McKay doesn't like Trump and hasn't since Trump first ran for president. He apparently had a rather ill-fated trip to Mar-a-Lago during the 2016 election that I don't think he'll ever forgive Trump for. His political bias was apparent (and irrelevant) in the article--way too much politics, and way too much of a focus on approval. Why? Because that's what gets the clicks, I guess. These things are secondary to what really matters. Jesus Christ was very much missing from most of the article, as was President Nelson. But that's what The Atlantic and its readers would have wanted.
BTW, I knew McKay when he was young and am friends with his parents.
Sasha KwapinskiJanuary 28, 2021
If the main purpose or intent of our faith is to accommodate ourselves to the socio-cultural trends of the day, then I would suggest that there are several "mainline" denominations which have already been following that route. Interestingly, these are the same denominations which have been declining, not only in percentages, but in actual numbers ranging up into the millions, since the mid-1960's.
Could this be an example of the salt losing its savor, or the trumpet giving an uncertain sound?
Allen AJanuary 28, 2021
Like others who have commented, I was struck by the lack of introspection that lead Coppins to assume that the Church of Jesus Christ is somehow an "American" church. The Church is lead by Jesus, through His prophets. It really has no nationality. Most Catholics don't regard their faith as an Italian church, so why would the author of the Atlantic article say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints must be "American" and strive to be accepted under American social and political norms?
ScottHJanuary 28, 2021
Thank you for your extensive and thoughtful review of the Coppins article. While I share many of your concerns, I believe it is important to consider where it was published (who paid for it) and its target audience. The typical reader of The Atlantic would likely fail to identify with many of the implied suggestions for improvement. While The Atlantic gave Brother Coppins a free hand, I suspect managers would have required many changes had the article been written as many faithful Latter-day Saints would like. And while the article focuses on "lesser" matters, more than a handful of faithful saints have at least found these issues worth contemplating. Perhaps those who are most displeased with the article are setting the bar too high for an arguably Left leaning national publication. Frankly, we should probably be grateful the article was much better than a great deal of stuff written about the Church.
Barbara MattatallJanuary 28, 2021
I did NOT care for his first article. I found it offensive. I thought it would be something good in promoting the image of the Church but as I read, I felt so many negative vibes I had to stop reading it.
BrianJanuary 28, 2021
Rather than presenting us with a thoughtful, reflective, and honest commentary of McKay’s piece, the author has given us knee-jerk reactions that were obviously taken from a critical reading of the article. It seems plans were laid out to argue against each point rather than reading and reflecting. For me, credibility was lost in the first point against the author when referencing our prophet’s message on gratitude, which were given to us months after the interview occurred on “a gray spring morning”. This article misses the undercurrent of the original that a once rejected population of “peculiar people” now emulates what America has lost and so desperately needs.
LisaJanuary 27, 2021
Reading this article was like receiving some life-giving water after the thoughts and feelings that arose in my mind from the Atlantic article. I felt it was a shallow perspective, even though good and honest intent was evident. I couldn't put my finger on what was lacking. It was - as pointed out by Hancock - the larger perspective of a prophet of God, and that it is Him we want to please and serve. It is the WHY. The words of President Nelson were there to contemplate - thank you for pointing that out! I purposely waited to see what some of the comments to this article would be, and am so heartened by the thoughtful ways members of the church (represented by these few) consider the words of others and express their thoughts compassionately. Thank you to all who responded! It is validating to know my thinking is in line with people of faith.
DanielaJanuary 26, 2021
Thanks for this excellent article and for being able to eloquently give voice to my thoughts on the article by McKay Coppins.When I first read it I felt like it started well but then the author took a definite detour. The point is that when we try to rationalize the church and our faith the result often sounds grotesque, the spirit leaves and the outcome is almost a caricature of the initial portrait. Thanks for putting things into the right perspective.
Charlie ChanJanuary 26, 2021
I am a member from Singapore. I don't understand why the restored Church must always be viewed from an American lens? In God's divine scheme of things, I am not sure if He has intended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be an American church.
ChrisJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you. While I was generally pleased with the fairly uncritical reporting in Brother Coppin's article, I appreciate your thoughtful analysis !
I, too was struck with how little there was of President Nelson and how much there was of the author and others - especially since it was "billed" as an interview with the Prophet.
I, myself, am, guilty (from time-to-time) of being pleased when we are "liked" by contemporary society, but I don't believe that desire is the driving force in my view of myself, or the Doctrines of the Gospel.
The journalist seemed to imply that mindset throughout his article. The Mormon he described, wasn't the Mormon I know. Most of us are too busy trying to be like Jesus, to be bothered by what the world thinks of us.
Melanie SteinJanuary 26, 2021
Very thoughtful commentary. Thank you for taking the time to think and write deeply, not superficially, about the article in The Atlantic. The Atlantic article was a "feel good" article, but as Bro. Hancock helped me see, we should consider our religion more deeply--how it fits in God's grand design, not how it fits in the design of social progressivism. I could go on, but Bro. Hancock says it far better than I.
Lynn BennionJanuary 26, 2021
This was a great insight into the Atlantic article. I so appreciate the way I was pointed toward Pres. Nelson's view that The Lord's Church has a purpose - and being popular, accepted in a modern, messed-up America or the World, for that matter, isn't it.
Juliann BradshawJanuary 26, 2021
Having read Coppins article I believe Mr. Hancock has done a masterful job of reviewing honestly and truthfully what was written. Thank you,
I would encourage you, Mr. Hancock , to use as open and analytical an eye to really evaluate what happened on January 6th. It has not been honestly and truthfully portrayed.
Mike SheehanJanuary 26, 2021
I wholeheartedly agree with the proposition that Coppins' article is was undertaken from a politically progressive mindset. There seemed to be more focus on the needs of "natural man" vs. a person's spiritual and eternal needs.
Linda HardyJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you! I read the article at the time and came away confused by what I saw as “snark”. It almost felt like the writer was slyly mocking the church. Sometimes we need to control our sense of humor. (I share that problem.). At the same time, really explaining our thoughts clearly can be HARD! I appreciate your helping me better understand why the article bothered me, and why I should be less critical of the author.
TammyJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you for publishing this article. I came away from reading Coppins article very unsatisfied and feeling that our entire faith had been reduced to nothing but a quest for popularity. I do not feel that he represented my feelings and beliefs in his article and wished for a more genuine review of the “Marvelous Work and Wonder” that this gospel is.
AnnaJanuary 26, 2021
Thanks for such an excellent article, for which I have been hoping since Coppins' article appeared. Framing the majesty of divine work in human and sociological terms may be good journalism, but leaves one spiritually thirsty.
Comments | Return to Story
New EnglanderJanuary 30, 2021
McKay doesn't like Trump and hasn't since Trump first ran for president. He apparently had a rather ill-fated trip to Mar-a-Lago during the 2016 election that I don't think he'll ever forgive Trump for. His political bias was apparent (and irrelevant) in the article--way too much politics, and way too much of a focus on approval. Why? Because that's what gets the clicks, I guess. These things are secondary to what really matters. Jesus Christ was very much missing from most of the article, as was President Nelson. But that's what The Atlantic and its readers would have wanted. BTW, I knew McKay when he was young and am friends with his parents.
Sasha KwapinskiJanuary 28, 2021
If the main purpose or intent of our faith is to accommodate ourselves to the socio-cultural trends of the day, then I would suggest that there are several "mainline" denominations which have already been following that route. Interestingly, these are the same denominations which have been declining, not only in percentages, but in actual numbers ranging up into the millions, since the mid-1960's. Could this be an example of the salt losing its savor, or the trumpet giving an uncertain sound?
Allen AJanuary 28, 2021
Like others who have commented, I was struck by the lack of introspection that lead Coppins to assume that the Church of Jesus Christ is somehow an "American" church. The Church is lead by Jesus, through His prophets. It really has no nationality. Most Catholics don't regard their faith as an Italian church, so why would the author of the Atlantic article say that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints must be "American" and strive to be accepted under American social and political norms?
ScottHJanuary 28, 2021
Thank you for your extensive and thoughtful review of the Coppins article. While I share many of your concerns, I believe it is important to consider where it was published (who paid for it) and its target audience. The typical reader of The Atlantic would likely fail to identify with many of the implied suggestions for improvement. While The Atlantic gave Brother Coppins a free hand, I suspect managers would have required many changes had the article been written as many faithful Latter-day Saints would like. And while the article focuses on "lesser" matters, more than a handful of faithful saints have at least found these issues worth contemplating. Perhaps those who are most displeased with the article are setting the bar too high for an arguably Left leaning national publication. Frankly, we should probably be grateful the article was much better than a great deal of stuff written about the Church.
Barbara MattatallJanuary 28, 2021
I did NOT care for his first article. I found it offensive. I thought it would be something good in promoting the image of the Church but as I read, I felt so many negative vibes I had to stop reading it.
BrianJanuary 28, 2021
Rather than presenting us with a thoughtful, reflective, and honest commentary of McKay’s piece, the author has given us knee-jerk reactions that were obviously taken from a critical reading of the article. It seems plans were laid out to argue against each point rather than reading and reflecting. For me, credibility was lost in the first point against the author when referencing our prophet’s message on gratitude, which were given to us months after the interview occurred on “a gray spring morning”. This article misses the undercurrent of the original that a once rejected population of “peculiar people” now emulates what America has lost and so desperately needs.
LisaJanuary 27, 2021
Reading this article was like receiving some life-giving water after the thoughts and feelings that arose in my mind from the Atlantic article. I felt it was a shallow perspective, even though good and honest intent was evident. I couldn't put my finger on what was lacking. It was - as pointed out by Hancock - the larger perspective of a prophet of God, and that it is Him we want to please and serve. It is the WHY. The words of President Nelson were there to contemplate - thank you for pointing that out! I purposely waited to see what some of the comments to this article would be, and am so heartened by the thoughtful ways members of the church (represented by these few) consider the words of others and express their thoughts compassionately. Thank you to all who responded! It is validating to know my thinking is in line with people of faith.
DanielaJanuary 26, 2021
Thanks for this excellent article and for being able to eloquently give voice to my thoughts on the article by McKay Coppins.When I first read it I felt like it started well but then the author took a definite detour. The point is that when we try to rationalize the church and our faith the result often sounds grotesque, the spirit leaves and the outcome is almost a caricature of the initial portrait. Thanks for putting things into the right perspective.
Charlie ChanJanuary 26, 2021
I am a member from Singapore. I don't understand why the restored Church must always be viewed from an American lens? In God's divine scheme of things, I am not sure if He has intended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be an American church.
ChrisJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you. While I was generally pleased with the fairly uncritical reporting in Brother Coppin's article, I appreciate your thoughtful analysis ! I, too was struck with how little there was of President Nelson and how much there was of the author and others - especially since it was "billed" as an interview with the Prophet. I, myself, am, guilty (from time-to-time) of being pleased when we are "liked" by contemporary society, but I don't believe that desire is the driving force in my view of myself, or the Doctrines of the Gospel. The journalist seemed to imply that mindset throughout his article. The Mormon he described, wasn't the Mormon I know. Most of us are too busy trying to be like Jesus, to be bothered by what the world thinks of us.
Melanie SteinJanuary 26, 2021
Very thoughtful commentary. Thank you for taking the time to think and write deeply, not superficially, about the article in The Atlantic. The Atlantic article was a "feel good" article, but as Bro. Hancock helped me see, we should consider our religion more deeply--how it fits in God's grand design, not how it fits in the design of social progressivism. I could go on, but Bro. Hancock says it far better than I.
Lynn BennionJanuary 26, 2021
This was a great insight into the Atlantic article. I so appreciate the way I was pointed toward Pres. Nelson's view that The Lord's Church has a purpose - and being popular, accepted in a modern, messed-up America or the World, for that matter, isn't it.
Juliann BradshawJanuary 26, 2021
Having read Coppins article I believe Mr. Hancock has done a masterful job of reviewing honestly and truthfully what was written. Thank you, I would encourage you, Mr. Hancock , to use as open and analytical an eye to really evaluate what happened on January 6th. It has not been honestly and truthfully portrayed.
Mike SheehanJanuary 26, 2021
I wholeheartedly agree with the proposition that Coppins' article is was undertaken from a politically progressive mindset. There seemed to be more focus on the needs of "natural man" vs. a person's spiritual and eternal needs.
Linda HardyJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you! I read the article at the time and came away confused by what I saw as “snark”. It almost felt like the writer was slyly mocking the church. Sometimes we need to control our sense of humor. (I share that problem.). At the same time, really explaining our thoughts clearly can be HARD! I appreciate your helping me better understand why the article bothered me, and why I should be less critical of the author.
TammyJanuary 26, 2021
Thank you for publishing this article. I came away from reading Coppins article very unsatisfied and feeling that our entire faith had been reduced to nothing but a quest for popularity. I do not feel that he represented my feelings and beliefs in his article and wished for a more genuine review of the “Marvelous Work and Wonder” that this gospel is.
AnnaJanuary 26, 2021
Thanks for such an excellent article, for which I have been hoping since Coppins' article appeared. Framing the majesty of divine work in human and sociological terms may be good journalism, but leaves one spiritually thirsty.
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