insights to interpret Mormon scriptures, to address challenging issues within Mormon culture and to show us ways of living and experiencing our faith with greater understanding and conviction.

He also makes it feel safer to be progressive in a religious culture defined by the conflation of right wing politics with Mormon doctrine. This may be the great challenge of Mormon culture today, yet England moves forward undaunted. Drawing on his vast knowledge of Mormon history and culture, he presents a moving combination of personal experience, scriptural readings, and anecdotes to discuss a number of topics that many of us in the Mormon community have no good way of talking about, such as, diversity and inclusiveness in the church, non-violence, and the rejection of militarism for active peace making.

These essays are not without their limitations, and its not difficult to see England's limits from time to time, and also where he has restrained himself for the sake of staying within certain institutional boundaries. Nonetheless, England sets the standard for the current generation of would be Mormon thinkers, theologians, and interpreters of the faith. This work is a true "must read" for anyone of any political persuasion who wants to better understand the potentials of Mormon thought, theology and practice. It will remain an essential volume for a very long time. Buy it, read it, learn from it.

Eugene England's book is beautifully written. He articulates Mormon soical issues in an open and direct way. I was profoundly moved by his ideas and suggestions. He goes a long way towards putting Christ back into the center of Mormon culture. This is a book all latter-day saints should read.