Ye Cannot Live on Borrowed Light

Early on, and in periodic discussions, I’ve wondered at the presumption of this project. Is it arrogant to believe all literary theorists–men and women who have spent years carefully studying and pondering the construction (and breakdown) of meaning in literature–have been merely groping in the dark while we Latter-day Saints have inherited a vital hermeneutic light capable of unprecedented insight?

No.

Not if we bear in mind that we do not possess the light, but may only access it. Not if we recognize that despite being given magnificent light, we spend far too much of our lives blindly groping for meaning and purpose as well. Not if we recognize the light we have inherited is most powerful when we do our homework: shining it on the literary philosophies of men in our search for truth. Latter-day Saint art and literature can transcend the LDS niche while remaining faithful to its roots if we add the light of the gospel to light borrowed from traditional critical theorists. Elder Bednar’s statements do a much better job of explaining this in his more general application. Take a look.