Edward Cullen may be no Nephi, but according to Jana Riess, Stephenie Meyer's novels abound in Book of Mormon theology and symbolism.

Riess, the former religion book review editor for Publisher's Weekly and currently acquisitions editor with Westminster John Knox Press, said that journalists ignore Meyer's background in English literature and often depict her as an intellectually limited "Mormon housewife." They do this to create a "better" story that contrasts her humble beginings with her best-seller success.
 
If the journalists mention any religious themes, their analysis is usually limited to a sideways glance at the sexual abstinence of the novels' heroes.

"(This) misses the richest connections between LDS theology and Meyer's writing," Riess said.

Riess spoke on April 2 at "Mormonism in the Public Mind," the ninth annual Mormon studies conference at Utah Valley University. She said that Meyer has stated that The Book of Mormon had a greater impact on her than any other book. Her fiction shows this influence. "It is not just window dressing," Riess said.

The theology is embedded within the stories, according to Riess, but it is easy to spot.

One of the strongest Book of Mormon themes in Meyer's novels is "overcoming the natural man." It relates to overcoming sin through redemption.

Adam and Eve became mortal, which was, according to the Book of Mormon, the only way they could have children. It was a giving up of a mere immortality to have eternal relationships with each other, children and God. It would be a struggle to transcend human nature.

"In 'Twilight' the issue of our carnal and sinful nature is embodied and symbolized by the figure of Edward. His sole purpose in life -- or death -- is to feed off human flesh.

To be literally carnal and carnivorous," Riess said. "(He) makes the decision to reject this way of life for something better -- if difficult."

When Edward meets Bella, his choice to live a good life is put to the test.

According to Riess, the Book of Mormon teaches that the natural person stands in opposition to and contrasts with Christ: "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father" (Mosiah 3:19).

The phrase "natural man" is not just limited to the wicked, according to Riess, but applies to the human condition of alienation from God. "It is a description of the absence of relationship, not a tightly pejorative statement about immorality. It is disturbingly universal," Riess said.

The vampire, Edward, strives through willpower to live a good life against his nature.

But, according to Riess, it is his relationship with the human Bella that transforms him.

"What changes fundamentally for Edward is the new desire to live wholly for another," Riess said. "In 'Twilight,' Edward's self-control goes a long way toward throwing off the natural man. But it is Bella, working as a very clumsy Christ figure, who becomes a symbol of grace in Edward's transformation."

Bella's belief that Edward has a soul convinces him that he can withstand temptations and is worthy of her trust.

Other Mormon themes Riess sees in Meyer's novels include free agency or our ability to choose, the contrast between immortality and true eternal life, the resurrection of physical bodies, opposition in all things and Satan's futile plan to coerce righteousness.

However, not everything in Meyer's imaginary worlds is appealing to Riess.
 
"I have very mixed feelings about Meyer's fiction. I find the theology intriguing and often beautiful, and her plots are wonderfully imaginative," Riess said. "(But) I find myself concerned with the retrogressive gender stereotypes in all of her novels -- particularly the ineptitude of Bella. Although the novels repeatedly tell the reader that Bella is smart and strong, what the novels actually show the reader consistently is Bella's powerlessness."

Even worse, according to Riess, is Bella's tendency to blame herself for everything.

Bella exposes herself to harm. Bella takes over all the domestic chores for her father.
Bella also is willing to "sacrifice everything for a man who is moody, unpredictable and even borderline abusive," Reiss said. "These are things that I hope do not originate with Mormonism."

E-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com