David Waltz Posted August 3, 2017 Posted August 3, 2017 Since reading Eric Eliason's informative article, "Seer Stones, Salamanders, and Early Mormon 'Folk Magic' in the Light of Folklore Studies and Bible Scholarship" (BYU Studies 55.1, pp. 73-93) and Michael Hubbard MacKay's and Nicholas J. Frederick's recent book, Joseph Smith's Seer Stones (2016), I have been trying to obtain a digital copy of Mark Ashurst-McGee's master's thesis: A Pathway to Prophethood: Joseph Smith as Rodsman, Village Seer, and Judeo-Christian Prophet (Utah State Univ., 2000). Though the digital commons at Utah State Univ. has hundreds of master's thesis' online for digital download, Mark Ashurst-McGee's contribution is missing. If anyone reading this post has a digital copy, I would greatly appreciate that you take the time to send this beachbum a copy: AugustineH354@aol.com Grace and peace, David 1
Robert F. Smith Posted August 3, 2017 Posted August 3, 2017 You might try contacting Ashurst-McGee directly at the LDS Historical Dept, by mail at 15 E North Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84150; tel (801) 240-2745 (during business hours). Or maybe it is available through ProQuest.
Calm Posted August 3, 2017 Posted August 3, 2017 (edited) David, one of our FM people believes he has it, but can't get to it until tomorrow. I gave him your address, so it might just show up. Edited August 3, 2017 by Calm
mfbukowski Posted August 3, 2017 Posted August 3, 2017 (edited) 3 hours ago, David Waltz said: Since reading Eric Eliason's informative article, "Seer Stones, Salamanders, and Early Mormon 'Folk Magic' in the Light of Folklore Studies and Bible Scholarship" (BYU Studies 55.1, pp. 73-93) and Michael Hubbard MacKay's and Nicholas J. Frederick's recent book, Joseph Smith's Seer Stones (2016), I have been trying to obtain a digital copy of Mark Ashurst-McGee's master's thesis: A Pathway to Prophethood: Joseph Smith as Rodsman, Village Seer, and Judeo-Christian Prophet (Utah State Univ., 2000). Though the digital commons at Utah State Univ. has hundreds of master's thesis' online for digital download, Mark Ashurst-McGee's contribution is missing. If anyone reading this post has a digital copy, I would greatly appreciate that you take the time to send this beachbum a copy: AugustineH354@aol.com Grace and peace, David Hey- good to see you! Unfortunately I cannot help Edited August 3, 2017 by mfbukowski
David Waltz Posted August 3, 2017 Author Posted August 3, 2017 Thanks much for all the kind responses to my request. Calm, Your FM associate sent me the MT last night; plan to read it later today. Grace and peace, David
blueglass Posted August 5, 2017 Posted August 5, 2017 (edited) In his thesis he talks about Joseph being born with a caul. He has a seer stone sequence table towards the end. McGee says it likely went from Green glass borrowed from Sally chase which he used to "see" the location of the brown genesis stone up near lake Erie in an iron kettle sometime in late 1819. He then retrieved this brown stone in 1822 and used it to find the white gazelem stone under the story that he was helping Willard chase dig a well. Then we have the battle of the seers with owners vs finders rights which ensued. The Smiths "borrowed" the stone but then refused to return. The gazelem stone was used for divining the location of the UandT. The brown was used for most of the book of Mormon "translation" or "scry/automatic/reception/amalgamation", and then given to oliver cowdery to take care of. Subsequent revelations utilized the white stone. No photographs released yet of that one. I asked McGee if he holds to his seer stone sequence and he said yes. When the photo hit most scholars still thought the brown genesis stone was found on the chase property. Apparently not. Edited August 5, 2017 by blueglass 1
Calm Posted August 5, 2017 Posted August 5, 2017 On 2017-08-03 at 10:37 AM, David Waltz said: Thanks much for all the kind responses to my request. Calm, Your FM associate sent me the MT last night; plan to read it later today. Grace and peace, David Glad the connection worked, I think I thanked him today...so wasted it is kind of a blur at the moment, but it has been a great week.
clarkgoble Posted August 5, 2017 Posted August 5, 2017 On 8/2/2017 at 6:37 PM, David Waltz said: Since reading Eric Eliason's informative article, "Seer Stones, Salamanders, and Early Mormon 'Folk Magic' in the Light of Folklore Studies and Bible Scholarship" (BYU Studies 55.1, pp. 73-93) and Michael Hubbard MacKay's and Nicholas J. Frederick's recent book, Joseph Smith's Seer Stones (2016), I have been trying to obtain a digital copy of Mark Ashurst-McGee's master's thesis: A Pathway to Prophethood: Joseph Smith as Rodsman, Village Seer, and Judeo-Christian Prophet (Utah State Univ., 2000). Though the digital commons at Utah State Univ. has hundreds of master's thesis' online for digital download, Mark Ashurst-McGee's contribution is missing. If anyone reading this post has a digital copy, I would greatly appreciate that you take the time to send this beachbum a copy: I'd call the university. It's probably some oversight as it switched servers. I bet they have the file and simply didn't know it wasn't accessible.
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