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A reason to believe: a rhetorical analysis of Mormon missionary films

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dc.contributor.authorAnderson, Sky L., author
dc.contributor.authorBurgchardt, Carl, advisor
dc.contributor.authorAoki, Eric, committee member
dc.contributor.authorKiefer, Kathleen, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T08:02:58Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T08:02:58Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractIn this analysis, I examine Mormon cinema and how it functions on a rhetorical level. I specifically focus on missionary films, or movies that are framed by LDS missionary narratives. Through an analysis of two LDS missionary films, namely Richard Dutcher's God's Army (2000) and Mitch Davis' The Other Side of Heaven (2001), I uncover two rhetorical approaches to fostering spirituality. In my first analysis, I argue that God's Army presents two pathways to spirituality: one which produces positive consequences for the characters, and the other which produces negative consequences. I call these pathways, respectively, ascending and descending spirituality, and I explore the rhetorical implications of this framing. In my second analysis, I contend that The Other Side of Heaven creates a rhetorical space wherein the audience may transform. Specifically, the film constructs a "Zion," or a heaven on earth, with three necessary components, which coincide perfectly with established LDS teachings: God, people, and place. These three elements invite the audience to accept that they are imperfect, yet they can improve if they so desire. Ultimately, by comparing my findings from both films, I argue that the films' rhetorical strategies are well constructed to potentially reinforce beliefs for Mormon audiences, and they also may invite non-Mormons to think more positively about LDS teachings.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierAnderson_Sky_colostate_0053N_11041.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2012500008COMU
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/65204
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectfilm
dc.subjectrhetoric
dc.subjectMormon
dc.subjectmissionary
dc.titleA reason to believe: a rhetorical analysis of Mormon missionary films
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineCommunication Studies
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts (M.A.)

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