Item Detail
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22115
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0
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0
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English
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The Image of Calvin within Mormonism
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Sober, Strict, and Scriptural : Collective Memories of John Calvin, 1800-2000
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Leiden
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Brill
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293-315
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"The image of Calvin has transformed throughout Mormon Church history. The church has often not known how to handle this reformer. His doctrine offended Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and early church leaders and missionaries made great efforts to show how Mormonism was distinct from other Christian faiths. When the United States government persecuted, disenfranchised, and unincorporated the Mormon Church, it felt the need to assimilate into American society. Calvin and the other reformers were useful for this assimilation. The church struggled from the on, in deciding how to appear similar to other Christian and unique at the same time, and Calvin's changing image is a great indicator of this struggle and duality within Mormonism." [from author's conclusion]