Tonight's #MormonAmerican fun fact.
First, context: 1950s America was filled with a Christian nationalism that flooded popular culture and the political sphere. This is when "One Nation Under God" became the national motto, "under God" was added to the Pledge, etc. /1
First, context: 1950s America was filled with a Christian nationalism that flooded popular culture and the political sphere. This is when "One Nation Under God" became the national motto, "under God" was added to the Pledge, etc. /1
This was also the period that Mormonism most successfully assimilated into American culture, as leaders enthusiastically participated in this "Christian Libertarian" movement in deep and public ways. In return, the "pioneer" image was embraced as icon of the American will. /2
Much of this rhetoric was in direct response to the Cold War, as America is highlighted as the "godly" nation in response to the "godless" commies. World politics became an arena for religious battle, and it dominated domestic and denominational spheres. /3
For ex, here's David O McKay, LDS president in 1951, on newly-formed United Nations: “I think it was unthinkable for Christian nations not to insert the word ‘God’ when the United Nations charter was drawn up, simply out of consideration for the feelings of atheistic nations." /4
If you want to find *when* modern LDS Church became hyper-patriotic, and a particular brand of conservative, religious patriotic, *this* is the era that idea became cemented as part of the tradition's image. /5
Ezra Taft Benson, of course, was the most prominent and influential example of this, and at times he became so outspoken and controversial he had to be reeled in. He served in national offices and parties, and his writings are still sacred to a libertarian wing of the faith. /6 
And this move for American acceptance worked! Mormon "likability" ratings significantly improved during this time, as they blended with the broader Christian nationalism movement. When George Romney became a national figure, his faith was actually seen as an asset. /7
But there were downsides. Affiliation with this conservative movement had broader implications: Mormons embraced not only their libertarian tendencies, but their racial policies as well, including opposing Civil Rights. /8
Further, their collaboration with America's evangelicals proved tenuous, as the Religious Right, when it officially formed decades later, were not as sympathetic to their Mormon comrades as their predecessors. /9
Anyways, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the story, and there are complications and nuances, but it is fascinating to dig into 1950s Mormonism and see how much it intersected with these broader cultural currents. /10
