Notes on Possible Catholic-Mormon Dialogue

Sometimes, in my day dreams I overhear Joseph Smith and Francis of Assisi talking in a grove of trees. Francis has become something of a Patron Saint in my journey into Contemplative Christianity but Joseph still haunts many of my theological instincts. Certainly the two men do not share much in terms of theology, but there are some interesting parallels between these two spiritual leaders, separated by nearly 600 years. Both men founded massively successful religious movements. Francisâ??s reforms sought to bring Christianity back to the Gospel life and the example of Jesus, while Joseph sought to restore the primitive Christian Church structure of Apostles and Prophets. Francisâ??s spiritual energy was fueled by the violence and corruption of the beginnings of mercantile capitalism in Italy, while Josephâ??s Mormonism was born out of the social supernova of the American frontier and the blossoming industrial revolution.