Daniel
Shiloh and Ben discuss Moroni 10 and finalize this year’s narrative in talking about the Book of Mormon. It is of interest that it seems that Moroni wants us to come with a heart of mercy to praying over the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Why would this be important to Moroni? At least in part is appears that Moroni is helping us to have a certain experience with the divine and that he is using us coming to God to pray over the truthfulness of the record as the catalyst to that experience. There are many things to say about the gifts of the spirit and of God, and Moroni repeats the need for faith, hope, and charity. We get a little window to see into Moroni’s life and what he finds valuable through his repeated emphasis on seeking for and witnessing miracles. Moroni’s final message and plea is really the overall theme and purpose of the Book of Mormon: “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him.” ...
Shiloh and guest-host Christopher Hurtado talk about the state of Nephite affairs after the official "War Chapters" conclude. Political intrigue, pride in the Church, international conflict, and a failed military bid to regain lost lands find the Nephites at a loss. Christopher and Shiloh discuss myth narratives and find interesting verses that combine the Garden of Eden myth together with the Lehi/Nephi Dream myth in how to become one with God. Nephi and Lehi go out to preach the world of God and follow the pattern set forward by their great-grandfather, Alma the Younger, as the Lamanites repent and become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see another Lamanite conversion so deep that they, like the Anti Nephi Lehis before, also bury their weapons of war. The Gadianton Robbers begin to plague both the Nephites and the Lamanites, but the converted Lamanites have a powerful weapon that they use to destroy the Gadiantons from their land. ...
Shiloh and Ben talk about the many ascension themes on priesthood found in Section 84 and compare these themes to Section 76. Whether discussing priesthood, the kingdoms of glory, the Beatitudes, or temple ordinances, the theme of ascension plays a prominent and central role in scripture and in our religious experiences. But what is this “ascension” talking about? Is it only or mostly metaphysical? That certainly seems to be the way that we discuss these themes when they appear. However, what could be gained and seen if we look at these themes in terms of epistemology? What if, metaphysically speaking, we were always already worthy and that repentance and our construct of “worthiness” was a matter of our perception and worldview? What if our construct and idea of “sin” was far more epistemic than metaphysic? What would that look like? Would it necessarily tail-spin our theology into hopeless relativity or “eat drink and be merry” hedonism? Does the way we perceive reality have more to do with our behavior than what reality is itself? ...
