Monthly Archives: March 2010

Book of Mormon for Modern Minds?

March 11, 2010

Fascinating article from the New York Times about a new version of the Torah being released by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, which represents the 1.5 million Conservative Jews in the United States. Apparently, this Torah openly acknowledges the historical and archeological issues with the text — openly questioning things like whether or not Abraham (the founder of Judaism?) even existed. Given the fact that questions about Book of Mormon archeology and historicity will likely never cease — can you ever see a Book of Mormon, or even an LDS version of the Bible being released like this?...

The Virgin and the Whore: Thinking Beyond Dinah and Potiphar’s Wife

March 10, 2010

By Bored in Vernal

The Virgin and the Whore: Thinking Beyond Dinah and Potiphar’s Wife

OT SS Lesson #11 Lesson 11 in the Old Testament manual employs several stories from Genesis 34-39 to develop the theme of sexual morality. Joseph’s actions embody the “Lord’s standards” for morality and are contrasted with the actions of Shechem, Reuben, and Judah. You may notice that the featured characters in the lesson are all male. What shall a woman do with a lesson like this? I think the idea is for women to identify with Joseph — to be virtuous when facing temptation. But Joseph is a man, his responses are male-oriented, and intentionally or not this approach...

You’re the Bishop #5 (Poll)

March 9, 2010

By guest

Bishop Bill again, folks. Now for one that has nothing to do with the ward.

Prophets, Seers and Bureaucrats

March 8, 2010

By Aaron R. aka Rico

I listened recently to a Mormon Expression podcast with John Dehlin, in which he comments upon the difficult position the Church leaders face. He observes that their are times when they make particular decisions based upon a legalistic-bureaucratic framework that sometimes seem incomprehensible, even unchristian but that these decision are understandable. I would like to ask this question: Is there an alternative?

Dueling Wordprint Studies

March 6, 2010

By Mormon Heretic

This is the 3rd post reviewing By the Hand of Mormon, by Terryl Givens. I’ve taken a bit on an interest in wordprint studies. Givens explains wordprint studies on page 156. Computational stylistics is based on the premise that all authors exhibit subtle, quantifiable stylistic traits that are equivalent to a litereray fingerprint, or wordprint. The method has been used to investigate other instances of disputed authorship, from Plato to Shakespeare to the Federalist papers.

Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, my Mom and Dallin Oaks, a Convergence

March 4, 2010

By Stephen Marsh

Joseph Smith found language terribly important, and was clear that no translation into English could be perfect because of the limits of the language. Brigham Young expounded on the theme a number of times, that all revelation that came through prophets, all scripture and all records had flaws because of the weaknesses of the language, the impact of culture and other overlays that create the connotations we live with and the sub-texts of our lives. My first memory of a devotional at BYU was of Spencer W. Kimball quoting Brigham Young on how we would go astray if we...

Jacob’s Ladder: More on Faith Vs. Works

March 3, 2010

By Bored in Vernal

OT SS Lesson #10 Though it’s only an “additional teaching idea” in Lesson 12, Jacob’s ladder has captured my imagination due to some conversations I’ve recently had with Christian evangelicals. Jacob’s Dream woodcut, Lubeck Bible 1494

You’re the Bishop #4 (Poll)

March 2, 2010

By guest

OK, Bishop Bill here again with a really difficult situation.

Church as a Social Network

March 1, 2010

By Hawkgrrrl

There are those among the disaffected who would like to reap the benefits of the church as a community although they may no longer share the belief system that is the foundation of the church. For some, this works very well; for others, it’s an endless source of frustration. I recently read a great book called Connected: The Power of Social Networks that described how social networks work. As a result, I have drawn up 7 Rules (tips, really) for making church work as a social network.

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