Jared Hickman, an associate professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, recounts his lifelong journey of learning to read, both literally and figuratively, through the lens of the Book of Mormon. His experience, deeply intertwined with this religious text, culminated in a profound experience at the 2018 Mormon Theology Seminar in Assisi, Italy. This article explores Hickman’s unique perspective on how the Book of Mormon shaped his intellectual and spiritual development, raising the question: did Jared ever truly master the art of reading?
From Literal to Literary: A Lifelong Learning Process
Hickman’s initial encounter with the Book of Mormon was a literal one. Like many Mormons of his generation, he was encouraged by his parents to engage in daily scripture study, making the Book of Mormon his first significant reading challenge. This early exposure sparked a lifelong intellectual pursuit, leading him to explore the text’s doctrinal content, historical context, and literary resonances.
Over time, Hickman’s engagement with the Book of Mormon deepened. He began to question his own reading practices, grappling with the text’s complex reception history and its inherent ambiguities. The Book of Mormon, he realized, demanded a self-aware approach to reading, forcing him to consider whether he was approaching it as an ancient or modern text, through a religious or secular lens. These questions ultimately shaped his professional trajectory.
The Book of Mormon as a Catalyst for Critical Reading
Hickman credits the Book of Mormon with shaping his career as a literary critic – a “professional reader.” He argues that the text not only taught him to read literally but also instilled in him a reflexive approach to reading, encouraging him to analyze and deconstruct the very act of interpretation. This skill, he notes, often distinguishes professional readers from casual ones. The seminar in Assisi, therefore, felt like a homecoming, a culmination of his lifelong engagement with the Book of Mormon.
The Mormon Theology Seminar: A Crucible of Interpretation
The seminar, organized by Adam Miller, Joe Spencer, and Rosalynde Welch, provided a unique platform for scholars from diverse disciplines to engage in rigorous textual analysis of the Book of Mormon. Hickman was impressed by the intellectual caliber of the participants and the depth of their interpretations, ranging from granular grammatical analyses to broad narrative explorations. The seminar’s structure, with its emphasis on daily writing and focused study of specific verses, fostered a high level of intellectual engagement.
Reading Scripturally: An Experiment in Readerly Devotion
Hickman describes the Mormon Theology Seminar not merely as a course in reading scripture but as an “experiment in reading scripturally.” It was an exercise in “readerly devotion,” a belief that the collective and conscientious act of paying close attention to a text can be a sacramental experience. This approach, he suggests, transcends devotional reading, fostering a deep engagement with the text’s potential for meaning-making.
Conclusion: A Continuing Journey
Jared Hickman’s journey with the Book of Mormon demonstrates how a single text can shape a life, fostering both intellectual and spiritual growth. His experience suggests that true mastery of reading lies not just in decoding words but in engaging critically with texts, questioning assumptions, and embracing the complexities of interpretation. The question of whether Jared ever truly learned how to read, therefore, becomes an open-ended one, suggesting a continuous process of learning and discovery. The Book of Mormon, in Hickman’s view, serves as a constant reminder of the transformative power of reading and the ongoing quest for meaning.
