Relativism, Absolutism, and the Wizard of Oz
by James R. Birrell, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Teacher Education, BYU

(Click here to read the earlier articles to which this question refers: The Rise of Relativism and the Decline of Freedom and Virtue in America Relativism, New Meaning of Tolerance in America’s Culture Wars . Relativism and America’s Culture Wars, Relativism and the Rise of Big Government in America , and Relativism, Social Justice, and our Declining Freedoms in America)

“You guys have been discriminating for years. Now it’s our turn!” Justice Thurgood Marshall to Justice William Douglas .

Introduction

If you have been reading my series of articles on relativism, you know by now that I have been arguing the need for us to become more aware of and more involved in reshaping the culture. America‘s culture war is ultimately an attack on Christ and truth. I absolutely believe that it is Satan’s war, promoting his doctrine for the deceiving and confusing of the elect in these last days with lesser matters, explanations, and causes. It is Satan’s way of defining (and recruiting) the honorable man or woman of the world by attending to lesser- but good humanist causes. With God’s help, we can turn much of the troublesome aspects of our culture around by overcoming evil with good (Romans 12: 21).

Since December, I have been arguing that those among us who seek the reward of the valiant in Christ more than the honorable of the world (see D&C 76) must pay particular attention to what is being said and done these days, least they err in many instances because they are taught the precepts of men (2 Nephi 28: 14). For bringing living water to the needy of the world is truly humanist and honorable; however, bringing the needy of the world to the Living Water- Christ, is truly valiant and ultimately (eternally) of even greater worth to all concerned. Thus, I urge all readers to avoid being defined by lesser, although arguably honorable arguments and explanations.

In this article, I will retell- in my own words, the story of the Wizard of Oz. I will relate how Dorothy’s struggles and perils were remarkably similar to our own. Each struggle testifies to the power of absolute, not relativist truth. This version is a different look at Dorothy’s experience, attending to the weightier aspects of life’s journey. And I will discuss the four phases she passed through before finding herself at home again. I call these phases (1) the longing, (2) the awakening, (3) the overcoming, and (4) the belonging. I believe that these phases define our individual walks along the straight and yellow brick road, as we make our way home through the veiled one called “Wonderful.”

The Season of Longing

Like so many of us, young and old, Dorothy longed for and worried over much. She worried over her dog as a mother might worry over a child. For someone was there who sought to take away that which mattered most to her; it was the same one who later sought her destruction in the next world. This threatening one reappeared with a vengeance in the second estate, having been angered and possessive in the first.

Like many her age, Dorothy believed that life had to be better elsewhere on the other side of the rainbow; so she longed to be there. Metaphorically, Dorothy shouted for joy at the idea of entering a world she could not have comprehended. That world was over there, across the bow and opposite the arch she knew. Though it was a land far away, it was also connected to her present reality. Thus, she could go away and never really leave. Like C. S. Lewis said in God in the Dock, those who return to God will discover that they never really left; because God was always with them; earth was an extension of heaven, like two ends of a rainbow.

Young and discontented, Dorothy left home searching for what would surely be the perfect world, not realizing that she was leaving the world she would later come to find most satisfying in contrast to her second estate, and most desirable at the conclusion of her journey. She was about to leave the perfect home; but she could not have known it then.

The Season of Awakening

Her entrance into the New World was in many ways like a birthing; difficult, frightening, and messy. And it changed her and her new world forever; for by seeking him, she ultimately brought the Wonderful one out from behind the veil and into the center of the community to be known by all. Alas, Dorothy’s unexpected, smashing entrance into the second world angered the evil witch who presented her with fierce threats and immediate opposition. Something went horribly wrong; this world was not a paradise. It was a world of contrasts, for both good and evil stood before her. One sought her destruction, while the other gave her comfort and guidance. One was of the world, while the other lived in a bubble as if she were from another sphere and place.

Faced with the perils of this world, and the ever-present reality that the Evil One sought her destruction with a vengeance, for she caused the Evil One a loss, Dorothy experienced an awakening. “I want to go home. I want to return to the place I knew before coming to this world. Help me to get home,” she told the good witch all adorned in white and wearing a crown. And so the Good One told her about the Wonderful One; he was wonderful because he did wonderful things. Oh to be known as wonderful! (see Isaiah 9:6).

“How do I find this Wonderful One,” Dorothy asked? “Just follow the straight and yellow brick road,” said the Good One; a yellow brick path should be easy to see. “But I’ll get you first,” raged the Evil One, which caused Dorothy to tremble. Then said the Good One, “I will give you something to wear that will protect you from the Evil One. So long as you wear them, evil cannot harm you.” Sound familiar? Why do some of us temple-endowed members forget to wear our “ruby slippers” so to speak, or alter them to be more fashionable? Evil is fierce; it loves to get “pretties” and men who alter their slippers as evidence, not of their casual attire, but of their casual attitudes toward their covenants.

Evil hates good little girls who do as they are told. As I recall, “Who would have thought that all my lovely wickedness could be destroyed by a good little girl like you,” were the Evil One’s final words to Dorothy. Yes, evil hates good little girls and boys. When Dorothy recognized the determination of the Evil One, she awakened to her need for the Wonderful One, and she set out on the straight and yellow brick path to find this man. The path led directly to him who waited behind a veil.

The Season of Overcoming

Along the path, Dorothy made three friends. The scarecrow was down on himself; he thought he was stupid and acted accordingly. The tinman could not deal with his emotions; he rusted up whenever he was flooded with feelings, especially when feeling unlovable or unable to give love. And the lion was a coward; he bullied the small dog. Cowards are shameful for they always bully weaker things. Encouraged by the promise of the powers of the Wonderful One, Dorothy and her three friends made their way gleefully to Oz. This was their first overcoming, to put their faith in the ability of the Wonderful One to meet their individual needs.

The second overcoming occurred soon after. Dorothy and her friends took their eyes off of Emerald City and turned to the side; they saw a wide field that was the world (see 1 Nephi 8). There they saw Poppies, countless Poppies. Suddenly, they desired Poppies, and so they left the path and the pursuit of the Wonderful One to roll themselves in Poppy fields. Oh the lovely and splendid things of the world; how mortals love them. Dorothy and her friends first fell under the spell of worldly things, then the Evil One, and ultimately fell asleep in a field of Poppies. In thinking so much about worldly Poppies, all four forgot about higher purposes.

Once asleep, their progress toward the Wonderful One had been halted by their distraction with the things of the world. Perhaps they would still be asleep had it not been for the intervention of the Good One who sprinkled her influence and snow over them and woke them up; this was Dorothy’s reawakening. Once the things of this world left Dorothy cold, in a manner of speaking, and she felt the need to return, she returned to the path and soon met the image of the Wonderful One. I say image because she had yet to overcome the Evil One and see the veil removed between them. After telling him of their problems; one wanted to go home, one wanted a brain, another courage, and still another a heart, the Wonderful One gave them a bigger problem, “bring me the Wicked Witch’s broom!” What kind of Wonderful One would help you solve one problem by giving you a bigger problem, his problem? How was it that attending to his needs could fulfill their own?

Regardless of any doubts, they complied and soon obtained the broom, quite by accident; like Nephi and the brass plates, trusting the outcome to the Wonderful One and their willingness to try. When the Evil One touched the scarecrow with fire, Dorothy accidentally threw pure clean water on the Evil One who then melted; who ever heard of evil being washed away by pure clean water? And so this successful foursome presented Oz with the witch’s broom. They had overcome evil, and were prepared now to obtain the prize of belonging.

The Season of Belonging

First, they now belonged to themselves; in time and through patience they possessed their own souls because they were whole. The lion possessed his courage; the tinman possessed the ability to love and be loved; the scarecrow possessed his mind. Dorothy found out that she had really been home all along- she now possessed clarity about belonging. Funny how once they put their personal concerns aside and attended to the particular needs of the Wonderful One, their individual needs really were taken care of. Dorothy learned this truth, that a life lived in search of self is a lost life; a life lived attending to the concerns of the Wonderful One is a found, rich, and wonderful life, profoundly wonderful!

Moreover, in coming to own themselves, they forever owned, or rather belonged, to one another. They were all there, in the end, together again in joy and safety, back on the other side of the rainbow, and back from whence she came- back to their recognizable form. Dorothy was home, she belonged forever now to that world, and she never would leave it again- for no other place could ever be quite like it. When we get back to the other side of the metaphorical rainbow, we will agree with Dorothy, there is no place like our eternal home. See you there.and bring a few lost relativists, scarecrows, tinmen, and lions with you!