Mormonism and Moral Life

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is experiencing an increasing public profile as it approaches its 200th yearthe Book of Mormon was published in 1830but the ethical reasoning and moral teachings of this tradition have been widely misunderstood or neglected. Mormonism and Moral Life is the first scholarly introduction to the approaches to moral life and the normative principles and practical ethics of the LDS tradition. It is an invaluable contribution to discussions in religious ethics and religious studies, to the growing field of Mormon Studies, and to broader discussions of religious ethics in a pluralistic moral culture. It offers a concise overview of the primary ethical considerations in the LDS tradition for people who otherwise have little familiarity with LDS moral culture and teaching.

This book includes:
a brief overview of the LDS religious tradition, its foundational scriptural texts, and its prophetic teaching authorities;
a discussion of the moral visions and primary sources for ethical reflection and moral teaching in the tradition, including scripture, ecclesiastical authority, moral communities, family, personal experience, divine inspiration, and the moral wisdom of other cultures and traditions;
an explanation of core ethical principles that differentiate LDS ethics and moral teaching, including covenantal responsibility, gift ethics, agency, virtues of moral character, and the moral community of Zion;
short, lucid chapters that address various aspects of practical and applied ethics, such as the ethics of family and marriage, the ethics of work and the prosperity gospel, healing and medical ethics, civic responsibilities including ethical government, environmental ethics and climate change, the ethics of refugee assistance, and the ethics of non-violence and warfare.

Author Bio

Courtney S. Campbell is Hundere Professor of Religion and Culture and the Director of the Program in Medical Humanities at Oregon State University, where he teaches biomedical ethics, death and dying, non-violence and just war, religious liberty, and religious ethics. He is the author of Mormonism, Medicine, and Bioethics and Bearing Witness: Religious Meanings in Bioethics, and the editor of What Price Parenthood Ethics and Assisted Reproduction. He also is a fellow of The Hastings Center, a bioethics think tank.