BLOG 10

Kaelen Penrod
Hawkins
PoliSci 150

Blog 10

Globalization refers to the spread of political, economic, and cultural dynamics beyond
the borders of any one country. While many people choose to highlight the possible negative
consequences of a global governance, globalization has played a part in the exponential
proliferation of human rights, tolerance, and economic enterprise in the world in the last few
decades.
Globalization has had many positive effects on the growth of the LDS Church as well.
From a political standpoint, the emergence of transnational organizations, both governmental
and non-governmental, has resulted in an increase in a sort of transnational watchdog situation –
not all states may appreciate other states checking up on them or taking it upon themselves to
deliver justice to their citizens, one can argue that democracy as an ideal has been strengthened.
International Government Organizations like the International Crime Court seek to eradicate
human rights violations and social injustices, such as genocide, by assuming the role of mediator
and judge across many sovereign states (Samuels 353).
From an economic view, globalization has played a role in creating opportunities for the
Church to flow into other nations. I am reminded of the story of a young David O. McKay, when
he knocked on the door of a poor woman while on a mission in Scotland. When offered a tract,
the woman asked, “Will this buy me any bread?” The gospel cannot be spread when there are
temporal needs to be met. Studies have concluded that “the more globalized a country, the more
it grows and the more poverty is reduced (Samuels 359). As more states recognize the benefit of
opening their borders and allowing free trade, not only will access increase for missionaries, but
new converts will be able to establish themselves securely in the Church and engage themselves
in the work of bringing the gospel to others. As globalization spreads, so does the Church, which
remained the the fastest growing Christian sect in America in the first decade of the 21 st century
(Deseret).
From a cultural standpoint, globalization has many positive effects on the Church. For
example the Church was reestablished and organized in America, with attention to American
customs and cultural influences. Sunday was already considered a Sabbath day. The institution
of family was already an important part of life; everyone must do their fair share of work on a
farm to keep it running properly. As American culture expands into other countries, it creates
a foundation that paves the way for life as a member of the Church. Obviously we seek to
acknowledge, observe, and preserve the cultures of other countries, but people who join the
Church outside of America often have to change their lifestyles in different or more extensive
ways than American converts could anticipate (Conversion). For example, the consumption of
alcohol in European countries has long been a staple of everyday life; wine is consumed with
dinner as a ‘nourishment,’ and is considered a staple aspect of the culture. With the spread of
globalization, the practice of consuming alcohol among youth and young adults has taken a turn
towards simply getting drunk at parties and social gatherings (Wine). While this practice does

Kaelen Penrod
Hawkins
PoliSci 150

not generally have positive consequences, letting go of a bad habit in the process of conversion
may come more easily than abandoning a cultural norm.

The Encyclopepdia of Mormonism. Conversion. Aug 16. 2010.

The Global Wine Industry. Duke University. http://www.duke.edu/web/soc142/team5/

europeanmarket.html

Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics. Pearson. 2013. New York.

Bolding, Joshua. LDS Church reports 18 percent growth in 2000s. Deseret News. May 3. 2012.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865555185/LDS-Church-reports-18-percent-growth-

in-2000s.html?pg=all