Becoming Saints before gods

Guest post by BHodges.

Discourse by Heber C. Kimball
June 29, 1856
JD 4:1-7

Much criticism of Joseph Smith and the LDS Church in general stems from the doctrine regarding the eternal potential of mankind. The Church believes that men and women are the “offspring” of Heavenly Parents (see Acts 17:28-29) composed of the same eternal substance (see D&C 93:33-35), and as such, have divine possibilities. However, there are many names for and many interpretations of the doctrine in and out of the Church. Describing the various schools of thought on the subject is not the purpose of this post, however.

In this discourse, President Heber C. Kimball tangentially referred to deification; not as a glorious declaration that we can become gods, or godlike, but to remind his listeners not to put the cart before the horse. We ought to consider becoming true Saints before focusing too much on being gods:

Continue Reading

Book Wish List

This last weekend, while reading a book discussing the transition of Mormonism in the early twentieth century, the same thought came to my mind that has come hundreds of times (and I’m sure that it is the same for many of you): someone needs to write a scholarly biography on Joseph F. Smith.

So, this got me thinking. What other books on Mormon history still need to be written? The comments in a past post show that more work still needs to be done on persecution narratives. In a graduate course the other day, several of us co-bloggers discussed the need for a book to explore the idea of “theo-democracy,” as seen in the early Church. Another book on my “wish list” would be a biography on Oliver Cowdery.

What unwritten books are on your “wish list”?

Strange Ramblings or Spiritual Repository?

Guest post by BHodges.

“I wish to give you one text to preach upon: ‘From this time henceforth do not fret thy gizzard'”
(Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 3:1).

Colloquialisms such as this kindled my interest in the Journal of Discourses, sparking a personal project to document the most interesting parts of the 26-volume work on my blog. I appreciate JI allowing me to share some of my findings here. For my introductory post, I’ll describe the purpose of my blog.

Few members of the Church of Jesus Christ have time (or perhaps even the interest) to read all 1,438 sermons given between 1854 and 1886. Additionally, I believe the JD has suffered in reputation due to some speculative ideas expressed by some early Church leaders; many of which are often quoted by critics of the Church as bona fide Mormon doctrine. The JD is largely a product of its time; a Utah Territory, a struggling and growing Church torn between exclusion and assimilation; where politics, religion, agricultural advice, homespun parables and ethics were all mixed together.

Continue Reading

The Juvenile Instructor Welcomes BHodges

The Juvenile Instructor is pleased to welcome BHodges as its latest guest blogger.  BHodges maintains his own blog, Life on Gold Plates, which primarily focuses on insights from the Journal of Discourses.  He offers the following short bio.

I’m a 26 year old journalism student/computer technician with an addiction to books that would make me an unfit parent, if I had any children. I served in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin mission from 2001-2003 and currently serve as the primary chorister in the Porter Lane 3rd Ward. I have a wonderful wife named Kristen, and an obedient dog named Chicken Delicious. My appetite for reading any and all things LDS has turned me into something of an autodidact. Recently my attention has turned to the Journal of Discourses, and in reading the volumes I concluded a blog of the more interesting or profitable parts would be a good project.

We look forward to the insights BHodges will contribute to the JI in the coming week.

“…the glory of the sun…”

If you’re reading a religious history blog–which you obviously are–you’ve probably heard of the hollow earth theory[1]–but have you heard of the hollow sun theory?

Continue Reading

Thanks, BiV

We’ve enjoyed having Bored in Vernal as our guest over the last little bit. Her posts have been insightful and based on solid research. She has also brought a much needed feminist perspective to our discussions of the Mormon past. We’d like to give her a big thanks for sharing some of her insights with us.

Eliza, Adam, and the Heavenly Mother

Admin: This post is authored by occasional guest blogger and friend to JI, Bored in Vernal.

Eliza R. Snow holds a unique position in Mormon history.  She never had children or a husband of her “own,” though she was married to the first two LDS Prophets.  Eliza became extremely influential in the early Church for a variety of reasons.  Her situation with less family responsibility gave her free time to pursue her interests.  Her calling as General Relief Society President saw her travelling among the Saints and gave her an authoritative position.   Her proximity to Church leadership put her in firsthand touch with Church doctrine as it was developed.   Finally, her considerable talent in writing gave her a voice among men and women alike.

Continue Reading

N. Eldon Tanner on the “Blessing, Ordaining, and Setting Apart” of Spencer W. Kimball

By Jeffrey G. Cannon 

At an 11 a.m. press conference in the Church Office Building, Bruce Olsen, press secretary to the First Presidency, announced a reorganization of the First Presidency took place the previous day, Sunday, 3 February 2008. This marks the fifteenth such reorganization of the First Presidency in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A previous reorganization was described by N. Eldon Tanner, then a counselor in the First Presidency, which occurred following t

Continue Reading

A View of the Latter-day Saints in New Jersey, 1856

Although Mormon historians usually focus primarily on the metropolis in Mormon history, there has been for most of our history a thriving presence of Latter-day Saints on the periphery. The following excerpt, taken from an 1856 New Jersey article, sheds light on Latter-day Saint life outside of Utah and the West during the 1850s.

State Gazette (Trenton) 6 September 1856

MORMONS IN NEW JERSEY.-There are a considerable number of Mormons in this state; in Monmouth,

Continue Reading

The Writings of Nature’s Fair Queens

Admin: This post is authored by occasional guest blogger and friend to JI, Bored in Vernal.

I’ve enjoyed reading the Women’s Exponent since it became available online. I’m amazed at how political and liberated many of the articles are. Their interest in the world beyond their valley surprised me. It is fascinating to read the historical information:

Continue Reading