I just read a fascinating article in Touchstone magazine about the meaning of the Twilight vampire series. In his article “Mormon Vampires in the Garden of Eden,” John Granger argues that the Twilight story is actually a metaphor for Mormonism.
“Twilight is essentially an allegory of one gentile seeker’s coming to the fullness of Latter-day Saint faith and life.”
If this sounds far-fetched to you, then you need to read the article. Granger bears out his thesis by connecting the events and characters of the Twilight books to the history and theology of Mormonism. Given that author Stephenie Meyer is an observant Mormon, Granger makes an interesting case. The reader will have to be the judge of how compelling the case is. You can read it here.
(HT: Russell Moore)
Well, I read the books (yeah, so what!), so I’m going to check this out. Sounds interesting.
Pastor Doug Wilson has been saying this for months.
As a lifelong Mormon of 35 years, I can assure you that the amount of practicing Mormons who are even remotely aware of issues like Mountain Meadows and Adam-God theory is marginal at best.
It’s highly unlikely that Meyers had any of these things in mind when she wrote her books.
Seriously, do you guys really think we Mormons are having massacre flashbacks every time we encounter a meadow?
And Mormonism started in the 1600s?
What is this guy smoking, and where can I get some?
Denny,
Wow. I read the article. I don’t find it quite as “compelling” as you do, however. In fact, I think it presumes too much. Just imagine if we interpreted the Bible the way Granger interprets Meyer.
Skeptics use this very same type of argumentation to creatively explain how the gospels derive and/or borrow from pagan mystery religions.
What this article clearly shows, more than anything else, is not how creative Meyer is, but how creative John Granger is. Parallelomania anyone?
Jorge,
I think you may be right. I edited my post so as to leave my evaluation of it an open question.
Thanks,
Denny
I posted a review of this article on my blog and point out quite a few methodological shortcomings. I’d like to hear what others have to say.
http://danielomcclellan.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/mormon-vampires-in-the-garden-of-eden/