Richard Bushman

[why me]

This is not the only John's good interview.

What so hard to understand is why this guy is so demonized among some hard core Mormons.

I think that John was experiencing problems with his local higher ups. I remember a compaign to save John. We posted our comments about what a great job John is doing and how he has helped people stay in the church. We also commented about how valuable Mormon Stories has been for the lds community.

We saved John. But we never knew what the actual problem was.

[Lamanite]

Are there any CES teachers or former teachers who would care to respond to the comments made by Brother Bushman?

[DJSuperBrandt]

I agree with what has been said about Bushman's book, as well as the Mormon Stories interview

John Dehlin is interesting, and I can see why some people have one view of him and others have a complete opposite view...I would like to hear more more opinions on John

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend his lecture called "Joseph Smith's Relationship with God." It includes two lectures with a Q&A at the end...very very good

[The_Monk]

I teach volunteer Institute, and I am all in favor of Bushman's approach. I'ved commented on him before, here.

I've also met John Dehlin, had lunch together a year or two ago. I think his heart is in the right place and he has good intentions, but I also think he's naive and has a slight tendency to trust exmo or disenfranchised sources uncritically. I don't like the direction MormonStories has taken.

[Teancum]

Richard Lyman Bushman is one of my heroes. His humility and honesty have really helped me in my struggle with my testimony. Knowing that there is someone out there like him who is willing to face the historical evidence and is willing to stay in the church whilst challenging the"status quo" is exemplary. I owe a lot of my decision to remain in the church to what he has done with Rough Stone Rolling. I wish we had more people like him and Nibley in the church.

A big AMEN to that

Hey Lamanite, where are you getting this stuff from?

Some people don't know it, but Bushman is a temple sealer. He sealed a friend of mine to his wife.

He is also a current Patriarch and has been an SP. I recommend John Dehlin's interviews with Bushman at Mormon Stories.

[Teancum]

I agree with what has been said about Bushman's book, as well as the Mormon Stories interview

John Dehlin is interesting, and I can see why some people have one view of him and others have a complete opposite view...I would like to hear more more opinions on John

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend his lecture called "Joseph Smith's Relationship with God." It includes two lectures with a Q&A at the end...very very good

Dehlin's web page and interviews have been an immense help to me. Here is someone asking many of the same questions I have and talking to people about them yet still maintains his faith. Helps me to do the same.

[LifeOnaPlate]

Teancum, the quotes are from "On the Road With Joseph Smith" by Bushman.

[DJSuperBrandt]

"On the Road..." was a great book as a reference to "JS: RSR." I actually ran into some BYU Religion teachers who classified Bushman as "anti-mormon."

I read the book (RSR) and, though written to everyone, could see his religion coming out.

I read "On the Road..." afterward and gained immense respect for him. Then I listened to his Mormonstories interviews, listened to the lecture, and read all I could about him and have realized that he is, like you said Monk, a true disciple-scholar

[LifeOnaPlate]

I haven't heard of any BYU professors calling Bushman anti-Mormon.

[DJSuperBrandt]

I asked one in Utah about Bushman and his book, and his words were:

"I've read part of the book and it's not a good book. It's almost an anti-mormon book because it doesn't portray Joseph in a good light"

I really enjoy this professor's other books and opinions, so I won't mention a name, but some around the Provo area weren't too keen about the book (my wife's family is from Provo area)

[Teancum]

Teancum, the quotes are from "On the Road With Joseph Smith" by Bushman.

Is that a book?