Deseret News | BYU Education Week: Nephi, Mary and sacred tree symbols

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BYU Education Week: Nephi, Mary and sacred tree symbols

you better hope | 12:37 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

that tree of life isn't in southern utah as they'll be trying to rob that too!

observing | 12:56 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

If there was a goddess involved, then the Prophet Joseph Smith would have been enlightened to include her in his translation of the plates. One either believes or one doesn't.

Uncle Reality | 1:07 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

This is simply not true. Nephi would not have known anything about this goddess except that Jeremiah was vehemently opposed to worshipping her.

I know that Daniel Peterson means well, but I wish he would refrain from teaching doctrine in a public forum. Daniel Peterson is not a Church leader or General Authority and is not entitled to receive inspiration or revelation for us. Please stop Daniel.

Comments continue below

How Silly | 1:20 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Such a crock of nonsense.

Is this a prelude | 3:31 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

to an odd Mormon doctrine about Mary? Through the years Mormon authorities(at least 5) have denyed the Virgin Birth. are they sending this out as a trial ballon? The Virgin Birth is an essential doctrine.

to Uncle Reality | 3:53 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Your God is too small, let it out. If God wishes to talk through a bush, it can. If God wishes to impress you and I with a sunset, then God can. And if God uses mortals, mere mortals, to teach... then it surely can.

Your God is way too small.

kRobert | 3:56 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Most folklore past and present is comprised of the combination of generations of mythology related from diverse sources. The BOM is an source of prose that can be spun in many different iterpretations. It is well written fables deserving of the respect of the arts of the time.

RE: Uncle Reality | 5:15 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

YOu seem WAY off base,

Daniel is NOT acting as Church leader, or general authorityy,

everyone is entitles to recieve inspiration from God, the holy spirit was sent to all of us to witness truth and to teach us.

Daniel, AS SCholar, is passing on what has learned in hs scholarly pursuits and studies.

An should be recieved in that light.

ONLY the prophet recieves "inspiration" for THE CHURCH,

but we all can ALL recieve personal "inspiration".

Uncle Reality | 6:00 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Daniel Peterson is entitled to receive personal revelation for himself and his family, not for us. He needs to stick to what has been taught and expounded on by our Church Leaders who have the keys and authority to expound on doctrine. Sorry, but Daniel Peterson is a seminary teacher, not a General Authority.

CJ3 | 6:09 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Is it just me or does anyone else find Mr. Daniels a bit pompous?

Anonymous | 7:27 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

Who is Nephi?

Les | 7:27 p.m. Aug. 18, 2009

THIS is what passes for "scholarship" at BYU!

Peterson says, "It seems, in fact, that the virgin is the tree in some sense."

In some sense? Wow! How very precise and specific you are, "Dr. Peterson"!

What do you have as evidence to support your silly claim?

Nothing. Of course.

Then he engages in rampant speculation: "I believe that Nephi's vision reflects a meaning of the 'sacred tree' that is unique to the ancient Near East."

Well, of course, in your own little mind, you can think whatever you want. But when you are standing up in public, or "professing" things as a "professor", we expect more than just self-absorbed, egocentric, unsupported assertions and subjective opinions!

But that's OK. We know you are from BYU and that such drivel passes for "scholarship" so long as it is "faith-promoting"!!

My2Cents | 9:21 a.m. Aug. 19, 2009

"Doctrinal interpretation is the province of the First Presidency. The Lord has given that stewardship to them by revelation. No teacher has the right to interpret doctrine for the members of the Church"
President Ezra Taft Benson
"The Gospel Teacher and His Message"
as found in LDS manual "Charge to Religious Educators," pp.51-52

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