The September Six and the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism w/ Dr. Sara Patterson | Ep. 1824

The September Six and Mormonism's Complex Identity Crisis

The September Six represent a pivotal moment in Mormon history, one fraught with tension, debate, and the struggle for religious identity. This group of six Latter-day Saint scholars and thinkers faced excommunication or disfellowship in September 1993, and their stories, explored in Dr. Sara Patterson's new book "The September Six and the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism," continue to resonate. This moment crystalized the fault lines between intellectual inquiry and ecclesiastical authority within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, raising questions about the balance between tradition and progressive thought in religious institutions.

Historical Background: The Church at a Crossroads

The early 1990s were a time of introspection for the Mormon Church. Concerns about doctrinal purity and the potential threat of differing theological perspectives were paramount. Scholars and feminists who found themselves at odds with the church hierarchy were brought before disciplinary councils. The crux of the issue lay in the individuals' pursuit of questions about church history and theology that diverged from established narratives. The September Six included notable figures such as Lavina Fielding Anderson and D. Michael Quinn, who challenged the status quo by delving into topics like women’s roles in the Church, the historicity of the Book of Mormon, and leadership fallibility.

Key Claims and Evidence: Intellectual Freedom vs. Ecclesiastical Control

Dr. Patterson reveals how this era marked a significant shift in the Church's approach to managing its public intellectual culture. The September Six were not challenging the faith itself, but rather how it was practiced and interpreted. Anderson, for example, was critical of how the Church handled issues like historical transparency and accountability. Others like Quinn focused on comprehensive church history analysis that didn't always match the carefully curated church narrative. Their excommunications were seen as moves to preserve doctrinal authority and control over theological discourse. This tension exemplifies a broader struggle seen in many religious communities: balancing centralized authority with intellectual freedom.