“Lightning Out of Heaven: Joseph Smith and the Forging of Community”
Professor Terryl Givens, professor of English at the University of Richmond, spoke yesterday at a BYU forum. Professor Givens discussed some of the factors that contribute to the effect that Joseph Smith’s message wrought on the world, his followers in particular. The title of his speech is taken from a 1840 lecture by Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish thinker and literary figure, on the topic “The Hero as Prophet,” specifically, the prophet Muhammad.
Given is currently working on a forthcoming book on the cultural history of Mormonism.
As I listened to Givens’ lecture, I thought of something that Sterling McMurrin said in an interview about the reaction of a non-Mormon colleague to his book The Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion:
“You know, you have made Mormonism look a lot better than it really is.”I said, “That is exactly what I intended to do. The other writers make it look worse than it is.”
I mean that quite seriously. Mormon theology has strengths that virtually all, not all, but virtually all of the writers in the church seem to have been unaware of.
(Note: hat tip for inspiring this thought: New Cool Thang discussion of McMurrin’s book.)
An MP3 recording of the speech can be found here.
Update: A Deseret News story on Givens’ lecture can be found here.
Thanks for the heads-up. I look forward to listening to it. I also find the prospect of attending a lecture somewhere and having the illustrious Justin perhaps unknowing sit next to me quite thrilling!
Comment by J. Stapley — November 30, 2005 @ 1:04 pm
Justin,
The consensus among bloggernacle gossips is that you live and work in DC. What were you doing in Provo, pray tell?! The mystery continues….
Comment by Ronan — November 30, 2005 @ 1:30 pm
Ronan PI, always trolling for clues …
Comment by Dave — November 30, 2005 @ 3:40 pm
Ha! That was exactly what I was thinking too Ronan. But then I realized Justin had an MP3 of the proceedings that gives him an alibi.
Justin – Is it just coincidence that we posted on McMurrin within 24 hrs each other?
Comment by Geoff J — November 30, 2005 @ 3:54 pm
No, it’s not a complete coincidence, Geoff. I read your post this morning and it probably provoked my thought when I later listened to the Givens lecture. A tip of the hat to you (see the new second-to-last line in my post).
Comment by Justin Butterfield — November 30, 2005 @ 4:30 pm