“If all govt were gone tomorrow the church would fill that role.” But Bellum meant it much more literally, as he clarified in subsequent tweets: “#DezNat or Deseret Nation is basically the recognition that faithful members are a unique people and should be united spiritually, morally, economically, and politically behind Christ, the prophet, and the church,” one tweet read. Though Young’s proposal was rejected, the word is still in widespread use to connote a symbol of the predominantly Mormon state (the second-largest newspaper in Utah, for example, is called the Deseret News). The user, who posts under the display name John Paul Bellum, published the inaugural tweet on August 6: “Is what you are doing today helping to building Deseret tomorrow? #DezNat,” he wrote.īy “Deseret,” Bellum was referring to a common term in Mormon lore meaning “bee hive,” which took on special significance when Brigham Young, the church’s second prophet, proposed it as the original name for a larger version of the state of Utah. The tag first appeared on Twitter in August of 2018 from the user a self-described “violent agriculturalist” interested in “the Kingdom of God or nothing,” according to his Twitter bio. It’s a shorthand for a very conservative subgroup of church members.” That is, it’s intended to designate a different (or higher) set of beliefs, a purer form of the religion, a higher level of devotion. Still, others say it represents the most militant stream of Mormonism-a group of ultra-conservatives who often promote bigotry and violence against people of color, LGBTQ people, sex workers, non-Mormons, and former Mormons, or “apostates.” Steve Evans, a contributor to the progressive Mormon blog By Common Consent, told The Daily Beast that the group “varies from person to person… but sometimes it is more in the vein of nationalism. “But it was explained to be a Deseret Nation-not in terms of country or borders-but a group of people with common culture and that culture is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” ![]() “Nationalism doesn’t sound too good,” Cain said. “Have you ever seen Red Sox Nation? It’s got the same connotation.” Another #DezNat proponent, a 28-year-old Washington State Fish & Wildlife official named Brett Cain said that he was initially concerned by the tag. “It’s not ‘nationalism,’” said Dustin Turner, a church member and former Ted Cruz staffer who uses the hashtag. Several conservatives who spoke to The Daily Beast claimed that the hashtag is apolitical, nothing more than a way for church members to aggregate doctrinal commentary on Twitter. Wyles’ brother recommended she join Twitter, in part to help her find more trans church members, and other people asking similar questions about the intersection of faith and gender. The Latter-day Saints have a defined position on homosexuality (they believe acting on same-sex desire is a sin), but little to no official doctrine on being transgender. Being trans and Mormon, Wyles told The Daily Beast, is often difficult, not just because of harassment from other members, but because the church’s stance on trans-identity is unclear. Wyles first made a Twitter account back in November, at the recommendation of her brother. The comment came from Allison Wyles (not her real last name), a 25-year-old trans woman, a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a relatively new Twitter user. “I feel like it’s only one meltdown away from being the one who ends up killing someone like me.” “I am ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED of #deznat,” the post read. ![]() In early January, a post appeared on the Twitter account a page devoted to anonymous confessions from LGBTQ members of the Mormon Church, about a new hashtag circulating in LDS Twitter: #DezNat.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |