An Experiment on the Word: Reading Alma 32

Proceedings of the Mormon Theology Seminar

by Adam S. Miller

This book is based on a novel idea: that Mormons do theology. Doing theology is different from weighing history, deciding doctrine, or inspiring devotion. Theology speculates. It experiments with questions and advances hypotheses. It tests new angles and pulls loose threads. It reads old texts in careful and creative ways. Theology, in this sense, is not an institutional practice. It has no force beyond the charity it demonstrates and it decides no questions beyond what the Brethren have settled. It is the work of individuals who, for its own sake, want to see what ideas about Mormonism may, at least for a time, fly. The Mormon Theology Seminar aims to promote such work. The Seminar is both unofficial and independent. It is scholarly in orientation and cooperative in practice. It focuses on organizing short-term, seminar-style collaborations that, over the span of a few months of intense discussion, consider specific questions about Mormon theology through close readings of basic Mormon texts. This book makes public the papers that resulted from one such seminar. The result? A collective consideration on the relationship between faith and the word in Alma 32.

Genres: Lds, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2011

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undoubtedly my favorite religious studies book this year. I've become a little obsessive about studying Alma 30-35 in the last couple of years, so much so that some of our young missionaries said that whenever they ask a doctrinal question, somehow Alma comes into the answer. The chapters are the collected works of the proceedings of the Latter-day Saint Theology Seminar dedicated to investigating the text of Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon. Excellent read, but something to study deeply and spend some time reflecting on.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

intellectually Fun Occasionally Inspiring

Questions. I’ve long thought well-formulated questions are at least as stimulating as their potential answers. This book demonstrates that. I appreciate each contributors’ interest in and willingness to ask and attempt to answer atypical questions in pursuit of truth and enlightenment.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book. It's a collection of authors who all talked about Alma 32. Many wonderful view points and a lot of underlining in this book. It opened my mind to things that I haven't thought about before when it comes to the Scriptures.

[Lyndsey Thackston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was thoughtful. I enjoyed the concept. I have a doctoral degree and found myself needing to read essays twice to really absorb them. You can have deep analysis and still be accessible.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the essay comparing Isaiah 55 to Alma 32

[Andrew Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart, simple review of faith and belief, through the study of one chapter of scripture. I particularly liked the essay comparing Alma 32 and Isaiah 55.

[Greg Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the idea of "doing theology." To in some way constructively attack the scriptures with creative, candid and charitable queries. If these writings are what they say they are - they can handle it. To shy away from theology is to sell ourselves and our religious/spiritual journeys short.

Deseret Book is full of works that approach Mormonism from a devotional and doctrinal perspective. Sometimes we may even find someone willing to delve into the actual historical record (Bushman etc.). But where is the theological perspective? Miller and his colleagues (Faulconer, Webb, Spencer, Smith, Couch) are not only beginning to fill this void, they provide the true seekers in our community with a powerful model for doing the same in personal studies. Through the lens of these essays I felt as if I was reading Alma 32 for the first time (a chapter I have read dozens of times in the past two decades) as well as re-learning how to more thoughtfully approach and study all sacred writings. Five stars.

[Matthew Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

These essays made me think hard about the meaning of faith and knowledge and how each are obtained. My favorite of the bunch was the last essay by Robert Couch called Faith and Commoditization. Great analysis of how we can cheapen the process of gaining spiritual understanding as we just accept creeds without the personal wrestling to get to the conclusions yourself. Just as fruit from the grocery store may be satisfying, it is not the same as growing and eating your own fresh fruit, so it is with spiritual things. Great stuff.
I also liked Faulconer and Millers essays. Very thought provoking and a little mind bending.
The others were good, but did not resonate as much as the aforementioned essays.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! what a wonderful collection of theological essays. I enjoyed reading every essay, but the final one by Robert Couch really resonated with me, and has caused me to really start taking inventory of where I stand with my faith. I would highly recommend this collection to anyone interested in Mormon theology and the study of faith. A free pdf version of this book is available on the Salt Press website for anyone interested. Again, such a delightful, thought-provoking read!

[Blair Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the BoM with closer attention than ever before, it seems to me. These essays take a look at a part of the Book of Mormon that talks about comparing "the word" to "a seed," and they exhibit better ways we can plant that seed and nourish it to bear ever-sweeter fruit, yo. Leap ahead in your scripture study approach with this little volume.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, in my opinion. Especially since an electronic version [PDF] is available for free at the publisher's website (although I purchased the dead-trees version).

[Rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays were pretty good—Jim Faulconer's being my favorite.

[Walker Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

****1/2

[Jenny Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm biased, but I thought this collection was great.

[David Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts on the Word, Eden,
Charity, power, signs, proof,
Knowledge production.