AuthorCast
Authorcast #126: Oliver Olney, Nauvoo's Dissident Mormon Prophet June 12 2020
Show description: In this Kofford Lecture Series livestream event, we will be talking with Richard G. Moore about Oliver H. Olney, a little-known figure in Mormon history. Despite his falling out from the Church, and subsequent excommunication, Oliver remained part of the Nauvoo community, writing down the events he witnessed and publishing booklet criticisms against church leadership and "spiritual wifery." Additionally, Oliver claimed to receive his own visions, revelations, and other-worldly visitations. Oliver Olney's writings are not only entertaining (and bizarre), but also informative for historians of the Nauvoo period.
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The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843 — Nauvoo, Illinois “Such a rare collection of documents . . . is crucial to gain an understanding of Nauvoo during the time of Joseph Smith.” —Steven L. Shields |
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Authorcast #124: Richard Moore, editor of The Writings of Oliver H. Olney May 21 2020
Show description: In this episode, we chat with Richard G. Moore, editor of The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843—Nauvoo, Illinois. We discuss this lesser-known figure in Mormon history and what makes him important to the Nauvoo era, his falling out with church leadership, his own reports of visions and revelations, and some of the bigger takeaways from his writings.
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The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843—Nauvoo, Illinois “An important contribution to the body of Latter-day Saint history.” — Alonzo L. Gaskill, Professor of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University |
Authorcast #122: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 4 May 01 2020
Show description: Part 4 of our lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this final installment, we discuss the developing theology of premortal existence within Mormonism examining early Christian and Second Great Awakening thought and Joseph Smith's teachings of spirit creation and spirit birth.
Part 1 - What is Doctrine?
Part 2 - Joseph Smith and Restoration
Part 3 - The Godhead
Part 4 - Premortal Existence
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This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University |
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Authorcast #120: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 2 April 17 2020
Show description: Part 2 of our lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this installment, we discuss Joseph Smith's theology of restoration, examine the use of restoration in the Old and New Testaments, and compare how restoration was understood among evangelical, Universalist, and Christian Primitivist movements during the Second Great Awakening.
Part 1 - What is Doctrine?
Part 2 - Joseph Smith and Restoration
Part 3 - The Godhead
Part 4 - Premortal Existence
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This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University |
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Authorcast #119: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 1 April 10 2020
Show description: Coming to you via Facebook Live! We are pleased to bring you a lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this four-part live series, we'll be discussing the nature of doctrine as well as Joseph Smith's theology of restoration, the Godhead, and premortal existence.
Part 1 - What is Doctrine?
Part 2 - Joseph Smith and Restoration
Part 3 - The Godhead
Part 4 - Premortal Existence
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This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University |
Now available through Spotify!
Authorcast #115: The Book of Mormon with Brant Gardner, Part 3 of 5 February 12 2020
Show description: In this episode, we are pleased to bring you part three of a five-part conversation with Brant Gardner about the Book of Mormon. Topics discussed in this series include the organization of the small and large plates, Joseph Smith's translation process, authorship of the Book of Mormon, historicity and anachronisms, archaeology, geographic models, and more. Brant Gardner is the award-winning author of the Second Witness commentary series, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Father: The Book of Mormon as History. We are grateful to the staff of Book of Mormon Central for hosting this series and allowing us to use their recording facilities.
| Brant A. Gardner earned his M.S. in anthropology (specializing in Mesoamerican ethnohistory) from the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of the six-volume Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon and The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon. He has presented papers at the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), the Book of Mormon Archaeological Symposium, and Sunstone. His other published works include chapters in Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and Symbol and Meaning beyond the Closed Community: Essays in Mesoamerican Ideas, and articles in the FARMS Review, Sunstone, and Meridian Magazine. Brant and his wife, Valerie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. |
Authorcast #114: The Book of Mormon with Brant Gardner, Part 2 of 5 February 05 2020
Show description: In this episode, we are pleased to bring you part two of a five-part conversation with Brant Gardner about the Book of Mormon. Topics discussed in this series include the organization of the small and large plates, Joseph Smith's translation process, authorship of the Book of Mormon, historicity and anachronisms, archaeology, geographic models, and more. Brant Gardner is the award-winning author of the Second Witness commentary series, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Father: The Book of Mormon as History. We are grateful to the staff of Book of Mormon Central for hosting this series and allowing us to use their recording facilities.
| Brant A. Gardner earned his M.S. in anthropology (specializing in Mesoamerican ethnohistory) from the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of the six-volume Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon and The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon. He has presented papers at the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), the Book of Mormon Archaeological Symposium, and Sunstone. His other published works include chapters in Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and Symbol and Meaning beyond the Closed Community: Essays in Mesoamerican Ideas, and articles in the FARMS Review, Sunstone, and Meridian Magazine. Brant and his wife, Valerie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. |
Authorcast #113: Brant Gardner on the Book of Mormon, Part 1 of 5 January 29 2020
Show description: In this episode, we are pleased to bring you the first part of a five-part conversation with Brant Gardner about the Book of Mormon. Topics discussed in this series include the organization of the small and large plates, Joseph Smith's translation process, authorship of the Book of Mormon, historicity and anachronisms, archaeology, geographic models, and more. Brant Gardner is the award-winning author of the Second Witness commentary series, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Father: The Book of Mormon as History. We are grateful to the staff of Book of Mormon Central for hosting this series and allowing us to use their recording facilities.
| Brant A. Gardner earned his M.S. in anthropology (specializing in Mesoamerican ethnohistory) from the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of the six-volume Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon and The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon. He has presented papers at the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), the Book of Mormon Archaeological Symposium, and Sunstone. His other published works include chapters in Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and Symbol and Meaning beyond the Closed Community: Essays in Mesoamerican Ideas, and articles in the FARMS Review, Sunstone, and Meridian Magazine. Brant and his wife, Valerie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. |
Authorcast #112: Don Bradley, live author event at Writ & Vision January 20 2020
Show description: In this episode, we bring you a recording of a live author event with Don Bradley at Writ & Vision rare books and gallery in Provo, UT. Don discusses his new book, The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories. He discusses his background, faith journey, research into the missing pages, and how piecing together many of the missing stories changed his view of the Book of Mormon.
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The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories “Extraordinary. Sparkling with fresh and important insights into the history, nature, and contents of the lost portion of the Book of Mormon—and of the portion that we still have.” —Daniel C. Peterson, editor, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship |
Authorcast #111: Don Bradley, author of The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories January 14 2020
Show description: In this highly anticipated work, author Don Bradley presents over a decade of historical and scriptural research to not only tell the story of the lost pages but to reconstruct many of the detailed stories written on them. In this interview, Don Bradley discusses his methodology for reconstructing the missing stories as well as provides insight into how the missing stories reframe our view of the existing text of the Book of Mormon.
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The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories “Extraordinary. Sparkling with fresh and important insights into the history, nature, and contents of the lost portion of the Book of Mormon—and of the portion that we still have.” —Daniel C. Peterson, editor, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship |
Authorcast #110: Bradley J. Kramer, author of Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament September 24 2019
Show description: For devotees of Christian scripture, the suggestion that the New Testament contains anti-Semitic rhetoric is challenging. After all, how could the New Testament, largely written by Jewish authors about the Jewish Messiah contain any trace of disdain towards its own people? However, centuries of Christian hatred towards Jews demonstrates its roots in the New Testament portrayals of the Jews as a corrupt, conspiring, and murderous people. Take for example the near absolution of Pontius Pilate regarding the crucifixion of Jesus. The Gospels make clear that the blame for Jesus’s death rests upon the corrupt Jewish leaders and people who handed the Savior over to Roman authorities and, when given the chance to redeem him, shouted: “crucify him!” This New Testament depiction has led to the labeling of Jews as “Christ-killers.” Horrifically, this attitude has inspired pogroms against the Jewish people, the killing of Jews during the Crusades, and, in more recent times, the Jewish Holocaust. We are still dealing today with negative stereotypes of Jews that stem from early Christian attitudes.
For author Bradley Kramer, a scholar dedicated to interfaith studies and relations between Jews and Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon offers a different, decidedly pro-Jewish take while not undermining the authority of the New Testament. In his book, Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament, Bradley demonstrates how The Book of Mormon contains an intentionally pro-Judaic stance. For example, Bradley argues that the Book of Mormon minimizes Jewish involvement in the crucifixion of Jesus and rejects supersessionist claims by portraying the Jewish people as still being God’s covenant people. Taken together with the New Testament, the Book of Mormon smooths out the sharp edges of anti-Semitic imagery, settings, and language.
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Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament “His thesis is fresh, provocative, and rigorously argued. A signal contribution to Book of Mormon studies.” — Terryl Givens |
Authorcast #108: Gary and Gordon Shepherd, authors of Jan Shipps: A Social and Intellectual Portrait July 02 2019
In this episode of the Greg Kofford Books AuthorCast, we chat with Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd about their latest book, Jan Shipps: A Social and Intellectual Portrait. We discuss their background and what led them to write about Jan Shipps as well as Jan's importance in the field of Mormon Studies, particularly as a role model for female scholars.
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Jan Shipps: A Social and Intellectual Portrait “A significant contribution to understanding both a unique scholar and Mormon historiography.” —Kathryn M. Daynes |
Authorcast #107: James McLachlan, editor of Element, journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology March 11 2019
On this episode, we chat with James McLachlan, co-editor of Element: The Journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology (SMPT). We discuss James's background, give a basic primer on a few schools of thought within philosophy and their relationship to Mormonism. We also discuss the origins of SMPT, the most recent issue of Element, and the upcoming 2019 SMPT Annual Meeting taking place March 14-17 at the University of Utah.
Click here for details about the 2019 SMPT Annual Meeting.
Subscribe through your podcast app by searching for the Greg Kofford Books Authorcast or watch the full interview at YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to our channel.
Element: The Journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology
Volume 8, Issue 1
$9.95 paperback
Authorcast #106: Melvin C. Johnson, author of Life and Times of John Pierce Hawley: A Mormon Ulysses of the American West March 04 2019
On this episode, we chat with Melvin C. Johnson, author of Life and Times of John Pierce Hawley: A Mormon Ulysses of the American West. We discuss Hawley's following Lyman Wight to the Mormon colony in TX, his conversion to Brigham Young's LDS Church in Utah, accusations of John's involvement with the massacre at Mountain Meadows, John's eventual split with the Utah church over polygamy, Brigham Young's Adam-God doctrine, and blood atonement, his joining the RLDS Church and later testimony at the Temple Lot trial.
“An essential read for those interested in studying the competing strands of the Mormon Restoration movement in mid-nineteenth-century frontier America.”—Richard E. Bennett, Professor, Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University
Listen through your podcast app by searching for the Greg Kofford Books Authorcast, or watch this interview on YouTube at youtube.com/gkbooks.
Life and Times of John Pierce Hawley: A Mormon Ulysses of the American West
By Melvin C. Johnson
$24.95 paperback
$34.95 hardcover
228 pages
Authorcast #104: Laura Rutter Strickling, author of On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City October 11 2018
On this episode, we chat with Laura Rutter Strickling, author of On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City.
On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City
By Laura Rutter Strickling
$20.95 paperback
$34.95 hardcover
197 pages
Free sample preview
Q&A with the author
Authorcast #103: The Expanded Canon August 24 2018
Episode 103: The Expanded Canon
Hosted by Brian Whitney
On this episode, editors Blair Van Dyke, Brian Birch, and Boyd Petersen discuss the development of the Mormon Studies program at Utah Valley University, their annual conferences, the new UVU Comparative Mormon Studies series with Greg Kofford Books, as well as the contributors and topics in the first volume: The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts.
For those in the Utah area, please join us for the following events with the editors:
Tue Sep 18 | Writ & Vision (Provo) at 7:00 PM | RSVP on Facebook
Wed Sep 19 | Benchmark Books (SLC) at 5:30 PM | RSVP on Facebook
The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts
Edited by Blair G. Van Dyke, Brian D. Birch, and Boyd J. Petersen
Part of the UVU Comparative Mormon Studies series
Pre-order your copy
AuthorCast #102: Interview with Charles Randall Paul July 25 2018
Episode 102: Interview with Charles Randall Paul
Hosted by Brian Whitney
In this episode, Charles Randall Paul discusses his forthcoming book, Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America, as well as the interfaith organization he founded, the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, and offers a few suggestions for dealing with religious, political, and ideological conflict. Be sure to check out his recent article, "Contesting Truth through Mutual Openness."
Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America
By Charles Randall Paul
Available August 7, 2018
Pre-order your copy
AuthorCast #101: Interview with Blake Ostler July 11 2018
Episode 101: Interview with Blake Ostler
Hosted by Brian Whitney
Blake T. Ostler is an independent scholar residing in Salt Lake City, Utah,and the author of the multi-volume Exploring Mormon Thought series. Volume 1: The Attributes of God has recently been re-issued in paperback. In this interview, Blake discusses his background, the series, some of the key philosophocal discussions in The Attributes of God, such as the nature of free will, God's existence within time, and Mormon Christology.
“These books are the most important works on Mormon theology ever written. There is nothing currently available that is even close to the rigor and sophistication of these volumes.” — FARMS Review, Neal A. Maxwell Institute, Brigham Young University
AuthorCast #95: Interview with Newell G. Bringhurst April 03 2018
Interview with Newell G. Bringhurst
Hosted by Brian Whitney
In this episode, we interview Newell G. Bringhurst, author of Saints, Slaves, and Blacks: The Changing Place of Black People Within Mormonism, 2nd ed. We discuss the history of the race-based priesthood and temple ban within Mormonism, the role that Mormon ethnic "whiteness" and "Ephraimite" identity played in Mormon racial views, and causes for the eventual policy shift within Mormonism that ended the priesthood and temple restriction to blacks.
Read Newell's article, "Five Times Mormons Changed Their Position on Slavery."
Newell Bringhurst will be signing books and speaking at Writ & Vision in Provo on Tuesday, April 24th at 7:00 PM, and at Benchmark Books in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 25th at 5:30 PM.
Saints, Slaves, and Blacks: The Changing Place of Black People Within Mormonism, 2nd ed.
By Newell G. Bringhurst
Available April 10, 2018
Purchase your copy
AuthorCast #86: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 5 with David Bokovoy January 31 2018
Episode 86: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 5 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney
(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)
Topics Discussed: We cover the story of Cain and Abel as well as the legends surrounding Enoch and Zion.
David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.
AuthorCast #82: David Bokovoy, an intro to the Old Testament January 11 2018
Episode 82: David Bokovoy, an intro to the Old Testament
Hosted by Brian Whitney
(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)
Topics Discussed: We chat with David Bokovoy about his recent article, 5 Things to Know Before Studying the Old Testament, which has gained quite a bit of attention. We discuss the nature of the Hebrew Bible, the various viewpoints that this scripture contains, as well as approaches to Old Testament study that can add meaning to this sacred record.
David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. David is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.
AuthorCast #81: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 32 December 13 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 32: Soteriology in LDS Thought (Pt 1)- The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 5
By Corey Ostler
Topics Discussed:
• The Vision
• Faith unto Repentance
• Atonement
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #80: Exploring Mormon Thought, Grace vs Works December 06 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought: Grace vs Works short
By Corey Ostler
My father's voice is shot due to a cold so I wanted to share a talk I prepared a while back about Grace and Works in LDS thought. This talk is based closely on talks by Elder Uchtdorf and Brad Wilcox
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
AuthorCast #79: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 31 November 21 2017
Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 31: Sin and the Uncircumcised Heart (Pt 2)- The Problems of Theism & The Love of God Ch 5
By Corey Ostler
Topics Discussed:
• Ego Maintenance, Self-Deception, and Authenticity
• The Bondage of Sin and Agency
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
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