Greg Kofford Books - Authorcast

Show description: In this highly anticipated work, author Don Bradley presents over a decade of historical and scriptural research to not only tell the story of the lost pages but to reconstruct many of the detailed stories written on them. In this interview, Don Bradley discusses his methodology for reconstructing the missing stories as well as provides insight into how the missing stories reframe our view of the existing text of the Book of Mormon. The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories By Don Bradley “Extraordinary. Sparkling with fresh and important insights into the history, nature, and contents of the lost portion of the Book of Mormon—and of the portion that we still have.” —Daniel C. Peterson, editor, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Show description: For devotees of Christian scripture, the suggestion that the New Testament contains anti-Semitic rhetoric is challenging. After all, how could the New Testament, largely written by Jewish authors about the Jewish Messiah contain any trace of disdain towards its own people? However, centuries of Christian hatred towards Jews demonstrates its roots in the New Testament portrayals of the Jews as a corrupt, conspiring, and murderous people. Take for example the near absolution of Pontius Pilate regarding the crucifixion of Jesus. The Gospels make clear that the blame for Jesus’s death rests upon the corrupt Jewish leaders and people who handed the Savior over to Roman authorities and, when given the chance to redeem him, shouted: “crucify him!” This New Testament depiction has led to the labeling of Jews as “Christ-killers.” Horrifically, this attitude has inspired pogroms against the Jewish people, the killing of Jews during the Crusades, and, in more recent times, the Jewish Holocaust. We are still dealing today with negative stereotypes of Jews that stem from early Christian attitudes. For author Bradley Kramer, a scholar dedicated to interfaith studies and relations between Jews and Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon offers a different, decidedly pro-Jewish take while not undermining the authority of the New Testament. In his book, Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament, Bradley demonstrates how The Book of Mormon contains an intentionally pro-Judaic stance. For example, Bradley argues that the Book of Mormon minimizes Jewish involvement in the crucifixion of Jesus and rejects supersessionist claims by portraying the Jewish people as still being God’s covenant people. Taken together with the New Testament, the Book of Mormon smooths out the sharp edges of anti-Semitic imagery, settings, and language. Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament By Bradley J. Kramer “His thesis is fresh, provocative, and rigorously argued. A signal contribution to Book of Mormon studies.” — Terryl Givens Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

In this episode of the Greg Kofford Books Authorcast, we chat with David B. Ostler about his book, Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question. We discuss his personal story and what led him to write this topic as well the larger trends of disaffection and disaffiliation from religion in Western society and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as ways to reach out and minister to those whose faith has changed. Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question By David B. Ostler “A deeply Christian book that calls upon us all to seek understanding and minister to the wounded.” —Terryl Givens Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

In this episode of the Greg Kofford Books AuthorCast, we chat with Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd about their latest book, Jan Shipps: A Social and Intellectual Portrait. We discuss their background and what led them to write about Jan Shipps as well as Jan's importance in the field of Mormon Studies, particularly as a role model for female scholars. Jan Shipps: A Social and Intellectual Portrait By Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd “A significant contribution to understanding both a unique scholar and Mormon historiography.” —Kathryn M. Daynes Learn More Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

On this episode, we chat with James McLachlan, co-editor of Element: The Journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology (SMPT). We discuss James's background, give a basic primer on a few schools of thought within philosophy and their relationship to Mormonism. We also discuss the origins of SMPT, the most recent issue of Element, and the upcoming 2019 SMPT Annual Meeting taking place March 14-17 at the University of Utah. Click here for details about the 2019 SMPT Annual Meeting. Subscribe through your podcast app by searching for the Greg Kofford Books Authorcast or watch the full interview at YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to our channel.   Element: The Journal for the Society of Mormon Philosophy and Theology Volume 8, Issue 1 $9.95 paperback       Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

On this episode, we chat with Melvin C. Johnson, author of Life and Times of John Pierce Hawley: A Mormon Ulysses of the American West. We discuss Hawley's following Lyman Wight to the Mormon colony in TX, his conversion to Brigham Young's LDS Church in Utah, accusations of John's involvement with the massacre at Mountain Meadows, John's eventual split with the Utah church over polygamy, Brigham Young's Adam-God doctrine, and blood atonement, his joining the RLDS Church and later testimony at the Temple Lot trial. “An essential read for those interested in studying the competing strands of the Mormon Restoration movement in mid-nineteenth-century frontier America.”—Richard E. Bennett, Professor, Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University Listen through your podcast app by searching for the Greg Kofford Books Authorcast, or watch this interview on YouTube at youtube.com/gkbooks. Q&A with the author Free Sample Preview Life and Times of John Pierce Hawley: A Mormon Ulysses of the American West By Melvin C. Johnson $24.95 paperback $34.95 hardcover 228 pages       Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

On this episode, we chat with Talana S. Hooper, author of Lot Smith: Mormon Pioneer and American Frontiersman. “This is a fascinating book worthy of a truly fascinating nineteenth-century frontiersman.” — Gene A. Sessions, editor of Mormon Thunder: A Documentary History of Jedediah Morgan Grant   Lot Smith: Mormon Pioneer and American Frontiersman By Carmen R. Smith and Talana S. Hooper $28.95 paperback $39.95 hardcover 302 pages Free sample preview Q&A with the author     Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

On this episode, we chat with Laura Rutter Strickling, author of On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City.  On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City By Laura Rutter Strickling $20.95 paperback $34.95 hardcover 197 pages Free sample preview Q&A with the author     Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

On this episode, we chat with Laura Rutter Strickling, author of On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City. Now available through our website, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and select Utah-area retailers. Also available in ebook format for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple. “This book is a treasure. . . . If you want to be inspired, moved to tears, and hopefully moved to positive action, please read On Fire in Baltimore. It is an intense experience that can help you see others with new eyes, even the eyes of our Savior.” — The Millennial Star For those in the Utah area, please join us for the following author reading and book signing events. RSVP on Facebook On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City By Laura Rutter Strickling $20.95 paperback 197 pages Download a free sample of this book Q&A with the author     Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Episode 103: The Expanded Canon Hosted by Brian Whitney On this episode, editors Blair Van Dyke, Brian Birch, and Boyd Petersen discuss the development of the Mormon Studies program at Utah Valley University, their annual conferences, the new UVU Comparative Mormon Studies series with Greg Kofford Books, as well as the contributors and topics in the first volume: The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts. For those in the Utah area, please join us for the following events with the editors: Tue Sep 18 | Writ & Vision (Provo) at 7:00 PM | RSVP on Facebook Wed Sep 19 | Benchmark Books (SLC) at 5:30 PM | RSVP on Facebook The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts Edited by Blair G. Van Dyke, Brian D. Birch, and Boyd J. Petersen Part of the UVU Comparative Mormon Studies series Pre-order your copy   Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts