The Fab Four

The State of the Union Address was just a few days ago (just long enough for the standing ovations to have finally stopped). Presidents Day is just around the corner. Lincoln will probably win a bunch of Academy Awards next week (though Bill Murray's portrayal of FDR in Hyde Park on Hudson won't). Hackers recently helped us learn of the bizarre painting skills of George W. Bush. It's all presidents, all the time lately.

Construction on Mount Rushmore began way back in 1927 (just a touch under Lincoln's patented fourscore and seven years ago). After seeing the rocky quartet represented on an episode of The Simpsons this week (pictured above), I became curious to know how the presidents on the monument were selected. According to my favorite reference source, the fantastic four were selected by the sculptor, under direction from then-President Calvin Coolidge, who "insisted that, along with [George] Washington, two Republicans and one Democrat be portrayed."

I doubt that many, then or now, would argue much that those were the four most influential commanders-in-chief up to that point (though cases could certainly be made for Adams, Madison, and Wilson). But can you imagine the hysteria that would ensue if Obama announced the creation of Mount Rushmore 2 ("Rush Harder")? The cable news network would go crazy, promoting or decrying potential sculpture subjects.

Who do you think would/should be included in this hypothetical Mount Rushmore annex, assuming another four heads would be added? I think Adams would make the cut this time, and Reagan is kind of a no-brainer--even Dems would have a hard time arguing against his inclusion. I think Clinton has earned a spot, but he's pretty controversial. There would be plenty of arguments for--but also many against--the likes of FDR, JFK, Ike, and Obama.

I love the debate spawned when the Mount Rushmore concept is expanded to other arenas. It's so exclusionary that it forces you to be super-careful in making your choices, and then to passionately defend your pick. In the past I've read others' selections for the Mount Rushmore of WWE, of rock and roll, of basketball, and more. I also just found this old, sadly shortlived blog on which the writer determined his Mount Rushmore of stand-up comedy, beer, douchebags, etc.

If there were a Rushmore of the gospel, the choice would be a bit easier. One of the first things Mormons learn about are the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, and there are four--how convenient! And wouldn't you know it--those first four (faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost) are the topic of this week's Sunday School lesson! They're all topics that you could study for years and still learn things about, but there are only a handful of verses actually assigned for this week--you can still easily read them before class on Sunday, even though I'm not posting this until late Saturday night.

Feel free to suggest some topics for other Mount Rushmores (breakfast cereal mascots? game show hosts? pizza toppings?) in the comments. If I get a few, I'd happily devote a future blog post to this.