This dissertation argues that there are unresolved doctrinal tensions in several Mormon doctrines. While many Mormon scholars have assumed that the same doctrinal views have been taught since the founding of the church in 1830, the weight of historical evidence argues directly against this assumption and indirectly against the church's claim to have exclusive possession of true doctrines. There have been three periods of doctrinal development in the Mormon church. During the first five years of the church's existence, 1830-1835, Joseph Smith taught the doctrines of early Mormonism. From 1835 until the 1950s, the doctrines of traditional Mormonism were taught. Mormon neo-absolutist, which arose in the 1950s and has sometimes been referred to it as Mormon neo-orthodoxy, has attempted to return to the more absolute, infinite view of God early Mormonism. Early Mormons taught that God was completely omniscient and omnipotent. There was no knowledge or power that God did not possess. Traditional Mormons redefined God's nature in light of the emerging unique Mormon metaphysics. Since God exists within an environment of intelligences, matter, time, space, and laws, he cannot be completely omniscient or omnipotent. Mormon neo-absolutist have returned to the early Mormon view that God possesses all knowledge and power without limitations. Early Mormonism taught that humans are finite, fallen, and sinful creatures who must be saved from condemnation primarily through the means of grace. Traditional Mormons embraced Joseph Smith's later teachings that humans have the same ontological status as God; therefore, they developed a more optimistic view of human nature and the potential for human exaltation to divine status. Humans could be exalted primarily through human effort and assisted only to a lesser degree by the grace of God. These historical changes in Mormon doctrines have contributed to a shift in the Mormon view of faith and reason. Until the rise of Mormon neo-absolutism, Mormons believed that their faith was rational and reconcilable with science. Because neo-absolutists have not been able to reconcile their views of God with the unique Mormon metaphysics, they have diminished the value of reason, science, and education for faith. / This item is only available to students and faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you are not associated with SBTS, this dissertation may be purchased from <a href="http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb">http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb</a> or downloaded through ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses database if your institution subscribes to that service.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) has established educational programs throughout the world. The aim of these programs is to help students in gaining and understanding and personal witness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ while they pursue secular studies. This project is an online resource, a handbook of instruction, designed for LDS religious educators across the globe to access and interact with, so as to facilitate teaching in the LDS classroom. Produced in Net Objects Fusion 3.0 this multimedia handbook makes use of text, graphics, and other information to teach and provide quality material and perspective for the LDS volunteer seminary teacher. This project is best viewed using Netscape Communicator 4.0 on a minimum 17 inch monitor. The online resource for teachers is offered with the following purposes in mind: (i) to inspire teachers to more effective and powerful teaching in the LDS classroom (ii) to help teachers understand the principles around quality religious instruction (iii) to guide teachers in the application of these principles so that quality religious instruction is assured (iv) to help teachers develop quality teaching skills for religious instruction / 1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in + abstract.