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By Mark Wright
Author Examines LDS Attitudes Toward Environment
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Environmental concerns have become an
increasingly visible and vocal subject of disagreement in countries
throughout the world over the last few decades. Advocates for the
present environmental movement are gaining influence while opposing
factions all along the spectrum begin to form coalitions and
alliances to promote their own varied agendas and views of the world.
As a natural outgrowth of the fervor driving the debate, extremists
on both ends of the spectrum are more visible than ever. Against this
emotionally-charged and politically-sensitive backdrop, author Dan
Flores, a history professor at the University of Montana, has
released his new work, "The Natural West."
Flores' book is comprised of a series of 10 essays that examine
various aspects and attitudes, all related to the environment. In his
book, Flores has attempted to illustrate how the natural environment
helped to shape our history and, correspondingly, how our history has
helped to shape the environment. While raised in an LDS family,
Flores hasn't been active in the Church for more than 20 years. He
does, however, offer some of his insights regarding the interplay
between the religious culture of the Church and the current trends in
the environmental movement.
One essay, entitled "Zion in Eden," presents the author's views on
the attitudes of members of the Church and the environment. To make
his point, Flores quotes both past and present Mormon notables and
highlights what he views as a somewhat ironic insight into the Mormon
culture regarding the environment. From Brigham Young, "There shall
be no private ownership of the streams that come out of the canyons,
nor the timber that grows on the hills. These belong to the people,
all the people." Then from Senator Hatch, Flores quotes some rather
unflattering terminology, with Hatch labeling environmentalists,
"toadstool and dandelion worshippers."
While exploring his subject on the various cultural influences on the
environment, Flores uses his book to present his view that many
long-held opinions about the environmental history of the west are
fundamentally flawed. For example, regarding the commonly-held view
that pre-European North America was a natural wilderness, Flores
first notes that generations of people had lived on the continent for
centuries prior to the arrival of European explorers and then writes,
"the ecological changes that many people could produce over that full
span of occupation could only mean that North America when Europeans
first saw it was in fact a managed landscape, much of its look and
ecology the product of the human presence."
While often polarizing, the issues surrounding our environment will
no doubt demand more attention from us all as we examine and act on
man's undeniable impact on our world. Flores' new book provides
additional food for thought, discussion, and, most certainly,
disagreement.
Source:
Flores Explores the West's Uneasy Relationship With the Environment
Salt Lake Tribune 3Jun01 A2
By Martin Maparsteck: Special to the Tribune
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