Glass Box Podcast

Just that! We talk Sunstone because it's the best Mormon Con around and we want to spread the good word! We discuss a few of our favorite sessions, some fascinating things we learned, and how Sunstone recharges our batteries in the Mormon studies space. Then we talk about Lego helping PTSD sufferers. We wrap with a brief chat about some changes we're making to the Patreon page; long story short, now is a great time to sign up to financially support the podcast!

Happy News: https://www.thecanary.co/opinion/2024/04/17/lego-trauma/

GoFundMe for Shannon: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-shannon-grover-with-medical-expenses

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

We do a quick dive into moral agency and free agency in Mormon culture. Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have recently changed the definition of agency to suit their totalitarian needs. We explore the evolution of the phrase 'free agency' into 'moral agency' and springboard into a discussion about Ernest L. Wilkinson, the most influential BYU president in the institution's history. After that we chat about The Last Temptation of Christ, a Scorsese film about a VERY human Jesus. We wrap with happy political news, adoring our new DNC candidate, Kamala Harris.

Don't forget to check our Patreon page to find deets about our hangout during Sunstone on 8/03/2024!!!

Show notes:

"Using our free agency" Delbert Stapley, April General Conference 1975: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1975/04/using-our-free-agency?lang=eng

"Weightier Matters" Dallin Oaks, BYU Devotional Feb 1999, reprinted in Ensign March 2000: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2000/03/weightier-matters?lang=eng

Agency in Mormonism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_in_Mormonism

"On the wings of eagles" Dieter F Uchtdorf, Ensign July 2006: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2006/07/on-the-wings-of-eagles?lang=eng

"Free agency or moral agency" Ensign Oct 2014: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2014/10/free-agency-or-moral-agency?lang=eng

"Moral agency" D Todd Christofferson, BYU devotional Jan 2006 reprinted Ensign June 2009: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2009/06/moral-agency?lang=eng

Ernest Wilkinson links:

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ernest-l-wilkinson/america-1776-1976/

https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V26N02_103.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_LWilkinson#citenote-FOOTNOTEBergera1993a94-19

Media of Great Price: The Last Temptation of Christ

Where it is streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-last-temptation-of-christ

Happy News: Kamala Harris!!!

Other Appearances:

Come see Bryce on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing another titled Pearl of discount plastic Price. This link is for Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZTnLYXsY8

Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10

Since this is another Huge Niblet episode, we decided to talk a little bit about philosophy. More importantly, we discuss Diogenes the Cynic and what the philosophical meaning of the word "cynic" is. Then we cover 3 chapters in Approaching Zion, all while keeping the question, "Was Hugh Nibley a modern day cynic?" in mind.

Show notes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism_(philosophy)#cite_ref-dudley5_8-0

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/740/the-life-of-diogenes-of-sinope-in-diogenes-laertiu/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeCKQnWogxI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EM_cfYcDjY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xl_7Ivi2og

Sword of Laban:

Approaching Zion, by Hugh Nibley

Pages from Hopi History by Harry C James: https://archive.org/details/pagesfromhopihis0000jame

The False Gods We Worship, by Spencer W. Kimball: http://www.nauvoo.com/library/kimball-false.html

Black Mesa Peabody Coal controversy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mesa_Peabody_Coal_controversy

Happy News: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/small-island-nations-maritime-court-pollution-ruling

In case you want to see where Shannon got the product placement information: https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/mcdonalds-french-fries-truth/

Next Live Show! Book club meeting: July 22, 2024, 6:00 pm (MST)

Book: No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools No Faith Required by Brittney L. Hartley. Patrons come prepared to discuss the book!

Other Appearances:

Come see Bryce on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing another titled Pearl of discount plastic Price. This link is for Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZTnLYXsY8

Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10

Happy Pride Month! To celebrate, we interviewed the amazing Shelly Johnson from Latter Day Lesbian podcast. She talked about the balance between navigating tough situations between the church's control over family and resisting its influence in these family situations. In Media of Great Price, we discuss the book Closeted: My Life As a Gay BYU Student, by Jonathan Alder. After which we tell you about the new campaign headed up by David Tennant and Dannii Minogue to help Trans youth.

Show notes:

Shelly Johnson's links:

Latter Day Lesbian website: https://www.latterdaylesbian.org/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/latterdayles

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2311239802538428/

Media of Great Price:

Closeted: My Life as a Gay BYU Student, by Jonathan Alder

Jonathan Alder's website: https://jonathan-alder.com/

Happy News: https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/06/18/david-tennant-and-dannii-minogue-remind-trans-youth-they-are-loved-in-vital-new-campaign/

Next Live Show! Book club meeting: July 22, 2024, 6:00 pm (MST)

Book: No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools No Faith Required by Brittney L. Hartley. Patrons come prepared to discuss the book!

Other Appearances:

Come see Bryce on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing another titled Pearl of discount plastic Price. This link is for Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZTnLYXsY8

Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10

Just that! Next episode we need to drop a few days late so we wanted to record a snippet to let everybody know why. We'll be dropping the next episode 2-3 days later than our regular schedule.

Let's talk about the Law of Consecration. First we will start with the background leading into it, as well as what it means and how it's applied in early magic and occult before Mormonism. Next, we cover two chapters in Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley that are on, you guessed it, the Law of Consecration. We end with some happy environmental news that should make everyone feel good. Enjoy!

Show notes:

Frederick G. Williams

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/f-g-williams-co-account-book-october-1833-november-1835/14#full-transcript#12663060396937193650

https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/joseph-smith-and-the-1834-d-p-hurlbut-case/

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/frederick-granger-williams#15314640672430267174

https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-medical-practice-of-dr-frederick-g-williams/

https://www.benchmarkbooks.com/pages/books/21463/frederick-g-williams/the-life-of-dr-frederick-g-williams-counselor-to-the-prophet-joseph-smith

Francis Barrett's The Magus

https://archive.org/details/b24926747/page/34/mode/2up?view=theater

Law of Consecration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA-By_W0b0o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKQ9jNxm1zw

https://www.mormonwiki.com/Law_of_Consecration

https://askgramps.org/what-is-the-difference-between-communism-and-law-of-consecration/

https://www.fromthedesk.org/lets-talk-about-the-law-of-consecration/

Sword of Laban:

Approaching Zion, by Hugh Nibley

Pages from Hopi History by Harry C James: https://archive.org/details/pagesfromhopihis0000jame

The False Gods We Worship, by Spencer W. Kimball: http://www.nauvoo.com/library/kimball-false.html

Black Mesa Peabody Coal controversy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mesa_Peabody_Coal_controversy

Happy News:

https://electrek.co/2024/06/05/us-solar-q1-2024/

Other Appearances:

Come see Bryce on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing another titled Pearl of discount plastic Price. This link is for Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZTnLYXsY8

Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Patreon page for documentary: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Venmo: Shannon-Grover-10

In 1977, a book was published that shocked much of the world. It was an almost instant bestseller and ended up being translated in 20 languages and has sold more than 21 million copies today. The book has been described as one of the most influential novels of the modern feminist movement. The book? The Women's Room by Marilyn French. We will talk about the author, the book, and the impact it had.

Show Notes:

The Women's Room by Marilyn French: can be found anywhere books are sold.

List of Feminist Literature: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_feminist_literature

Marilyn French: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_French

LA Times article when she died: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-05-me-marilyn-french5-story.html

NY Times review written by Anne Tyler when book first published: https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/04/19/specials/tyler-french.html

You've come a long way, baby" published by the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/sep/13/featuresreviews.guardianreview36

A History of Women in Higher Education: https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/2021/03/21/history-women-higher-education/

Media of Great Price:

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Where it's streaming: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/everything-everywhere-all-at-once

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6710474/?ref_=hm_rvi_tt_i_2

Happy News: 2 teens win $50,000 for ultrasound microplastic filtration device https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-win-fifty-thousand-for-ultrasound-microplastic-filtration-device-2024-5

Other Appearances:

Come see Bryce on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing another titled Pearl of discount plastic Price. This link is for Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZTnLYXsY8

Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation for Bryce: [email protected]

Venmo donation for Shannon:

Part 2 of Episode 150! Yay!! And now for something completely different. This episode is a bit of a departure from our regular show. We invite Alex Criddle and Cody Noconi, researchers into the psychedelic origins of Mormonism, to respond to the recent debate on the Mormon Book Reviews channel between ourselves and Mormon apologist, Brian Hales. Brian attempts to provide the apologetic response to the theory that Joseph Smith utilized psychedelics (entheogens) in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in order to facilitate visionary experiences for the early Saints. Disinformation requires much greater effort than simply stating information so we do our best to debunk his debunking (rebunk the theory?). This one is a long haul so we split it into 2 episodes to make it a little more digestible.

Show notes:

Video version: https://youtu.be/3l0L1EHtQOo

Support our research and outreach: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Original here: Psychedelics & Early Mormonism Theory Brian Hales Responds on Mormon Book Reviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7J0y_cPpg

Further information:

"The Higher Powers of Man" - Frederick M. Smith was a prophet of the RLDS Mormons and paternal grandson of the founder Joseph Smith. In 1918 Frederick published this Ph.D. dissertation breaking down altered states of consciousness from an early psychologist's perspective, specifically, religious states of 'ecstacy' as he called it. A lengthy chapter devoted to peyote is particularly worth reading.

"The Higher Powers: Fred M - Smith and the Peyote Ceremonies" - Shelby Barnes' 1995 paper highlighting the curious psychedelic interests of Frederick M. Smith. While Barnes does not make any direct connections to Joseph Smith and psychedelics, Barnes does note that Frederick's interests were an attempt to find the reliable keys to visionary revelation that his grandfather Joseph had demonstrated.

"Restoration and the Sacred Mushroom" - Dr. Robert Beckstead's seminal research paper presented at the August 2007 Sunstone Symposium. Beckstead's paper was the first to propose the possibility that Joseph Smith used psychedelics to facilitate visionary experiences.

"A 1920's Harvard Psychedelic Circle with a Mormon Connection: Peyote Use amongst the Harvard Aesthetes" Alan Piper's 2016 paper highlighting Frederick M. Smith's interest in psychedelics, and how as a standing Mormon prophet Fred was funding a 1920s group of Harvard students with peyote.

"Revelation Through Hallucination: A discourse on the Joseph Smith-entheogen theory" - Bryce Blankenagel and Cody Noconi's 2017 follow-up paper further explores the hypothesis originally put forward by Dr. Robert Beckstead a decade earlier.

"The Entheogenic Origins of Mormonism: A Working Hypothesis" - Dr. Robert Beckstead, Bryce Blankenagel, Cody Noconi, and Michael Winkelman's paper published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies in June 2019. This was the first paper on the subject published in an academic journal.

"Visions, Mushrooms, Fungi, Cacti, and Toads: Joseph Smith's Reported Use of Entheogens" Brian Hales' 2020 response paper to the one published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies. As a believing Mormon engaged in academic apologetics, Hales details what he perceives to be holes in the proposed hypothesis.

"The Psychedelic History of Mormonism, Magic, and Drugs" - Cody Noconi's book published in 2021.

"Psychedelics as a Means of Revelation in Early and Contemporary Mormonism (Part 1)" Alex Criddle's 2023 paper that was originally presented at the Forms of Psychedelic Life conference at UC Berkeley (April 14-15, 2023).

"Psychedelics as a Means of Revelation in Early and Contemporary Mormonism (Part 2)" A continuation of Alex Criddle's 2023 paper.

"A Real Spiritual High: In Defense of Psychedelic Mysticism" An enlightening philosophical essay from Alex Criddle.

Bibliography and further reading:

• The Varieties of Religious Experience, by William James

• The Higher Powers of Man, by Frederick M. Smith

• The Magus, by Francis Barrett

• A Key to Physic, and the Occult Sciences, by Ebenezer Sibly

• Hearts Made Glad: The Charges of Intemperance Against Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, by Lamar Peterson

• The Seven Sisters of Sleep, by Mordecai Cubitt Cooke

• The Encylopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications, by Christian Rátsch

• Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers, by Richard Evans Shultes, Albert Hoffman, and Christian Rátsch

• The Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants, by Christian Rátsch

• Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants, by Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Rátsch, and Wolf-Dieter Storl

• Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible, by Chris Bennett and Neil McQueen

• Liber 420: Cannabis, Magickal Herbs and the Occult, by Chris Bennett

• Cannabis: Lost Sacrament of the Ancient World, by Chris Bennett

• Plants of the Devil, by Corinne Boyer

• The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name, by Brian C. Muraresku

• Veneficium: Magic Witchcraft, and the Poison Path, by Daniel A. Schulke

• Thirteen Pathways of Occult Herbalism, by Daniel A. Schulke

• The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens, by Richard Evans Shultes and Albert Hoffman

• Where the Gods Reign: Plants and Peoples of the Colombian Amazon, by Richard Evans Shultes

• Vine of the Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants and Rituals in the Colombian Amazonia, by Richard Evans Shultes and Robert F. Raffauf

• Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipline, Richard Evans Shultes and Siri von Reis

• Persephone's Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion, by Jonathan Ott, R. Gordon Wasson, Stella Kramrisch, and Carl A. P. Ruck

• Pharmacotheon: Entheogenic Drugs, Their Plant Sources and History, by Jonathan Ott

• Plant Intoxicants: a Classic Text on the Use of Mind-Altering Plants, by Ernst Bibra and Jonathan Ott

• Age of Entheogens & the Angels' Dictionary, by Jonathan Ott

• Drugs of the Dreaming: Oneirogens: Salvia Divinorum and Other Dream-Enhancing Plants, by Jonathan Ott, Gianluca Toro, and Benjamin Thomas

• The Road to Eleusis, by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann, Carl A. P. Ruck, Huston Smith

• Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences, by William A. Richards

• Entheogens, Myth, and Human Consciousness, by Carl A.P. Ruck and Mark Alwin Hoffman

• Mushrooms, Myth and Mithras: The Drug Cult that Civilized Europe, by Carl A.P. Ruck, Mark Alwin Hoffman and Jose Alfredo Gonzalez Celdran

• Sacred Mushrooms of the Goddess: Secrets of Eleusis, by Carl A.P. Ruck

• The Apples of Apollo: Pagan and Christian Mysteries of the Eucharist, by Carl A.P. Ruck, Clark Heinrich, and Blaise Daniel Staples

• Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Sacred Plants, Magical Practices, Ecstatic States, by Thomas Hatsis

• The Witches' Ointment: The Secret History of Psychedelic Magic, by Thomas Hatsis

• Alchemically Stoned: The Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry, by PD Newman

• Angels in Vermillion: The Philosophers' Stone: From Dee to DMT, by PD Newman

• Theurgy: Theory and Practice: The Mysteries of the Ascent to the Divine, by PD Newman

• The Psychedelic History of Mormonism, Magic, and Drugs, by Cody Noconi

• Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy, by Clark Heinrich

• Psychedelic Medicine, by Richard Miller

• Mushroom Medicine: The Healing Power of Psilocybin & Sacred Entheogen History, by Brian Jackson

• The Religious Experience: It's Production and Interpretation., by Timothy Leary

• Cleansing the Doors of Perception: The Religious Significance of Entheogenic Plants and Chemicals, by Huston Smith

• The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide, by James Fadiman

• Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World: An Identification Guide, by Paul Stamets

• Soma: divine mushroom of immortality, by Robert Gordon Wasson

• The Philosophy of Natural Magic, by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

• Dwellers on the Threshold; Or Magic and Magicians, with Some Illustrations of Human Error and Imposture, by John Maxwell

• The History of Magic, by Eliphas Levi

• Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences, by Albert Mackey

• The German Sectarians of Pennsylvania, by Julius F. Sachse

• God on Psychedelics: Tripping Across the Rubble of Old-Time Religion, by Don Lattin

• The Peyote Effect: From the Inquisition to the War on Drugs, byAlexander Dawson

• The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on The Tibetan Book of the Dead, by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzne, and Richard Alpert

• Entheogens and the Future of Religion, by Robert Forte

• How To Change Your Mind, by Michael Pollan

• The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America by Don Lattin

• Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered, by James B. Bakalar and Lester Grinspoon

• The Peyote Cult, by Weston LaBarre

• DMT: The Spirit Molecule: A Doctor's Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near-Death and Mystical Experiences, by Rick Stassman

• A Hallucinogenic Tea Laced With Controversy, by Marlene Dobkin de Rios and Roger Rumrrill

• Occurrence and Use of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Containing Psilocybin Alkaloids, by Jakob Kristinsson and Jørn Gry

• Psychedelics Encyclopedia, by Peter G Stafford

• Neuropsychedelia: The Revival of Hallucinogen Research Since the Decade of the Brain, by Nicolas Langlitz

• Stairways To Heaven: Drugs In American Religious History, by Robert W. Fuller

• Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic, by Mike Jay

• DMT and the Soul of Prophecy: A New Science of Spiritual Revelation in the Hebrew Bible, by Rick Strassman

• Liquid Light: Ayahuasca Spirituality and the Santo Daime Tradition, by G. William Barnar

• Distilled Spirits: Getting High, Then Sober, with a Famous Writer, a Forgotten Philosopher, and a Hopeless Drunk, by Don Lattin

• The Mystery of Manna: The Psychedelic Sacrament of the Bible, by Dan Merkur

• Psychedelic Sacrament: Manna, Meditation and Mystical Experience, by Dan Merkur

• LSD and the Divine Scientist: The Final Thoughts and Reflections of Albert Hofmann, by Albert Hoffman

• The Doors of Perception, by Aldous Huxley

• Changing Our Minds: Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy, by Don Lattin

• LSD: Doorway to the Numinous: The Groundbreaking Psychedelic Research into Realms of the Human Unconscious, by Stanislav Grof

• LSD and the Mind of the Universe by Christopher Bache

• Plant Teachers: Ayahuasca, Tobacco, and the Pursuit of Knowledge by Jeremy Narby and Rafael Chanchari Pizuri

• Visionary Vine: Psychedelic Healing in the Peruvian Amazon by Marlene Dobkin de Rios

• The Antipodes of the Mind by Benny Shannon

• Ancient Psychedelic Substances by Scott Fitzpatrick

• Psychoactive Sacramentals: Essays on Entheogens and Religion by Stan Grof, Huston Smith, and Albert Hofmann

• The Shaman and Ayahuasca: Journeys to Sacred Realms by Don Jose Campos

• The Religion of Ayahuasca: The Teachings of the Church of Santo Daime by Alex Polari de Alverga

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]

Part 1 of Episode 150! Yay!! And now for something completely different. This episode is a bit of a departure from our regular show. We invite Alex Criddle and Cody Noconi, researchers into the psychedelic origins of Mormonism, to respond to the recent debate on the Mormon Book Reviews channel between ourselves and Mormon apologist, Brian Hales. Brian attempts to provide the apologetic response to the theory that Joseph Smith utilized psychedelics (entheogens) in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in order to facilitate visionary experiences for the early Saints. Disinformation requires much greater effort than simply stating information so we do our best to debunk his debunking (rebunk the theory?). This one is a long haul so we split it into 2 episodes to make it a little more digestible.

Show notes:

Video version: https://youtu.be/3l0L1EHtQOo

Support our research and outreach: https://www.patreon.com/SeerStonedProductions

Original here: Psychedelics & Early Mormonism Theory Brian Hales Responds on Mormon Book Reviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7J0y_cPpg

Further information:

"The Higher Powers of Man" - Frederick M. Smith was a prophet of the RLDS Mormons and paternal grandson of the founder Joseph Smith. In 1918 Frederick published this Ph.D. dissertation breaking down altered states of consciousness from an early psychologist's perspective, specifically, religious states of 'ecstacy' as he called it. A lengthy chapter devoted to peyote is particularly worth reading.

"The Higher Powers: Fred M - Smith and the Peyote Ceremonies" - Shelby Barnes' 1995 paper highlighting the curious psychedelic interests of Frederick M. Smith. While Barnes does not make any direct connections to Joseph Smith and psychedelics, Barnes does note that Frederick's interests were an attempt to find the reliable keys to visionary revelation that his grandfather Joseph had demonstrated.

"Restoration and the Sacred Mushroom" - Dr. Robert Beckstead's seminal research paper presented at the August 2007 Sunstone Symposium. Beckstead's paper was the first to propose the possibility that Joseph Smith used psychedelics to facilitate visionary experiences.

"A 1920's Harvard Psychedelic Circle with a Mormon Connection: Peyote Use amongst the Harvard Aesthetes" Alan Piper's 2016 paper highlighting Frederick M. Smith's interest in psychedelics, and how as a standing Mormon prophet Fred was funding a 1920s group of Harvard students with peyote.

"Revelation Through Hallucination: A discourse on the Joseph Smith-entheogen theory" - Bryce Blankenagel and Cody Noconi's 2017 follow-up paper further explores the hypothesis originally put forward by Dr. Robert Beckstead a decade earlier.

"The Entheogenic Origins of Mormonism: A Working Hypothesis" - Dr. Robert Beckstead, Bryce Blankenagel, Cody Noconi, and Michael Winkelman's paper published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies in June 2019. This was the first paper on the subject published in an academic journal.

"Visions, Mushrooms, Fungi, Cacti, and Toads: Joseph Smith's Reported Use of Entheogens" Brian Hales' 2020 response paper to the one published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies. As a believing Mormon engaged in academic apologetics, Hales details what he perceives to be holes in the proposed hypothesis.

"The Psychedelic History of Mormonism, Magic, and Drugs" - Cody Noconi's book published in 2021.

"Psychedelics as a Means of Revelation in Early and Contemporary Mormonism (Part 1)" Alex Criddle's 2023 paper that was originally presented at the Forms of Psychedelic Life conference at UC Berkeley (April 14-15, 2023).

"Psychedelics as a Means of Revelation in Early and Contemporary Mormonism (Part 2)" A continuation of Alex Criddle's 2023 paper.

"A Real Spiritual High: In Defense of Psychedelic Mysticism" An enlightening philosophical essay from Alex Criddle.

Bibliography and further reading:

• The Varieties of Religious Experience, by William James

• The Higher Powers of Man, by Frederick M. Smith

• The Magus, by Francis Barrett

• A Key to Physic, and the Occult Sciences, by Ebenezer Sibly

• Hearts Made Glad: The Charges of Intemperance Against Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, by Lamar Peterson

• The Seven Sisters of Sleep, by Mordecai Cubitt Cooke

• The Encylopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications, by Christian Rátsch

• Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers, by Richard Evans Shultes, Albert Hoffman, and Christian Rátsch

• The Dictionary of Sacred and Magical Plants, by Christian Rátsch

• Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants, by Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Rátsch, and Wolf-Dieter Storl

• Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible, by Chris Bennett and Neil McQueen

• Liber 420: Cannabis, Magickal Herbs and the Occult, by Chris Bennett

• Cannabis: Lost Sacrament of the Ancient World, by Chris Bennett

• Plants of the Devil, by Corinne Boyer

• The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name, by Brian C. Muraresku

• Veneficium: Magic Witchcraft, and the Poison Path, by Daniel A. Schulke

• Thirteen Pathways of Occult Herbalism, by Daniel A. Schulke

• The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens, by Richard Evans Shultes and Albert Hoffman

• Where the Gods Reign: Plants and Peoples of the Colombian Amazon, by Richard Evans Shultes

• Vine of the Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants and Rituals in the Colombian Amazonia, by Richard Evans Shultes and Robert F. Raffauf

• Ethnobotany: Evolution of a Discipline, Richard Evans Shultes and Siri von Reis

• Persephone's Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion, by Jonathan Ott, R. Gordon Wasson, Stella Kramrisch, and Carl A. P. Ruck

• Pharmacotheon: Entheogenic Drugs, Their Plant Sources and History, by Jonathan Ott

• Plant Intoxicants: a Classic Text on the Use of Mind-Altering Plants, by Ernst Bibra and Jonathan Ott

• Age of Entheogens & the Angels' Dictionary, by Jonathan Ott

• Drugs of the Dreaming: Oneirogens: Salvia Divinorum and Other Dream-Enhancing Plants, by Jonathan Ott, Gianluca Toro, and Benjamin Thomas

• The Road to Eleusis, by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann, Carl A. P. Ruck, Huston Smith

• Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences, by William A. Richards

• Entheogens, Myth, and Human Consciousness, by Carl A.P. Ruck and Mark Alwin Hoffman

• Mushrooms, Myth and Mithras: The Drug Cult that Civilized Europe, by Carl A.P. Ruck, Mark Alwin Hoffman and Jose Alfredo Gonzalez Celdran

• Sacred Mushrooms of the Goddess: Secrets of Eleusis, by Carl A.P. Ruck

• The Apples of Apollo: Pagan and Christian Mysteries of the Eucharist, by Carl A.P. Ruck, Clark Heinrich, and Blaise Daniel Staples

• Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Sacred Plants, Magical Practices, Ecstatic States, by Thomas Hatsis

• The Witches' Ointment: The Secret History of Psychedelic Magic, by Thomas Hatsis

• Alchemically Stoned: The Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry, by PD Newman

• Angels in Vermillion: The Philosophers' Stone: From Dee to DMT, by PD Newman

• Theurgy: Theory and Practice: The Mysteries of the Ascent to the Divine, by PD Newman

• The Psychedelic History of Mormonism, Magic, and Drugs, by Cody Noconi

• Magic Mushrooms in Religion and Alchemy, by Clark Heinrich

• Psychedelic Medicine, by Richard Miller

• Mushroom Medicine: The Healing Power of Psilocybin & Sacred Entheogen History, by Brian Jackson

• The Religious Experience: It's Production and Interpretation., by Timothy Leary

• Cleansing the Doors of Perception: The Religious Significance of Entheogenic Plants and Chemicals, by Huston Smith

• The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide, by James Fadiman

• Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World: An Identification Guide, by Paul Stamets

• Soma: divine mushroom of immortality, by Robert Gordon Wasson

• The Philosophy of Natural Magic, by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

• Dwellers on the Threshold; Or Magic and Magicians, with Some Illustrations of Human Error and Imposture, by John Maxwell

• The History of Magic, by Eliphas Levi

• Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences, by Albert Mackey

• The German Sectarians of Pennsylvania, by Julius F. Sachse

• God on Psychedelics: Tripping Across the Rubble of Old-Time Religion, by Don Lattin

• The Peyote Effect: From the Inquisition to the War on Drugs, byAlexander Dawson

• The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on The Tibetan Book of the Dead, by Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzne, and Richard Alpert

• Entheogens and the Future of Religion, by Robert Forte

• How To Change Your Mind, by Michael Pollan

• The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America by Don Lattin

• Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered, by James B. Bakalar and Lester Grinspoon

• The Peyote Cult, by Weston LaBarre

• DMT: The Spirit Molecule: A Doctor's Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near-Death and Mystical Experiences, by Rick Stassman

• A Hallucinogenic Tea Laced With Controversy, by Marlene Dobkin de Rios and Roger Rumrrill

• Occurrence and Use of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Containing Psilocybin Alkaloids, by Jakob Kristinsson and Jørn Gry

• Psychedelics Encyclopedia, by Peter G Stafford

• Neuropsychedelia: The Revival of Hallucinogen Research Since the Decade of the Brain, by Nicolas Langlitz

• Stairways To Heaven: Drugs In American Religious History, by Robert W. Fuller

• Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic, by Mike Jay

• DMT and the Soul of Prophecy: A New Science of Spiritual Revelation in the Hebrew Bible, by Rick Strassman

• Liquid Light: Ayahuasca Spirituality and the Santo Daime Tradition, by G. William Barnar

• Distilled Spirits: Getting High, Then Sober, with a Famous Writer, a Forgotten Philosopher, and a Hopeless Drunk, by Don Lattin

• The Mystery of Manna: The Psychedelic Sacrament of the Bible, by Dan Merkur

• Psychedelic Sacrament: Manna, Meditation and Mystical Experience, by Dan Merkur

• LSD and the Divine Scientist: The Final Thoughts and Reflections of Albert Hofmann, by Albert Hoffman

• The Doors of Perception, by Aldous Huxley

• Changing Our Minds: Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy, by Don Lattin

• LSD: Doorway to the Numinous: The Groundbreaking Psychedelic Research into Realms of the Human Unconscious, by Stanislav Grof

• LSD and the Mind of the Universe by Christopher Bache

• Plant Teachers: Ayahuasca, Tobacco, and the Pursuit of Knowledge by Jeremy Narby and Rafael Chanchari Pizuri

• Visionary Vine: Psychedelic Healing in the Peruvian Amazon by Marlene Dobkin de Rios

• The Antipodes of the Mind by Benny Shannon

• Ancient Psychedelic Substances by Scott Fitzpatrick

• Psychoactive Sacramentals: Essays on Entheogens and Religion by Stan Grof, Huston Smith, and Albert Hofmann

• The Shaman and Ayahuasca: Journeys to Sacred Realms by Don Jose Campos

• The Religion of Ayahuasca: The Teachings of the Church of Santo Daime by Alex Polari de Alverga

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Every General Conference the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces new temples. We walk through the history surrounding a few of the worldwide temples, along with some of the subtle international political maneuvers necessary to open the door to a new temple project. Wherever the church wants a temple, leaders must curry the favor of local and national politicians and regulators, doing so with no legal oversight. This two-way-street of backscratching opens the way for national security risks. After that we jump into Hugh Nibley's Approaching Zion where he talks about gifts and laments how much people have to work for money when God provides everything we need. We round out with an update to the USDA guidelines for school food nutritional requirements being improved.

Show notes:

https://journals.openedition.org/chinaperspectives/6383

https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-influence-utah-legislature-mormon-church-921526d0c8eda2732c361488d20dd1b4

Happy News:

https://apnews.com/article/school-meals-lunch-nutrition-sugar-sodium-aa17b295f959c72ef5c41ac3cd50e68d

Other Appearances:

Psychedelics & Early Mormonism Theory Brian Hales Responds on Mormon Book Reviews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7J0y_cPpg

Come see us on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing a series titled Reading Joseph's Myth BoM. This link is for the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJ4dsU0oGMKfJKvEMeRn5ebpAggkoVHf

Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa

Email: [email protected]

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/

Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop

Or find the merch store by clicking on "Store" here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html

One time Paypal donation: [email protected]