Sunstone SLC 2010

There are still a couple days to get your proposals in for the 2010 Salt Lake City Sunstone Symposium. Here's what I'll be presenting:

Title: Instrumental Mysticism: The Inspired Fictionalization of the United Firm Revelations

Abstract: It is well known that the 1835 D&C substituted ancient-sounding "code names" for the names of nineteenth century persons and institutions associated with the "United Firm". The recent publication of the original handwritten manuscripts for these revelations reveals that the code names were only the tip of the iceberg. Significant additions and deletions were made in order to make these revelations appear to be ancient documents from the time of Enoch.  This new evidence of a more thoroughgoing fictionalization not only raises the theological question of “inspired fiction”, but also provides a striking example of the way in which Joseph Smith blended mystical and practical concerns.  He sought to maintain secrecy by mystically identifying the Firm and the Kirtland brethren with the ancient Adamic order.