- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I enjoyed this. Just passing it on…. Quote:On 7 March 2015, Terryl Givens gave a wonderful lecture and was interviewed at the Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York. The occasion was a Mormon History Association satellite event in which Givens was asked to speak on “An American Journey across the Landscape of Mormon Theology.” Since MHA does not have a podcast, and this is definitely a lecture and interview worth receiving a wide hearing, they asked Mormon Matters and A Thoughtful Faith podcasts to co-release the audio. A full video of the evening, including an additional 27 minutes of introductory material will soon be available to view. Stay tuned here for a link when it becomes available.
In his lecture, Givens roots Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon in the various milieus of his time, both culturally and theologically. His special focus in on the current notions of Christianity’s “covenant theology” at play during his time, and how Smith re-imagined it—not always consciously but eventually coming to understand that aspect of his work. Ultimately Givens places Mormonism squarely in the Christian camp but prior to the time of the councils in which the ideas of the church fathers Origin and Pelagus were rejected and Christianity took the forms it did. In Givens’ hands, Mormon theology takes a path that emphasizes human beings as expansive, co-eternal with God, with their “covenantal” relationship far different than that of traditional Christianity. It’s quite compelling
.
The one comment that Terryl mentioned that I found interesting is that he quoted 2 Joseph Smith quotes. One was something along the lines of, “I am not a righteous man.” It isn’t clear if he was pulling a 2 Nephi 4:17, “O wretched man that I am”, but given the context of what Terryl said it was much more of “don’t assume I am your example of a good person.” Terryl then quotes D&C 124:1 : 1 “… my servant Joseph Smith, … have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.” Then also mentions something where Joseph Smith says he can’t really talk in public because someone will be right there with a pencil and write it down and say, “Listen to what a prophet says!”
I contrast that to the way the current prophets are (IMHO) idolized. It seems to me that I am more inclined to believe a bit more knowing how fallible prophets are (when I read history) than to read history and try to reconcile history and the concept of a prophet. But it seems that many in the church leadership want to put on coat after coat of whitewash on Joseph Smith (even some of the essays are unable to say he was anything but awesome). It is like when you put several coats of pain on some intricate woodwork. Eventually you can’t even make out what the original wood underneath looks like.
Loving this. I will need to relisten to it. LookingHard wrote:Then also mentions something where Joseph Smith says he can’t really talk in public because someone will be right there with a pencil and write it down and say, “Listen to what a prophet says!”
Elder Oaks said the following during the Boise Rescue:
Quote:In addition, while some early apostles and other members of the church have had the sublime spiritual experience of seeing the Savior and some have made a public record of this, in the circumstances of today we are counseled not to speak of our most sacred spiritual experiences, otherwise with modern technology that can broadcast something all over the world, a remark made in a sacred and a private setting can be said abroad in violation of the Savior’s commandment not to cast our pearls before swine.
It sounds like the same sort of sentiment.
People (like me
1) Show that JS was humble.
2) Be a self fulfilling prophecy. You see? JS
saidyou’d take issue with that and you totally did! 3) Show that even prophets are average Joes.
The meaning is largely derived by what we bring to the table.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.