The Blackfoot, Yale Law Journal, The First Vision, Authority/Priesthood, and Mormon Patrimony

[Navidad]

Yesterday, as it often does, my dissertation research took a road less traveled. My search for information on rural Mexican patrimony in the 1930s led me to an article in a 1928 Yale Law Journal by noted Austrian-born expert on North American indigenous peoples - anthropologist Robert H Lowie. I was led there by a quote in a book about Lowie's writings about how patrimony is not just about owning, honoring, or protecting tangible property like land, but also about "owning" the intangible or incorporeal as well.

First, I was pleased I found the article - search engines are amazing; second I began dutifully and with semi-interest to read it!  About half way through the article my interest grew with leaps and bounds - not for my dissertation, but for my passion for all things Mormon history and doctrine - or in this case perhaps something I had never thought of before, Mormon patrimony. I use the term Mormon deliberately as in the Mormon History Association and as in the study of Mormonism, including Fundamentalists. I vaguely remembered reading about some Mormon-Blackfoot interactions in Idaho, Wyoming and elsewhere, but nothing like I read (or read into) in this article.

Just as a reminder . . . I like making connections. For my fertile imagination, those connections don't always have to make perfect sense. That is an important piece of information that many of you may already know or suspect about me.

I now will present an extended quotation from the article, one that stopped my research dead-in-its-tracks and led me to read this whole thing to my wife and discuss its implication for Mormon patrimony. What a wife!

Here is the quote:

"The Blackfoot believe that every bundle (medicine bundle - containing sacred objects) emanates from a direct revelation by a supernatural power.

The being appearing in the dream offers or consents upon request to give power for some specific purpose. This is done with more or less ceremony; usually the face and hands of the recipients are painted, songs sung, directions given for invoking the power and certain obligations, or taboos, laid upon the recipient. The being conferring power is not content with saying that it shall be, but formally transfers it to the recipient with appropriate ceremonies. This is regarded as a compact between the recipient and the being then manifest, and each is expected to fulfill faithfully his own obligations.

Whenever the ritual is performed, it is supposed to be a faithful replica of the initial transfer. One of the significant phenomena in this whole affair is the original visionary's right to transfer the contract to another, who thus acquires all his predecessor's rights. Only by this quasi-apostolic succession can the rapport with the supernatural world be maintained; hence an invasion of copyright would not help insure the blessings—longevity, health, and happiness—linked with authorized ownership" (p. 566). I have italicized the entire quote and bolded some things I thought especially interesting-significant for my own trip down the road less traveled.

This whole quote brought to my mind the paper an elderly Saint proudly left with me many years ago demonstrating his lineage of authority/power over the centuries or millennia - how that authority had been transferred from person to person to him. Perhaps painting and washing are connected. Perhaps obligations and taboos are connected. Perhaps the compact is the covenant. Faithful fulfillment of obligations? Yes! Each rite/ritual being a faithful replica of those that have gone on before. The idea of transferring the contract to another through the laying on of hands by those with the authorized ownership! Yes!  No invasion of copyright, like my own baptism will insure the blessings that come with authorized ownership - Sorry, my keyboard just locked - it won't let me type "Yes!" 😀  Quasi apostolic succession (ok, you won't like the word "quasi" - my keyboard was just quoting!) Oh my, yesterday I had a lesson in Mormon priesthood and authority and how it is and is not transferred.

Even though I am doing a dissertation on Mexican patrimony in the 1930s, it never dawned on me to think of it in connection with Mormon patrimony (except in the case of the Third Convention revolt). The connection between the Blackfoot and the Mormon patrimony, beliefs, culture, and tradition? Perhaps it is a stretch - but maybe with the recent writings about Mormons and Native Americans, not so much. Thanks for reading this, and like my dear wife pretending to be fascinated by my rantings! Best to you all. As always I value your comments!

 

Edited July 9, 2023 by Navidad

[Emily]

4 hours ago, Navidad said:

Each rite/ritual being a faithful replica of those that have gone on before.

You have added to one of the great delights of members who enjoy exploring history and/or the traditions of other cultures.

Since we believe in Dispensations... That is, that the truth of the gospel, in whole or in part, has been given to men, then lost, repeatedly since it was revealed to the first prophet Adam, we expect to find these lingering shadows. 

It's always a bit of a thrill when our expectations are met. Thank you for passing this on! The nicest thing about such remnants is they can help throw a new and interesting perspective on our own beliefs. This connection has given me some new ideas, so it will require some pondering. I hope you share more.

[Kenngo1969]

I don't know whether you'll have any particular appreciation for this or not, but you spurred me to request my own line of authority from the Church of Jesus Christ.  (If it's His authority, and we believe that it is, it should be traceable back to Him ... and we believe that it is. )  I don't know that I have any earth-shattering insights to add to your dissertation, but, as always, My Friend and My Brother, I wish you well.

[Navidad]

33 minutes ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I don't know whether you'll have any particular appreciation for this or not, but you spurred me to request my own line of authority from the Church of Jesus Christ.  (If it's His authority, and we believe that it is, it should be traceable back to Him ... and we believe that it is. )  I don't know that I have any earth-shattering insights to add to your dissertation, but, as always, My Friend and My Brother, I wish you well.

It is most easily traceable back to Him . . . I completely agree! Here is mine:   Navidad - Holy Spirit - Christ - Father. 😄 Here is yours . . .  . Kenngo1969 - Holy Spirit - Christ - Father. Now, I have saved you a request for your line of authority! Anything else I can help you with? 😃 Please accept this in the good fun with which it is intended! And I wish you well as well!

[Kenngo1969]

4 hours ago, Navidad said:

It is most easily traceable back to Him . . . I completely agree! Here is mine:   Navidad - Holy Spirit - Christ - Father. 😄 Here is yours . . .  . Kenngo1969 - Holy Spirit - Christ - Father. Now, I have saved you a request for your line of authority! Anything else I can help you with? 😃 Please accept this in the good fun with which it is intended! And I wish you well as well!

Certainly, Sir!

[mfbukowski]

12 hours ago, Navidad said:

Yesterday, as it often does, my dissertation research took a road less traveled. My search for information on rural Mexican patrimony in the 1930s led me to an article in a 1928 Yale Journal by noted Austrian-born expert on North American indigenous peoples - anthropologist Robert H Lowie. I was led there by a quote in a book about Lowie's writings about how patrimony is not just about owning, honoring, or protecting tangible property like land, but also about "owning" the intangible as well.

First, I was pleased I found the article - search engines are amazing; second I began dutifully and with semi-interest to read it!  About half way through the article my interest grew with leaps and bounds - not for my dissertation, but for my passion for all things Mormon history and doctrine - or in this case perhaps something I had never thought of before, Mormon patrimony. I use the term Mormon deliberately as in the Mormon History Association and as in the study of Mormonism, including Fundamentalists. I vaguely remembered reading about some Mormon-Blackfoot interactions in Idaho, Wyoming and elsewhere, but nothing like I read (or read into) in this article.

Just as a reminder . . . I like making connections. For my fertile imagination, those connections don't always have to make perfect sense. That is an important piece of information that many of you may already know or suspect about me.

I now will present an extended quotation from the article, one that stopped my research dead-in-its-tracks and led me to read this whole thing to my wife and discuss its implication for Mormon patrimony. What a wife!

Here is the quote:

"The Blackfoot believe that every bundle (medicine bundle - containing sacred objects) emanates from a direct revelation by a supernatural power.

The being appearing in the dream offers or consents upon request to give power for some specific purpose. This is done with more or less ceremony; usually the face and hands of the recipients are painted, songs sung, directions given for invoking the power and certain obligations, or taboos, laid upon the recipient. The being conferring power is not content with saying that it shall be, but formally transfers it to the recipient with appropriate ceremonies. This is regarded as a compact between the recipient and the being then manifest, and each is expected to fulfill faithfully his own obligations.

Whenever the ritual is performed, it is supposed to be a faithful replica of the initial transfer. One of the significant phenomena in this whole affair is the original visionary's right to transfer the contract to another, who thus acquires all his predecessor's rights. Only by this quasi-apostolic succession can the rapport with the supernatural world be maintained; hence an invasion of copyright would not help insure the blessings—longevity, health, and happiness—linked with authorized ownership" (p. 566). I have italicized the entire quote and bolded some things I thought especially interesting-significant for my own trip down the road less traveled.

This whole quote brought to my mind the paper an elderly Saint proudly left with me many years ago demonstrating his lineage of authority/power over the centuries or millennia - how that authority had been transferred from person to person to him. Perhaps painting and washing are connected. Perhaps obligations and taboos are connected. Perhaps the compact is the covenant. Faithful fulfillment of obligations? Yes! Each rite/ritual being a faithful replica of those that have gone on before. The idea of transferring the contract to another through the laying on of hands by those with the authorized ownership! Yes!  No invasion of copyright, like my own baptism will insure the blessings that come with authorized ownership - Sorry, my keyboard just locked - it won't let me type "Yes!" 😀  Quasi apostolic succession (ok, you won't like the word "quasi" - my keyboard was just quoting!) Oh my, yesterday I had a lesson in Mormon priesthood and authority and how it is and is not transferred.

Even though I am doing a dissertation on Mexican patrimony in the 1930s, it never dawned on me to think of it in connection with Mormon patrimony (except in the case of the Third Convention revolt). The connection between the Blackfoot and the Mormon patrimony, beliefs, culture, and tradition? Perhaps it is a stretch - but maybe with the recent writings about Mormons and Native Americans, not so much. Thanks for reading this, and like my dear wife pretending to be fascinated by my rantings! Best to you all. As always I value your comments!

 

This is pure Alma 32 imo, as the basis, then carried forward into the priesthood. It becomes sweet to your heart, the indicator of direction by the spirit.

I read today again about -and including the words - "the gift of the Holy Ghost" - received after Pentacost, in the book of Acts.

I was my privileged to feel the wind spoken of on that occasion, though I never realized those words were in Acts. 

This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.

And apparently that also of those Blackfeet.  Connected to Alma 32.

The power can run through you like a wave of electricity, or a warm shower but inside of your being.