Well, despite not being religious myself it's very important to me to be accepting of other people's beliefs, and since writing is a form of self expression you can't exactly tell someone to make completely sure their religion doesn't come into their writing, because it makes up an important part of who some people are.

Still, I don't like the way it's done in Twilight. One reason is that from what I've seen Meyer hasn't been very open about it, and many big Twilight fans I know had no idea there was any Mormon influence at all, and to me that seems a little like...well, not to be dramatic, but like sneaking a religious message to young people.

Also, maybe it's just me, or my dislike or the books making me on the look out for things that bothered me, but the influence seemed pretty heavy handed. It didn't just feel as though her beliefs had an understandable impact on her writing, it felt like writing a 'Mormon message' book was one of her main goals (the other goal of course being to write a fantasy world for herself where she is 100lbs lighter and everyone loves her.) that's fine, as long as you're open about it, rather than being as quiet as she seems to have been about it.

Another thing is, not many people seem too bothered by the Mormon symbolism, I have to wonder if people would be ok with her adding so much of her religious beliefs as a message in the book if she had a less accepted religion for example if she was muslim or a wiccan.
I am fine with her religion, and with it being important to her, but don't like the way she chose to go about putting it in her books, and how little her fans seem to know about it's affect on the series.

I think I'll have to agree with you. It is a bit sneaky, and the fact that so many people don't recognize it makes it seem a little creepy to me. And the fact that SO many people are drinking in Twilight and losing their heads about how amazing it is...and going so far as attacking anyone who dares to criticize it...I know this probably sounds stupid to you, but it makes me wonder if there's some spiritual warfare going on. :-/ Whatever it is, it's kinda scaring me.

I'm personally in love with the Narnia series. They are beautiful, wholesome books, not to mention the fact that Lewis can write. And of course, being a Christian, I love Aslan. =) But one of the things I appreciate about it is that C. S. Lewis wasn't sneaky about it. Subtle? Yes. But he doesn't try to hide anything. As the series progresses, it's made very clear who Aslan is (especially in the last book). He's putting the message out there, but he's being frank and open with it. I like that.

I agree it's done in a different and, in my opinion better, way in the Narnia series. One thing, aside from the difference in the writer's skills, that makes it better for me is that in the Narnia series the religious tones of the book were clear to the fans. Most people I mention it to seem surprised to hear of any Mormon influence in Twilight, but I don't think I've spoken to anyone who read the Narnia series who was surprised by the mention of Christian symbolism. In fact, the last time I read the series I was quite young, and even then I remember being aware of it. The fact that all the fans of the Narnia series that I know are completely aware of it makes me so much more comfortable with it :)

I'm not a big fan of symbolism. I like things to be blunt, I'd drive myself crazy if I looked for hidden meanings in everything.

It doesn't bother me that SMeyer uses Mormon undertones - it's what she believes in, that's fine. If it were my life goal to be exactly like Bella, I might mind it a bit, but it's not. I read the books to be entertained, not to analyze or apply to everyday life.

what Morman symbolism?

I think the reason it disturbs me is the same reason why subliminal advertising disturbs me. I feel like with all the undertones, and with her not admitting they're there, she's trying to get in my subconscious and have me buy into some sort of product (maybe that's how she sold so many copies of the book! Subliminal advertising... "Buy Twilight... Buy Twilight... Buy Twilight...").

Narnia's symbolism was just that-- symbolism. It was apparent and interesting. The same goes for Pullman (though he held a vastly different view of religion). In these types of books, the authors are exploring the concept and inspiring people to think. Even though the Narnia symbolism is fairly obvious, putting the Christ story into that kind of a context was interesting and thought-provoking. Similarly, Pullman's controversial statements were equally mentally stimulating.

I feel like, rather than using her beliefs as a philosophical springboard into broader thought, Meyer is kind of doing the opposite. Rather than allowing a religious viewpoint to open up her novel and the minds of her readers, I feel like it closes it down. And that's what bothers me about it.

Can anyone explain to me what the Mormon symbolism is in the books? I'm completely unaware of it and I feel silly now =s

I have several ISSUES with this series. The fact that Meyer became famous and was compared to JK Rowling and Jane Austen is one of those issues. The Twilight series as a whole is one of the worst sets of books I've ever read. And I'll admit I was persuaded to read them for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with the writing, the religion or the author.

She's not a very good writer. I'm not saying she's terrible, but is not Stephen King or Jane Austen, two authors I've read and know are good authors. She made one of the worst mistakes a writer can make. She never researched her subject. Originality is one thing, but come on, SPARKLING? That's just ridiculous.

Not only was I bothered by the lack of actual story, but the characters were so two-dimensional, they were literally animated. They each had a set of behaviors assigned to them and never stepped outside of their boundaries. I, being a writer since I was nine so I've basically been doing it for twenty years, actually like when my characters surprise me by doing something I don't expect them to do. That's their purpose, to jump off the page and become real to you.

There was no plot most of the way, and Meyer conveniently came up with a "perfect" way to end the series with everybody living "happily ever after." Like it was a fairy tale. I don't think I'd want to be the female lead in a fairy tale where I'm punched to death by my demon spawn and then transformed into a blood-thirsty, self-controlled crimson-eyes monster who just happens to be drop-dead gorgeous and sparkle in the sunlight. I'll pass on that.

And I almost ripped my eyes out when I read Breaking Dawn. What a fricking let down. I hope I never do that to anyone reading any of my work. If I build up to a battle meant to bear death and destruction, I better deliver the damn battle, death and destruction. That was her other mistake. She put wind in her sails, geared up for a BIG ENDING, and NOTHING happened. It just STOPPED.

The symbolism should bother me, because I don't like having things shoved down my throat, but I had other, BIGGER issues with this series. Like the fact that at one point, I have considered re-purchasing Twilight and New Moon in hard back and then Eclipse and Breaking Dawn in paperback. I must have been crazy.

Now Harry Potter. That series I LOVE. But that's for another spot.

i don't remember that but then again i didn't really pay attention to the books at all

eh?

Wait a minute. There is Mormon Symbolism/Allusions in Twilight and I didn't notice them? o.O I even read them twice, like I do with all books, and I still missed it!?

Were they just really obvious and I didn't catch on...? And I don't mean obvious like C.S. Lewis referring to humanity as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve - that, I caught, and kinda liked despite not being Christian/Catholic. But I didn't catch anything from Twilight...

Wow! What an awesome reply alexajaye !!

I just don't really appreciate how covert it is... like she's subliminally messaging her readers, lol :)

Um....helpful hint of what Mormon belief is? Just for someone who's only (ignorant level of)knowledge on the culture comes from watching half an episode of Big Love the where men have more than one wife... cause that wasn't in Twilight :P

ooooohhhh.....isn't like a large family (extended family) living together...(i love wiki) wow thats definately in there...and blatantly obvious for anyone who knew Mormon beliefs, but i'm sure there is many that don't and definately wouldnt pick up on it

Yes, I posted four months ago and I'm still confuzzled!

i reallllllyyyyyy dont know what it means soo if somebody is kind enough to explain to me plzzzz what this means?????????????

Can someone please message me and tell me WHAT morman symbolism is going into Twilight because it went straight over my head!

I don't mind religious beliefs being displayed in a book, but these are just pure sexism.

I don't care if Twilight is masquerading as the Book of Mormon, I don't have any problems with any religion. I mean, Battlestar Galactica is STEEPED in Mormonism and it's one of my favorite shows of all time.

??? i dont really care but what symbol???

"What Mormon symbolism?"
Something like:
"Sex before marriage is bad"
and
"Light-skinned people are cooler than dark-skinned people"
Everyone who has read the darn books and had at least IQ 30 can notice the Mormon symbols and the obvious fact that SMeyer is one.

Okay, let's be honest. I haven't heard of Mormonism before reading somwhere COMPLTETELY random Meyer's one. And that was AFTER I had gave up reading her damned books. So, yeah.

I'm a Mormon, and there is no symbolism of my religion in her books. I don't like her books anyway...And we DON'T think "light-skinned people are cooler than dark-skinned people." 0_0'

What is a Mormon symbol? I'm confused.