Upcoming Temple Symposium

[livy111us]

http://www.expoundlds.com/

On Saturday, May 14, expoundlds.com will be hosting a FREE symposium in Provo on Temple themes given by some of the greatest minds on the subject. They include:

Mark Alan Wright

Nephite Daykeepers: Ritual Specialists in the Book of Mormon

Jeffrey M. Bradshaw

"Stand[ing] in the Holy Place": Reverberations of an Enigmatic New Testament Phrase in Jewish Midrash and Modern Revelation

David J. Larsen

The Psalms as a Key to Understanding the Rituals of the First Temple

David M. Calabro

Body Symbolism in Latter-day Saint Scripture

Larry E. Morris

"Such a Godless Place Would be Difficult to Imagine": The Historical Setting for the Arrival of the First Mormon

Missionaries in Missouri

Matthew B. Brown

Cube, Gate, and Guard: Tabernacle Patterns in the Old and New Testaments

Expoundlds.com also has been constructed as a resource center for papers on the Temple:

http://www.expoundlds.com/new-and-noteworthy.html

Study tools:

http://www.expoundlds.com/study-tools.html

and plenty of links to articles on the Temple by past prophets, answers to questions like:

Can people who are not of the LDS faith go inside of a Mormon temple?

Why do Latter-day Saints need a recommend in order to attend the temple?

When did the temple concept originate among the Latter-day Saints?

What kinds of rituals are performed inside of an LDS temple?

Are Mormon temples and their rites related to those of the Bible?

Did Jesus Christ's atonement end the need for temple ceremonies?

Are Mormon temple practices sacred or secret?

Why are the ordinances of LDS temples necessary?

Was proxy baptism for the dead an orthodox early Christian practice? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Is it true that in ancient Israel only one temple was considered to be legitimate?

What ancient temple patterns can be found in the revelation known as D&C 124?

Will animal sacrifice be restored in LDS temples someday?

Are LDS temple covenants connected with what is recorded in the Bible?

Do Mormons wear ritual clothing in conjunction with the temple?

Do proxy temple ordinances automatically make the deceased a Mormon?

What is the ultimate source of Latter-day Saint temple ordinances?

What did Hugh Nibley say about the LDS temple and Freemasonry?

How did some early Mormons view the connection between the temple and Masonry?

Is the planet Saturn currently depicted on the Salt Lake Temple?

Is the temple endowment a plagiarized and refashioned form of Freemasonry?

Do the inverse pentagrams on some Mormon temples have an evil connotation?

Did the eye symbol on the Salt Lake Temple come from the Masons?

Why are Mormon temple rituals so different from other forms of worship?

Is the doctrine of eternal marriage negated by Matthew 22:29-30?

What was the difference between the Kirtland and Nauvoo temple experiences?

What does the word "endowment" mean?

What are some 'Frequently Asked Questions' about temple construction and logistics?

Have the LDS temple ceremonies changed over time?

http://www.expoundlds.com/feature-topics.html

There is also information on the Old Testament Temple, the New Testament Temple, Early and Medieval Christian Rites, and much more. If there is anything you would like to know about the Temple, this is the place to go.

[Anijen]

Wish I could come. I have seen (read/listened) to some of the most remarkable lectures on this subject. Will there be any podcast or videoing of any of these? It seems since I live far far away it is near impossible for me to attend and the only way I can participate is via some later recording of such.

[Mike Reed]

Seems most (if not all) of the question/answer articles were either written or compiled by Matthew B. Brown. If this compilation is any indication of the level of scholarship that one should expect to hear at the symposium, I'll pass.

http://mormonmatters.org/2009/10/29/book-review-exploring-the-connection-between-mormons-and-masons/

[Robert F. Smith]

Seems most (if not all) of the question/answer articles were either written or compiled by Matthew B. Brown. If this compilation is any indication of the level of scholarship that one should expect to hear at the symposium, I'll pass.

http://mormonmatters...ons-and-masons/

I'm not sure that apriori judgment is in order, and wonder whether Nick will likewise absent himself. I will certainly attend and hope to learn something.

I am hopeful, for example, that the symbolism of the bee and beehive in alchemy, freemasonry, and the Rosicrucian enlightenment will be discussed (as models of utopia), especially in light of Lance Owens in Dialogue, 27/3 (Fall 1994), 73-74, illus. 6.

I'd like to see any forthcoming book or article on Mormonism & Masonry delve into the academic point of view on the origins of Masonry, e.g, Douglas Knoop & G. P. Jones, The Genesis of Freemasonry (Manchester Univ. Press, 1947); Marsha K. M. Schuchard, "Freemasonry, Secret Societies, and the Continuity of the Occult Traditions in English Literature," doctoral dissertation (Univ. of Texas, May 1975); Frances Yates, Theatre of the World (Univ. of Chicago, 1969); Yates, The Rosicrucian Enlightenment (Routledge & Kegan Paul/ Univ. of Chicago Press, 1964); and all of Mervin Hogan's articles and bibliography (UofU Special Collections).

The late Wesley Walters used to say that Joseph Smith conceived of the Kingdom of God as one vast Masonic Lodge in which the Worshipful Master in the East is Jesus, while the Senior Warden in the West is Joseph (with Nauvoo and Jerusalem somehow opposite and parallel to one another). Of course Walters was not a freemason, although his father was. Someone needs to address such notions thoughtfully and with candor.

[ebeddoulos]

Seems most (if not all) of the question/answer articles were either written or compiled by Matthew B. Brown. If this compilation is any indication of the level of scholarship that one should expect to hear at the symposium, I'll pass.

http://mormonmatters.org/2009/10/29/book-review-exploring-the-connection-between-mormons-and-masons/

So you took on the role? Brave man. Best be careful to not be type-cast, buddy.

[Mike Reed]

I'm not sure that apriori judgment is in order, and wonder whether Nick will likewise absent himself.

As I understand it, Nick decided to discontinue his involvement in Mormon studies, and has therefore given up on his book (unfortunately). Nick also lives in Washington, if I remember correctly... so I am guessing he wont attend. Me. I am in Northern California, and since my travel funds are limited, attending the conference would require a promising lineup of speakers and topics.

I will certainly attend and hope to learn something.

Great. If I am wrong in my judgment, please let me know.

I am hopeful, for example, that the symbolism of the bee and beehive in alchemy, freemasonry, and the Rosicrucian enlightenment will be discussed (as models of utopia), especially in light of Lance Owens in Dialogue, 27/3 (Fall 1994), 73-74, illus. 6.

Such a presentation is in order, I think, given Mark L. Staker's apparent attempt to disassociate the symbol from masonic influence by grafting it to Owenite philosophy instead. But from the titles listed above... it doesn't appear that this topic will be discussed.

I'd like to see any forthcoming book or article on Mormonism & Masonry delve into the academic point of view on the origins of Masonry, e.g, Douglas Knoop & G. P. Jones, The Genesis of Freemasonry (Manchester Univ. Press, 1947); Marsha K. M. Schuchard, "Freemasonry, Secret Societies, and the Continuity of the Occult Traditions in English Literature," doctoral dissertation (Univ. of Texas, May 1975); Frances Yates, Theatre of the World (Univ. of Chicago, 1969); Yates, The Rosicrucian Enlightenment (Routledge & Kegan Paul/ Univ. of Chicago Press, 1964); and all of Mervin Hogan's articles and bibliography (UofU Special Collections).

As would I. I think Reed Durham had it right to perceive the Smith family "magic" artifacts through the bifocal lens of Folk-magic and Freemasonry. As I've asserted before, I believe Quinn and Brooke never did justice to the lens of freemasonry in their volumes. Hopefully future publications correct this mishap and build upon their research. I agree that the volumes you list are important for future scholars to consult. I would add a few other sources to your list:

Mark C. Carnes, Secret Ritual and Manhood in Victorian America (Yale University Press, 1989).

Michael R. Poll (editor), Masonic Enlightenment: The Philosophy, History and Wisdom of Freemasonry (Cornerstone, 2006).

Steven C. Bullock, Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730-1840 (The University of North Carolina Press, 1998).

Henrik Bogdan, Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation (Suny Press, 2008).

and

Michael G. Reed, "The Mormon Endowment and the Christianization of Freemasonry" (MHA 2011).

Someone needs to address such notions thoughtfully and with candor.

Agreed. I just don't imagine such will happen at this conference. If it turns out that I am wrong, I will happily welcome any correction from you.

[Bill Hamblin]

Agreed. I just don't imagine such will happen at this conference. If it turns out that I am wrong, I will happily welcome any correction from you.

I, for one, have never known you to "happily welcome any correction."