1st paper: This paper will present the historical background to the earliest and most complete written accounts of the first vision of Joseph Smith. The three most important descriptions were provided in 1832, 1835 and 1839, and all have different backgrounds and emphasis. Early developments came in 1835 when theological changes were being made in …
Speaker: H. Michael Marquardt
Mormonism and Masonry: Emerging Evidence
Clair Barrus will investigate how Joseph Smith’s treasure seeking changed direction in the 1820s in response to Masonic ideology, opening the way for the restoration of scripture. Cheryl Bruno will investigate the underlying objectives of Nauvoo Freemasonry, demonstrating their cross-purposes with the Grand Lodge. The dramatic clash of Mormons and Masons from New York to …
Evolution of the name of the Church; The Masonic Magic Mormon Connection
Over the years all branches of Mormonism have struggled with the name of their organization and how to adjust to change. The first paper examines the location of the first church meeting. It also follows the development of the three church names. The second paper examines the early relationship between Masonry and magic in American …
Mormonism and the Tradition of Change
First Paper: Change and Evolution in Mormonism Presenter: H. Michael Marquardt This paper explains a variety of changes that occurred in the Mormon tradition, including some of the early revelations, summarizing some of the more interesting changes. Understanding the changing historical record opens a door to new modes of interpretations. Second Paper: Anti-Mormon Influence on …
The Nauvoo Council of Fifty Minutes
In September 2016 the LDS Church Historian’s Press made available in print the early minutes of the Council of Fifty. These minutes were kept from church members and the public for well over one hundred and fifty years. This paper will explore some of the events and topics discussed in these meetings, including Joseph Smith …
By The Power Of The Spirit Martin Harris In The Mormon Movement
Martin Harris, who was baptized on April 6, 1830 in Manchester, New York, was associated with the early church in New York and Kirtland, Ohio. Though he initially followed Joseph Smith Jr., he eventually split with him and followed other Mormon offshoot leaders such as David Whitmer, James J. Strang, Gladden Bishop, and William Smith. …
CHANGING REVELATORY MESSAGES: A MORMON EXAMPLE
Like other individuals, Joseph Smith developed his ideas over time, as evidenced by the expansion of themes in his revelations and by his recollections of his early life assuming a theological nature. He seemed unconcerned that some of his ideas changed or contradicted previous positions. Joseph was able to express his interpretation of events as …
Chirographic Conundrum: The Unknown Scribe Of Joseph’s New Translation
The handwriting of seven distinct individuals has been identified as appearing on the manuscript of the Joseph Smith Translation. The identities of only six have been firmly established. Using documentary evidence and newly discovered handwriting samples, I will reveal the probable identity of this seventh scribe and discuss the implications of this insight for Joseph’s …
Author Meets Critics: Conflict in the Quorum: Orson Pratt, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith
SL03091, This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the March on Washington, at which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, and the thirty-fifth anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. It also marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the revelation reversing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ policy of …
Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise
Originally commissioned as part of the sixteen-volume sesquicentennial series on Church history, and thirty years in the making, Glen Leonard’s highly anticipated history of Nauvoo has finally arrived. This panel of historians and careful readers will discuss this book and its contribution to our understanding of this pivotal time in Mormon history. Devery S. Anderson, …