A a Bastian

Mormon is not American A a Bastian

The problem with associating Mormonism and Americanism is that people expect Mormons to behave like Americans. Of course viewing Mormonism in the context of the United States and its influences upon Mormonism is valid and enlightening. While researching in the British Library recently, I passed Patrick Hughes' optical illusionary book shelves, entitled Paradoxymoron, hanging on the wall exemplifying his invention of 'reverspectives' where what is nearest to you appears furthest away. Viewing Paradoxymoron from new angles allowed it to morph and move. Scholars of Mormonism study America and its influences, particularly under the umbrella of Christianity, which limit legitimate comparisons to other secular and religious theories and ideas. Perhaps, though, like Hughes's 'reverspectives' illusion, what seems furthest away is actually closest to us and vice versa. What if our understanding of Mormonism as American is actually an optical illusion?