Navajo Tradition, Mormon Life: The Autobiography and Teachings of Jim Dandy

Navajo Tradition, Mormon Life: The Autobiography and Teachings of Jim Dandy

by Robert S. McPherson, Jim Dandy, Sarah E. Burak
     
 

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Born in the early 1940s in northern Arizona’s high country desert, Jim Dandy began life imbued with the traditions of the Navajo people. Raised by his father and grandfather—both medicine men—and a grandmother steeped in Navajo practices, he embraced their teachings and followed in their footsteps. But attending the LDS Placement program in

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Overview

Born in the early 1940s in northern Arizona’s high country desert, Jim Dandy began life imbued with the traditions of the Navajo people. Raised by his father and grandfather—both medicine men—and a grandmother steeped in Navajo practices, he embraced their teachings and followed in their footsteps. But attending the LDS Placement program in northern Utah changed his life’s course when he became a member of the Mormon Church. Following graduation from high school, Jim served an LDS mission among his people, obtained a bachelor’s degree, and entered the work force in southeastern Utah as a career counselor, teacher, and community advocate who improved educational opportunities on the Navajo Reservation.

Jim has led a life of service and teaching. He maintains the traditional philosophy with which he was raised and the Mormon beliefs that he learned and continues to follow; his life reflects the values inherent in these two different worlds. Readers interested in Navajo philosophy will find his blend of these two distinct views fascinating, while others will better understand the effects of the controversial placement program on the life of one individual. However, this is primarily the warm story of a man’s life among his people and his love for them and their culture.
 

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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

“Jim Dandy is a story of a success in the Mormon Placement Program. He was knowledgeable in the Navajo traditional ceremonial ways and viewed them not as an obstacle but as a strength in his Mormon doctrinal studies. From time to time when he encountered problems, he would go back to traditional training for answers.”—Henry Walters, Emeritus Director of Hatathli Museum, Navajo elder, and Medicine Man
 

"Though the book is essentially the story of one man, it's also an excellent dialogue about the transition of a deeply spiritual people into an oft-times unsettling world. It's written simply enough for those with a mild interest in Indian affairs to read, but its depth will attract scholars and history buffs as well."
Deseret News

Navajo Tradition, Mormon Life is a creative combination of personal narrative and scholarly work. [McPherson and Dandy] have created a landmark study for finding a common ground between Mormon and Navajo teachings.”—BYU Studies Quarterly

“Jim Dandy has much to say that is of great importance…. I have learned so much from him, and will be forever grateful for having read his story."—Association for Mormon Letters

Product Details

ISBN-13:
9781607812227
Publisher:
University of Utah Press
Publication date:
09/30/2012
Sold by:
Barnes & Noble
Format:
NOOK Book
Pages:
240
Sales rank:
437,878
File size:
7 MB

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