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The Effect of Mormon Organizational Boundaries on Group Cohesion

ipproaching the Church in organizational terms requires a perspective 'different from focusing on its spiritual role and mission. The German sociologist Georg Simmel framed the problem in this way: "On the one hand, religion stands in contrast to the whole substance of human life; it is the counterpart and the equivalent of life itself, aloof from its secular movements and interests." On the other hand, however, "religion takes sides among the parties in the secular life" and as such it "is an element of secular life alongside all its other elements." * As an organization, the Church is subject to the same dynamics as any other institution; focusing on its organizational aspects can help explain certain facets of its history that might otherwise be less clear. One of the most basic organizational issues — one which conditions the nature of an institution, its internal cohesion, and the relationship with its environment — is how boundaries are formed and maintained. For an organization to exist it must distinguish itself from the larger society and from other social groups; it must establish boundaries between itself and its surroundings. Boundaries vary considerably from one organization to another, but probably the most important distinction is their firmness. In a loosely bounded organization entry or exit is relatively easy and frequent, and membership involves general support but few required duties. In a firmly bounded one, access to membership is more difficult and leaving the organization is infrequent; a member subjects him/herself to a greater degree of organizational discipline