Sunstone Symposium Presentations
Robert T. Beckstead

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SL03366, Understanding the Inter-Changeability of Father-Spirit and Son-Flesh in the LDS Standard Works - All particpants: Robert T Beckstead, Glenn Cornett - symposium: 2003 Salt Lake Symposium Nearly everyone who has studied the ldsstandard works has wondered when a particular verse might be referring to God, or when it might be referring to Christ. Much has been written in lds circles about the interchangeability of “Father and Son” as they apply to both Christ and to His different revelators, or do they have a deeper meaning beyond traditional understanding? Play mp3

SL06355, Reincarnation in Mormonism - All particpants: Kirk Watson, Robert Beckstead - symposium: 2006 Salt Lake Symposium - excerpt: ''Reincarnation has never been a wholly orthodox nor well- publicized facet of Mormon theology, yet it has a long history in the tradition. It has been taught and believed by a surprisingly large number of people in LDS society, including general authorities. Although never popular, some varieties of reincarnation have proven more heretical than others, and Church leaders have often given mixed mess . . . MP3 Available at Sunstone Online

SL02253, Did Swedenborg Influence LDS Doctrine? - All particpants: Craig W Miller, Robert Beckstead - symposium: 2002 Salt Lake Symposium - excerpt: ''Emanuel Swedenborg, born 1688, taught that the world of spirits is a preparation for heaven, there are three heavens, marriage is necessary to inherit the holiest of the heavens, the celestial kingdom is divided into three heavens, and there is a balance (opposition) in all things. Such unique and unusual similarities in the teachings of Swedenborg and Joseph Smith naturally prompt one to wond . . . Play mp3

SL05124, Reincarnation and the Restoration: Does Joseph Smith's Last Teaching Help Explain Pre-Mortality, Eternal Progression, and Deification? - All particpants: Robert Beckstead, Gae Lyn Henderson - symposium: 2005 Salt Lake Symposium Shortly before his death, Joseph Smith taught several of his followers the principle of multiple mortal probations. How was he converted to this teaching? Which revelations are only understood if one presupposes reincarnation? How does this notion shed light on the prophet’s teachings about premortality, eternal progression, and deification? MP3 Available at Sunstone Online

SL07255, The Restoration and the Sacred Mushroom: Did Joseph Smith use Psychedelics to Facilitate His Visionary Experiences? - All particpants: Robert Beckstead - symposium: 2007 Salt Lake Symposium - excerpt: ''Gnosticism and shamanism practice techniques of “knowing”—entering spiritual dimensions and experiencing the ineffable, both heavenly and hellish. Derivative forms of these ancient traditions were practiced in upstate New York during Joseph Smith’s formative years. Interestingly, shamans andGnostics used certain psychotropic plants and fungiduring rituals and ceremonies to facilitate trance states . . . MP3 Available at Sunstone Online

 

Origional documents by Robert T. Beckstead may be copied if no changes are made.

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