Episode 16: Joseph Smith’s Papyri – John Gee

01/03/17 • 32 min

Laura Harris Hales interviews Dr. John Gee about the history of Joseph Smith's papyri. Dr. Gee has studied the papyri and the Book of Abraham for over thirty years, yet admits there are still many mysteries still to be unraveled. He shares with listeners fascinating details regarding what we know about Joseph Smith's purchase of the papyri in Ohio in 1835 to the Church's acquisition of its remaining fragments from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late sixties. Along the way he shares some interesting stories about its translation, its teachings, and how Mother Smith used the papyri and mummies to provide for herself as a widow. He also sheds light on issues regarding the provenance (where it came from) of the Book of Abraham and how its teachings on the pre-existence proliferated throughout the Church in the years after Joseph Smith's death. Be sure to check the links to articles written by Dr. Gee on both of these topics. Download Transcript Extra Resources: Episode 16 Transcript “Some Puzzles from the Joseph Smith Papyri” (Free) “New Light on the Joseph Smith Papyri” (FREE) Introduction to the Book of Abraham A Guide to the Joseph Smith Papyri

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Episode 15: Women’s Voices – Janiece Johnson and Jenny Reeder

While working on her dissertation, Janiece Johnson came up with the idea to create a resource for members to use while preparing lessons. She felt there would be value in infusing women's voices into our gospel teaching. Women's stories have traditionally been shared in biographical format, but Janiece's idea was to piece these testimonies together in a more easily accessible format. Five years later, she and her coauthor, Jenny Reeder, have put together a collection of thoughts arranged topically that is now available through Deseret Book. Author Jenny Reeder points out that this format allows us to identify common themes. No two pioneer women lived the same experience. They approached the gospel in different ways. Like now, there was not one "right way." These differences should not only be noticed but also appreciated, validated, and understood. Knowing a bit about the lives of these women adds punch to their testimonies. Life wasn't perfect for these women. They had stuff going on in their lives similar to us now, but they were resourceful and did the best they could in their circumstances. Join Laura Harris Hales for a journey back in time as we get to know a little bit more about some of the incredible women of the early Church. Extra Resources: Excerpt from The Witness of Women mentioned in podcast (free) The Witness of Women: Firsthand Experiences and Testimonies of the Restoration

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Episode 17: Exploring Near Death Experiences – Brent Top

In 1975, Dr. Raymond A. Moody coined the term "near-death experiences" in his bestselling book Life After Life. Mormons have latched on to this concept, which is not surprising, considering our unique doctrine regarding the afterlife. Dr. Brent Top has researched extensively near-death experiences, especially by those outside of the LDS community. He has identified several common elements to these experiences such as the "life review," encountering loved ones, and spirit communication. Far from fading as a fad, the topic is becoming more and more popular. While Dr. Top finds his studies interesting, he warns of the danger of trying to establish doctrine through experience. He emphasizes what the LDS doctrine is regarding the afterlife rather than anecdotal experiences. He also introduces a concept he coined as the "Apocryphal Principle" to help us evaluate these stories. Extra Resources: Beyond Death's Door: Understanding Near-Death Experiences in Light of the Restored Gospel Glimpses Beyond Death's Door What's on the Other Side? What the Gospel Teaches Us about the Spirit World