Mormon Stories: Terryl Givens Interview

[Anonymous]

Wow, if you haven’t heard this recent interview on Mormon Stories with Dr. Terryl Givens, I highly recommend it. In his usual style, John Dehlin digs deep in his interview questions to really get wonderful stories and insights out of his guest. I will be listening to the final (5th) segment today on my way home from work. I’ve been so so impressed with Bro. Givens’ perspective on the Gospel and the Church. I can’t say I am just like him, but I think he models a wonderfully healthy and mature view of it all, in full knowledge of all the issues and controversies we all deal with.

Fantastic. I think I am going to post links on the “Additional Resources” section of the main webpage. This interview is definitely reference material for the StayLDS.com community.

http://mormonstories.org/?p=2018

[Anonymous]

Brian Johnston wrote:

I’ve been so so impressed with Bro. Givens’ perspective on the Gospel and the Church. I can’t say I am just like him, but I think he models a wonderfully healthy and mature view of it all, in full knowledge of all the issues and controversies we all deal with.

Fantastic. I think I am going to post links on the “Additional Resources” section of the main webpage. This interview is definitely reference material for the StayLDS.com community.

http://mormonstories.org/?p=2018

I am half way through part 3 and I must say it is very interesting. I agree with Brian that Givens perspective is refreshing at times and compels me at times to believe. The problem however is this is his opinion or perspective. When the rubber hits the road what he is espousing is a a distant cousin from what we get preached over the pulpit. For example he can believe that this is not necessarily the one true church but is the custodian of certain truths and authority. His concept of the atonement was moving in ways but again I say WHAT!!! This is like a new religion or at least different than what I was taught all my life.

It’s almost like he is another NOM in his own way. He has nuanced his belief to the point that he can reconcile the doctrine and history of the church to fit his paradigm. Very little of what he espouses would be tolerated over the pulpit. It would be great if it was, but it is way to forward thinking for todays literalists.

I will listen to the rest and see what other insights he would like to reveal.

[Anonymous]

I have actually been giving out his* A Very Short Introduction to the Book of Mormon to people interested in the church, as it gives a fair handed account of it, without wading into robot territory or anti-Mormonism (or what might be interpreted as such). It manages to deal with the issues, without getting mired in them.

Also, there’s a great chapter on the BoM as literature, which I particularly value and which gave me some new insights.

* For a long time I thought “Terryl” was a female name!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tip! I will check that out soon.

Cadence wrote:

He has nuanced his belief to the point that he can reconcile the doctrine and history of the church to fit his paradigm.

To me that is exactly what it’s all about. Being in total agreement on all points is an illusion anyway. You are the only one that can say how you will live your life and what you will believe – even though you share the planet with billions of other people. The journey of life helps you see different things as you reach different places, don’t worry about what other people claim to have seen as much as you find your own insights and revelations.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

Cadence wrote:He has nuanced his belief to the point that he can reconcile the doctrine and history of the church to fit his paradigm.

I know what you’re driving at and it works for me, but is there some way we can “de-intellectualize” that statement and idea to get it out there? It would be helpful for ordinary members of the church who struggle, but aren’t necessarily academic or literary.

[Author]

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