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Dr. Michael Murdock teaches students how Zion is dependent on teaching true history

Dr. Michael Murdock teaches students the importance of history and the gospel on June 4.

Speaking to the student body from the Canon Activities Center on June 4, Dr. Michael G. Murdock, department chair and associate professor of political science, reaffirmed the power and importance of studying true history as a way to unite Zion.

“History confirms by the spirit of truth binds hearts and promotes unity,” Murdock said. “Learning the history of others allows us to stand within someone else’s community. This pattern unites entire peoples. When we share our histories, we and our new friends see each other as they are. This unity is the defining characteristic of Zion.”

Murdock centered his remarks on Doctrine and Covenants Section 93. He said, “[It] illustrates some of the most sublime doctrines in scripture.” He specifically used verse 53 which says obtaining a knowledge of history is pertinent for the salvation of Zion.

Historical memory, as Murdock referenced to it, has two important facets to understand. First, it is plastic, malleable to the remembered. Second, it is powerful and “they whom control historical memory control society, control you.”

Murdock continued, “The past is a gigantic tidal wave of trillions upon trillions of data points. What happened in the past is fixed, however, how we choose to remember the past changes all the time. We choose which details matter, and it determines how we think, act, and interact right now.”

Consider, he suggested, the movement of the Chinese government in their remembrance of Tiananmen Square, current efforts in the United Kingdom in dealing with their history of imperialism, and in the south were activists contesting the history of the Chinese Civil War.

“Historical memory has great power to shape society and it does so in three important ways: substantiate values, defines community and steers behavior,” he said.

“These three qualities give history a voice. It calls to us and it inspires us to pursue values. In our day an enormous war of historical memory call to us. Today wars are waged for our attention by different factions of historical memory each with their own set of values.”

“One reason the Lord gave us Section 93 [of the Doctrine and Covenants] is because he wants us to distinguish between good and bad voices. We are competing for the true versions of history,” Murdock said.

“A knowledge of history can transform our hearts and feel them with great spiritual empowerment. Consider Gethsemane when the Lord saw us and obtained true history. Rather than accuse us, He loved us. His knowledge of history, our personal history, filled the Savior with mercy to heal us. If we do as the Savior did and get a knowledge of history and choose to see God’s hand in it, we will see as God sees.

“History’s ultimate power is to fill our hearts with faith, charity and compassion which are the building blocks of miracles.”

Dr. Murdock then referenced a speech by apostle Richard G. Scott in 1998 when Elder Scott said, “Heavenly Father chose our linage before we were born. The linage can provide rich heritage, yet you must determine whether any parts can be discarded if they do not align with the Savior’s teachings.

“The most common forms are the dark histories we create for ourselves. In God’s wisdom, what happens in the past doesn’t matter so much. Every story can advance the soothing voice of truth we choose.

“We have the power to choose to remember history and apply the atoning history to us. We can change the way it imprints on us. Many examples in the scriptures highlight those who left dark pasts and moved into the light.”

Abigail Harper, a freshman from Utah studying peacebuilding and psychology, has a personal connection of knowing Murdock in her ward back home. She said, “There’s worth and importance in reviewing our history and others. When you learn each other’s background it’s impossible to not have compassion for them because you see them in the way God sees them. It’s almost impossible not to take a step forward towards loving them.”

“He talked about who controls history controls you. It’s important to reclaim that power and it’s important to decide how to control yourself and remember your own history.”

Kimo Burgess, a junior from Oahu studying political science, said, “We’re part of Zion, we’re part of one heart and one mind. Learning the history of others bridges the empathy gap and shows genuine love, care, and support.”

Writer: J. Eston Dunn