“Blessings and Friends and Knowledge”: Environmental Motivations for Religious Literacy

Abstract

This two-year ethnographic study examines the motivations for religious knowledge development, or religious literacy, embedded in a Latter-day Saint congregation. Qualitative analyses of observations and 29 interviews with nine youth yielded three characteristics of religious environments that motivated youth for religious literacy. When youth felt the influence of the Holy Ghost (spiritual), had strong social bonds with fellow congregants (relational), and were learning important truths about their faith (educative) motivation for religious literacy increased. Absent these influences, motivation waned. This study raises questions about religious learning spaces, youths’ experiences within them, and the religiosocial dynamics that influence them.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, seminary is a four-year course of religious study for Latter-day Saint youth between the ages of 14–18. In seminary, youth learn the basic tenants of the Church. All youth in this age range are encouraged to attend.