Feb 5, 2020
In this episode, the brilliant Stephen Carter
joins with LDF host Dan Wotherspoon to talk about
two types of stories that don't easily play well with each other,
yet are both very much needed. How might we learn to hold these in
a healthy tension? Stephen's doctorate is in narrative studies and
he is always on the look out to notice the types of stories that
capture imaginations and direct lives. And often with specific
attention on the ones that influence Latter-day Saints. The two he
brings up today he names "Circle" and "Line" stories, and he and
Dan explore what can happen when one dominates the other in an
individual human life as well within the collective.
"Line" stories indicate direction. I tell myself a line story that
indicates what my values and goals are, the direction I should move
in order to get there, and what I should be on the look out for
that might prove to be tough obstacles I need to avoid or conquer.
For good and ill, line stories also provide for us ways to judge
our progress toward these goals. By themselves, however, we can't
really define and have a firm grasp on what is or isn't
meaningful.
"Circle" stories are directionless. We are all living a circle
story--our lives and what we are learning, how we are changing, who
we are becoming--but in themselves don't really direct us. Instead,
they require us to self-examine, to wrestle, to conquer fears, and
to allow what we value and want to reveal themselves as fruits from
our struggles. And all the criteria for judging how we are doing
come from inside rather than through those that dominate the line
story. The "meaning" of our lives comes from Circle stories.
Mormonism nods toward the importance of Circle stories and has deep
resources for talking about them, but it primarily emphasizes Line
stories as our guides and evaluation criteria. The Plan of
Salvation is laid out clearly, and the goal is the celestial
kingdom. We are to raise children who will follow this same path,
hold these same values. We are to listen to these
particular guides but not those. But how would it look if
the Circle story gained equal footing, got equal attention in
church or in general conference addresses? Both types of stories
are essential for a balanced, meaningful, and joyful life. By
naming these types and exploring how they work, might we be of
service in re-balancing our religion and lives within the church?
Stephen and Dan believe so.
Listen in! This stuff is rich!