Digging around the Roots. Lesson 1

Transcription

1 Digging around the Roots Lesson 1

2 Introduction Jim and Judith McConkie (801) Discussion Groups Syllabus (jamesjudithmcconkie.com)

3 Sources Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual (free at Church History in the Fullness of Times (free at A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, Vols. 1-4 (Kindle or hardcopy) Stephen E. Robinson and H. Dean Garrett ( ) Looking at the Doctrine and Covenants Again for the Very First Time, (ibook or hard copy) James W. McConkie (2009)

4 Benchmark Books 3269 South Main Street #250 Salt Lake City, Utah (801)

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7 Overview I. The Importance of Context II. Micro vs. Macro Context III. Conclusion

8 I. The Importance of Context

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10 Importance of Context Reading or studying? That was a good "course" DC 8 (revelatory objects) DC 90:25 (size of families) DC 88:121 ("light-minded")

11 Light-minded (1832 Webster's Dictionary) unsettled, unsteady, volatile, or not considerate Topical Guide

12 "Digging around the roots." Key Inquire about context [W]e must dig up the root.

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14 Joseph and the Lost Sheep Scribes and Pharisees -- complained Jesus ate with sinners Suggested that the ninety-nine sheep represented the Pharisees and the Sadducees to whom Jesus spoke Great I and other people the little you. Teaching such people was like rain off from a gooses back. God rejoiced more over the one lost sheep than the ninety-and-nine because the ninety-and-nine were so self-righteous that they would be damned anyhow; you cannot save them.

15 II. Micro vs. Macro Context

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17 Micro vs. Macro Context Define "micro" Define "macro" Split/image (Bushman) Thomas G. Alexander, Mormonism in Transition: A History of the Latter-day Saints in

18 Split Image 19th Century Mormonism Zion (economic/social/=) Build Cities Plural Marriage Imminent Second Coming Word of Wisdom (lax) Church Meetings/Temple (lax) 20th Century Mormonism Capitalism Build Churches Monogamy Live in the present Word of Wisdom (strict) Church Meeting/Temple (strict)

19 Split Image... God was once a Man Apotheosis Material God Apostasy/Restoration Atonement/Resurrection Less emphasized Become like God Less emphasized Similarities with others Atonement (emphasis)

20 III. Conclusion

21 Marcus Borg on Context [E]nables us to see meanings... that would otherwise be hidden from our sight. Unearths meanings that otherwise would remain buried in the past. Allows us to hear the strangeness of these texts that come to us from worlds strange to us. Helps a person avoid reading... simply with our current agendas in mind and frees the [text] to speak for itself.

22 DC Mormon Manifesto Modern Mormons may have a tendency to gloss over them and miss the message. By doing so a person fails to see the appeal of early Mormonism and the far-reaching and revolutionary ideas that attracted and energized its first converts. The Doctrine and Covenants is a far more sweeping book of scripture than is first realized by a modern reader and advocates comprehensive religious, doctrinal, social, economic, and political change. It is an early Mormon Manifesto.

23 THE END

24 PARKING LOT

25 God's Perspective not Our Own If the student avoids the hard work of contextualization, digging at the root, as the Prophet Joseph recommended, he or she is more likely to misapprehend what it really being said. The student will superimpose a modern understanding on a historical document that was written in another place and time. To do so makes it more likely that the scriptures will be misunderstood and used to support one s own individual biases and prejudices.

26 If this is the case, the scriptures fail to serve their intended purpose, which is to help us see things from God s perspective and to help all men and women cast aside cultural assumptions and predispositions in favor of a gospel perspective. Students of the gospel must first understand what is actually being said before they can liken the scriptures to their own situation. (See 1 Nephi 19:23.)

27 Students of the gospel must first understand what is actually being said before they can liken the scriptures to their own situation. (See 1 Nephi 19:23.)

28 1844 run for the presidency Council of Fifty Plural marriage Material deity Vicarious work for the dead Apotheosis of men and women

29 Split/Image 19th Century vs. 20th New scripture Revise Bible Imminent Second Coming/Millenialism Economic and social equality Build Zion not churches