 Show description: In this episode, we talk with Blake T. Oster about Exploring Mormon Thought, Vol 4: God's Plan to Heal Evil. We begin by giving an overview of the first three volumes in the Exploring Mormon Thought series, then move into the fourth volume, discussing the problem of evil. Blake gives us an overview of the problem, solutions proposed by Christian theologians throughout the centuries, and what Latter-day Saint teachings add to the discussion. Exploring Mormon Thought, Vol 4: God's Plan to Heal Evil is available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook. Learn More >> Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify    

Greg Kofford Books - Authorcast

Authorcast #128: Blake T. Ostler, Exploring Mormon Thought, Vol 4 God's Plan to Heal Evil

  Show description: In this episode, we talk with Samantha Richardson, co-editor of Miracles Among the Rubble, by Carol R. Gray. Samantha is the second of Carol Gray’s seven children and accompanied he rmother on her first humanitarian aid trips to Bosnia in 1992–93. We discuss Samantha's personal experiences and memories of her humanitarian convoys to former Yugoslavia as well as her mother's legacy and how this book came about. This is a heartfelt and insipring discussion on faith and courage that you won't want to miss. Miracles Among the Rubble is available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook. Learn More >> Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify    

Authorcast #127: Samantha Richardson, Miracles Among the Rubble

 Show description: In this Kofford Lecture Series livestream event, we will be talking with Richard G. Moore about Oliver H. Olney, a little-known figure in Mormon history. Despite his falling out from the Church, and subsequent excommunication, Oliver remained part of the Nauvoo community, writing down the events he witnessed and publishing booklet criticisms against church leadership and "spiritual wifery." Additionally, Oliver claimed to receive his own visions, revelations, and other-worldly visitations. Oliver Olney's writings are not only entertaining (and bizarre), but also informative for historians of the Nauvoo period. Richard G. Moore received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BYU in American History and his doctorate in Education from the University of the Pacific. He retired after teaching thirty-eight years for the Church Educational System as a seminary teacher, institute instructor and director, and as an instructor for the Ancient Scripture Department at BYU. Dr. Moore is a Richard L. Evan’s Fellow, serving as a member of BYU’s Office of Religious Outreach. The author of four published books and more than a dozen articles, Richard presents often at BYU’s Education Week and the John Whitmer Historical Association Conference. Richard and his wife, Lani, live in Orem, Utah. They have three children and nine grandchildren. The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843 — Nauvoo, IllinoisEdited by Richard G. Moore “Such a rare collection of documents . . . is crucial to gain an understanding of Nauvoo during the time of Joseph Smith.” —Steven L. Shields Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify    

Authorcast #126: Oliver Olney, Nauvoo's Dissident Mormon Prophet

 Show description: Michael Austin, author of Re-Reading Job: Understanding the Ancient World's Greatest Poem, discusses common misperceptions about the story of Job, how it fits into the Persian poetry tradition, what the story was trying to teach, and how we can relate the story to our modern times. Michael Austin is the author of several books including Buried Treasures: Reading the Book of Mormon Again for the First Time, Re-reading Job: Understanding the Ancient World’s Greatest Poem, and is the co-editor of The Mormon Image in Literature series. Mike blogs at By Common Consent and serves as the board chair for Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Re-reading Job: Understanding the Ancient World's Greatest PoemBy Michael Austin “Austin’s focus on the big picture serves as a helpful introduction to deeper study of Job.” — Jason Kerr, Studies in the Bible and Antiquity Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify    

Authorcast #125: Michael Austin, Revisting Re-reading Job

 Show description: In this episode, we chat with Richard G. Moore, editor of The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843—Nauvoo, Illinois. We discuss this lesser-known figure in Mormon history and what makes him important to the Nauvoo era, his falling out with church leadership, his own reports of visions and revelations, and some of the bigger takeaways from his writings. The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843—Nauvoo, IllinoisEdited by Richard G. Moore “An important contribution to the body of Latter-day Saint history.” — Alonzo L. Gaskill, Professor of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts           

Authorcast #124: Richard Moore, editor of The Writings of Oliver H. Olney

 Show description: Neylan McBaine discusses progress towards greater visibility and voice for women in the LDS Church since the publication of Women at Church in 2014, the effects of the pandemic and "house church" on women, and recent research published by BYU regarding women's voices in predominantly male group settings. Neylan McBaine, a life-long Mormon, grew up in New York City and later attended Yale University. She currently lives with her husband and three young daughters and works as a brand strategist for an advertising agency in Salt Lake City. Widely published as a religion writer, Neylan founded the Mormon Women Project, a digital library of interviews with LDS women from around the world, in an effort to emphasize the many ways that modern faithful women choose the right. The site, which posts about one interview a week with the help of dozens of volunteers, includes over 250 interviews with LDS women from 22 countries.   Women at Church: Magnifying LDS Women's Local ImpactBy Neylan McBaine “Helps LDS women have broader impact, less frustration and a fuller personification of the expansive LDS doctrine of women’s potential.” — Wendy Ulrich, Mormon Times Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify    

Authorcast #123: Neylan McBaine, Women at Church at Home

 Show description: Part 4 of our lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this final installment, we discuss the developing theology of premortal existence within Mormonism examining early Christian and Second Great Awakening thought and Joseph Smith's teachings of spirit creation and spirit birth.Part 1 - What is Doctrine?Part 2 - Joseph Smith and RestorationPart 3 - The GodheadPart 4 - Premortal Existence Charles R. Harrell is a retired associate professor in Brigham Young University’s School of Technology. He is also the founder and director of ProModel Corporation, which is a leading provider of simulation software. In addition to his professional activities, Charles is an ardent theological hobbyist and has published articles on Mormon theology in BYU Studies, The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, and Studies in the Scriptures. He also taught seminary and institute for many years. Charles and his wife, Yvonne, are the parents of five children and live in Orem, Utah   This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon TheologyBy Charles R. Harrell “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify!    

Authorcast #122: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 4

 Show description: Part 3 of our lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this installment, we discuss the developing theology of Godhead within Mormonism examining shifts through Joseph Smith's scriptural output as well as later developments in Utah under Brigham Young.Part 1 - What is Doctrine?Part 2 - Joseph Smith and RestorationPart 3 - The GodheadPart 4 - Premortal Existence Charles R. Harrell is a retired associate professor in Brigham Young University’s School of Technology. He is also the founder and director of ProModel Corporation, which is a leading provider of simulation software. In addition to his professional activities, Charles is an ardent theological hobbyist and has published articles on Mormon theology in BYU Studies, The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, and Studies in the Scriptures. He also taught seminary and institute for many years. Charles and his wife, Yvonne, are the parents of five children and live in Orem, Utah   This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon TheologyBy Charles R. Harrell “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify!    

Authorcast #121: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 3

 Show description: Part 2 of our lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this installment, we discuss Joseph Smith's theology of restoration, examine the use of restoration in the Old and New Testaments, and compare how restoration was understood among evangelical, Universalist, and Christian Primitivist movements during the Second Great Awakening.Part 1 - What is Doctrine?Part 2 - Joseph Smith and RestorationPart 3 - The GodheadPart 4 - Premortal Existence Charles R. Harrell is a retired associate professor in Brigham Young University’s School of Technology. He is also the founder and director of ProModel Corporation, which is a leading provider of simulation software. In addition to his professional activities, Charles is an ardent theological hobbyist and has published articles on Mormon theology in BYU Studies, The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, and Studies in the Scriptures. He also taught seminary and institute for many years. Charles and his wife, Yvonne, are the parents of five children and live in Orem, Utah   This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon TheologyBy Charles R. Harrell “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify!    

Authorcast #120: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 2

 Show description: Coming to you via Facebook Live! We are pleased to bring you a lecture series with Charles R. Harrell, author of This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon Theology. In this four-part live series, we'll be discussing the nature of doctrine as well as Joseph Smith's theology of restoration, the Godhead, and premortal existence.Part 1 - What is Doctrine?Part 2 - Joseph Smith and RestorationPart 3 - The GodheadPart 4 - Premortal Existence Charles R. Harrell is a retired associate professor in Brigham Young University’s School of Technology. He is also the founder and director of ProModel Corporation, which is a leading provider of simulation software. In addition to his professional activities, Charles is an ardent theological hobbyist and has published articles on Mormon theology in BYU Studies, The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, and Studies in the Scriptures. He also taught seminary and institute for many years. Charles and his wife, Yvonne, are the parents of five children and live in Orem, Utah   This is My Doctrine: The Development of Mormon TheologyBy Charles R. Harrell “Succeeds in providing a non-apologetic yet sympathetic interpretation of Mormon doctrine, warts and all.” —James McLachlan, Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Western Carolina University Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts       Now available through Spotify!    

Authorcast #119: Kofford Lecture Series - Charles R. Harrell and the Development of Mormon Theology, Part 1

 Show description: In this episode, we chat with Joseph M. Spencer about his newest book, 1st Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction (Maxwell Institute) and how this new work ties into his previous work on Nephi's use of Isaiah: The Vision of All: Twenty-five Lectures on Isaiah in Nephi's Record. We then switch gears and analyze a few passages in Isaiah that discuss despair and hope and relate them to current events.Through Easter, you can get 30% off all Book of Mormon-related titles. Also, be sure to check out our massive ebook sale also running through Easter where you can pick up Joseph Spencer's first book, For Zion: A Mormon Theology of Hope for only $1.99! The Greg Kofford Books Authorcast is now available through Spotify Joseph M. Spencer is a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of New Mexico. In addition to authoring For Zion: A Mormon Theology of Hope and The Vision of All: Twenty-Five Lectures on Isaiah in Nephi's Record, he is the associate director of the Mormon Theology Seminar and an associate editor of the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. With Adam S. Miller, he edits Groundwork: Studies in Theory and Scripture, a book series published by the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts           

Authorcast #118: Joseph Spencer: 1st Nephi, Isaiah, and a Message of Hope

 Show description: We are pleased to bring you part five of our five-part conversation with Brant Gardner about the Book of Mormon. In this final episode, we discuss the purpose of the Book of Mormon. Topics discussed in this series include anthropology, Joseph Smith's translation process, authorship of the Book of Mormon, historicity and anachronisms, archaeology, geographic models, and more. Brant Gardner is the award-winning author of the Second Witness commentary series, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Father: The Book of Mormon as History. We are grateful to the staff of Book of Mormon Central for hosting this series and allowing us to use their recording facilities. Brant A. Gardner earned his M.S. in anthropology (specializing in Mesoamerican ethnohistory) from the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of the six-volume Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon and The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon. He has presented papers at the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), the Book of Mormon Archaeological Symposium, and Sunstone. His other published works include chapters in Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and Symbol and Meaning beyond the Closed Community: Essays in Mesoamerican Ideas, and articles in the FARMS Review, Sunstone, and Meridian Magazine. Brant and his wife, Valerie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts           

Authorcast #117: The Book of Mormon with Brant Gardner, Part 5 of 5

 Show description: We are pleased to bring you part four of a five-part conversation with Brant Gardner about the Book of Mormon. In this episode, we discuss geographic models for the Book of Mormon. Topics discussed in this series include anthropology, Joseph Smith's translation process, authorship of the Book of Mormon, historicity and anachronisms, archaeology, geographic models, and more. Brant Gardner is the award-winning author of the Second Witness commentary series, The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of the Father: The Book of Mormon as History. We are grateful to the staff of Book of Mormon Central for hosting this series and allowing us to use their recording facilities. Brant A. Gardner earned his M.S. in anthropology (specializing in Mesoamerican ethnohistory) from the State University of New York at Albany. He is the author of the six-volume Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon and The Gift and Power: Translating the Book of Mormon. He has presented papers at the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), the Book of Mormon Archaeological Symposium, and Sunstone. His other published works include chapters in Estudios de Cultura Nahuatl and Symbol and Meaning beyond the Closed Community: Essays in Mesoamerican Ideas, and articles in the FARMS Review, Sunstone, and Meridian Magazine. Brant and his wife, Valerie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts           

Authorcast #116: The Book of Mormon with Brant Gardner, Part 4 of 5

Interviews, events, and readings with Greg Kofford Books authors. For over a decade, Greg Kofford Books has been a leading publisher in Mormon Studies with award-winning books focusing on Mormon history, theology, scripture, and thought.

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Greg Kofford Books - Authorcast

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