B-+'- P P F1-C F MAKING R the MOVIE "BRIGHAM YOUNG" Sunstone Is an Independent Quarterly Journal of Mormon Experience, Scholarship, Issues, and Art
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FAMILY PLANNING EARLY BOOK OF MORMON TEXTS FICTION POETRY REVIEW: HUEBENER i b-+'- P P F1-C F MAKING r THE MOVIE "BRIGHAM YOUNG" Sunstone is an independent quarterly journal of Mormon experience, scholarship, issues, and art. Submission of articles for the journal is in no way restricted, but priority will be given both to articles by younger writers and to topics which deal with Mormon culture, Mormon history, or Mormon faith, albeit indirectly. Sunstone is not funded by any religious or educational institution. Its success depends entirely upon the support of its subscribers and contributors. Until the journal has become well established, it must rely more heavily upon those who have already demonstrated an initial commitment. If you believe in Sunstone, please consider making an additional contribution. All donations are tax deductible and will be sincerely appreciated. MORMOiU EXPERIENCE, XI-DLARSHIP, ISSUES, AND ART. POST OFFICE BOX 596 PROVO, UTAH 84601 Executive Committee Ralph Hancock, President Kris Cassity, Vice-President Elizabeth Shaw, Executive Secretary Norman Mecham, Managing Editor Craig M. Call, Business Manager Art Director Robin Lewis Board of Directors Benita Brown Craig M. Call Kris Cassity Craig Fineshriber Tim Flannigan David Frost Kathy Gardner Joseph P. Garske Ralph Hancock Susan Hobson Kathy Jenkins Dennis Law Nancy Maas Norman Mecham Beverly Newman Allen Roberts b Elizabeth Shaw Tod Sloan Karen Williams Staff Roy Bird Stephanie Bird Susan Carrel1 Ann Chidester Richard Evans Craig Graham Valerie Hudson Bob Johns Neal Kramer Karey Law Nancy Law Susan Faye Slagle Elizabeth Wilkinson Sunstone is published quarterly by The students, missionaries, and retired persons. Sunstone Foundation, a non-profit corpora- Add $2.50 for overseas mailing. Single issues tion with no official connection with The $3.50. Write Sunstone, P.O.Box 596, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Provo, Utah 84601. Artides published represent the attitudes of the authors only, and not necessarily those ~~~n~~~$,"~~~d~~~~v~~ah of the editors. Manuscripts for publication 84M)1,, must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate. Materials cannot be returned w @I976 by The Sunstone Foundation. All unless accompanied by return postage. Sub- rights reserved. Printed in the United States scription rates are $12 per year; $9 for of America by Press Publishing Ltd. J, L2 Letters 4 Poetry 9 "Jesus Wept." - Peggy Wiseman Film and History 11 Saints on Celluloid: The Making of the Movie Brigham Young - James V. D'Arc Fiction 30 Ten Years of Laughter - Douglas H. Thayer Literature 37 Good Company for the Self: An Interview with William Stafford - Joseph P. Garske History and Scripture 45 Early Book of Mormon Texts - Stan Larson Biography 56 David Lane Wright - Norman D. Mecham Fiction 60 A Summer in the Country - David Lane Wright Poetry 77 Rescuers - Linda Sillitoe Sociology 78 Family Planning Attitudes and Practices in a Mormon Community - Robert Kane, Wayne Spencer, and Barry Rigby Reviews 86 The Story of the Latter-day Saints; Huebener; Tangents 1V Forum 94 Confessions of a Fluff-Brain - JoAnn Iolley Contributors 96 Illustrations 30 Ann Petersen 56 Charlotte Wright Piggott 72 Fred Harrison Cover Cover illustration especially for SUNSTONE by Glen Edwards, professor of illustration and Art Director of Utah State University graphics services. SUNSTONE A few years ago as I prepared to Bearing the burdens leave on my mission, a concerned editor: and somewhat irritated friend con- fronted me, asking how I could As each issue comes along I possibly find justification in my am amazed at the quality own conscience for overt missionary and content of your publi- tactics. The son of a Hindu Brah- cation. A review of SUN- man and strong in the Hindu faith, STONE in BYU TODAY he felt that most declarations of criticized your first issue one's religious convictions were "propaganda," the sole motive being because it contained mostly conversion. I explained that what the play Fires of the Mind, we were off&ng was a different but did say that subsequent perspective on man's situation. publications revealed a more This perspective one may accept or substantial composition. I reject, but at least we've given him certainly agree. the opportunity to examine it. This last issue was a master- Sunstone is committed to the idea piece. The poem entitled that only the examined belief system u~~~~~~nleft me is worth holding. If it's worth cling- ing to, it's worth examining. An I also really enjoyed the examination from diverse perspec- editorial "To All Fighting tives brings understanding; under- Mothers." As our church standing fosters commitment. As grows, I hope each of US we sincerely strive to understand keeps in the forefront our the heights and depths of faith and individuality, without con- doubt, joy and suffering, Sunstone fusing it with rebelliousness. hopes to be able to stimulate The dangers of categorizing examination, understanding, and deeper commitment. and stereotyping are very real in our congregational We welcome and solicit response situation as we "bear one from our readers. Your correspon- burdens." dence helps us to better fill our commitments to you. Thanks for the inspiring publication and keep the Norman Mecham faith, baby. You're doing a Managing Editor much-needed job. Marion Jenkins Stanford University . When I subscribed to SUN- "journal of Mormon experi- STONE I considered it a ence, scholarship, issues, and contribution to a worthy art ." To present the garbage cause more than anything of the English language as else. And, frankly, although literature is akin to the "spirit I thought it was a good effort, and freedom" of the rebellious I was not terribly impressed. sixties and early seventies, But with the second and now much of which n~adeits way the third issue, 1 am becoming into new texts used in public convinced that your journal institutions of learning. is different from other I hope the future editions publications: that it is needed, contain more of the fine and that the editors can see material available that could the possibilities for the be classified under the thir- range of materials that can be teenth Article of Faith. Such included in it. I still get material can be used by the feeling that the graphics teachen in building up the are pasted in, and that the kingdom. The article on journal lacks a sense of Golden Kimball was very cohesiveness, but you are timely and much needed. More doing good work and I hope of the same, please. you can continue this excellent publication. Don L. Penrod Fullerton, California Richard Popp Orem, Utah Well, I was hemming and hawing about sending you I had that more money. Your note didn't would prove that an come until after the October educated group of Latter- first deadline and twelve day Saints produce a dollars seemed like a lot of quality work within Church money for such a small and standards without having to varied amount of information, go through Church etc., etc. And then I read the correlation. You have poem by Kathy Jenkins, "The disappointed me! Letter," and I figured that Your choice of fiction writ- alone was worth the three- ing for this quarter, "Hugh," dollar price per issue. is not, by any interpretation ~~~d luck! of LDS principles, consistent with LDS principles, nor Mary Ison is it consistent with your Greenbelt, Maryland stated purpose of being a SUNSTONE More Mormon theatre the efforts being made in this very vital area. Please continue My wife and I have been this as you are providing a thoroughly enjoying SUN- much-needed service. STONE. We are among the group that is very enthusiastic Secondly, a standing ovation about the Mormon theatre for your review of "Brigham." article and play. I hope you As one of those who attended continue publishing in the opening night, as well as that vein. one who has authored four Church-produced musical Since I had the dubious honor shows (most recently the of being on the list of play- historical musical "City of wrights who "showed Joseph1'), I found your article promise," I thought you'd expressed my own intense like to know that a comic personal feelings about the one-act of mine, The Un- show. fortunate Courtship of Brian Tanner, about polygamy, R. Don Oscarson has had at least two produc- Florissant, Missouri tions in BYU's Mask Club. Also, a full-length mystery, Just a note of appreciation Cenotaph, was produced in for your efforts, your excel- the BYU Arena Theatre. Since lent periodical. so leaving BYU I've had over forting to have someone to twenty articles published and relate with-like Maureen at least ten productions my Ursenbacf, Beecher-and Ilve plays in wards and voraciously read your three my play Signs issues. If 1 must choose my of the Times was produced favorite, it was the master- here in Rochester at the piece by F. Bliss and P.Q. National Technical Institute Gump on ,,Brigham,, and for the Deaf-where I am "Here's Brother Brigham"- chairman of the Theatre they pinpointed the trend Department. we may be heading for in the Keep up the good work. arts. I hope they will con- tinue to review and enlight- Jerry Argetsinger en. Oh yes-I also hope James Rochester, New York Arrington will come to Norway. My congratulations to you on I'm still laughing about several points. First, on the "Uncle Golden." emphasis Sunstone is giving to the arts. There is a great Barbara Evenson Haugsoen need for a vehicle that treats Oslo, Norway Authors respond Superb Mormon women Delighted with the new I thought Maureen Ursenbach issue, and thanks for review- Beecher's "Thoughts on Being ing my Kingdom or Nothing.