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The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement
This anthology provides a scholarly, in-depth analysis of the thirteen Gospel Topics essays issued by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from December 2013 to October 2015. The contributors reflect a variety of faith traditions, including the LDS Church, Community of Christ, Catholic, and Evangelical Christian. Each contributor is an experienced, thoughtful scholar, many having written widely on religious thought in general and Mormon history in particular. The writers probe the strengths and weaknesses of each of the Gospel Topics essays, providing a forthright discussion on the relevant issues in LDS history and doctrine. The editors hope that these analyses will spark a healthy discussion about the Gospel Topics essays, as well as stimulate further discussion in the field of Mormon Studies.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 16, 2024
This book is niche to say the least. Not light reading but I found it very interesting.
Given the rise of things like the internet and the CES letter - in particular the questions raised by
Hans Mattsson, a former high ranking official in the church in Europe - the LDS church quietly released Gospel Topics Essays to address some of the most controversial issues plaguing the faith. (Some have called it the "Swedish Rescue Mission")
Having scholars from within and without respond with the pros and the cons with gratuitous footnotes was very interesting and insightful. As a Protestant Christian, who is no stranger to LDS history and doctrine, it further showcased the gulf between historic Christianity and the LDS distinctives, many of which evolved after the death of Joseph Smith, and a few were removed by "revelation" when it was politically or culturally expedient (the rejection of the doctrine of polygamy to obtain statehood and avoid a confrontation with the US government and the revelation on race to extend the priesthood to people of color in the late 70's). Perhaps that is a crass summarization but from the outside it is difficult to extend a more charitable view.
Granted, given that the church has always upheld an "open-canon", it reserves the right to "evolve" on any topic, at any time. There seems to be a tension between the documented views and statements of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and the modern ecclesiastical authorities. Depending on who you ask it is either wholly consistent from end to end or that at best there has been evolution or at worst and outright "whitewashing" of what the leaders might pejoratively call "folk theology" to steer it toward official orthodoxy of the LDS church.
My only frustration was Craig Blomberg's response on the essay on the question: "Are Mormons Christian?" I have a great respect for Craig and his work - particularly "Jesus and the Gospels" - but I felt he evaded answering the question clearly in the interest of ecumenicism and keeping the door open to continue dialog. The latter being a noble desire but I do not think that excuses a New Testament Scholar from answering what I believe is a simple question. (They deny the Trinity as historically understood by the Christian church, They believe Christ is a created being and that God the Father was once a man, etc).
The eternality of the Godhead and the eternally spiritual nature of God (John 4:24), the eternality and deity of Christ and His taking on flesh in the incarnation (Philippians 2:6-7, hypostatic union) - are central to the Christianity and have been defended by councils throughout the years. I'm fairly certain that Craig (who has had interface dialog with LDS scholars) was wanting to be purposefully vague in an attempt to basically encourage the evolution that has been going on for years into the realm of orthodoxy - perhaps something akin to what happened to Armstrongism/Worldwide Church of God that went from a "new religious movement" birthed out of Christian Primitivism/Restorationism and went through a series of doctrinal reviewal and came out the other side as orthodox in the realm of protestant Christianity. I have to believe Craig is hopeful and wanting to remain a resource for discourse toward this end.
That said, I wish he had said something to the effect of "we use a lot of similar language but the theology differs significantly in certain areas to make it out of step with historic Christian doctrine. While they follow "a" christ - it is not THE Christ of Scripture. If by asking the question "are they Christian?" we are asking if they believe "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3) - the answer is no." But I remain a fan of Craig and of what seems to clearly be a love and desire for the LDS church to know the true fullness of Christ's Gospel and His church.
Overall an enjoyable deep dive - with well chosen and well spoken scholars - and impeccably edited. If you like this type of thing - you'll be glad you read it.
Given the rise of things like the internet and the CES letter - in particular the questions raised by
Hans Mattsson, a former high ranking official in the church in Europe - the LDS church quietly released Gospel Topics Essays to address some of the most controversial issues plaguing the faith. (Some have called it the "Swedish Rescue Mission")
Having scholars from within and without respond with the pros and the cons with gratuitous footnotes was very interesting and insightful. As a Protestant Christian, who is no stranger to LDS history and doctrine, it further showcased the gulf between historic Christianity and the LDS distinctives, many of which evolved after the death of Joseph Smith, and a few were removed by "revelation" when it was politically or culturally expedient (the rejection of the doctrine of polygamy to obtain statehood and avoid a confrontation with the US government and the revelation on race to extend the priesthood to people of color in the late 70's). Perhaps that is a crass summarization but from the outside it is difficult to extend a more charitable view.
Granted, given that the church has always upheld an "open-canon", it reserves the right to "evolve" on any topic, at any time. There seems to be a tension between the documented views and statements of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and the modern ecclesiastical authorities. Depending on who you ask it is either wholly consistent from end to end or that at best there has been evolution or at worst and outright "whitewashing" of what the leaders might pejoratively call "folk theology" to steer it toward official orthodoxy of the LDS church.
My only frustration was Craig Blomberg's response on the essay on the question: "Are Mormons Christian?" I have a great respect for Craig and his work - particularly "Jesus and the Gospels" - but I felt he evaded answering the question clearly in the interest of ecumenicism and keeping the door open to continue dialog. The latter being a noble desire but I do not think that excuses a New Testament Scholar from answering what I believe is a simple question. (They deny the Trinity as historically understood by the Christian church, They believe Christ is a created being and that God the Father was once a man, etc).
The eternality of the Godhead and the eternally spiritual nature of God (John 4:24), the eternality and deity of Christ and His taking on flesh in the incarnation (Philippians 2:6-7, hypostatic union) - are central to the Christianity and have been defended by councils throughout the years. I'm fairly certain that Craig (who has had interface dialog with LDS scholars) was wanting to be purposefully vague in an attempt to basically encourage the evolution that has been going on for years into the realm of orthodoxy - perhaps something akin to what happened to Armstrongism/Worldwide Church of God that went from a "new religious movement" birthed out of Christian Primitivism/Restorationism and went through a series of doctrinal reviewal and came out the other side as orthodox in the realm of protestant Christianity. I have to believe Craig is hopeful and wanting to remain a resource for discourse toward this end.
That said, I wish he had said something to the effect of "we use a lot of similar language but the theology differs significantly in certain areas to make it out of step with historic Christian doctrine. While they follow "a" christ - it is not THE Christ of Scripture. If by asking the question "are they Christian?" we are asking if they believe "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3) - the answer is no." But I remain a fan of Craig and of what seems to clearly be a love and desire for the LDS church to know the true fullness of Christ's Gospel and His church.
Overall an enjoyable deep dive - with well chosen and well spoken scholars - and impeccably edited. If you like this type of thing - you'll be glad you read it.
January 25, 2021
Although this collection needs another round of copy editing, the substance is worthwhile. Each article explores one of the Gospel Topics Essays and points out its strengths (both scholarly and devotional) and weaknesses (primarily misrepresentation by omission). I was particularly impressed with the analysis of how these essays have the potential—progressively or regressively—to influence the dialogue within the church on these issues. For example, the Book of Mormon essays pave the way for accepting less-literal readings of the scripture, making room for church doctrine to retreat from claims of historicity while preserving the canonical and spiritual value of the book. The Heavenly Mother essay, encouragingly, gives legitimacy to the beloved but underrepresented concept of a maternal deity, but it also attempts to close the door on further theological developments that would help address the quiet-and-subjugated perception of her as a potential divine female role model.
Most of these articles adopt a neutral tone, which should make them palatable to believer and critic alike, and they fostered in me greater sympathy for both sides of the argument.
The introduction gives a thorough account of the historical and political issues surrounding the inception and publishing of these essays.
Most of these articles adopt a neutral tone, which should make them palatable to believer and critic alike, and they fostered in me greater sympathy for both sides of the argument.
The introduction gives a thorough account of the historical and political issues surrounding the inception and publishing of these essays.
August 26, 2023
This was a mixed bag for me. I found the first two essays, on “Are Mormons Christians?” and “Becoming Like God,” particularly tedious (there is some good stuff in them, though). The essay on the Book of Mormon and DNA is very good.
November 13, 2020
The closet in our home office has accumulated odds and ends over the years. A partial inventory includes two guitars, a down parka more suitable for the North Slope of Alaska, a broken wall clock in a heavy wooden case, items of clothing that we will never wear again, D-Cell batteries, an orthopedic leg brace, swim goggles, obsolete technology items, and participation trophies left behind by our adult children. We keep thinking we should deal with it, but haven’t.
Beginning in late 2013, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began “cleaning the closet” by publishing the Gospel Topics Essays on their official website. These short essays address areas of history and doctrine considered problematic both within the church and by critical outsiders. The list includes polygamy, multiple accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision, how the Book of Mormon was translated, what we know about our Mother in Heaven, and what it means when church members and leaders talk about “becoming like God.” With these essays the church is attempting to publicly deal with accumulated issues from almost two centuries of history.
I say “problematic” because the church is trying to balance the need for greater transparency and honesty about its history and doctrine with concerns about undermining the faith of members in their past prophets and leaders. It also underlines that for some of these topics, there are still more questions than answers. In The Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement, editors Matthew Harris and Newell Bringhurst have assembled a collection of articles that take a closer look at the first thirteen essays that make up the Gospel Topics series. As with any collection made up of the writings of multiple contributors, it is hard to judge the overall product without responding to each individual’s contribution. Overall, the collection does give important context to the Essays, both by representing their strengths, as well as where they fall short of complete answers. Before I get to the high points, I need to deal with the first two chapters. It is unfortunate that they appear at the beginning. Don’t give up, there is better material deeper in.
Craig Bromberg, New Testament scholar, addresses whether or not Mormons are Christian, the first gospel topic essay published on the church’s website in December 2013. Writing from a traditional Protestant Christian perspective, Bromberg examines the arguments that the Church puts forward in defense of its claim to be a Christian church. While the church has reemphasized the full name of the church and deemphasized the use of the name Mormon, for many outside the church, the problem still exists. Despite years of effort, scholars, leaders, and theologians of the major Christian traditions are still not convinced. Bromberg dismisses the arguments put forth by the essay’s anonymous author(s) by resorting to standard Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox claims of the right to define who is and who is not Christian. Because the LDS church rejects creedal doctrines of the early Christian church and the concept of sola scriptura with an open canon, we don’t fit their definition. In such an environment, the exclusive truth claims of both sides probably defy reconciliation. Bromberg’s circular logic does little to advance the discussion.
I also found the arguments advanced by Richard Sherlock, a convert to Catholicism from Mormonism, missed the mark about LDS claims of the potential to become like God. Sherlock overlooks some basic theology integral to the LDS doctrine of eternal progression. Familiar with the King Follett discourse that was the first public discussion of these doctrines, Sherlock writes of different definitions of deification, arguing that scriptural references and writings by the early church fathers used in the essay can be interpreted differently than current LDS views. In so doing, he ignores the preesistence, one of the major concepts of Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, and a key element of LDS doctrine. Sherlock never addresses Smith’s assertion that men and women are eternal and uncreated, and that this mortal life is an extension of that prior state. While he does add context to the writings of Irenaeus, Clement, and others used in the Gospel Topics essay, Sherlock takes the traditional Catholic concept that God is essentially unknowable, and humankind are purely contingent creations of that God. As such, we are not at all like God and incapable of understanding Him. This appears to this reviewer to be an intentional oversight. The LDS doctrines of eternal intelligences or uncreated spirits are incompatible with an ex nihilo creation narrative. Smith’s teachings about our eternal nature open new doors to exploring so many of the paradoxes of theology, such as the problem of evil. Granted, much of what Joseph Smith introduced in the King Follett Discourse remained unexplained in the wake of his death just weeks later, but Sherlock never confronts this idea directly.
Most of the articles, however, are better at explaining the context behind the problems addressed in the Essays. Steve Taysom reviews the problems surrounding the Book of Abraham. In his chapter, he acknowledges that the pieces of papyrus linked to the Book of Abraham owned by the church do not actually translate into the published English text. He discusses the church’s explanations surrounding what “translation” might mean and why the many epistemological gaps in the Book of Abraham can’t currently be filled in with satisfactory answers. Taysom does emphasize that in the end, much of the internal evidence of an ancient origin for the text of the Book of Abraham remains unchallenged by critics, with most problems focused on the translation and provenance issues.
There are helpful articles about the concept of Mother in Heaven, violence in 19th century church history, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. Three different authors tackle the history of polygamy in the church, each addressing one of the three Gospel Topic Essays on that subject, Gary James Bergera writes about the murky beginnings of the doctrine in Kirtland and Nauvoo. George D. Smith looks at the practice in Utah once the doctrine became public knowledge. Newel Bringhurst reviews how polygamy changed during the 20th century from an essential doctrine to a practice now considered apostasy, and its persistence among Mormon fundamentalist movements All three of these articles are helpful in comparing the strengths of the essays with the parts of the history that are still not well understood.
To be sure, the Gospel Topics essays exist because the problems they address defy simple explanations. In the introduction, editors Harris and Bringhurst relate the mostly unknown genesis of the ideas behind the Essays. An explosion of information on the internet proved to be challenging to many church members unfamiliar with historical and doctrinal roots of the questions addressed by the Essays. The easy accessibility of information that seemed to run contrary to what some members felt they were taught prompted many questions but few answers. In 2010, concerned stake presidents in Sweden asked for help addressing the high numbers of members leaving the church there. Church Historian and General Authority Marlin Jensen, accompanied by Assistant Church Historian Richard Turley met with some 600 troubled Swedish saints in an effort that became known as the “Swedish Rescue Mission.” The meeting prompted the Church leadership to consider how to address such concerns. Several initiatives came out of those discussions, including the Gospel Topics Essays. While the essays are an important and much appreciated effort to deal with the information gap, the balance between transparency and undermining faith appears elusive still. Harris and Bringhurst’s volume makes it clear that not all of the problems have been resolved, and may not be in the near future. The Gospel Topics Essays should be read not as a final word on the problems, but an honest and good faith effort to address them. In the same sense The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A scholarly Engagement is an interesting, if incomplete, companion volume for further study.
Beginning in late 2013, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began “cleaning the closet” by publishing the Gospel Topics Essays on their official website. These short essays address areas of history and doctrine considered problematic both within the church and by critical outsiders. The list includes polygamy, multiple accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision, how the Book of Mormon was translated, what we know about our Mother in Heaven, and what it means when church members and leaders talk about “becoming like God.” With these essays the church is attempting to publicly deal with accumulated issues from almost two centuries of history.
I say “problematic” because the church is trying to balance the need for greater transparency and honesty about its history and doctrine with concerns about undermining the faith of members in their past prophets and leaders. It also underlines that for some of these topics, there are still more questions than answers. In The Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement, editors Matthew Harris and Newell Bringhurst have assembled a collection of articles that take a closer look at the first thirteen essays that make up the Gospel Topics series. As with any collection made up of the writings of multiple contributors, it is hard to judge the overall product without responding to each individual’s contribution. Overall, the collection does give important context to the Essays, both by representing their strengths, as well as where they fall short of complete answers. Before I get to the high points, I need to deal with the first two chapters. It is unfortunate that they appear at the beginning. Don’t give up, there is better material deeper in.
Craig Bromberg, New Testament scholar, addresses whether or not Mormons are Christian, the first gospel topic essay published on the church’s website in December 2013. Writing from a traditional Protestant Christian perspective, Bromberg examines the arguments that the Church puts forward in defense of its claim to be a Christian church. While the church has reemphasized the full name of the church and deemphasized the use of the name Mormon, for many outside the church, the problem still exists. Despite years of effort, scholars, leaders, and theologians of the major Christian traditions are still not convinced. Bromberg dismisses the arguments put forth by the essay’s anonymous author(s) by resorting to standard Protestant, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox claims of the right to define who is and who is not Christian. Because the LDS church rejects creedal doctrines of the early Christian church and the concept of sola scriptura with an open canon, we don’t fit their definition. In such an environment, the exclusive truth claims of both sides probably defy reconciliation. Bromberg’s circular logic does little to advance the discussion.
I also found the arguments advanced by Richard Sherlock, a convert to Catholicism from Mormonism, missed the mark about LDS claims of the potential to become like God. Sherlock overlooks some basic theology integral to the LDS doctrine of eternal progression. Familiar with the King Follett discourse that was the first public discussion of these doctrines, Sherlock writes of different definitions of deification, arguing that scriptural references and writings by the early church fathers used in the essay can be interpreted differently than current LDS views. In so doing, he ignores the preesistence, one of the major concepts of Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, and a key element of LDS doctrine. Sherlock never addresses Smith’s assertion that men and women are eternal and uncreated, and that this mortal life is an extension of that prior state. While he does add context to the writings of Irenaeus, Clement, and others used in the Gospel Topics essay, Sherlock takes the traditional Catholic concept that God is essentially unknowable, and humankind are purely contingent creations of that God. As such, we are not at all like God and incapable of understanding Him. This appears to this reviewer to be an intentional oversight. The LDS doctrines of eternal intelligences or uncreated spirits are incompatible with an ex nihilo creation narrative. Smith’s teachings about our eternal nature open new doors to exploring so many of the paradoxes of theology, such as the problem of evil. Granted, much of what Joseph Smith introduced in the King Follett Discourse remained unexplained in the wake of his death just weeks later, but Sherlock never confronts this idea directly.
Most of the articles, however, are better at explaining the context behind the problems addressed in the Essays. Steve Taysom reviews the problems surrounding the Book of Abraham. In his chapter, he acknowledges that the pieces of papyrus linked to the Book of Abraham owned by the church do not actually translate into the published English text. He discusses the church’s explanations surrounding what “translation” might mean and why the many epistemological gaps in the Book of Abraham can’t currently be filled in with satisfactory answers. Taysom does emphasize that in the end, much of the internal evidence of an ancient origin for the text of the Book of Abraham remains unchallenged by critics, with most problems focused on the translation and provenance issues.
There are helpful articles about the concept of Mother in Heaven, violence in 19th century church history, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. Three different authors tackle the history of polygamy in the church, each addressing one of the three Gospel Topic Essays on that subject, Gary James Bergera writes about the murky beginnings of the doctrine in Kirtland and Nauvoo. George D. Smith looks at the practice in Utah once the doctrine became public knowledge. Newel Bringhurst reviews how polygamy changed during the 20th century from an essential doctrine to a practice now considered apostasy, and its persistence among Mormon fundamentalist movements All three of these articles are helpful in comparing the strengths of the essays with the parts of the history that are still not well understood.
To be sure, the Gospel Topics essays exist because the problems they address defy simple explanations. In the introduction, editors Harris and Bringhurst relate the mostly unknown genesis of the ideas behind the Essays. An explosion of information on the internet proved to be challenging to many church members unfamiliar with historical and doctrinal roots of the questions addressed by the Essays. The easy accessibility of information that seemed to run contrary to what some members felt they were taught prompted many questions but few answers. In 2010, concerned stake presidents in Sweden asked for help addressing the high numbers of members leaving the church there. Church Historian and General Authority Marlin Jensen, accompanied by Assistant Church Historian Richard Turley met with some 600 troubled Swedish saints in an effort that became known as the “Swedish Rescue Mission.” The meeting prompted the Church leadership to consider how to address such concerns. Several initiatives came out of those discussions, including the Gospel Topics Essays. While the essays are an important and much appreciated effort to deal with the information gap, the balance between transparency and undermining faith appears elusive still. Harris and Bringhurst’s volume makes it clear that not all of the problems have been resolved, and may not be in the near future. The Gospel Topics Essays should be read not as a final word on the problems, but an honest and good faith effort to address them. In the same sense The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A scholarly Engagement is an interesting, if incomplete, companion volume for further study.
Read
June 1, 2023The Gospel Topics Essays were first quietly introduced by the church in 2013 as a resource where members could find answers to controversial gospel questions. Ten years later, the Essays are fairly well known and seem to be elevated as an authority almost level with canonized scripture. Or, at least, this is how it felt to me as a student at BYU. Every time I asked controversial questions I was pointed by my religion professors to the Essays, and the Essays always closed further discussion, as if their word was the be-all and end-all answer.
But this collection shows exactly why such an elevated view of the Essays is a problem. It’s a compilation of thirteen essays in response to the thirteen Gospel Topics Essays, from a wide variety of scholars both in and out of the church. The authors take each Essay and examine its strengths and weaknesses, placing it in the context of the academic debates and church teachings that came before it. For example, the “Book of Mormon Translation” essay contextualizes LDS scholars’ theories about the degree to which the Book of Mormon text was revealed word-for-word to Joseph Smith in the translation process, showing why its significant that the Gospel Topics Essay gives an official church stance on the most strict, conservative “read-translation” theory. The authors also evaluate which sources were used in the Essays but also which sources were NOT used. For instance, they criticize the “Joseph Smith and Plural Marriage” Essay for too uncritically accepting the reliability of primary sources and for conveniently over-relying on Brian C. Hales’s work but leaving out some of the most pivotal Mormon polygamy scholarship (sorry, Todd Compton…). The authors also make note of relevant discussions left out of the essays—such as the wider theological context of the divine feminine in “Mother in Heaven” and non-Mormon scholars’ critiques of the actual contents of the Book of Abraham (among many, many other examples). The essays in response to “Book of Mormon and DNA Studies” and “Race and the Priesthood” specifically criticize those Essays for their lack of acknowledgement of past harm done to Black members and Native Americans, including that DNA calls into question a presumed authority to tell Native American stories, which is a thought I hadn’t considered before.
A line in the “Mother in Heaven” response essay reads, “However, the authors chose not to address these [controversial] issues, perhaps fearing that more thorough examination would only lead to difficult questions and implications.” This sentiment exactly sums up how the Essays come across to me (and the authors of this collection). In an effort to appeal to a mass audience and focus on safe, faith-affirming answers to difficult gospel questions, the church sometimes does more harm than good by oversimplifying answers, employing misleading statements and quotations, and not trusting their audience with important context. And while the authors here do give credit where credit is due, they most importantly show how much work still needs to be done if we want to have truly honest and informed conversations about these issues. Definitely worth the read (especially the essay about the Book of Mormon translation and all the essays about polygamy).
But this collection shows exactly why such an elevated view of the Essays is a problem. It’s a compilation of thirteen essays in response to the thirteen Gospel Topics Essays, from a wide variety of scholars both in and out of the church. The authors take each Essay and examine its strengths and weaknesses, placing it in the context of the academic debates and church teachings that came before it. For example, the “Book of Mormon Translation” essay contextualizes LDS scholars’ theories about the degree to which the Book of Mormon text was revealed word-for-word to Joseph Smith in the translation process, showing why its significant that the Gospel Topics Essay gives an official church stance on the most strict, conservative “read-translation” theory. The authors also evaluate which sources were used in the Essays but also which sources were NOT used. For instance, they criticize the “Joseph Smith and Plural Marriage” Essay for too uncritically accepting the reliability of primary sources and for conveniently over-relying on Brian C. Hales’s work but leaving out some of the most pivotal Mormon polygamy scholarship (sorry, Todd Compton…). The authors also make note of relevant discussions left out of the essays—such as the wider theological context of the divine feminine in “Mother in Heaven” and non-Mormon scholars’ critiques of the actual contents of the Book of Abraham (among many, many other examples). The essays in response to “Book of Mormon and DNA Studies” and “Race and the Priesthood” specifically criticize those Essays for their lack of acknowledgement of past harm done to Black members and Native Americans, including that DNA calls into question a presumed authority to tell Native American stories, which is a thought I hadn’t considered before.
A line in the “Mother in Heaven” response essay reads, “However, the authors chose not to address these [controversial] issues, perhaps fearing that more thorough examination would only lead to difficult questions and implications.” This sentiment exactly sums up how the Essays come across to me (and the authors of this collection). In an effort to appeal to a mass audience and focus on safe, faith-affirming answers to difficult gospel questions, the church sometimes does more harm than good by oversimplifying answers, employing misleading statements and quotations, and not trusting their audience with important context. And while the authors here do give credit where credit is due, they most importantly show how much work still needs to be done if we want to have truly honest and informed conversations about these issues. Definitely worth the read (especially the essay about the Book of Mormon translation and all the essays about polygamy).
February 19, 2025
At 1200-word essay is insufficient in providing answers. You need a book for each of these essays.
The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is a compilation of essays edited by Spencer W. McBride and James B. Allen that offers an academic examination and analysis of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Gospel Topics Essays. These essays, first published by the LDS Church in 2013, address difficult and often controversial issues surrounding the history, teachings, and practices of the church. The collection of scholarly essays in The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement aims to provide an in-depth and critical reflection on these topics from a variety of perspectives within the academic and faith-based communities.
The Gospel Topics Essays themselves were created by the LDS Church to address sensitive or contested historical topics—such as the church’s teachings on race, polygamy, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. The church presented these essays as an official response to public questions and concerns, and they were intended to provide more transparency and clarity on certain issues. However, despite their official status, the essays were met with mixed reactions within the LDS community. Some members viewed the essays as an honest attempt at historical transparency, while others found the topics unsettling or difficult to reconcile with their understanding of church history.
The book edited by McBride and Allen brings together a wide range of scholars who engage with these essays, critically assessing the topics and offering nuanced interpretations. The scholars in this volume approach the Gospel Topics Essays from a variety of angles—historical, theological, and cultural—allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of these issues.
One of the most valuable aspects of The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is its ability to provide context. Many of the Gospel Topics Essays tackle issues that have long been contentious in LDS history, such as Joseph Smith’s polygamy and the church's past teachings on race. The essays in this collection go beyond surface-level analysis, exploring how these issues were influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors. The volume does not shy away from difficult discussions but rather encourages critical reflection on the church’s history and doctrines, while still seeking to engage with the faith in a constructive way.
For example, the essay on race and the priesthood addresses the LDS Church’s history of restricting black men from holding the priesthood, a practice that was officially revoked in 1978. The Gospel Topics Essay on this issue outlines the church’s official position and explores various historical accounts and perspectives, but the scholarly engagement in this book delves even deeper, examining the theological, social, and historical dimensions of the church’s racial teachings, and how they have evolved over time. The scholarly essays provide insight into the complex and often painful history of race within Mormonism.
Similarly, topics such as Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon and the practice of polygamy are given thoughtful attention, with scholars providing historical and theological perspectives that help readers better understand the context and implications of these practices. Rather than presenting a singular narrative, the book highlights a range of scholarly opinions, encouraging readers to think critically and come to their own conclusions.
The writing in The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is scholarly but accessible. It is evident that the contributors are well-versed in their respective fields, but they manage to communicate complex ideas and historical events in a manner that is understandable to a broader audience. This makes the book a useful resource not only for scholars but also for church members who may be seeking a deeper understanding of the issues raised by the Gospel Topics Essays.
One of the strengths of the volume is the respectful tone maintained throughout. The contributors take care to engage with these sensitive topics in a way that respects both the historical complexity and the spiritual significance of the LDS Church’s teachings. They recognize the importance of these issues within the faith community while also acknowledging the need for open dialogue and thoughtful reflection.
However, one potential criticism of the book is that it may feel more like an academic resource than a practical guide for individual members of the church. The essays are deep and thorough, which may be overwhelming for those seeking more straightforward answers to personal questions. Still, the book provides a valuable contribution to the scholarly discussion on Mormonism and its complex history.
In conclusion, The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is an essential read for anyone seeking a thoughtful and academic examination of the LDS Church’s Gospel Topics Essays. The book does not shy away from the difficult issues but rather invites readers to engage with them critically, with respect for both the faith and its historical complexities. Whether one is a member of the LDS Church, a scholar of religion, or simply someone interested in understanding the historical and theological dynamics of Mormonism, this volume provides a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on some of the most challenging issues facing the LDS Church today.
The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is a compilation of essays edited by Spencer W. McBride and James B. Allen that offers an academic examination and analysis of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Gospel Topics Essays. These essays, first published by the LDS Church in 2013, address difficult and often controversial issues surrounding the history, teachings, and practices of the church. The collection of scholarly essays in The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement aims to provide an in-depth and critical reflection on these topics from a variety of perspectives within the academic and faith-based communities.
The Gospel Topics Essays themselves were created by the LDS Church to address sensitive or contested historical topics—such as the church’s teachings on race, polygamy, and the translation of the Book of Mormon. The church presented these essays as an official response to public questions and concerns, and they were intended to provide more transparency and clarity on certain issues. However, despite their official status, the essays were met with mixed reactions within the LDS community. Some members viewed the essays as an honest attempt at historical transparency, while others found the topics unsettling or difficult to reconcile with their understanding of church history.
The book edited by McBride and Allen brings together a wide range of scholars who engage with these essays, critically assessing the topics and offering nuanced interpretations. The scholars in this volume approach the Gospel Topics Essays from a variety of angles—historical, theological, and cultural—allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of these issues.
One of the most valuable aspects of The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is its ability to provide context. Many of the Gospel Topics Essays tackle issues that have long been contentious in LDS history, such as Joseph Smith’s polygamy and the church's past teachings on race. The essays in this collection go beyond surface-level analysis, exploring how these issues were influenced by historical, cultural, and social factors. The volume does not shy away from difficult discussions but rather encourages critical reflection on the church’s history and doctrines, while still seeking to engage with the faith in a constructive way.
For example, the essay on race and the priesthood addresses the LDS Church’s history of restricting black men from holding the priesthood, a practice that was officially revoked in 1978. The Gospel Topics Essay on this issue outlines the church’s official position and explores various historical accounts and perspectives, but the scholarly engagement in this book delves even deeper, examining the theological, social, and historical dimensions of the church’s racial teachings, and how they have evolved over time. The scholarly essays provide insight into the complex and often painful history of race within Mormonism.
Similarly, topics such as Joseph Smith's translation of the Book of Mormon and the practice of polygamy are given thoughtful attention, with scholars providing historical and theological perspectives that help readers better understand the context and implications of these practices. Rather than presenting a singular narrative, the book highlights a range of scholarly opinions, encouraging readers to think critically and come to their own conclusions.
The writing in The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is scholarly but accessible. It is evident that the contributors are well-versed in their respective fields, but they manage to communicate complex ideas and historical events in a manner that is understandable to a broader audience. This makes the book a useful resource not only for scholars but also for church members who may be seeking a deeper understanding of the issues raised by the Gospel Topics Essays.
One of the strengths of the volume is the respectful tone maintained throughout. The contributors take care to engage with these sensitive topics in a way that respects both the historical complexity and the spiritual significance of the LDS Church’s teachings. They recognize the importance of these issues within the faith community while also acknowledging the need for open dialogue and thoughtful reflection.
However, one potential criticism of the book is that it may feel more like an academic resource than a practical guide for individual members of the church. The essays are deep and thorough, which may be overwhelming for those seeking more straightforward answers to personal questions. Still, the book provides a valuable contribution to the scholarly discussion on Mormonism and its complex history.
In conclusion, The LDS Gospel Topics Series: A Scholarly Engagement is an essential read for anyone seeking a thoughtful and academic examination of the LDS Church’s Gospel Topics Essays. The book does not shy away from the difficult issues but rather invites readers to engage with them critically, with respect for both the faith and its historical complexities. Whether one is a member of the LDS Church, a scholar of religion, or simply someone interested in understanding the historical and theological dynamics of Mormonism, this volume provides a nuanced and comprehensive perspective on some of the most challenging issues facing the LDS Church today.
August 13, 2021
Insightful
This book sheds extra light on the gospel topics essays. A fair and objective look at the essays. The Church should be applauded for bringing more information to light, but they could be more factual and straightforward on most subjects.
This book sheds extra light on the gospel topics essays. A fair and objective look at the essays. The Church should be applauded for bringing more information to light, but they could be more factual and straightforward on most subjects.
September 7, 2021
I know some of the scholars and leaders that proposed, wrote and edited the essays. It was a challenging task that clearly would not satisfy everyone. I applaud the Church for the effort. Some of the critics fail to acknowledge that the footnotes in the Essays as well as the Church’s most recent “Saints” series give anyone the option to dig deeper. And the electronic versions have live links to source materials.
When the essays first came out my wife and I were serving as mission president and companion in South America. The essays were picked up by the international press. Shortly thereafter, we were in interviews and had separate missionaries tell us that people told them that Joseph Smith was married to a 14 year old. One Elder said, with great pride, that he told the person that he was a liar. The other missionary simply asked me with great concern if it was true.
We then assigned all our missionaries to read the essays and our next series of conferences were on the “hard questions”. It generated a great discussion. History is a difficult thing. It is messy. Every organization on the planet religious or otherwise has some difficult history. Personally, I was “inoculated” in a sense by parents that never avoided, and in fact, discussed the problematic issues around the Sunday dinner table.
The shinning parts of this book are the introduction by the editors and the afterword by Armand Mauss. The first two chapters “Are Mormons Christian” and “Becoming Like God: A Critique” were weak at best. I was almost ready to stop. But I moved on and found much solid material. My biggest problem with the first chapters has to do with my own long and deep experience in interfaith dialogue and engagement. The questions raised by Bloomberg and Sherlock are philosophical at best and ignore the reality of ecumenical/interfaith relations. This review is not the place for a detailed critique but in brief let me share my perspective. Many years ago in our community there was an interfaith organization formed in the wake of the race riots in the 60’s. It was made up of the main line churches. Nearly 30 years later I was serving as the President of Habitat for Humanity and knew many of the pastors in town. One of them came to me and said they wanted to expand the reach of the organization and asked if the “Mormons” would like to be involved. Long story short after many months of dialogue the overwhelming majority of participants in the dialogue voted to include the Mormons in the new and expanded organization. Then the theologians from a couple of traditions that had not participated in the dialogue wrote letters opposing the inclusion of LDS. Some pastors were incensed and threatened to leave. We then said that we did not want to be the source of division in the ranks and asked to be excused. In response they created a new category of membership, “Partners in Community Service.”
Fast forward 20 years to 2010 . My wife is the regional director of LDS Public Affairs and a board member of the Interfaith organization. Then in 2013 she resigned when we were called to preside over a mission in Chile. We were invited to her last board meeting where we stood with the pastors holding hands while they took turns praying for us and the success of our mission. They then gave us a gift of 2 olive wood crosses from the Holy Land that we took with us. My point is he who controls the definition of Christian defines the boundaries rightly or wrongly.
After the first 2 chapters the essays are much better. Some still have a tinge of intellectual arrogance that to me miss the point. The essays were never intended to be deep theological tomes but introductions for further personal study. They are not the final word but an honest effort to address them. My only concern is that we do not give the essays broad enough exposure culturally, despite the fact that Elder Ballard has said gone are the days of easy answers. I would like to see much broader coverage that might just result in “herd immunity”, something we know an awful lot about these days. Every teacher in the Church must master the content of the essays.
When the essays first came out my wife and I were serving as mission president and companion in South America. The essays were picked up by the international press. Shortly thereafter, we were in interviews and had separate missionaries tell us that people told them that Joseph Smith was married to a 14 year old. One Elder said, with great pride, that he told the person that he was a liar. The other missionary simply asked me with great concern if it was true.
We then assigned all our missionaries to read the essays and our next series of conferences were on the “hard questions”. It generated a great discussion. History is a difficult thing. It is messy. Every organization on the planet religious or otherwise has some difficult history. Personally, I was “inoculated” in a sense by parents that never avoided, and in fact, discussed the problematic issues around the Sunday dinner table.
The shinning parts of this book are the introduction by the editors and the afterword by Armand Mauss. The first two chapters “Are Mormons Christian” and “Becoming Like God: A Critique” were weak at best. I was almost ready to stop. But I moved on and found much solid material. My biggest problem with the first chapters has to do with my own long and deep experience in interfaith dialogue and engagement. The questions raised by Bloomberg and Sherlock are philosophical at best and ignore the reality of ecumenical/interfaith relations. This review is not the place for a detailed critique but in brief let me share my perspective. Many years ago in our community there was an interfaith organization formed in the wake of the race riots in the 60’s. It was made up of the main line churches. Nearly 30 years later I was serving as the President of Habitat for Humanity and knew many of the pastors in town. One of them came to me and said they wanted to expand the reach of the organization and asked if the “Mormons” would like to be involved. Long story short after many months of dialogue the overwhelming majority of participants in the dialogue voted to include the Mormons in the new and expanded organization. Then the theologians from a couple of traditions that had not participated in the dialogue wrote letters opposing the inclusion of LDS. Some pastors were incensed and threatened to leave. We then said that we did not want to be the source of division in the ranks and asked to be excused. In response they created a new category of membership, “Partners in Community Service.”
Fast forward 20 years to 2010 . My wife is the regional director of LDS Public Affairs and a board member of the Interfaith organization. Then in 2013 she resigned when we were called to preside over a mission in Chile. We were invited to her last board meeting where we stood with the pastors holding hands while they took turns praying for us and the success of our mission. They then gave us a gift of 2 olive wood crosses from the Holy Land that we took with us. My point is he who controls the definition of Christian defines the boundaries rightly or wrongly.
After the first 2 chapters the essays are much better. Some still have a tinge of intellectual arrogance that to me miss the point. The essays were never intended to be deep theological tomes but introductions for further personal study. They are not the final word but an honest effort to address them. My only concern is that we do not give the essays broad enough exposure culturally, despite the fact that Elder Ballard has said gone are the days of easy answers. I would like to see much broader coverage that might just result in “herd immunity”, something we know an awful lot about these days. Every teacher in the Church must master the content of the essays.
November 10, 2020
Pay attention to the subtitle: "a scholarly engagement." That it is. I read a lot in the Mormon studies field, but this book was too academic for my taste.
The lengthy introduction was the most interesting part of the book. It relates how the Gospel Topics essays came about, tells the story of "the Swedish Rescue," and outlines the fine line the Q15 had to walk as the essays were posted on LDS.org but not publicized.
Of the chapters themselves, I found the ones critiquing the Mother in Heaven and women and the priesthood essays to be the most engaging.
Mormon studies aficionados will recognize many of the names of the contributors to the book.
The lengthy introduction was the most interesting part of the book. It relates how the Gospel Topics essays came about, tells the story of "the Swedish Rescue," and outlines the fine line the Q15 had to walk as the essays were posted on LDS.org but not publicized.
Of the chapters themselves, I found the ones critiquing the Mother in Heaven and women and the priesthood essays to be the most engaging.
Mormon studies aficionados will recognize many of the names of the contributors to the book.
April 6, 2024
I read through this pretty slowly to try to absorb it better, but regardless will be reading it again. Each chapter was written by a different scholar and they did such a good job of balancing praise with constructive criticism. This is a must read for anyone who wants to seriously read the gospel topics essays.
Read
January 29, 2021Very good and balanced evaluation and commentary on the LDS Gospel topic Essays.
August 4, 2022
Excellent questions and answers about little known Mormon beliefs.
December 24, 2025
Should be required reading for all Mormons. Truth claims of the Church are vaporized.
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