How one interacts with the Bible as an artifact says as much about one’s identity as how one interprets the Bible’s concepts. The printed Book of Mormon resembles the Bible, but the story of its production and provenance does not fit the biblical model. This panel will explore the coming forth of the Book of Mormon alongside divine or magical books in extra-biblical traditions including magic, freemasonry, and esoteric traditions in order to consider the re-ritualization of the text as a powerful device for instilling belief and constructing religious identity.

Cheryl Bruno, Trevor Luke, Michael Reed, Joe Steve Swick III, Ann Taves