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Monotheism, Messiah, & Mormon's Book --and-- Defending Zion: California Mormon Newspaper War (WMV)

Brant Gardner, "Monotheism, Messiah, and Mormon's Book," Mesa, Arizona: The Founation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR), 2003, Windows Media Video (WMV).

The 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon refers to Mary as the "Mother of God." Current editions have been changed to read the "Mother of the Son of God." Critics claim that Joseph SmithÆs views developed as time passed while Gardner argues that the original 1830 usage was correct based on Lehite terminology.

Highlighted are the religious reforms that were underway in Lehi's time. It is made clear that the Book of Mormon is not, in fact, a nineteenth-century book reflecting Joseph Smith's theology.

Lehi's understanding of God followed his inherited understanding of one God of Israel. Just as in the Old World, the presence of Jesus Christ as the Son of God necessitated an alteration of the definition of monotheism. Restoring the 1830 readings for such texts as 1 Nephi 11:18 ("mother of God" in 1830, "mother of the son of God" after 1837) shows how Nephite religion handled the transition from God to Godhead.

Brant Gardner is the Product Manager for a privately held software company. His academic background includes work towards a Ph.D. in Mesoamerican Ethnohistory as the State University of New York, Albany. His published works on Mesoamerica include an analysis of classical Nahuatl kinship terminology, an ethnohistoric investigation into the identification of the use of Coxoh to designate a people and language in Southern Mexico, and an examination of the Aztec Legend of the Suns.

Brother Gardner is the author of Second Witness:
Analytical and Contextual Commentary of the Book of Mormon expected for release in early 2004.

Roger R. & Helen Ekins, "Defending Zion: The California Mormon Newspaper War of 1856-57," Redding, California: The Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research (FAIR), 2003 FAIR Conference, Windows Media Video (WMV).

During the early years of Mormons in Utah, many newspapers throughout the country wrote scathing editorials about the Latter-day Saints. This presentation recounts some of these nasty editorials as well as the rebuttals written by George Q. Cannon.

The Ekins give what could best be called a performance in which they take sides in the California Mormon Newspaper War of 1856 and 1857. The polemics leveled at the Church by the editor of a California newspaper was not only howlingly funny to the audience, but the presentation served to show that little has changed since then.

Roger Robin Ekins graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Utah in 1970 with an Honors Baccalaureate of Arts in English and in 1972 with a Master's in Creative Writing. In 1976 he earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education from the Union Graduate School (Union Institute and University). Dr. Ekins has served in a series of administrative and teaching positions. These include Director of the Open Community Learning Center and Assistant Professor of English at Staten Island Community College, City University of New York; Dean of Student life and Faculty Fellow in English and Education at Johnston College, University of Redlands; Dean of Student Development and Director of the Honors Program at the University of Maine at Augusta; and Dean of Instruction at Butte College in Oroville, California, where he is currently chair of the Honors Program and teaches literature, writing and the history of ideas.

A President Emeritus of the California Humanities Association, which awarded him the Charles D. Perlee Award, Ekins serves on the National Honors Advisory Committee of the University of Utah and on the editorial board of his local newspaper, the Paradise Post. His previous publications include poetry, fiction, and essays. Defending Zion marks his first book-length venture as well as his first publication in Mormon Studies, long a topic of deep interest.

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Title: Monotheism, Messiah, & Mormon's Book --and-- Defending Zion: California Mormon Newspaper War (WMV)

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