Brigham Young's rhetoric: A critical and cultural analysis of key sermons in five rhetorical events.

摘要

This dissertation analyzes Brigham Young's sermons using a variety of critical methodologies to determine how he dealt rhetorically with five major challenging events and issues as well as Mormon culture as it intersected these events. First, the Burned-over District in New York, Young's early rhetorical setting, is examined for influences upon Young and his rhetoric.;Next, Young's sermons about Native Americans are quantitatively examined using compliance gaining analysis, revealing that although Mormon policies were more humane than those of other cultural groups, his changing strategies failed as he attempted to "civilize" Native Americans.;Third, the dissertation considers Young's sermons about the Utah War, using narrative analysis to show how each combatant culture perceived reality in this clash. It considers how Mormons and non-Mormons perceived each other's culture and how Young dealt with outside culture invading his cultural space. Young's Utah War rhetoric was successful.;Fourth, Young's United Order rhetoric is analyzed using neoclassical criteria, revealing how Young envisioned the ideal social order. He required unity, harmony and community values in his culture's organization. He failed in his attempts to implement the United Order although Mormons did institute a workable cooperative system.;The first event considered concerns his sermons that enabled him to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) following the murder of its first prophet, Joseph Smith. Value analysis reveals the Mormon value system and shows how Young enunciated values congruent to Mormon culture. Authority is found to be Mormonism's foremost value.;Finally, ideological criticism is the basis for examining Young's rhetoric regarding women's fashions. Young's rhetoric illuminated early Mormon gender roles, but he failed in his attempts to induce Mormon women to shun the nation's popular fashions.;Though not always a successful rhetorician, through the strength of his authority and leadership, Young ensured the preservation of a unique culture that flourishes today.