Comments on: Who’s #2? http://mormonmatters.org/2009/05/15/whos-2/ A weekly podcast exploring Mormon culture and current events. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: MH http://mormonmatters.org/2009/05/15/whos-2/#comment-75094 MH Sun, 17 May 2009 04:33:16 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=5309#comment-75094 I guess if we want a strict definition, then the top 6 Mormon cities are: 1. SLC 2. Independence, MO (CoC) 3. Monongahela, Pennsylvania (Bickertonites) 4. Voree, WI (Strangites) 5. Kingston, UT 6. Eldorado, TX If we limit the group to LDS cities, then I think the top cities should look like this (without trying to get too Utah-centric). 1. SLC 2. Provo, UT 3. St George, UT 4. Boise, ID 5. Tonga I guess if we want a strict definition, then the top 6 Mormon cities are:

1. SLC
2. Independence, MO (CoC)
3. Monongahela, Pennsylvania (Bickertonites)
4. Voree, WI (Strangites)
5. Kingston, UT
6. Eldorado, TX

If we limit the group to LDS cities, then I think the top cities should look like this (without trying to get too Utah-centric).

1. SLC
2. Provo, UT
3. St George, UT
4. Boise, ID
5. Tonga

]]> By: FireTag http://mormonmatters.org/2009/05/15/whos-2/#comment-74882 FireTag Fri, 15 May 2009 20:27:04 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=5309#comment-74882 Yes, the situation of the CofChrist and LDS is more analogous to the situation of early Christianity. A case can certainly be made for London as a center as well in the 1850's, since a significant portion of LDS scripture was first published in England. As for current situations, I don't think there are any centers except the homes of the two largest surviving Mormon denominations. Even in Independence, the city was predominantly Baptist last time I looked. Yes, the situation of the CofChrist and LDS is more analogous to the situation of early Christianity. A case can certainly be made for London as a center as well in the 1850′s, since a significant portion of LDS scripture was first published in England.

As for current situations, I don’t think there are any centers except the homes of the two largest surviving Mormon denominations. Even in Independence, the city was predominantly Baptist last time I looked.

]]> By: Jeff Spector http://mormonmatters.org/2009/05/15/whos-2/#comment-74860 Jeff Spector Fri, 15 May 2009 15:47:51 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=5309#comment-74860 I wonder where Las Vegas sits with 100K church members. I wonder where Las Vegas sits with 100K church members.

]]> By: MH http://mormonmatters.org/2009/05/15/whos-2/#comment-74858 MH Fri, 15 May 2009 15:38:53 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=5309#comment-74858 I know the comparison isn't perfect, as you illustrate, but I wanted to do it anyway. :) If you want to talk about "centers", then wouldn't RLDS/CoC cities count as a center of Mormonism? After all, they do have "their own doctrines, competing claims of authority, and basically separate churches." I agree that Provo/BYU is probably the best #2 on the list. I know the comparison isn’t perfect, as you illustrate, but I wanted to do it anyway. :)

If you want to talk about “centers”, then wouldn’t RLDS/CoC cities count as a center of Mormonism? After all, they do have “their own doctrines, competing claims of authority, and basically separate churches.”

I agree that Provo/BYU is probably the best #2 on the list.

]]> By: Clark http://mormonmatters.org/2009/05/15/whos-2/#comment-74856 Clark Fri, 15 May 2009 15:17:25 +0000 http://mormonmatters.org/?p=5309#comment-74856 I think it's pretty clear that WHEN church leadership leaves SLC (not if, but when) they will relocate to Jackson County, Mo. I don't think it's fair to compare "Mormonism's "second city" with the early Christian world, or even the early days of this dispensation. The Old World cities you list were truly "centers", with their own doctrines, competing claims of authority, and basically separate churches. And in the early days of this dispensation, membership, official puplications, and the apostles were truly dispersed through a few cities. If I had to pick, I'd say Provo/BYU is my choice, with many preferring the Hugh Nibley/Dan Ludlow/Stephen Robinson/FARMS sholarship over the "basic docrines" preached from the Conference Center. But we simply don't have a situation today like we did in, say 1850, with 80% of the church membership still in England, the prophet and a small number of saints in SLC, and authorities still directing from Winter Quarters as well. For the last 100 years (at least) EVERYTHING authoritative has been printed, preached, and mailed from one center: Salt Lake City. I think it’s pretty clear that WHEN church leadership leaves SLC (not if, but when) they will relocate to Jackson County, Mo.

I don’t think it’s fair to compare “Mormonism’s “second city” with the early Christian world, or even the early days of this dispensation. The Old World cities you list were truly “centers”, with their own doctrines, competing claims of authority, and basically separate churches. And in the early days of this dispensation, membership, official puplications, and the apostles were truly dispersed through a few cities.

If I had to pick, I’d say Provo/BYU is my choice, with many preferring the Hugh Nibley/Dan Ludlow/Stephen Robinson/FARMS sholarship over the “basic docrines” preached from the Conference Center.

But we simply don’t have a situation today like we did in, say 1850, with 80% of the church membership still in England, the prophet and a small number of saints in SLC, and authorities still directing from Winter Quarters as well. For the last 100 years (at least) EVERYTHING authoritative has been printed, preached, and mailed from one center: Salt Lake City.

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