BYU Studies Quarterly
Article Title
The Environmental Ethics of Mormon Belief
Keywords
Mormon studies, environmentalism, LDS doctrine, ecotheologian
Abstract
The time has come to find common ground between environmentalism and Mormon belief. The perceived divide between the two has all but shut down the possibility of dialogue. Some Mormons dismiss the political causes of environmentalists as being the fears of faithless hedonists, just as otherwise responsible environmental scholars and activists sometimes perpetuate myths and inaccuracies about what they perceive to be the anti-ecological stance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But Mormon belief has more than enough in common with environmentalism to promote genuine and productive change in our environmental behavior. Not only is Mormon doctrine environmentally friendly, but it also provides powerful moral incentives for ecologically sustainable living. Furthermore, Mormon principles contain striking parallels with recent work by ecotheologians and other religiously minded environmentalists.
Recommended Citation
Handley, George B.
(2001)
"The Environmental Ethics of Mormon Belief,"
BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 40:
Iss.
2, Article 8.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol40/iss2/8