Irish Mormons: Reconciling Identity in Global Mormonism

Hazel OBrien explores how Irish Latter-day Saints create a sense of belonging by drawing on collective memories of their Irishness and faith, challenging Utah-based constructions of Mormonism and shifting the understanding of Irelands religious landscape away from Roman Catholicism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is a global religious movement that has found a foothold in Ireland, attracting followers from various backgrounds. In her research, Hazel OBrien delves into the experiences of these Latter-day Saint communities in Ireland, exploring how they navigate and interpret their faith within the country's evolving religious landscape.

Irish Latter-day Saints exist on the periphery of both national religious life and the broader LDS movement. Despite this marginalization, they cultivate a sense of belonging through the collective memory of their Irish heritage and their faith. OBrien's study reveals how Irish Latter-day Saints strive to redefine Ireland's religious landscape, shifting the predominant focus away from Roman Catholicism and challenging Utah-based notions of Mormonism to secure their place within the Church's rich religious and cultural heritage.

Through a combination of participant observation and in-depth interviews, Irish Mormons provides a unique perspective on the Latter-day Saint community in contemporary Ireland. The book blends empirical analysis with personal narratives, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, joys, and complexities faced by these individuals as they navigate their faith in a changing social and religious context.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252087202