Just read an article about the
Albemarle County Public Schools pulling the book
A Study in Scarlet , by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from a required reading list because a
Mormon Parent complained. Although the article didn't cite what passage the parent found objectionable this passage was quoted:
" (John Ferrier) had always determined, deep down in his resolute heart, that nothing would ever induce him to allow his daughter to wed a Mormon. Such marriage he regarded as no marriage at all, but as a shame and a disgrace. Whatever he might think of the Mormon doctrines, upon that one point he was inflexible. He had to seal his mouth on the subject, however, for to express an unorthodox opinion was a dangerous matter in those days in the Land of the Saints."
To me this would have been a great teaching moment for this Mormon parent. The book was published in 1886. Utah joined the union in 1896. Didn't
Wilford Woodruff, issued the famous
1890 manifesto outlawing the practice of polygamy in hopes of Utah joining the Union? So in 1886 polygamy was the norm in the Mormon church. Women could not attain salvation on their own but had to be "married" to a man.
I sure as hell would not have wanted my daughter to marry a Mormon then and I think it was quite progressive of Doyle to make that comment at a time when women were still considered property. Instead of complaining this Mormon parent should have used this time to teach his or her child about the history of their religion. This parent missed a great teaching moment. Oh wait. We don't teach our children anymore. We train them don't we?
I have to give a grade of F to the school board, to the educational system of Albermarle County
and to the person identified as a Mormon parent. God help our children today.
