Richard Bushman interview
The Delaware News Journal features a short interview with historian Richard Bushman on his Joseph Smith biography, Rough Stone Rolling. (Before joining the faculty at Columbia University, Bushman taught at the University of Delaware for a dozen years and his wife, Claudia, served as director of the Delaware Heritage Commission; a year in the life of their ward during that time is told in Mormon Lives: A Year in the Elkton Ward by Susan Taber.)
There is not much new in the interview. Among other things, Bushman discusses the problems in coming to terms with his biographical subject and what he likes about being a member of the LDS Church.
I liked what he had to say in the interview. I think he expresses well the ambivalence I feel, and the dedication. There are so many ambiguities in Mormonism. The wonder may be that we prosper as a people at all.
I especially can’t wait to read his wife’s book.
When I was new to the blog, somebody referred me to the book Mormon Lives. They were so cheap I bought three copies and gave two of them away. I loved that book.
There is a story in there about the marriage of Bushman’s daughter to a non-member where he decided that his relationsip with his daughter was more important than his calling and how things looked to others. They served champagne at the wedding. I applaud his decision. It helped me deal–I was going to say joyfully, but we all know I didn’t enjoy her wedding–well, I didn’t dwell at all on the fact that my daughter didn’t get married in the temple. Maybe I thought, “at least we’re not all drunk.”
I’m pretty sure I was the only drunk at the wedding.
Comment by annegb — January 23, 2006 @ 8:50 am
Thanks for your comments, annegb. It’s been a decade since I read Mormon Lives, but I remember that incident in the book.
Claudia Bushman’s book is scheduled to go on sale next week.
Comment by Justin — January 23, 2006 @ 1:52 pm
We had a chance to interview Richard Bushman about how the saints’ experience in Missouri may have lead, psychologically at least, to the Mountain Meadow massacre. The interview is based on a talk that he gave, from the Rough Stone Rolling material, to the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Law students conference in February. You can check it out here: http://www.spiritinthelaw.com (you might have to go to the second page, he was an early interview in our series), or by subscribing to the Spirit in the Law Podcast via itunes.
Comment by Robin — August 17, 2006 @ 11:01 am