Item Detail
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18462
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1
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2
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English
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Authority and Worldwide Growth
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BYU Studies
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2005
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44
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no.4
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307-316
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Keller disagrees with Douglas Davies's assertions in "World Religion: Dynamics and Constraints" that the LDS Church will not become a world religion. Davies leaves out divine authority and creates his arguments from the perspective of the decentralized faiths of the world. Authority is fundamental to understanding Church doctrine as it permeates ordinance work and lays the foundation for a centralized, hierarchical priesthood structure. Because of advances in communication technology and the addition of seventies quorums worldwide, Davies was incorrect to assume that a growing church would alienate general Church membership. While doctrinal issues will remain consistent in all areas of the world, cultural aspects such as music and diet can readily be adapted throughout the Church, creating diversity sufficient to engage other cultures--one of Davies's requirements for a world religion that he says the LDS Church is not yet able to achieve. In Keller's opinion, Mormonism will maintain its central authority while at the same time becoming a world religion.