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Show v.: " ... . 77 r 1 --t - O 3fTf rmfA TSf UUUU-U Professor explores theme of damnation vs. grace Linda K. Nimori Editor-in-Chief Dr. Levi Peterson, professor of English at Weber State College, has written a full-length novel, one that will either touch your sense of humor and compassion or offend your sensibilities, depending on your perspective. In Peterson's own words, The Backslider "is a novel set in the ranching country of Southern Utah during the 1950s. Although it shows a good deal about the life, ways and customs of that time and place, often with a perhaps slight, comic exaggeration, it is chiefly concerned with a hard-working young Mormon who fights, drinks, fornicates, and otherwise demonstrates his disgust with God." The central theme of the story focuses on damnation vs. grace the free gift of salvation from God. His main character Frank Windham, who expresses extreme attitudes within the novel, vacillates between a physically active (in several contexts) young cowboy and a "medieval monk," in Peterson's words. Windham's change of character has to do with a traumatic incident perpetrated by his brother upon his own person. It's compounded by Windham's introduction to polygamist fundamentalists who believe in blood atonement. Because of these events, Windham's perspective on life changes and forces him into confrontations with his inner self. "Despite Frank's attempt to be a Mormon monk, Frank never achieves a sense of forgiveness through his self-denial and mortification of the flesh," said Peterson. "It is only as he grasps a sense of divine grace through the example of his Lutheran wife that he comes to a sense of forgiveness that will allow him to live out his life." Peterson has his own opinions on theological beliefs concerning morals among Mormons. He grew up in Snow-flake, Arizona, the son of a Mormon English teacher. At 18, he attended BYU, majoring in English and minoring in British history. He took a masters' at BYU and his doctorate at the University - I ' Dr. Ivl Prlcnon, pro(ror of K.nftlish il WSC of Utah, both in English. His early ambition to write fiction became serious in 1976 w hen he w rote The Confessions of A ugustine. His 22 years at WSC has included a chairmanship of the English department and director of the Honors Program from 1973-1982. He teachers basic English, an introduction to literature class, fiction writing and Western literature courses. At the moment, Utah State University has purchased one-half his time for one year as editor of its scholarly journal Western American Literature. The other half of his time is spent at WSC, where he carries a partial work load. In 1984, he received the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters' m NOVKL on pgt 10) t !( I loll On Books and Tapes By Popular LDS Authors and Speakers WEBER STATE COLLEGE BOOKJJXORE i ! 1 ? i f 1 APPLICATION TOR DEGREE TOR FAMILY MEMBER Of GRADUATES (PhTPwT Degrees) Person to receive award: Husband Wife Other Recipient's full name: Local Address: Telephone: Will shehe be present to receive the Degree? Yes No The ceremony will be held Friday, June 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Austad Auditorium of the Browning Center. A follow-up letter will be sent to those who plan to attend, name of student that is submitting application: The award will be mailed to those who cannot attend. If you wish to include a tribute to your family member, please write it here: Deadline: Way 22, 1987 Thank you for your support of this program! Your family deserves it! Bring in or Mail to: Women's Resource Center U.B. 353 Weber State College Ogden, UT 84408-2107 f |