interpretation – Page 2 – Thy Mind, O Human

Reconstructing the narrative surrounding Joseph Smith

December 5, 2018 Bryce HaymondLeave a comment

Who was Joseph Smith Jr. (1805-1844)? He's been quite an enigma both within and outside of Mormonism since his death. Many Mormons see him as a deeply gifted prophet of God, in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and even Moses. He recorded and published new scripture, the Book of Mormon, just like ancient prophets. Many Mormons revere him as someone who restored Christianity in its purity, even the original Christian church and true gospel of Jesus. They believe he received true priesthood authority from God to perform real saving rituals, ordinances, and act as a "high priest" to bring others into the presence of God.

Reconstructing Mormonism’s “God the Father”

November 7, 2018 Bryce Haymond9 Comments

The God we are referring to is often known in Mormonism (and more generally in Christianity) as "God the Father," "Heavenly Father," or just "the Father."

A Radical Reconstruction of the Mormon Narrative (and Christianity)

November 1, 2018December 19, 2019 Bryce Haymond8 Comments

I will begin to offer a reconstruction of the Mormon narrative, which also applies in many ways to Christianity in general.

Does Language Construct Reality, or our Perception of Reality?

September 5, 2018 Bryce HaymondLeave a comment

Language often constructs our perception of reality. As the philosopher William H. Gass once said, "The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words." Or so they try.

The Non-Historical Book of Mormon is More Than A Mere Fairy Tale

January 24, 2018 Bryce Haymond23 Comments

Two readers posted comments recently on my article about Joseph Smith as tertön and the Book of Mormon as terma. They were both similar in questioning the idea that the Book of Mormon may not be a historical text.

Our Minds Paint Our Pictures of God

November 13, 2017 Bryce HaymondLeave a comment

"The [mystical] visions are not ends in themselves but means to an ineffable religious experience that exceeds normal concepts. They will be conditioned by the particular religious tradition of the mystic. A Jewish visionary will see visions of the seven heavens because his religious imagination is stocked with these particular symbols. Buddhists see various images of Buddhas and bodhisattvas; Christians visualize the Virgin Mary [or Jesus]. It is a mistake for the visionary to see these mental apparitions as objective or as anything more than a symbol of transcendence."

Sophia von Klingnau’s “First Vision” Account

October 29, 2017 Bryce HaymondLeave a comment

Sophia von Klingnau was a nun who lived in a convent in Klingnau, Switzerland, sometime in the 13th or 14th century. Her writings were published in the Schwesterbücher (Sister Books).

2 Peter 1:19-21 BHT, Scriptures & Prophecy

October 20, 2017 Bryce HaymondLeave a comment

As I add new translations to the BHT, I thought it would be good to also publish a blog post noting each specific addition, so that readers may get those updates. The following is a translation today of 2 Peter 1:19-21, which concerns the scriptures and prophetic revelation and interpretation of the Word.