Symbol of the star Kolob from the Book of Abraham

Mormonism ready for E.T.  An overview of Mormonism and extra-terrestrial thought

A new survey suggests the beliefs of the Mormon Church may be the most likely to survive an encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI).

.........

Note how high Mormons score. Many Mormon respondents added comments to the effect that belief in ETI is already a part of Mormon doctrine. "My religion (LDS, Mormon) already believes in extra-terrestrials."

Mormon Origins of ETI belief

After Joseph Smith translated and published the Book of Mormon in 1830, he began translating the Bible. The text included "and he [Moses] beheld many lands; and each land was called earth, and there were inhabitants on the face thereof." Then the Lord explained to Moses "there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man." (Book of Moses 1:28-35) This was later canonized as scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His translation also stated that many sought "the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world." (Inspired Version, Genesis 14:34 [not canonized]) Joseph Smith's grand-nephew, apostle Joseph Fielding Smith affirmed this idea in 1954, "we are taught that portions of this earth have been taken from it, such as the city of Enoch, which included the land surface as well as the people. Yet the earth has maintained its steady course." (Doctrines of Salvation 2:316 & 1:62).

An 1832 revelation received by Joseph Smith stated   .........

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Can we please go back to priesthood manuals from 50 years ago?

Excerpts of Can we please go back to priesthood manuals from 50 years ago? by Doug Gibson , Standard Examiner

--

I came across the 1960 Course of Study for the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorum. It's titled "Apostasy to Restoration," by T. Edgar Lyon. I borrowed the book, eager to compare today's vanilla-brand manuals with one a half-century old.

Reading "Apostasy to Restoration" is like unearthing ancient scripture. Did we actually have lessons like this 50 years ago, that discussed

• "the Absence of Mysticism in the Apostolic Christianity," or
  
• "the Fragments of Papias," or
  
• "Irenaues' Concept of the Ultimate Potential of Man," or
  
• "Christian Gnosticism," or
  
• "The Diocletian Persecution," or
  
• "Ambrose the Christian Statesman," or
  
• "the Contributions of Monasticism," or
  
• "Pope Leo the Great (440-464 A.D.), or
  
• "Reformation Trends in Switzerland" …?

Lyon's thesis from the University of Chicago was on early LDS apostle Orson Pratt. He eventually received a doctorate in history from the University of Utah and was president of the Mormon History Association in the 1970s. He died in 1978.

Lyon's book/manual is fascinating. I envy the Melchizedek Priesthood holders who used it in their classes 50 years ago. I look at the current manuals — sans author(s) name(s) — and while I'm OK with what's being taught I wish we could have a re-run of "Apostasy to Restoration." It must have been quite satisfying to learn something new in every lesson.

Hugh Nibley Lecture Series

Harold B. Lee Library Auditorium (Level 1) at 7:00pm.

• 14 Jan – "Nibley and Joseph Smith" – Richard Bushman
• 21 Jan – "Nibley and the Church" – Robert Millet
• 28 Jan – "Nibley's Early Education" – Zina Petersen
• 4 Feb – "Nibley as Apologist" – Daniel Peterson
• 11 Feb – "Nibley and the environment" – Terry Ball
• 18 Feb – "Graduate School through BYU" – Alex Nibley
• 25 Feb – "Nibley on the Bible" – Ann Madsen
• 4 Mar – "Folklore on Nibley" – Bert Wilson
• 11 Mar – "The Lasting Legacies of Hugh W. Nibley" – John W. Welch
• 18 Mar – "Nibley and Classical Scholarship" – Eric Huntsman
• 25 Mar – "Nibley on the Book of Mormon" – Marilyn Arnold
• 1 Apr – "Nibley the Mentor" – Wilfred Griggs
• 8 Apr – "Nibley, Egyptology & the Book of Abraham" – TBA

New Mormon Studies CD-ROM

New Mormon Studies CD-ROM

A Comprehensive Resource Library
2009 EDITION
SMITH RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
970 Works. / 1-56085-110-4 / $100.00

In the eleven years since the New Mormon Studies CD-ROM was first released, computers have bulked up to about eight times as much RAM and fifteen times the speed. Taking advantage of these developments, the 2009 edition has greater computational capacity and is quicker. It runs on Windows 200 Pro, Windows XP Home and Pro, Windows 2003 Server, and Vista 32- and 64-bit.

The content has not changed—only the software has. You will find that you can enjoy the same ease of installation and functionality as with your original purchase. Or if you are using this product for the first time, you will discover that you can quickly search by word or phrase through nearly 1,000 books and other items.

Some new features include the ability to search footnotes; the ability to limit searches to a bookshelf, book, or single chapter; and browsing with a scroll wheel. Tabs at the bottom of the screen now get you instantly to the table of contents, hit summaries, preview, search function, or current document.

This CD-ROM is a FAST Folio Infobase for use on Windows PCs. It is no longer available for Macintosh.

Contents --

LDS SCRIPTURES and SCRIPTURAL STUDIES
(23 Works)

Baker, James R. Women's Rights in Old Testament Times. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

Book of Commandments—Doctrine and Covenants Table. [n.p. n.d.]

A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ, Organized According to Law, on the 6th of April, 1830. Zion [Independence, MO]: W. W. Phelps & Co., 1833.

Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God, and Compiled by Joseph Smith Junior, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams [Presiding Elders of Said Church], Proprietors. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams & Co., 1835.

The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments.

Hullinger, Robert N. Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

"The Kirtland Revelation Book."

Metcalfe, Brent Lee, ed. New Approaches to the Book of Mormon: Explorations in Critical Methodology. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1993.

The Pearl of Great Price: Being a Choice Selection from the Revelations, Translations, and Narrations of Joseph Smith, First Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1851.

"Revelations in Addition to Those Found in the LDS Edition of the Doctrine and Covenants."

Reynolds, George. The Story of the Book of Mormon. 3rd edition. Chicago: Henry C. Etten and Co., 1888.

Roberts, B. H. New Witnesses for God. 3 Volumes. Salt Lake City: The Deseret News, 1909-11.

——. Studies of the Book of Mormon. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

Smith, Emma. A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams & Co., 1835.

Smith, Joseph. The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi. First Edition. Palmyra, NY: E. B. Grandin, 1830.

Smith, Joseph, trans. The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken From the Plates of Nephi. Second Edition. Kirtland, OH: O. Cowdery & Co., 1837.

——, trans. The Book of Mormon. Third Edition, Carefully Revised by the Translator. Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840.

Table showing Doctrine and Covenants Sections as Numbered in Important Editions. [n.p. n.d.]

Tanner, Obert C., Lewis M. Rogers, and Sterling M. McMurrin. Toward Understanding the New Testament. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.

Vogel, Dan, ed. The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 2. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.

Widtsoe, John A., and Franklin S. Harris, Jr. Seven Claims of The Book of Mormon: A Collection of Evidences. Independence, MO: Zion's Printing and Publishing Co., 1937.

PERIODICALS
(634 Works)

Collected Discourses: Delivered by President Wilford Woodruff, His Two Counselors, the Twelve Apostles and Others. 5 volumes. Compiled and edited by Brian H. Stuy. Salt Lake City: B. H. S. Publishing, 1987-92.

Conference [Reports] of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], 1880, 1897-1970.

Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 29 volumes. Salt Lake City: The Dialogue Foundation, 1966-96.

Elders' Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH: Thomas B. Marsh, 1837-38.

The Evening and the Morning Star. Indepence, MO [Kirtland, OH]: W. W. Phelps & Co. [Oliver Cowdery], 1832-34.

Journal of Discourses. 26 Volumes. London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1855-86.

The Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1834-37.

Nauvoo Expositor. Nauvoo, IL: [Sylvester Emmons], 1844.

The Seer. Washington, D.C.: Orson Pratt; London: F. D. Richards, 1853-54.

Sunstone. 94 Volumes. Salt Lake City: Sunstone Foundation, 1975-94.

Sunstone Review. Volume 1:1 to 4:2 (29 Issues). Salt Lake City: Sunstone Foundation, 1981-84.

Times and Seasons. Nauvoo, IL: [Robinson, Smith, etc.], 1839-45.

HISTORY
(71 Works)

Alexander, Thomas G. Mormonism in Transition: A History of the Latter-day Saints, 1890-1930. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1986.

Angus, Mark. Salt Lake City Underfoot: Self-Guided Tours of Historic Neighborhoods. Centennial Edition. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Bancroft, Hubert Howe. History of Utah. 1540-1887. San Francisco: The History Company Publishers, 1890.

Bates, Irene M. and E. Gary Smith. Lost Legacy: The Mormon Office of Presiding Patriarch. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1996.

Bergera, Gary James, and Ronald Priddis. Brigham Young University: A House of Faith. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1985.

Bishop, Francis G. A Brief History of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints, from Their Rise until the Present Time; Containing an Account Of, and Showing the Cause of Their Sufferings in the State of Missouri, in the Years 1833-38. And Likewise a Summary View of Their Religious Faith. Salem: Blum & Son, 1839.

Buchanan, Frederick S. Culture Clash and Accommodation: Public Schooling in Salt Lake City, 1890-1994. San Francisco: Smith Research Associates, 1996.

Campbell, Eugene E. Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-1869. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1988.

Cannon, Frank J[enne]. and Harvey J. O'Higgins. Under the Prophet in Utah; the National Menace of a Political Priestcraft. Boston: The C. M. Clark Publishing Co., 1911.

[Cannon, George Q., ed.] Early Scenes in Church History. Eighth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1882.

[——, ed.] Fragments of Experience. Sixth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1882.

[——, ed.] Gems for the Young Folks. Fourth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881.

——, ed. A String of Pearls. Second Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1880.

Coe, Truman. "Mormonism." In The Ohio Observer, 1836.

Corcoran, Brent. Park City Underfoot: Self-Guided Tours of Historic Neighborhoods. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

Corrill, John. A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints (Commonly Called Mormons, Including an Account of Their Doctrine and Discipline, with the Reasons of the Author for Leaving the Church). St. Louis: [n.p.], 1839.

Epperson, Steven. Mormons and Jews: Early Mormon Theologies of Israel. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

Firmage, Edwin B., and Richard Collin Mangrum. Zion in the Courts: A Legal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1900. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1988.

Flanders, Robert Bruce. Nauvoo: Kingdom on the Mississippi. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1965.

Gillespie, L. Kay. The Unforgiven: Utah's Executed Men. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991.

Greene, John P. Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons or Latter Day Saints, from the State of Missouri, under the "Exterminating Order." Cincinnati: R. P. Brooks, 1839.

Hardy, B. Carmon. Solemn Covenant: The Mormon Polygamous Passage. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1992.

Hicks, Michael. Mormonism and Music: A History. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1989.

Hill, Marvin S. Quest for Refuge: The Mormon Flight from American Pluralism. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989.

Ivins, H. Grant. Polygamy in Mexico as Practiced by the Mormon Church, 1895-1905. [n.p. n.d.]

Johnson, Joe Hills. Voice from the Mountains, Being a Testimony of the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as Revealed by the Lord to Joseph Smith, Jr. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor, 1881.

Jones, Josiah. "History of the Mormonites, Kirtland, 1831." In The Evangelist 9 (1 June 1831): 132-36.

"Kirtland Council Minute Book." 1832-37

Littlefield, Lyman O. Reminiscences of Latter-day Saints, Giving An Account of Much Individual Suffering Endured for Religious Conscience. Logan, UT: Utah Journal Co., 1888.

Long, E. B. The Saints and the Union: Utah Territory During the Civil War. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1981.

Lyman, Edward Leo. Political Deliverance: The Mormon Quest for Utah Statehood. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1986.

——. San Bernardino: The Rise and Fall of a California Community. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Marquardt, H. Michael and Wesley P. Walters. Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record. San Francisco: Smith Research Associates, 1994.

"Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois." 1840-45.

Peck, Reed. "History." 1839.

Pratt, Parley P. The Angel of the Prairies; a Dream of the Future. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1880.

——. History of the Late Persecution Inflicted by the State of Missouri upon the Mormons in Which Ten Thousand American Citizens Were Robbed, Plundered, and Driven from the State, and Many Others Imprisoned, Martyred, Etc. for Their Religion, and All this by Military Force, by Order of the Executive. Detroit: Dawson & Bates, 1839.

——. Mormonism Unveiled; Zion's Watchman Unmasked and its Editor, Mr. LaRoy Sunderland, Exposed: Truth Vindicated, The Devil Mad, and Priestcraft in Danger!!! New York: Joseph W. Harrison, 1842.

——. A Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To All the Kings fo the World, to the President of the United States of America; to the Governors of the Several States, and to the Rulers and People of All Nations. Liverpool: Wilford Woodruff, James and Woodburn, 1845.

Proceedings of the First Sunday School Convention of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Held in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah, Monday, November 28th and Tuesday, 29th, 1898. Reported by Arthur Winter and Leo Hunsaker. Salt Lake City: Deseret Sunday School Union, 1899.

Quinn, D. Michael. Early Mormonism and the Magic World View. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987.

——. The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1994.

——, ed. The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Past. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 4. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

"The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents Excerpts, 1835-1896."

"Record of the Organization, and Proceedings of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo." 1842-44.

Rigdon, John M. Lecture Written by John M. Rigdon on the Early History of the Mormon Church.

Rigdon, Sidney. An Appeal to the American People. Cincinnati: Glezen & Shepard, 1840.

——. Oration Delivered by Mr. S. Rigdon. On the 4th of July, 1838. At Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri. Far West: Journal Office, 1838.

Smith, Jim. Lot Smith's Story: Echo Canyon War, 1857. Tyler Printing Co., [n.d.]

Smith, Joseph. History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Period I. History of Joseph Smith, the prophet, by himself. An introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts. Published by the Church. 7 Volumes. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932.

——. "Latter Day Saints." In An Original History of the Religious Denominations at Present Existing in the United States. (Philadelphia, 1844), 404-10.

Snow, Lorenzo. The Italian Mission. London: W. Aubrey, 1851.

The Trial of Apostle John W. Taylor. [n.p. n.d.]

The Trial of Apostle Matthias F. Cowley. [n.p. n.d.]

Underwood, Grant. The Millenarian World of Early Mormonism. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1993.

Van Wagoner, Richard S. Mormon Polygamy: A History. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989.

Vogel, Dan, ed. Early Mormon Documents: Volume One. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Vogel, Dan. Indian Origins and the Book of Mormon: Religious Solutions from Columbus to Joseph Smith. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1986.

——. Religious Seekers and the Advent of Mormonism. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1988.

Wadsworth, Nelson B. Set in Stone, Fixed in Glass: The Mormons, the West, and Their Photographers. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Walker, John Phillip, ed. Dale Morgan on Early Mormonism: Correspondence & A New History. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1986.

Whitmer, David. An Address to All Believers in Christ. By a Witness to the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Richmond, MO: David Whitmer, 1887.

Whitney, Orson F. "The Mormon Prophet's Tragedy." A Review of An Article by the Late John Hay, Published Originally in the Atlantic Monthly for December 1869, and republished in the Saints Herald of June 21, 1905. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1905.

Willers, Diedrich. "1830 Letter to 'Reverend Brethren.'"

Young, Joseph, Sr. History of the Organization of the Seventies. Names of the First and Secord Quorums. Items in Relation to the First Presidency of the Seventies. Also, a Brief Glance at Enoch and His City. Embellished with a Likeness of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and a View of the Kirtland Temple. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1878.

BIOGRAPHY, AUTOBIOGRAPHY, and FAMILY HISTORY
(89 Works)

Alexander, Thomas G. Things in Heaven and Earth: The Life and Times of Wilford Woodruff, a Mormon Prophet. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991.

Allen, James B. Trials of Discipleship: The Story of William Clayton, a Mormon. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1987.

Anderson, Rodger I. Joseph Smith's New York Reputation Reexamined. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.

Arrington, Leonard J. and Davis Bitton. Saints Without Halos: The Human Side of Mormon History. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1981.

Bartholomew, Rebecca. Audacious Women: Early British Mormon Immigrants. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

Bergera, Gary James, ed. The Autobiography of B. H. Roberts. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.

Bradford, Mary Lythgoe. Lowell L. Bennion: Teacher, Counselor, Humanitarian. Salt Lake City: The Dialogue Foundation, 1995.

Brown, Benjamin. Testimonies for the Truth: A Record of Manifestations of the Power of God, Miraculous and Providential, Witnessed in the Travels and Experience of Benjamin Brown, High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pastor of the London, Reading, Kent, and Essex Conferences. London: S. W. Richards, 1853.

Burbank, Sarah. A Sketch of the Life of Mrs. Sarah Burbank.

Bushman, Richard L. Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1984.

Chamberlain, Solomon. A Short Sketch of the Life of Solomon Chamberlain.

Crow, Julina Markham. Excerpts from the "History of the Life of Stephen Markham."

Dalton, Lucinda Lee. Autobiography of Lucinda Lee Dalton.

Dibble, Philo, Sr. Life History of Philo Dibble, Sr.

Early Affidavits Regarding the Joseph Smith Family. "The Philastus Hurlbut/Eber D. Howe Affidavits." In Mormonism Unvailed (1834), 232-69. "The Arthur B. Deming New York Affidavits." In Naked Truths About Mormonism (1888). "The William H. Kelley Affidavits." In Saints' Herald 28 (1881): 161-68.

Firmage, Edwin B., ed. An Abundant Life: The Memoirs of Hugh B. Brown. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1988.

Grant, Jedediah M. A Collection of Facts, Relative to the Course Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon, in the States of Ohio, Missouri, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Brown, Bicking & Guilbert, 1844.

Hancock, Levi Ward. Autobiography, 1803-36.

Hancock, Mosiah Lyman. Autobiography.

Hatch, Lorenzo Hill. Autobiography, 1826-46.

Hickman, Bill. Brigham's Destroying Angel: Being the Life, Confession, and Startling Disclosures of the Notorious Bill Hickman, the Danite Chief of Utah. Written by Himself, with explanatory notes by J. H. Beadle esq., of Salt Lake City. New York: Geo. A. Crofutt Publisher, 1872.

Hilton, Hope A. "Wild Bill" Hickman and the Mormon Frontier. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1988.

Huntington, Oliver B. History of the Life of Oliver B. Huntington Also His Travels and Troubles Written by Himself.

Hyde, Orson. "Autobiography, 1805-42/History of Orson Hyde." In The Latter-day Saints' Millenial Star 26 (1864): 742-44, 760-61, 774-76, 790-92.

Jacob, Norton. The Life of Norton Jacob.

Johnson, Benjamin F. "Autobiography." In My Life's Review. Independence, MO: Zion's Printing and Publishing Co., 1947.

Johnson, Joe Hills. Excerpts from Autobiography.

Johnson, Luke. "Autobiography/History of Luke Johnson." In The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864): 834-36; 27 (1865): 5-7.

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet." In Young Woman's Journal 16 (1905): 549-58; 17 (1906): 537-48.

Kelley, William H. "The Hill Cumorah and the Book of Mormon." In The Saints' Herald (1 June 1881) 161-68.

Kenney, Scott G., ed. Memories and Reflections: The Autobiography of E. E. Ericksen. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987.

Kimball, Heber C. "Autobiography." In Life of Heber C. Kimball (1945).

——. "Synopsis of the History of Heber Chase Kimball." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864): 455-712.

Kimball, Stanley B. Heber C. Kimball: Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1981.

Kingsbury, Joseph C. History of Joseph C. Kingsbury.

Kinkead, Joyce A., ed. "A Schoolmarm All My Life": Personal Narratives from Frontier Utah. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Larson, Stan. Quest for the Gold Plates: Thomas Stuart Ferguson's Archaeological Search for The Book of Mormon. Salt Lake City: Freethinker Press in association with Smith Research Associates, 1996.

Launius, Roger D. and Linda Thatcher, eds. Differing Visions: Dissenters in Mormon History. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1994.

Launius, Roger D. Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1988.

Lightner, Mary. Address at Brigham Young University. 14 April 1905.

——. "Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner." In Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine 17 (July 1926): 193-205, 250-60.

Lyman, Amasa. "Amasa Lyman's History." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27 (1865): 472-73, 487-89, 502-504, 519-21, 535-37, 552-53.

Lyman, Eliza Maria Partridge Smith. Life and Journal of Eliza Marie Patridge (Smith) Lyman. 1820-85.

Lyne, T[homas]. A. A True and Descriptive Account of the Assassination of Joseph and Hiram Smith, the Mormon Prophet and Patriarch. At Carthage, Illinois. June 27th 1844, by an Eye Witness T. A. Lyne, Late of the Stage to Which is Annexed the Speech of H. L. Reid. Also, Speech of James W. Woods, to Which is Added a Brief Outline of the Faith and Doctrine of the Latter Day Saints. New York: C. A. Calhoun, 1844.

Mace, Wandle. Autobiography.

Marsh, Thomas Baldwin. "History of Thomas Baldwin Marsh." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864): 359-60, 375-76, 390-92, 406.

McLellin, William E. "History of William E. McLellin." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864): 807-809.

——. Letter to Relatives. 4 August 1832.

——. Letter to Samuel McLellin. 4 August 1832.

——. "Writings." In The Ensign of Liberty, of the Church of Christ 1 (January 1848): 60-61.

McMurrin, Sterling M. and L. Jackson Newell. Matters of Conscience: Conversations with Sterling M. McMurrin on Philosophy, Education, and Religion. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1997.

Nickerson, Freeman. Death of the Prophets Joseph and Hyram [Hyrum] Smith, Who Were Murdered While in Prison at Carthage, Ill., on the 27th Day of June, A.D. 1844. Boston: John Gooch, 1844.

Oaks, Dallin H. and Marvin S. Hill. Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1975.

Packard, Noah. A Synopsis of the Life and Travels of Noah Packard Written by Himself.

Page, John Edward. "History of John E. Page." In The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27 (1865): 103-104.

Patten, David. "History of David W. Patten." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864): 406-408, 422-423.

Phelps, William W. "Journal History." 1835-36.

Phelps, William W. [and Leah Y. Phelps]. "Letters of Faith from Kirtland." In Improvement Era 45 (1942): 529.

Phelps, William W. "Some Early Letters of William W. Phelps." In Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine 31 (January 1940): 25-31.

Pratt, Parley P. "History of Parley P. Pratt." In The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 26 (1864): 822-25.

Pulsipher Family. Excerpts from the Pulsipher Family History Book.

Quincy, Josiah. "Joseph Smith at Nauvoo." In Figures of the Past: From the Leaves of Old Journals (Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1883), 376-400.

"Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith." In The Juvenile Instructor 27 (1892).

Richards, Willard. "History of Willard Richards." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27 (1865): 118-20, 133-36, 150-52, 165.

Roberts, B. H. Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1908.

——. The Life of John Taylor, Third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: G. Q. Cannon & Sons Co., 1892.

Robinson, Ebenezer. "Autobiography." In The Return 1-2 (1888-90).

Rushton, Edwin. Edwin Rushton: Bridge Builder and Faithful Pioneer.

Smith, Lucy Mack. Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and his Progenitors for Many Generations. Liverpool: Published for O. Pratt by S. W. Richards; London: Latter-day Saints Book Depot, 1853.

Smith, William. William Smith on Mormonism. This Book Contains a True Account of the Origin of the Book of Mormon. A Sketch of the History, Experience, and Ministry of Elder William Smith. The Story of the Golden Plates from Which the Book of Mormon Was Translated. An Account of the Angel's Visit to Joseph Smith, by Which Means the Ancient Nephite Records Were Found and by Him Translated. An Account of a Most Extraordinary Miracle, Wrought by the Laying on of Hands of the Elder of the Church, and a Statement of the Principles and Doctrines, as Believed and Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint, with Other Matters of Great Interest to All Believers in Christianity. Lamoni, IA: Herald Steam Book and Job Office, 1883.

Snow, Eliza R. Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Co., 1884.

Tiffany, Joel. Interview with Martin Harris. New York: Tiffany's Monthly, 1859.

Van Wagoner, Richard S. Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994.

Van Wagoner, Richard S. and Steven C. Walker. A Book of Mormons. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1982.

Whitney, Helen Mar Kimball. "Life Incidents." In Woman's Exponent 9 (1880); 10 (1882).

——. "Scenes and Incidents in Nauvoo." In Woman's Exponent 11 (1881-82).

Whitney, Orson F. Life of Heber C. Kimball, An Apostle; The Father and Founder of the British Mission. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1888.

Wight, Lyman. "History of Lyman Wight." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 27 (1865).

Wilson, Lycurgus A. Life of David W. Patten the First Apostolic Martyr. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1900.

Woodruff, Wilford. "History of Wilford Woodruff." In Latter-day Saints' Millenial Star 27 (1865) 167-392.

Young, Alfred D. Life of Alfred D. Young.

Young, Emily Partridge. "An Autobiography." In Woman's Exponent 13 (1884) 138; 14 (1885) 10-145.

——. Reminiscence, 1824-1833. Salt Lake City: [n.p.,] 1884.

DIARIES, JOURNALS, and LETTERS
(54 Works)

Adams, William. "Diary Excerpts."

Ballard, Henry. "Diary Excerpts."

Cannon, Abraham H. "Diary Excerpts."

[Cannon, George Q., ed.] Leaves from my Journal. By President W. Woodruff. Third Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881.

Clawson, Thomas A. "Diary Excerpts."

Coltrin, Zebedee. "Diary Excerpts."

Cowdery, Oliver. "Letters of Oliver Cowdery."

——. "Letters of Oliver Cowdery: Appendix."

——. "Miscellaneous Letters, 1833-49."

Faulring, Scott H., ed. An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith. Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 1. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1989.

Grant, Heber J. "Diary Excerpts, 1887-1899."

Hanson, Jennifer Moulton. Letters of Catharine Cottam Romney, Plural Wife. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1991.

Ivins, Anthony W. "Autobiography and Diary Excerpts."

Johnson, Benjamin F. "Letter to George F. Gibbs." 1903.

Kenney, Scott G., ed. Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript. 9 volumes. Midvale, UT: Signature Books, 1983.

Kimball, Heber C. "Extract from Journal of Heber C. Kimball." In Times and Seasons 2 (1841): 443-44; 6 (1845): 770-869.

——. "Journal and Letters." In Woman's Exponent 9 (1880); 10 (1881-82); 11 (1882-83).

Kimball, Stanley B., ed. On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball. Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 2. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1987.

Knight, Vinson. "Letter to William Cooper." 3 February 1839.

Larson, Stan, ed. A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson. Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 6. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1993.

Laub, George. "Diary Excerpts."

Lieber, Constance L. and John Sillito, eds. Letters from Exile: The Correspondence of Martha Hughes Cannon and Angus M. Cannon, 1886-1888. Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 3. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1989.

Lund, Anthon. "Diary Excerpts." 1891-98.

Lyman, Francis M. "Diary Excerpts, 1892-1896."

McAllister, J[ohn]. D[aniel]. T[hompson]. "Diary Excerpts."

Merrill, Marriner Wood. "Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book," 1886-1906.

Nuttall, L. John. "Diary Excerpts."

——. "The Journal of L. John Nuttall."

Richards, Franklin D. "Diary Excerpts, 1887-1897."

Richards, Samuel W. "Diary Excerpts."

Smith, George D., ed. An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton. Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 5. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1995.

Staker, Susan, ed. Waiting for World's End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1993.

Staker, Susan and Brent D. Corcoran, comps. Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 An Index. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991.

Stout, Hosea. "Diary, 1844-1846."

Todd, Douglas M., Sr. "Diary Excerpts."

Westergren, Bruce N., ed. From Historian to Dissident: The Book of John Whitmer. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

Whitaker, John M. "Diary Excerpts."

White, Jean Bickmore, ed. Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith. Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 4. Salt Lake City: Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, 1990.

Woodruff, Wilford. "Wilford Woodruff's Journal: Appendix."

Young, Brigham. "Letters Excerpts, 1856-1866."

——. "Office Journals Excerpts, 1853-62."

Young, Brigham, Jr. "Diary Excerpts, 1874-1899."

——. "Diary Excerpts, 1900-1902."

DOCTRINE and THEOLOGY (INCLUDING NON-LDS PARALLEL WORKS)
(80 Works)

An Abstract of the Proceedings of the Anti-Masonic State Convention of Massachusetts, Held in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Dec. 30 and 31, 1829, and Jan. 1, 1830. Boston: John Marsh, 1830.

Armstrong, Lebbeus. Masonry Proved to Be a Work of Darkness, Repugnant to the Christian Religion and Inimical to a Republican Government. New York: Lebbeus Armstrong, 1830.

Ballard, Melvin J. Three Degrees of Glory; a Discourse Delivered in the Ogden Tabernacle, September 22, 1922 on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Appearance of the Angel Moroni. Independence, MO: Missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1922.

Barrett, Francis. The Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer; Being a Complete System of Occult Phiolosophy. In Three Books: Containing the Ancient and Modern Practice of the Cabalistic Art, Natural and Celestial Magic, &C; Shewing the Wonderful Effects That May Be Performed by a Knowledge of the Celestial Influences, the Occult Properties of Metals, Herbs, and Stones, and the Application of Active to Passive Principles . . . London: Lackington, Allen, and Co., Temple of the Muses, 1801.

Beman, Nathan S. S. Beman on Intemperance. A Discourse Delivered in Stephentown, Dec. 25, 1828, and in Troy, Sabbath Evening, Jan. 11, 1829, Before the Temperance Societies of Those Towns. Revised Stereotype Edition. New York: John P. Haven, 1829.

Bergera, Gary James, ed. Line Upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 1. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989.

A Brief Report of the Debates in the Anti-Masonic State Convention of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Held in Faneuil Hall, Boston, December 30, 31, 1829, and January 1, 1830. Boston: John Marsh, 1830.

Buerger, David John. The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship. San Francisco: Smith Research Associates, 1994.

Burke, Abel. The Life of Abel Burke. Who died in Philadelphia, January 27th, 1817. Containing an account of his conversion, call to the Ministry, and of his journeys, and labours of love, in preaching the gospel freely, in obedience to Bishop Jesus, the Son of God. Philadelphia: Frederic Plummer, 1818.

Channing, William E. A Letter to the Rev. Samuel C. Thacher, on the Aspersions Contained in a Late Number of the Panoplist, on the Ministers of Boston and the Vicinity. Third Edition. Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1815.

——. Remarks on the Rev. Dr. Worcester's Letter to Mr. Channing, on the "Review of American Unitarianism" in a Late Panoplist. Second Edition. Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1815.

——. Remarks on the Rev. Dr. Worcester's Second Letter to Mr. Channing, on American Unitarianism. Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1815.

The Confession of Faith, Articles of Church Government, and Covenant, of the Baptist Church in Sutton, New Hampshire. Concord: George Hough, 1822.

Cowley, Matthias F. Cowley's Talks on Doctrine. Chattanooga, TN: Ben E. Rich, 1902.

Dana, Daniel. The Deity of Christ. A Sermon Delivered July 31, 1810, Before the Haverhill Association; and Published at Their Request. Haverhill, MA: William B. Allen, 1810.

The Declaration of Faith, with the Church Covenant, and List of Members of the Federal Street Baptist Church, Boston. Constituted July 16th, 1827. Third Edition. Boston: Putnam and Damrell, 1832.

Emlyn, Thomas. Extracts from Mr. Emlyn's Humble Inquiry. Extracts from an Humble Inquiry into the Scripture Account of Jesus Christ. Boston: Samuel Hall, 1790.

The Essential Brigham Young. Foreword by Eugene E. Campbell. Classics in Mormon Thought Series No. 3. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

The Essential James E. Talmage. Edited by James P. Harris. Classics in Mormon Thought Series No. 5. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1997.

The Essential Joseph Smith. Foreword by Marvin S. Hill. Classics in Mormon Thought Series No. 4. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

The Essential Orson Pratt. Foreword By David J. Whittaker. Classics in Mormon Thought Series No. 2. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991.

The Essential Parley P. Pratt. Foreword by Peter L. Crawley. Classics in Mormon Thought Series No. 1. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.

Finney, Charles G. A Sermon, Preached in the Presbyterian Church at Troy, March 4, 1827, by the Rev. Charles G. Finney. Troy, NY: Tuttle and Richards, 1827.

[Frothingham, Samuel]. A Short Account of the Conversion, Life, and Death of Miss Nabby Frothingham. Boston: Samuel Avery, 1811.

Hart, Ozias. The Christian System, in its Native Purity and Simplicity, Or, the Errors of the Difference Religious Denominations Corrected. Hartford: B. & J. Russell, 1816.

Hubbard, Robert. The Dignity of Christ's Character. Sermon Preached at Shelburne, Mass. Sept. 5, 1824. Greenfield, MA: Ansel Phelps, 1824.

Lathrop, Joseph. God's Challenge to Infidels to Defend Their Cause, Illustrated and Applied in a Sermon, Delivered in West Springfield, May 4, 1797, Being the Day of General Fast. Second Edition. Cambridge, MA: University Press, 1803.

McAllister, D[uncan]. M[cNeil]. Life's Greatest Questions--What Am I? Why Am I Here? After Death, What? Answered from the Scriptures. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 192-.

Merrick, Pliny. Col. Merrick's Letter on Speculative Free Masonry. Being His Answer to Gen. Nathan Heard and Col. Gardner Burbank upon Their Application for His Views upon That Subject. Worcester: Dorr and Howland, 1829.

Morgan, William. Illustrations of Masonry, by One of the Fraternity, Who Has Devoted Thirty Years to the Subject. With an Account of the Kidnapping of the Author. Second Edition. New York: William Morgan, 1827.

Paul, Erich Robert. Science, Religion, and Mormon Cosmology. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1992.

Pease, David. The Good Man in Bad Company: or Speculative Freemasonry a Wicked and Dangerous Combination. A Sermon Delivered in Belchertown, (Mass.) July 8, 1830. With an Appendix, Containing a Brief Narrative of the Author's Masonic Course, What Influenced Him to Become a Mason, and the Cause of His Renouncing and Denouncing It, with a Passing Notice of Some of the False Representations of a Masonic Writer under the Signature of Royal Arch. Brookfield: E. and G. Merriam, 1831.

Pratt, Orson. "Are the Father and the Son Two Distinct Persons?" In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 11 (1849): 281-84, 309-12.

——. Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon. A Series of Six Pamphlets. Liverpool, 1850-51.

——. Divine Authority, or the Question "Was Joseph Smith Sent of God? Liverpool, 1848.

——. A[n] Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records. Edinburgh: Ballantyne and Hughes, 1840.

——. "Several Cases of Miraculous Healing." In Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 11 (1849): 284-285.

Prince, Gregory A. Power From On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

Proceedings of the Anti-masonic State Convention. Holden at Montpelier, June 23, 24 & 25, 1830. With Reports, Addresses, &c. Middlebury: O. and J. Miner, 1830.

"Research Notes on LDS Higher Ordinances."

"Research Notes on LDS Higher Ordinances: Calling and Election."

"Research Notes on LDS Higher Ordinances: Washing of the Feet."

"Research Notes on LDS Temples."

"Research Notes on LDS Temples: Addendum."

"Research Notes on LDS Temples: Temple Clothes."

Rich, Ben E. A Friendly Discussion upon Religious Subjects, Compiled from a Work Entitled "Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City." Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1903.

Richards, Franklin D. and James A. Little. A Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1882.

Roberts, B. H. On Tracting. New York: Eastern States Mission, [n.d.].

——. The Truth, The Way, The Life, An Elementary Treatise on Theology: The Masterwork of B. H. Roberts. Edited by Stan Larson. San Francisco: Smith Research Associates, 1994.

Sanborn, Rev. P. Minutes of an Address, Delivered Before the Anti-Masonic Convention of Reading, Mass. January 15, 1829. Together with a Review of Mr. Knapp's Defence of Masonry. Boston: Office of the Free Press, 1829.

"Salt Lake City School of the Prophets Minute Book." 1883.

"Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings."

Smith, Ethan. A Key to the Figurative Language Found in the Sacred Scriptures, in the Form of Questions and Answers. Exeter: C. Norris & Co., 1814.

——. View of the Hebrews; or the Tribes of Israel in America. Second Edition. Poultney, VT: Smith and Shute, 1825.

Smith, Joseph F. Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith, Sixth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1919.

Snow, Lorenzo. The Only Way to be Saved. An Explanation of the First Principles of the Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855.

Talmage, James E. The Articles of Faith. A Series of Lectures on the Principal Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First Edition. Salt Lake City: The Deseret News, 1899.

——. Jesus the Christ. A Study of the Messiah and His Mission according to Holy Scriptures both Ancient and Modern. First Edition. Salt Lake City: The Deseret News, 1915.

——. The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Boston: The Gorham Press, 1919.

Taylor, John. An Examination into and an Elucidation of the Great Principle of the Mediation and Atonement of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Co., 1882.

——. The Government of God. London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1852.

——. Items on Priesthood, Presented to the Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: G. Q. Cannon and Sons Co., 1899.

——. Three Nights' Public Discussion Between the Revds. C. W. Cleeve, James Robertson, and Philip Cater, and John Taylor, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France. Liverpool, 1850.

Three Distinct Knocks; Or, the Door of the Most Ancient Free-Masonry, Opening to All Men, Neither Naked Nor Clothed, Bare-footed Nor Shod, &C. Being an Universal Description of All its Branches, from its First Rise to this Present Time as it Is Delivered in All Lodges. Maidstone: C. Brown, [1828?].

Toscano, Margaret and Paul Toscano. Strangers in Paradox: Explorations in Mormon Theology. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990.

Toscano, Paul James. The Sanctity of Dissent. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994.

Weed, Thurlow. The Facts Stated. Hon. Thurlow Weed on the Morgan Abduction. A Document for the People. Chicago, IL: National Christian Association, 1882.

White, O. Kendall. Mormon Neo-Orthodoxy: A Crisis Theology. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987.

Whitney, Orson F. Baptism: The Birth of Water and of Spirit. Independence, MO: Zion's Printing and Publishing Co., 192-.

——. Saturday Night Thoughts; A Series of Dissertations on Spiritual, Historical and Philosphic Themes. Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1921.

——. The Strength of the "Mormon" Position. Independence, MO: Zions Printing and Publishing Co., 1917.

Widtsoe, John A. Joseph Smith As Scientist. Salt Lake City: The General Board Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, 1908.

Wood, James. Facts and Observations Concerning the Organization and State of the Churches in the Three Synods of Western New York, and the Synod of Western Reserve. Saratoga Springs: G. M. Davison, 1837.

Worcester, Thomas. A New Chain of Plain Argument, Deemed Conclusive Against Trinitarianism. Addressed to a Trinitarian Writer for the Panoplist, in a Series of Candid Letters. Boston: John Eliot, 1817.

Zenas. An Affectionate Address of a Son to His Father, on the Doctrine of Universalism: Connected with Extracts from the Writings of Elias Smith, Against That Doctrine. New York: Zenas, 1819.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
(19 Works)

Beecher, Maureen Ursenbach and Lavina Fielding Anderson. Sisters in Spirit: Mormon Women in Historical and Cultural Perspective. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1987.

Bush, Lester E. and Armand L. Mauss, eds. Neither White Nor Black: Mormon Scholars Confront the Race Issue in a Universal Church. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1984.

Corcoran, Brent, ed. Multiply and Replenish: Mormon Essays on Sex and Family. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 7. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994.

Embry, Jessie L. Black Saints in a White Church: Contemporary African American Mormons. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994.

England, Eugene. Dialogues with Myself: Personal Essays on Mormon Experience. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1984.

——. Making Peace: Personal Essays. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

England, Eugene, and Lavina Fielding Anderson, eds. Tending the Garden: Essays on Mormon Literature. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 8. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Hanks, Maxine, ed. Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

Heaton, Tim B., Thomas A. Hirschl, and Bruce A. Chadwick, eds. Utah in the 1990s: A Demographic Perspective. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Poll, Richard D. History and Faith: Reflections of a Mormon Historian. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989.

Schow, H. Wayne. Remembering Brad: On the Loss of a Son to AIDS. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995.

Schow, Ron, Wayne Schow, and Marybeth Raynes, eds. Peculiar People: Mormons and Same-Sex Orientation. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991.

Sessions, Gene A. and Craig J. Oberg, eds. The Search for Harmony: Essays on Science and Mormonism. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 6. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1993.

Shipps, Jan. Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1985.

Sillito, John, ed. The Wilderness of Faith: Essays on Contemporary Mormon Thought. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 3. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1991.

Sillitoe, Linda. Friendly Fire: The ACLU in Utah. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996.

Sillitoe, Linda, and Allen Roberts. Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1989.

Smith, George D., ed. Faithful History: Essays on Writing Mormon History. Essays on Mormonism Series No. 5. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1992.

——, ed. Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of Conscience: A Mormon/Humanist Dialogue. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994.

UVU to host panel on Helen Whitney's "The Mormons"

Dear Friends of UVU Religious Studies,

On Friday, February 12th, the Religious Studies Program will host filmmaker Helen Whitney for a panel discussion on her PBS documentary "The Mormons." Produced as a joint project for Frontline and the American Experience, this four-hour documentary explores the history, experience, and diverse perceptions of Mormonism. The panel includes participants in the film along with religious studies and media scholars.

Panelists Include:

• Helen Whitney, producer and director of "The Mormons"
• Daniel Peterson, professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic, Brigham Young University
• Colleen McDannell, Sterling M. McMurrin Chair in Religious Studies, University of Utah
• Alex Caldiero, Poet in Residence, Utah Valley University
• Charles Randall Paul, president, Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy
• David Scott, chair, Department of Communication, Utah Valley University

The event is scheduled for Friday, February 12th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the UVU Library Lakeview Room (4th floor) and is free and open to the public. For information, contact  brian.birch@uvu.edu or (801) 863-8759, or visit www.uvu.edu/religiousstudies

Mormon theology in particular would survive discovery of Extra Terrestrial Intelligence

"Could the world's religions survive the discovery of extraterrestrial life? Or would their beliefs be so shaken that they would eventually collapse?"

A recent study suggests religion could survive discovery of ET.

Mormons may have the highest rate of acceptance of Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (ETI). Researchers commented:

Note how high Mormons score. Many Mormon respondents added comments to the effect that belief in ETI is already a part of Mormon doctrine. "My religion (LDS, Mormon) already believes in extra-terrestrials."

Regarding the question "Extraterrestrial beings are likely to have religious beliefs and practices which will conflict sharply with established beliefs and practices as we know them on earth," most Mormon strongly disagreed. Researchers commented:

We note the singular strength of disagreement among Mormons, perhaps due to the existing incorporation of ETI into Mormon theology.

Mormon Origins of ETI belief

After Joseph Smith translated and published the Book of Mormon in 1830, he began translating the Bible. The text included "and he [Moses] beheld many lands; and each land was called earth, and there were inhabitants on the face thereof." Then the Lord explained to Moses "there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man." (Book of Moses 1:28-35) This was later canonized as scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His translation also stated that many sought "the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world." (Inspired Version, Genesis 14:34 [not canonized]) Joseph Smith's grand-nephew, apostle Joseph Fielding Smith affirmed this idea in 1954, "we are taught that portions of this earth have been taken from it, such as the city of Enoch, which included the land surface as well as the people. Yet the earth has maintained its steady course." (Doctrines of Salvation 2:316 & 1:62).

An 1832 revelation received by Joseph Smith stated .........

Continue reading here

Mormon Literature Year in Review: 2009

Andrew's Mormon Literature Year in Review: National Market 2009

By William Morris | 1.26.10

Wm writes: Once again AMV is proud to bring you Andrew Hall's Year in Review in Mormon letters.

The story of the year in nationally published literature by Mormons was the memoir.  Two Mormon women, Elna Baker and Kathryn Lynard Soper produced honest and interesting life stories, to excellent reviews. While other Mormon authors sold more books, few other nationally published author made their Mormonism so central to their story.  Other big stories for the year include Stephanie Meyer's continued dominance of the fiction landscape, Brandon Sanderson's rise to the top of best seller's lists, and the continuing flood of young adult speculative fiction.

Continue reading here

Survey to evaluate Relief Society / Priesthood manual

The Church has created a survey to get opinions on the new Gospel Principles manuals which was designed for new converts, and is now the manual for adult Priesthood / Relief Society.

Take a moment and let them know how you feel about the manual.

http://ldschurch.inquisiteasp.com/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?Q4ZZXX

Prop. 8 film debut

Excerpts of Moviegoers applaud Prop. 8 film critical of LDS Church By Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune
01/25/2010
--
Cowan received two sustained standing ovations Sunday for his documentary "8: The Mormon Proposition," which harshly criticizes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its campaigning for California's ban on same-sex marriage, from the 600-strong audience attending the film's world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Some in the audience cried when hearing stories of gay men and lesbians recounting discrimination they have suffered. Others hissed when Utah Eagle Forum President Gayle Ruzicka appeared on-screen, or when State Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, appeared to declare homosexuality "the greatest threat to America going down."

Mostly, though, they applauded and cheered Cowan's film for presenting evidence of the LDS Church's work to persuade its members to donate money to the campaign for California's anti-gay Proposition 8 -- and to hide the church's involvement, knowledge of which would have dissuaded voters, through front organizations.

Cowan, a former Salt Lake City TV reporter who was raised in the Mormon faith, told the audience he was compelled to make "8: The Mormon Proposition" because "I was a kid in Roosevelt, Utah, who knew what it was like to be called a faggot."

Elder Hafen warns of Internet info

Excerpts of Focus on the known of the restoration, Elder Hafen
counsels by Molly Farmer, Mormon Times
Monday, Jan. 25, 2010

There are many wondrous components of the gospel for Mormons to focus
their study on rather than unsubstantiated details and rumors, said
Elder Bruce C. Hafen at a fireside for young adults Sunday, Jan 24.

He compared people who get hung up on murky specifics to golfers at
the base of such mountains scouring the rough for golf balls rather
than looking up and taking in the splendor.

"Look at the restoration's content, don't get lost in the sometimes
unclear details and footnotes," he said.

Elder Hafen related his remarks specifically to anti-Mormon literature
found on the Internet, and stated that too many people of faith let
initial curiosity give way to feelings of dismay and betrayal when
they come across unfamiliar arguments against the church.

Faithful questioning is a hallmark of a searching soul, he said, but
claims found in anti-Mormon literature are no reason to abandon one's
testimony, especially because many of the issue-taking and arguments
out there have already been addressed by Mormon scholars and leaders.

The democratization of ideas sometimes confuses the reader as to what
is true and what is not, as all ideas are presented horizontally and
as fact, thus positioning the blogger's flippant opinion alongside the
scholar's well-researched dissertation.

Elder Hafen said there is much discussion out there regarding the
methods through which Joseph Smith translated ancient scripture such
as the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and the Bible.

"How (Joseph Smith) received it doesn't ultimately matter to us very
much," he said.

Other "mountains" in the gospel are the doctrines of premortal life
and eternal nature of the soul, the Mormon rejection of original sin
and the hallowed, the nature of the Godhead, and the elevated way the
church views Eve.

When a person considers how unique the church's understanding of core
doctrine differs drastically from the rest of Christianity, "It
shouldn't come as a big surprise that other Christian churches don't
know quite what to do with us."

Members of the church could stand to give some of these "mountains"
more thought and contemplation than they currently do, as they are far
more revolutionary than Mormons sometimes think.

2009 Niblets

Mormon Matters is hosting the 2009 Niblet awards.  Voting is underway for a multitude of categories for the best blogs & articles in the bloggernacle from a variety of categories. 

Head on over to Mormon Matters and take a look

Mormon Stories 2.0

Excerpts of Mormon Stories 2.0 – And How You Can Help  by johndehlin at MormonMatters
 
--
Mormon Stories is an audio podcast interview series where I interview Mormons of all types — from Richard Bushman to Grant Palmer — and give them a chance to tell their stories.  The full archive of my past interviews can be found here.

The focus for the forseeable future will be on the following things:

• Mormon Culture: Interviewing interesting people from within Mormon culture, including artists, writers, film makers, bloggers, politicians, athletes, professionals, activists, etc.
• Faith Strugglers: Helping to build awareness and empathy for, and provide LDS church members who are currently struggling with their traditional, literalistic LDS faith/testimony, including those who have either gone inactive or have left the church.  The goal here would be NOT to encourage people to either leave or stay in the church, but instead to provide role models across the faith spectrum (Apologetic, StayLDS, New Order Mormon, ExMo, PostMo, etc.) to support them in making their own decisions about how to best navigate their faith journey.
• Mixed-Faith LDS Marriages: Provide support to LDS marriages wherein one or both within the couple have lost their traditional, literalistic LDS faith.  The goal here would be to reduce the number of Mormon-related divorces by providing role models, tips and tricks to help couples get on the same page faith-wise (where possible), and  to support them in their transition/renegotiation in a way that preserves and even strengthens the marriage.  We also hope to focus some on raising children within a mixed faith or non-traditional LDS paradigm/belief structure.
• Mormon Mental Health: Because of my interest in Psychology, I plan to do a deep dive into Mormon-related mental health issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, abuse, sexual addiction/pornography and addiction.

Podcast info and Further details here

LDS Church documents used in Prop 8 trail

--
Excerpt from Being Gay Not A Choice, Judge Hears, By Carlos Santoscoy-- On Top Magazine
--
In one email, church officials acknowledge they have 20,000 volunteers supporting Proposition 8. And for the first time, the communications reveal that the church actively attempted to hide its involvement in the campaign: "With respect to Prop. 8 campaign, key talking points will come from campaign, but cautious, strategic, not to take the lead so as to provide plausible deniability or respectable distance so as not to show that church is directly involved."

--
Excerpts of Prop. 8 challengers highlight religion's role in campaign, LA Times, Maura Dolan
--

Documents unveiled later revealed the Catholic and Mormon churches played a major role in passing Proposition 8.

An e-mail from the executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to the bishops and a cardinal said Catholics were crucial in providing money and volunteers to qualify Proposition 8 for the ballot.

The e-mail also praised the Mormon Church, saying it had provided "financial, organizational and management contributions" for the measure.

A memo by a Mormon Church public affairs officer said the Proposition 8 campaign was "entirely under priesthood direction," and the minutes of a Mormon Church meeting said members should not take the lead in promoting Proposition 8 but should work through protectmarriage.com.

The church document said a teleconference had been held in Salt Lake City with 159 of 161 Mormon leaders in California. The leaders were told to encourage members to contribute $30 each for Proposition 8, toward a projected goal of $5 million, in addition to general fundraising.

Andy Pugno, a lawyer for the Proposition 8 campaign, said in an interview that it was "astonishing" that the court allowed into evidence internal communications of churches.

"Today has been a major expression of religious bigotry," Pugno said of Wednesday's testimony. "The gloves have clearly come off, and religious voters are in the cross-hairs."

Mormon Media Studies Symposium Paper Call

CALL FOR CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PANELS

Sponsored by BYU Department of Communications, BYU Broadcasting, and BYU Studies

In Conjunction with the 50^th Anniversary of BYU Broadcasting

November 11 & 12, 2010

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA

 http://ce.byu.edu/cw/mmstudies

Conference Theme:

"Mormon Media Studies: Across Time, Space, and Disciplines"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members have been highly visible in the media in recent years, and also have been actively engaged in the production of media content. While circumstances and technologies have changed over time, the media always have been central to the Mormon experience, and to the interface of Mormonism with societies, institutions, and individuals. This first-ever interdisciplinary Mormon Media Studies Symposium will focus on the academic study of all aspects of Mormons and the media, in the present as well as the past. (The term "media" is used broadly to encompass print and electronic media, books, film, etc.)

Submission of Paper and Panel Proposals

Academics, practitioners, and students are invited to submit competitive papers or panel proposals about any aspect of Mormons and the media. Papers and panels may be broadly interdisciplinary; international perspectives are encouraged; all rigorous scholarly methodological frameworks and theories are welcome.  Audio-visual presentations (with rigorous analysis) and short films are welcome. Papers recently presented or published elsewhere may be considered (provide full information). Submissions (which will be peer-reviewed) may be made in three categories: Full Papers; Presentation Papers; and Panels.  Full papers should be approx. 6,000-8,000 words. They will be considered by BYU Studies for possible publication (if the author wishes). (They must be adapted for a 20-25 minute presentation.)  Presentation papers should be approx. 3,000 words.  They may be accepted to presentation, panel, or poster sessions.  Panel proposals should be approx. 2-3 pages. They should include panel topic and relevance, and panel members' names, titles, and contact information. For all submissions, include title and short abstract (100 words), author's full name, title or student status, and contact information. Identifying information should appear only on the cover page.

Deadline:  Papers and panel proposals must be submitted by June 30, 2010 in Word or PDF formats as an e-mail attachment to Dr. Sherry Baker at: sherry_baker@byu.edu.

As this is the first ever interdisciplinary Mormon Media Studies Symposium, the range of topics to be explored in paper and panel sessions is wide. Possible topics falling under the theme of the conference include but are not limited to:

·          Analyses of media content by or about Mormons (textual, rhetorical, thematic, etc.)

·          Mormon media (contemporary, historical, international, etc.): newspapers, magazines, books, television, radio, film, Internet, social sites, etc.

·          Content and effects of recent Mormon depictions in news and popular culture

·          Mormons, media & politics—U.S. and international

·          Mormon media uses and effects, including social media

·          Mormon media image (present & historical)

·          Content and effects of Mormon PR, advertising, messaging

·          Audience studies: meaning-making; effects; responses; influences; behavior and attitudinal changes

·          Institutional LDS perspectives on media; responses and effects

·          Mormons as media creators, producers, publishers, inventors, disseminators, editors, writers, etc.; or others in these categories who have produced LDS-related media or content

·          Mormon-related film, TV programming, etc.

·          Historical, sociological, literary, rhetorical, international, etc. perspectives

Bible Possibly Written Centuries Earlier, Text Suggests

Bible Possibly Written Centuries Earlier, Text Suggests

By Clara Moskowitz, LiveScience Staff Writer

The ancient text shown in this drawing was discovered on a shard of
pottery in Israel, and turned out to be the earliest known example of
Hebrew writing.

The ancient text shown in this drawing was discovered on a shard of
pottery in Israel, and turned out to be the earliest known example of
Hebrew writing. Credit: University of Haifa

Scientists have discovered the earliest known Hebrew writing — an
inscription dating from the 10th century B.C., during the period of
King David's reign.

The breakthrough could mean that portions of the Bible were written
centuries earlier than previously thought. (The Bible's Old Testament
is thought to have been first written down in an ancient form of
Hebrew.)

Until now, many scholars have held that the Hebrew Bible originated in
the 6th century B.C., because Hebrew writing was thought to stretch
back no further. But the newly deciphered Hebrew text is about four
centuries older, scientists announced this month.

"It indicates that the Kingdom of Israel already existed in the 10th
century BCE and that at least some of the biblical texts were written
hundreds of years before the dates presented in current research,"
said Gershon Galil, a professor of Biblical Studies at the University
of Haifa in Israel, who deciphered the ancient text.

BCE stands for "before common era," and is equivalent to B.C., or before Christ.

The writing was discovered more than a year ago on a pottery shard dug
up during excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa, near Israel's Elah valley.
The excavations were carried out by archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel of
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. At first, scientists could not
tell if the writing was Hebrew or some other local language.

Finally, Galil was able to decipher the text. He identified words
particular to the Hebrew language and content specific to Hebrew
culture to prove that the writing was, in fact, Hebrew.

"It uses verbs that were characteristic of Hebrew, such as asah
('did') and avad ('worked'), which were rarely used in other regional
languages," Galil said. "Particular words that appear in the text,
such as almanah ('widow') are specific to Hebrew and are written
differently in other local languages."

The ancient text is written in ink on a trapezoid-shaped piece of
pottery about 6 inches by 6.5 inches (15 cm by 16.5 cm). It appears to
be a social statement about how people should treat slaves, widows and
orphans. In English, it reads (by numbered line):

1' you shall not do [it], but worship the [Lord].
2' Judge the sla[ve] and the wid[ow] / Judge the orph[an]
3' [and] the stranger. [Pl]ead for the infant / plead for the po[or and]
4' the widow. Rehabilitate [the poor] at the hands of the king.
5' Protect the po[or and] the slave / [supp]ort the stranger.

The content, which has some missing letters, is similar to some
Biblical scriptures, such as Isaiah 1:17, Psalms 72:3, and Exodus
23:3, but does not appear to be copied from any Biblical text.

Expanded biography of Spencer W. Kimball published

Excerpts of Biography of Mormon prophet expanded,  examiner.com
---
An expanded biography of LDS Church president Spencer W. Kimball has just been published. Disagreements between the author and the publisher had resulted in a compromise in an earlier version, with some content edited out.

But now, in an agreement between author the prophet's son and author Edward Kimball,  church-owned Deseret Book and Benchmark Books, the complete "working draft" has been published in book format. 

Lengthen Your Stride focused on the twelve years that Spencer W. Kimball served as president of the LDS Church.

In the preface, the publisher declared:

The publisher and the biographer do not agree on the interpretations or weight of importance given to a number of events, or the choices of characterization of some of the people. The author and the publisher have had open and energetic discussions on these issues, and there has been some give and take in the editorial process. The resulting book reflects a compromise between the two points of view.

Edward explains that in his biographical writing "I have tried to always deal with sensitive issues cautiously but candidly," wanting the reader to "receive a fair telling of the full story, rather than a sanitized version from which the humanness has been leached."

Edward Kimball will speak about the book Wednesday, January 20, at 6:00 PM, and will answer questions and sign books.  Benchmark Books is located at 3269 South Main Street, Salt Lake (801) 486-3111.

Read the entire article here.

New Site: Science Meets Religion

Science Meets Religion

A website dedicated to the search for harmony between science and religion

Approach

The objective of this website is to collect high-quality, authoritative information on topics in the intersection of science and religion, and to present this information in a rigorous, well-documented manner. Topics range from the philosophy of science, Judeo-Christian theology, Biblical scholarship, creationism, intelligent design, modern physics and big bang cosmology. Detailed references are given in all cases.

Material on this site is provided for research and education purposes only. No advertisements are permitted, nor are any solicitations to support any organization -- scientific, academic or religious. Most of the material is representative of and targeted to a broad spectrum of Judeo-Christian thought. Indeed, the vast majority of these issues are common to a wide range of religious denominations. Where theologians or religious leaders are quoted, their affiliation is indicated when possible. A selection of information of interest to LDS readers is included in a separate section of the website: LDS pages.

Outline of Available Material

• Blog. This blog features philosophical musings, interesting quotes and essays, all in the general realm of science and religion.
• The Search for Harmony: A Summary Essay. This article summarizes the conclusions of the three Q&A sections below, and sketches some promising directions for finding an honest common ground between science and religion.
• News. Links to some interesting recent news articles in the general area of science and religion are available here.
• Q&A: Evolution, Creationism and Intelligent Design (15 articles). This section discusses evolution, creationism, intelligent design, geological ages, DNA, fossils, evolutionary novelty, irreducible complexity, speciation, probability, the origin of life, and related topics.
• Q&A: Physics and Cosmology (7 articles). This section discusses modern physics, cosmology, the big bang, the multiverse, cosmic coincidences, the cosmological constant paradox, Fermi's paradox, and related topics.
• Q&A: Theology and Philosophy (14 articles). This section discusses the "war" between science and religion, natural laws, biblical scholarship, secular scholarship, determinism, naturalism, postmodernism, advantages and disadvantages of scientific and creationist worldviews, and related topics.
• Quotations. This links to a collection of interesting quotations on the topic of science and religion by respected writers in the field.
• Resources: books, articles, Internet sites and bibliography. This site features some particularly well-written recent books, articles and Internet resources touching on the general area modern science, religion and philosophy. A comprehensive bibliography of all works cited in the three Q&A sections above is also included here.
• LDS pages. This section of the website includes material of interest to LDS readers (the other material above is targeted to a more general Judeo-Christian audience).

Editorial Information

This site is compiled and edited by Dr. David H. Bailey of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, California: LBNL website | Personal website. The editor's published works include four books and 124 articles, ranging in topics from high-performance computing, computational mathematics, probability, simulations of evolution, as well as some articles in science and religion.

Disclaimer: Material on this site does not necessarily reflect views of the editor's employer, funding agencies, religious affiliation or any other organization. Also, inclusion of material (articles, quotations, excerpts) on this website does not necessarily indicate that the editor endorses that material. Where pages or articles have authors indicated, those authors are themselves responsible for the contents.

Acknowledgments: The editor wishes to acknowledge many useful comments and contributed material from numerous friends and colleagues, including the following: Duane Jeffery, Eugenie Scott, Steven Peck, Kenneth Miller and others.

Copyright: David H. Bailey (c) 2010