This could go in a variety of wildly different directions, but I think that we are going to focus on what the Lord tells Joseph about his role through visions and revelations and how we understand that role and benefit from it today. I think Latter-day Saints don't often recognize or acknowledge just how pervasively Joseph Smith colors our thought. We see the theological world through a lens provided us by Joseph Smith.
The lesson does not have a particular reading assignment. As such I am creating my own. Think about the record Joseph provides of the first vision (JSH1:17-20 for the 1838 account and here are the other first vision accounts) and of Moroni's words (JSH 1:33-50). When does Joseph receive his calling? We will continue to look at what the Lord tells Joseph of his calling as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants revelations. Some of those verses include: 1:17; 3:1-9; 5:6-10; 21:1-5; 24:1-9; 28:1-7; 121:7-24. We will also look at 20:5-8 as an example of perhaps how Joseph (or Joseph and Oliver) interpreted his early experiences. What did the Lord say was Joseph's role? Did he fulfill it?
There are many other American contemporaries to Joseph who likewise claimed visions and theophanies some even started religions, yet in contrast to most Joseph left a voluminous written legacy. (My only current exception being Shaker Leader Ann Lee's teachings written down after her death.) We will specifically look at: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. We will also look at a couple non-canonical contributions: The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (the whole thing is published here) and the King Follet Discourse (for now the best text is here, here is a comparison of the different sources).
Richard Bushman here helps us think about the significance of Joseph Smith through an analysis of different biographers of Joseph and provides important contextualization of some of Joseph's contributions. Here David Paulsen offers an analysis of Joseph's major doctrinal contributions among Christianity. Here is Alex Baugh's great summary of Joseph the Seer. The long list of BYU Speeches devoted to Joseph Smith here is telling. You can look at Joseph from a variety of perspectives, even when only looking at those things written within a faithful rubric. Think of what you would write were you thinking about Joseph Smith's role and legacy.
What will I do when you don't teach gospel doctrine anymore?? You realize you are going to have to write your blog for the rest of this year, don't you? I loved the David Paulsen article. I never have time to read them all--so I browse and find the ones that are most useful to me and my lesson--this one is a great analysis and so easy to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessie. I used the Paulsen article the most in my lesson also. I am planning to continue the blog for the rest of the year, even trying to plan ahead for the few weeks I'll be in the states.
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