Readers of the Book of Mormon encounter war and a lot of it. Indeed, the entire narrative seems to be driven by a cycle of conflict between competing groups. Destruction via war may come as a result of wickedness or … Continue reading
A blogging conversation has been taking place on the perennial question of the Christianity (or lack thereof) of Mormonism. Participants have included: Ben Witherington III, an evangelical New Testament scholar. [8-27-2012] Kevin Barney, an LDS attorney and Mormon studies scholar … Continue reading
A few nights ago (August 24) NBC’s “Rock Center” ran a special titled “Mormons in America.” In response, a local news station in Phoenix “12 News” invited 6 “Mormon faithful” and an academic (me) to respond. We all went to … Continue reading
The following is the beginning of a series on figures who lead or attempt to lead spiritual movements which have theological or historical roots in Mormonism. The intent of the series is to accurately reflect and record the claims and … Continue reading
IV Is Lehi‘s Sermon on Universal Opposition a Valid Argument? When I conceive of any defined noun, say a horse, I have divided up the world into two spheres, things that are horses and things that are not horses. Every definition … Continue reading
In Part 1, I summarized Lehi’s argument for opposition in all things. In this post, I will summarize the theological setting of its original audience as an interpretive aid. III- Lehi’s Argument in Its 19th Century Setting a-Since the time of the Middle … Continue reading
2 Nephi 2 is one of the most famous sermons in the Book of Mormon. The central theological claim of the Book of Mormon is that it claims to be an ancient document addressing a 19th century audience. In three posts, … Continue reading
In this week’s episode of WWE, we’re pleased to present our first guest post! The author is Scott Hales, a PhD candidate in English at the University of Cincinnati who is “in the process of starting a dissertation” (aren’t we all?) … Continue reading
Defining Mormon Doctrine can be a difficult task. Not in defining the core doctrines, of course. But rather, in defining the corollaries which follow. Armand Mauss has designated four categories of Mormon doctrine as “an operational construct [and] not a … Continue reading
Nearly two decades ago, I heard Elder Dallin H. Oaks commend the search for truth in the great literature of other cultures in a devotional address at BYU. Such sage intellectual advice, offered from the heart of Mormonism, is sometimes … Continue reading