The parallels between Mormonism and early Ethiopian Christianity

When we were discussing the process by which Ethiopian Christians associated themselves with Israel, the story of the Kebra Negast seemed oddly familiar to me.  Although we have studied the way that several religions have reinterpreted themselves throughout time, the specific comparison that came to mind was Mormonism.  I did a bit of online research, and the parallels that I found between Mormonism and early Ethiopian Christianity were fairly astounding.  

We have already talked through the assigned reading of the Kebra Negast in class, so I will not take up space summarizing the story, but I would like to restate the function that the Kebra Negast served for early Ethiopian Christians: by establishing a strong link to King Solomon, arguably the strongest Christian leader of Israel, early Ethiopian Christians legitimized their claim as a Christian center.  In turn, this likely piqued the interest of non-religious individuals and created a stronger sense of solidarity within the Christian community of Ethiopia at that time.  By reinterpreting and adding to preexisting stories, early Ethiopian Christians were effectively able to create a foundation for their faith within a completely new and previously non-Christian area.

Although we have briefly mentioned Mormonism during class discussion, we haven’t really explored the underlying beliefs of this religious system.  Admittedly, before writing this blog I wasn’t completely familiar with the teachings of the Mormon church, but the information I found online was surprisingly similar to what we discussed about the Kebra Negast.  Specifically, Mormons adhere to what is basically a reinterpretation of Judaism (specifically the Old Testament) that places one of the lost tribes of Israel in America.  Mormons believe that they are all members of the House of Israel, and many of their names for cities/geographical locations (i.e. Nauvoo) are based on Hebrew names.  The Mormons (often referred to as the Church of the Latter Day Saints) believe that Jesus also established a church in America (during the time of the Native Americans), but this church eventually failed.  However, since Christ saw fit to establish a church in America, America itself is thus given meaning as a spiritual center, and Mormons believe that America will play a large roll in the events of the Last Days.  

Both of these religions are essentially interpretations and elaborations upon previously existing religious systems (as many religions are).  It is not my intent to criticize the validity of either the Mormon teachings, or the reading of the Kebra Negast that we studied in class.  However, I find it extremely interesting to note that both these religions (Mormonism and Christians in Ethiopia) created stories that place themselves in direct relation to Israel, and at times they even relocate the spiritual center of their religion to their respective countries.  This touches on one the key points of Rlst 100 that interest me the most: the ability of religions to adapt and reinterpret previously existing ideas to fit changing cultural and social patterns.  By building off of strong previously existing religious institutions, both early Ethiopian Christians and Mormons were able to legitimize their religious beliefs and establish their homeland as a religious center.