Posted on 04/23/2010 9:33:26 AM PDT by Colofornian
One of the quirkiest, and enjoyable edgy Mormon fiction out there remains “Brother Brigham,” (2007, Zarahemla Books) It’s a pity that probably only a few hundred people have read the novel. Utah Author D. Michael Martindale’s bizarre, at times sexy tale prompts the attentive LDS reader to really wonder if they’re faith is as strong as they might like to think it is.
“Brother Brigham,” set in Salt Lake County, involves Cory Horace “C.H.” Young, descendent of Brigham Young, married in the temple to Danielle. A BYU “marriage” dropout with dreams of being a violinist, he works in a bookstore and lives in a tiny duplex with his wife and two sons, Petey and Glenn. At the bookstore there’s a cute bohemian girl named Sheila who dabbles in satanism.
One day, out of the blue, “Brigham Young” appears to C.H. and tells him that the LDS Church has slipped into apostasy and that he, C.H., has been called of God to restore the Gospel. “Brigham” informs C.H. that polygamy must also be restored. “Brigham” leads C.H. to hidden away money in the desert west of Salt Lake City. The angel, using the same type of language as the Prophet Joseph Smith records in Mormon accounts, pushes C.H. to get things rolling. C.H. reluctantly agrees. He manages to convince his skeptical wife, and then follows the angel’s commandment to marry Satan-dabbler Sheila, who perhaps not surprisingly given her personality, accepts C.H.’s offer. Things start to spiral out of control when “Brigham” commands C.H. to take an underage ward teen, Cyndy, as a second plural wife.
“Brother Brigham” is a lighter novel than may appear from the brief partial synopsis. C.H. is very reluctant to take on what he’s been commanded to do despite promises from “Brigham” that he will be successful. There’s a lot of sex in Martindale’s prose. This will never be a novel found on the virgin shelves of Deseret Book. One funny, sexy sequence involves C.H. and Sheila’s wedding night where, at least for the groom, “plural love” turns into solo lust.
I won’t give away the ending of Brother Brigham, although a turn in the plot and the climax are quite clever. Mormon lore abounds in “Brother Brigham.” A promise in C.H.’s patriarchal blessing seems to hint at what will occur to him. When “Brigham” appears to C.H., he follows Mormon lore by asking the angel to shake hands with him. The plot also includes references to the Book of Mormon and wrestling with demons and raging theological debates Parley P. Pratt-style.
“Brother Brigham” is not a book critical of the LDS faith, but its very plot forces the honest Mormon reader to confront two uncomfortable thoughts. How many of us, if we had lived in the time of Joseph Smith, would have believed a 14-year-old boy had been visted by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? And, a question perhaps even more difficult to answer, is: Had we been members of the early LDS Church, how many of us would have agreed to ditch our matrimonial covenants and pursue wives half our age? Would we have thought that was of God, or a product of lust?
These are not questions that today’s Mormons ponder often. In fact, most of us have become quite comfortable scorning fundamentalist polygamist Mormons for their “sinful” lifestyles.
“Brother Brigham,” besides being a great read, reminds us that we’re pretty lucky to be Mormons in 2010, where C.H’s experiences remain something that we’re not likely to have to deal with.
Naw, we went to different schools together.
Oh well, someday you’ll find yourself, and will you be disappointed.
Thanx for the heads up. Appreciate the tip. Especially from someone who seems really together. lol.
I don't care about doctrine. What I do care about is as any people living Christian values as possible. There are more than a billion people in this world that think you are a lunatic and your beliefs are evil, so I would not be feeling so self righteous if I were you. Maybe when all you 'real' Christians are in concentration camps, some mormons will be kind enough to throw you some food over the fence or hide you in their attic.
Truth is, I'm not feeling particularly self righteous. But you are certainly acting self righteous.
Maybe when all you 'real' Christians are in concentration camps...
I'm glad to hear you finally got that job. Do you enjoy working for Janet Napolitano?
If you are going to write idiotic BS, then don’t whine like a girl when someone points it out. Grow a hide.
HE is...
What I do care about is as any people living Christian values as possible.
Being 'nice' to folks won't get you into Heaven.
well?
Point it out!
Two words for ya: Joseph Smith. lol.
John 10:1-6
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Yep,
Maybe you’ll get over yourself once you hit puberty.
Point it out!
Obviously, the poster ran out of Thorazine again and is arguing with "the voices."
Left alone, he will most likely declare a jihad against cheese and then get distracted by something shiny.
Fortunately, other than his little online temper tantrums, through which he creates a sad pale illusion of importance, he has no effect on the world outside his mother's basement.
I will always cherish the initial misconception I had about you.
How's the weather out there in clever cleverland? lol. Don't strain your brain too much.
Brigham Young. Oooooooooooooooh.
If you said what you thought, you'd be speechless.
;-)
As long as you're not steering your car toward clever cleverland too we should be fine. lol.
Cool it newb.
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