Maksutov wrote:Reverend, I recall recently reading online speculation that Dr. Dee may have been involved in the creation, or at least the provenance, of the Voynich manuscript and the Book of Soyga. One wonders how many books and ideas of Christian Kaballah might have been within Joseph's reach. He may have absorbed ideas like Swedenborg's, Kircher, the Ephrata mystics, the communitarianism of the Fourierists, in addition to the sectarian, trinitarian issues that likely arose in the Methodist debating society that he joined. And he continued to grow and change throughout his life.
That's quite a stew, indeed, Mak. Who knows? If one casts a small net or only examines the lighted areas of that parking lot at night, then Procrustean solutions predictably emerge. There are, however, many ways to skin a cat. Moreover, my agenda does not align with the usual assortment. I would like to see Mormonism with different eyes. The usual parameters of the discussion are too constraining. I welcome Prof. Skousen's findings. I welcome the Johnson brothers'. I am intrigued by Margaret Barker's view and Maxine Hanks'. I think it is all interesting to reflect on. None of it particularly interests me in being involved in the LDS Church again, mind you. Talk about constraining! Still, it is fun to consider the currents that potentially contributed to Mormonism's little wave. I think Joe obscures our view in certain ways. Panning out to the broader vista shows us how Mormonism might fit in regardless of the precise identity(-ies?) of the originator/s.
I will admit that these days I like to imagine a group effort behind the Book of Mormon. Is Joe in there? Yes. But are others too? And how might they be? We know the Bible is in there. We know Joe is in there. What and who else? How? Why?
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist