The 2015 Brigham Young University Sidney B. Sperry Symposium explored the modern miracle of the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon. Featuring a keynote address by Elder Merrill J. Bateman discussing the Book of Mormon's restoration of plain and precious truths, these presentations describe the development of the teenage seer Joseph Smith Jr. and includes marvelous accounts of the many witnesses to the plates. The story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, from Joseph Smith's translation of the sacred record to the process of financing and printing the first edition is told. Concluding with its message rolling forth to many nations—to "every kindred, tongue, and people."
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015
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Time |
JSB Auditorium |
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6:30 p.m. |
Keynote Address: Elder Merrill J. Bateman The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon to Restore Plain and Precious Truths Emeritus General Authority |
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Time |
JSB Auditorium |
206 MARB |
207 MARB |
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7:30 p.m. |
Joseph Smith’s Early Experiences with Moroni: The Probation of a Teenage Seer
Steven C. Harper Historian, Church History Department
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“They Are Not Cast Off Forever”—Fulfillment of the Covenant Purposes
Jared W. Ludlow Ancient Scripture BYU |
Women Witnesses and the Translation Process
Amy Easton-Flake and Rachel Cope Ancient Scripture Church History & Doctrine BYU |
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8:30 p.m. |
Firsthand Witness Accounts of the Translation
Michael H. MacKay Church History & Doctrine BYU
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The Reception of the Book of Mormon in Nineteenth-Century America
Jeremy Chatelain S&I, Utah |
The Lost 116 Pages Story: Things We Do Know and Things We Don’t
J. B. Haws Church History & Doctrine BYU |
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015
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Time |
JSB Auditorium |
206 MARB |
207 MARB |
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9:00 a.m. |
Martin Harris’s 1828 Visit to Luther Bradish, Charles Anthon, and Samuel Mitchill
Richard E. Bennett Chair, Church History & Doctrine BYU |
Evolving Use of The Book of Mormon in the Latter Days
Casey Paul Griffiths Church History & Doctrine BYU |
Joseph Smith’s Negotiations to Publish the Book of Mormon
Gerrit Dirkmaat Church History & Doctrine BYU |
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10:00 a.m. |
Hefted and Handled: Tangible Interactions with Book of Mormon Objects
Anthony Sweat Church History & Doctrine BYU |
The Eleven Witnesses
Steven C. Harper Historian, Church History Department |
“To Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People”
Po Nien (Felipe) Chou S&I, Curriculum Department |
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11:00 a.m.
Closing Session |
“To the Convincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ”
Shon D. Hopkin Ancient Scripture BYU
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SPERRY SYMPOSIUM WEEK-DAY SESSIONS:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 VARSITY THEATER, WSC, BYU 7:00 p.m.
Joseph Smith’s Negotiations to Publish the Book of Mormon
Gerrit J. Dirkmaat
Church History & Doctrine
BYU
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 VARSITY THEATER, WSC, BYU 11:00 a.m.
The Eleven Witnesses
Steven C. Harper
Historian
Church History Department