About Mormon Angst

Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a Church that was founded in New York in 1830. Here is a link to the website if you would like to learn more: www.lds.org. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are called Mormons for their belief in The Book of Mormon, they are also commonly called LDS (for Latter Day Saints). If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a Mormon.   ——————->

For those that are wondering, “What exactly is Angst and what does it mean?”. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia.com that I thought best described what angst is.

“Kierkegaard used the word Angest (in common Danish, angst, meaning “dread” or “anxiety”) to describe a profound and deep-seated spiritual condition of insecurity and fear in the free human being. Where the animal is a slave to its instincts but always conscious in its own actions, Kierkegaard believed that the freedom given to people leaves the human in a constant fear of failing his/her responsibilities to God. Kierkegaard’s concept of angst is considered to be an important stepping stone for 20th-century existentialism. While Kierkegaard’s feeling of angst is fear of actual responsibility to God, in modern use, angst was broadened by the later existentialists to include general frustration associated with the conflict between actual responsibilities to self, one’s principles, and others (possibly including God).” – Wikipedia

I prefer the Kierkegaard definition in that angst “leaves the human in a constant fear of failing his/her responsibilities to God.”, and to couple it with the following scripture in the Book of Mormon by the prophet Jacob, the brother of Nephi, describes the theme of Mormon Angst to me.

“Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world.”  2 Nephi 6:3

Jacob’s anxiety, or angst, comes from his desire to save our souls and he feels a great responsibility to do so.  This is due to his calling as a prophet of Jesus Christ and for the promises he has made to serve his fellow man.  Jacob doesn’t want to disappoint Christ and wants to fulfill his duty as best he can.

Jacob studied and learned from his older brother, Nephi. Nephi’s motto seems to have always been “I will go and do the things the Lord has commanded me” (1 Nephi 3:7).  Nephi and Jacob are great examples in many ways and this is just another way that Nephi and Jacob are men to emulate and I try to pattern my life after theirs, and I to try to be a man of God as they were. Like Jacob I will try to use this medium to teach “you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world.”

DISCLAIMER:

As a member of the LDS Church, I subscribe to all of its teaching and doctrines. I use this forum mostly to articulate ideas that I get and want to write down, kind of like a journal of sorts. I do not represent any authoritative voice in the LDS Church and don’t intend to do so on this blog. With each post I do try to represent the teaching and doctrines of the LDS Church in a way that is truthful and accurate. However, I may mistakenly get things wrong or write things that are not accurate. If this does happen – first of all, I apologize for doing so, as it is not my intent to teach false doctrine. Secondly, please feel free to correct me or question any statements I may make that you feel or know is incorrect in the comments section of the post. Also, post the quote or scripture or any reference that you have that represents your concerns regarding my post with your comment. That way I can read it and make the needed corrections in the post.

However, if you are one of those who like to argue and demean and really have no interest in having a discussion, then please don’t bother posting as I will probably ignore you and block your comments.