Engaging Gospel Doctrine

Latest Episodes:

377.2: Burying Our Weapons of War (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 26, Core Reissued) Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

These chapters tell of conversions through miraculous and even troubling means, inspiring devotion to principle, and overwhelming joy. We also have angel-wannabe Alma teaching us a powerful truth about God calling prophets among all people.

Class Member Reading: Alma 23-29

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You can access my Annotated Reading here.
You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

377.1: Burying Our Weapons of War (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 26, Reissued) Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

“Converted unto the Lord”

Here is the full episode on Lesson 26. These chapters tell of conversions through miraculous and even troubling means, inspiring devotion to principle, and overwhelming joy. We also have angel-wannabe Alma teaching us a powerful truth about God calling prophets among all people.

Debbie, Whitney, Adam and Jason join the class.

Reading: Alma 23-29

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One Time Donation:
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You can access my Annotated Reading here.
You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

376.2: Mission of the Sons of Mosiah (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 25, Updated) Jun 27, 2020

Show notes

The sons of Mosiah are not the only powerful characters in these chapters–or even the main characters. We learn much from Lamanite kings, queens, and servants.

This new core episode returns to Alma 17-22 and focuses on vulnerability and authenticity, meeting and serving people where they are, and coming to know God through letting go of our present selves (Originally produced in July of 2016).

Reading: Alma 17-22

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You can access the Annotated Reading here.
You can access the Lesson Notes here.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

376.1: Mission of the Sons of Mosiah (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 25, Reissued) Jun 27, 2020

Show notes

“They Taught with Power and Authority of God”

These chapters begin the story of the missionary efforts of the sons of Mosiah. Ammon and Lamoni take center stage, but the Lamanite woman Abish and her queen play key roles and Mormon emphasizes the contrasts between missionary and conversion experiences by paralleling the stories Ammon and Lamoni, Aaron and Lamoni’s father (Original air date: July 2012).

Highlights of this lesson include

Parallel stories of transformation of Lamoni and his father
Two of the strongest female protagonists in the Book of Mormon
Focus on the “Plan of Redemption”
An example of an “agnostic prayer”

Reading:

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Danielle, Gwenevere, Mike, and Paul join the class.

You can access the Annotated Reading here.

You can access the Lesson Notes here.

Art: Walter Rane, “Such Great Faith”

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

375.1: Theodicy of the Unbearable (Come Follow Me Week 23, Reissued) Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

“Give Us Strength According to Our Faith … in Christ”

This lesson confronts us with hard, perhaps impossible questions. We read about a God who intervenes sometimes, but not others. Alma and Amulek are saved, but only after an extended time in prison. And the worst atrocity is not prevented at all–the murder of women and children. We are not equipped to handle the horrors that happen day to day, and yet we relentlessly seek some sense of meaning and stability. This final episode of Mormon Sunday School explores these difficult topics of God’s actions in light of agency.

Diana and Jacob join the class.

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You can access the Annotated Reading here

You can access the Lesson Notes here

Resources

Theologizing in the Presence of Burning Children: From Theodicy to Lament, Jacob Baker

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

374: Sustainable Sunday School (Bonus Episode) Jun 13, 2020

Show notes

It’s time to talk about podcast support! Funny how we don’t like talking about money details. The podcast is not currently sustainable, so please contribute how you can. And if you want to join the inner quorum of supporters, please email me at engaginggospeldoctrine@gmail.com

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One Time Donation:
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Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

373.1: On Knowing and Sharing (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 23) Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

“More Than One Witness”

Alma and Amulek’s tag-team preaching raises profound questions about how we with our limitations can know anything. Truly we have need of “more than one witness.”

Class Member Reading: Alma 8-12

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You can access the Annotated Reading here.

You can access the Lesson Notes here.

Resources

Dan Ariely, Predictably Irrational

Dan Ariely, Our Buggy Moral Code

Confirmation Bias

Situatedness

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

372.1: Introspection and Atonement (BoM Gospel Doctrine Week 22, Reissued) Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

“Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances?”

Alma has some impressive rhetorical skills on display in his interrogative sermon in chapter 5. He encourages his audience to access their past selves, future selves, ideal selves, and imagine dying and standing accountable before God.

Class Member Reading: Alma 5-7

Diana and Jacob join the class.

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You can access the Annotated Reading here.

You can access the Lesson Notes here.

Art: “Reflection and Introspection”, Patrick Kramer

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

371.2: May 31; Us vs. Them (Come Follow Me Book of Mormon Week 20) May 30, 2020

Show notes

More chapters about good guys vs. bad guys! Or is there more to the story? A careful reading of these chapters invite questions about Nephite power and conflict, as well as the nature of motivation, reform, and healthy communities. Who are the “good guys” and “bad guys”, insiders and outsiders?

Reading: Mosiah 29; Alma 1-4

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One Time Donation:
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You can access my Annotated Reading here.
You can access the Lesson Notes here.
Resources
Wearing masks and personal liberties
Jonathan Haidt on Healing America’s Divisions
How to be a white ally
Sociologist examines white fragility

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

371.1: Kings, Judges, and War (BoM Gospel Doctrine Week 20) May 27, 2020

Show notes

“Alma … Did Judge Righteous Judgments”

Reading: Mosiah 29-Alma 4

In these chapters, we need to challenge the narrator. Mormon assures us that Alma is right and Nehor is wrong, that the Nephites are just and the Amlicites are wicked. But a closer reading challenges, or at least nuances these claims, giving us an opportunity o explore bias and the critical question of how to constructively reach those who disagree with us.