Terryl Givens

Thanks for the link. (I’m definitely not well-versed, but I guess I can have an un-scholarly reaction.) I liked: “Joseph Smith clearly treasured the opportunity to think out loud…..He was trying to model for us a mode of intellectual inquiry.” Also, “It’s our job to explore.”

At another point he was referring to the leap of faith (maybe that’s not the right phrase) we’ve all taken already. “We’ve all gone down the rabbit hole. Once you believe in gold plates, you’re there.” I guess I’ve tracked back and climbed out of the hole. Trying to figure out what’s next.

“Joseph Smith clearly treasured the opportunity to think out loud…..He was trying to model for us a mode of intellectual inquiry.” Also, “It’s our job to explore.”

This is what I think is ironic about the church — JS is an example of trailblazing, original, creative thinking regarding how a person achieve salvation, yet the modern church is not at all about that. So, his example in that regard is really a non-example for members within the church.

We can learn from it, however, and apply it to pursuits outside the church.

I like his comment about it being our job to explore the creative possibilities (without presuming to declare doctrine) for concepts that are not yet provable or scientifically concrete, like the nature of God.