The sixth gathering of the Book of Commandments

Sample from the Book of Commamdments

In ways, it reads like a Dan Brown novel.  A handwritten book of revelations hidden in a vault is finally uncovered. Its publication reveals mysterious content including unpublished revelations, text written in the "Adamic" language, a song sung with the gift of tongues, versions of revelations different than those we have today, and more. Episode 1 of this Dan Brown-ish story occurred in 2009. But now, a sequel is available.  Using clues from the book recovered in episode 1, scholars have been able to reconstruct the so called "sixth gathering" or missing portion of the Book of Commandments.

Fundmentalist Mormon show "Big Love" ends

The successful five year run of a story about Mormon fundamentalists ends with a vision from Emma Smith and more. 

Below, an interview with the creators encompass an interesting and (to some Latter-day Saints) an uncomfortable  mix of issues -- including Polygamy, feminism, patriarchy, gay marriage, family values and more.

Excerpts of 'Big Love's Creators Deconstruct The Show's Finale, from NPR's Fresh Air  (Spoiler Alert!! - don't read on if you want to be surprised by the season finale ending)

Mother-in-heaven(?) was edited from Bible, but evidence of Her existence grows

The name of Mother-in-Heaven may be 'Asherah' who was anciently included in Jerusalem temple ceremonies, and recognized as God's wife. According to scholars, She was nearly edited out of the Bible by men who were intent on portraying a monotheistic, male God. Today, scholars continue to find additional evidence of Her existence.

Mormon PDF Web Site

Mormon historian Michael Marquardt has put together a collection reviews on important historical works at Mormon PDF Web Site.  Marquardt. author of numerous articles and books, plans on expanding the collection over time.

Diaries of Joseph F. Smith, 1856-1857

Just announced:

"My Candid Opinion": The Sandwich Islands Diaries of Joseph F. Smith, 1856-1857 
Nathaniel R. Ricks editor

For the first time, the earliest surviving diaries of Joseph F. Smith (b. 1838), will be available. Smith, the sixth president of the LDS Church, served from 1901 until his death in 1918. He was also one of the youngest LDS missionaries ever called to serve. He arrived in the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaiian Islands) in 1854 at the age of fifteen. For the next  three years, he labored to bring native converts into the Church while combating loneliness, depression, a fiery temperament, and doubts about his own competence. In fact, one of the perhaps surprising themes to emerge from the diaries is Joseph F.'s driving quest for self-improvement and intellectual competence. Editor Nathaniel Ricks has carefully annotated these earliest diaries of Joseph F. (earlier volumes were destroyed in a fire) to make them accessible to modern readers. The diaries offer a fun look into the formative years of one of Mormonism's most commanding personalities. "My Candid Opinion" will be a Smith-Pettit Foundation imprint (Smith-Pettit is our sister company).

due: May 2011
ISBN: 978-1-56085-219-3
limitation: 250 copies
price: $100

http://signaturebooks.com/2011/03/new-book-announced-from-smith-pettit/

The Development of LDS Temple Worship

The temple and its associated ordinances stand at the center of Latter-day Saint worship and theology. Yet an understanding of its origins and development are not well understood. Devery Anderson's The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History goes a long way to fill that void.

With 478 pages of documents, plus 52 pages of introductory and explanatory text, Anderson's book is packed with an array of fascinating information, tracing through more than 150 years of developments related to the temple.

Hauglid, "A Textual History of the Book of Abraham: Manuscripts and Editions" (reviewed by Blair Dee Hodges)

"... Hauglid has provided a meticulously compiled source book for future researchers, and an interesting volume which Latter-day Saints can use to read the Book of Abraham in a different light."

Review

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Title: A Textual History of the Book of Abraham: Manuscripts and Editions
Author: Brian M. Hauglid
Publisher: Neal A. Maxwell Institute of Religious Scholarship

Background of "The Proclamation on the Economy"

Directors and officers of Z.C.M.I, 1880

It has been pointed out that the title "The Proclamation on the Economy" of an item in circulation on the Internet (posted on this site earlier) was not the original title of the document.  It was part of a letter to the Latter-day Saints reviewing the progress of the church's economic cooperative system Z.C.M.I. (Zions Cooperative Mercantile Incorporated).

Z.C.M.I was set up by the political organization - The Council of the Fifty in March, 1868 as a "co-operative covenant" among Mormons to sell goods "as low as they can possibly be sold" with "the profits be[ing] divided among the people [Mormons] at large."  Concerns over the economic impact of the transcontinental railroad and economic tensions with non-Mormons prompted its creation.

Brigham proposed a boycott of all "Gentile" (non-Mormon) merchants, which was sustained by the Salt Lake City School of Prophets, and later sustained in General Conference.  The church opened the first store in 1869 and the next year began a manufacturing enterprise which became known particularly for their boots, shoes and "mountaineer" overalls. 

A Proclamation on the Economy from the First Presidency and Twelve

An excerpt, and full version of the mis-titled "Proclamation on the Economy" (background info available here).

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A Proclamation on the Economy

from the First Presidency and Twelve (1875)

To The Latter-day Saints -
"The experience of mankind has shown that the people of communities and nations among whom wealth is the most equally distributed, enjoy the largest degree of liberty, are the least exposed to tyranny and oppression and suffer the least from luxurious habits which beget vice."

Joseph Smith's Polygamy

Perhaps one of the most controversial yet interesting topics in LDS history is the origin of Mormon polygamy.  Joseph Smith practiced it secretly and introduced it to some of his closest followers.  But tensions surrounding its practice eventually led to the murder of the Latter-Day-Saint Prophet. 

Today, discussion of polygamy is avoided in official church discourse, and it is considered impolite to ask about it in Sunday School.  The church continues P.R. efforts to remove the uncomfortable association between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mormon fundamentalism.  Meanwhile, critics use the topic to undermine the church, leaving many church members unsure what to believe, or where to go for reliable information.

But researcher Brian Hales hopes help.

Obama stops defending Defense of Marriage Act - Prop8 legal action

From Obama's DOMA Decision Sparks New Energy in Prop. 8 Case by by Japhy Grant, kcet.org

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Wednesday's presidential order to the Justice Department to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act, the 15-year-old law which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions, represents not only a major change in policy for the White House, but also a new wrinkle in the unfolding drama over the legality of California's Proposition 8.

Hawaii to allow civil unions

Excerpts of Hawaii eyes gay ceremonies after civil unions pass, Associated Press
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Hawaii lawmakers gave final approval to civil unions Wednesday and sent the legislation to Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who plans to sign it into law within 10 business days. Civil unions would begin Jan. 1, 2012, making the state the seventh in the nation to grant virtually the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself.

LDS Church growth rate slows, remains fourth largest U.S. denomination

Excerpts of Witnesses, Adventists outpace LDS growth,  by Kristen Moulton, The Salt Lake Tribune

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The Jehovah's Witnesses, the 20th-largest denomination, swelled by 4.37 percent from 2008 to 2009 for a total of 1,162,686 members

The Seventh-day Adventist Church grew by 4.31 percent and moved into the top-25 denominations, with 1,043,606 members

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remained one of the fastest-growing U.S. faiths, although its rate slowed to 1.42 percent, according to the new yearbook.

The LDS Church reported

Church member threatened with discipline for questioning church on gay marriage

Excerpts of Playing Valentine, by Melany S., Doves and Serpents
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...In 2008 I found myself between a rock and a hard place in terms of the Prop 8 debate. As the church took even greater strides to make this constitutional amendment a reality, I believed my silence to be approval and felt compelled to speak up for my gay brothers and sisters

Unprotected Texts: The Bible's Surprising Contradictions about Sex and Desire

Title: Unprotected Texts: The Bible's Surprising Contradictions about Sex and Desire
Author: Jennifer Wright Knust

Reviewed by Richard Packham for the Association for Mormon Letters

** WARNING: Due to the nature of the subject matter, this review, like the book being reviewed, is likely to be considered by some as R-rated

The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration

"...there is a wealth of masterful scholarship to recommend to a Mormon audience, even the more conservative members therein.  The authors are appropriately reserved in their judgments, always seeking to illuminate, never to point accusatory fingers.  Reading [the book] left me amazed"


Review
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Title: The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration
Author: Bruce M. Metzger and Bart D. Ehrman

Transformation of the Mormon Culture Region

Title: Transformation of the Mormon Culture Region
Author: Ethan R. Yorgason

UVU Conference: Mormonism and Islam

Mormonism and Islam

Commonality and Cooperation between Abrahamic Faiths

March 10-11, 2011
Utah Valley University
Student Center (Centre Stage)

Conference Description

The eleventh annual UVU Mormon Studies Conference will engage in a comparative exploration of Islam and Mormonism.  Scholars and practitioners will reflect on points of connection and contrast between two traditions that face challenges related to public awareness and social inclusion.  This two-day event will explore a variety of issues for Mormons and Muslims including 1) religious freedom and public perception, 2) mutual goals and cooperative endeavors, 3) areas of theological connection and divergence, and 4) efforts at dialogue and bridge-building.

Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology annual meeting

2011 - Call For Papers

Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology Eighth Annual Meeting
April 7–9, 2011
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah
The Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology invites papers on any aspect of Mormon belief, including its philosophical ramifications. We particularly encourage submissions on this year's theme.
Theme: "Serving God with Our Minds—The Place of Philosophy, Theology, and Scholarship in a Prophetic Church"

Is the Bible a scientific textbook?

Excerpts of Is the Bible a Scientific Textbook? by David H. Bailey, sciencemeetsreligion.org
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For the majority of Judeo-Christian readers of the Bible, modern science poses no fundamental challenge to religion in general or the Bible in particular. Such readers are able to view the Bible as the inspired word of God and yet retain sufficient flexibility to accommodate modern science. At the least, they are willing to accept that the Bible was not intended to be read primarily as a scientific textbook, and that eventually both perspectives will be seen to be part of a unifying truth.
But others in the Judeo-Christian world see significant issues in this arena. For example,