Sacralising signals for the institution and the individual: KZN and the LDS church's approach to radio as a new medium

This study examines LDS Church discourse about radio to better understand the religion's adoption of the medium during its formative years, namely 1922-1927. Steve Wurtzler's transcription-signification lens is connected to LDS belief in individual and institutional revelation in order to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Culture and religion
Main Author: Feller, Gavin (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis [2015]
In: Culture and religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B USA / Mormon Church / Media / Radio station / Sacralization / History 1920-1930
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
CD Christianity and Culture
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
KBQ North America
KDH Christian sects
RH Evangelization; Christian media
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:This study examines LDS Church discourse about radio to better understand the religion's adoption of the medium during its formative years, namely 1922-1927. Steve Wurtzler's transcription-signification lens is connected to LDS belief in individual and institutional revelation in order to explore the Church's hopes and fears surrounding radio as a new communication medium. LDS leaders used radio technology discursively as a metaphor for communicating with God, as a way to explain his existence and power, and as a means for reconciling science and religion. This discourse worked effectively to balance tensions between hierarchical control and individual agency by establishing radio as a sacred and powerful means of communication and a blessing for all within the religious community.
ISSN:1475-5610
Contains:Enthalten in: Culture and religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/14755610.2015.1083456