The BYU–Hawaii Women’s Organization had their monthly luncheon on Dec. 5 in the Aloha Center Ballroom. President Nancy Eastwood opened the program where Mason Allred spoke about his work on the Joseph Smith Papers.
Keynote speaker
Allred, an assistant professor of communication and media studies, opened up his lecture with his admiration of the Prophet Joseph Smith and how it was a “dream come true” to help with the Joseph Smith Papers.
The Joseph Smith Papers is a documentary editing project sponsored by the Church where scholars and researchers study and gather documents relating to Smith and the Restoration, he explained.
Allred said the process of the Joseph Smith Papers was “modeled after documentary processing of John Adams, George Washington,” and other founding fathers. He said Joseph Smith “lived a very colorful life” and noted we should doubt our doubts but also doubt our understanding.
“From my perspective, having seen all this stuff, people were not tricked or lied to,” said Allred. “It’s like we’re becoming better and better at understanding the story itself, and this leads to positive results. We don’t know everything. Things are still being restored.”
Unique experiences
Allred shared a couple of stories about his time on the project. He said he and his team were wishing they had an earlier version of the Doctrine & Covenants. Allred also shared how Elder Dale G. Renlund, one of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles assigned to the project, said, “Oh, I’ve got an earlier one.” Renlund then went and grabbed an even earlier version of the Doctrine & Covenants which had been passed down through his family.
Another story Allred told was about a major surprise. Allred was in a morning prayer meeting when his boss said, “Today we are going to release pictures of the seer stone.”
Joseph Smith used the seer stone and a top hat to translate the golden plates. The Church always acknowledged the seer stone but to release a picture of the stone was unprecedented. “We gain humility through research. Our past isn’t coming back to haunt us,” he said of the seer stone and other things from the Joseph Smith Papers project, “but to stir us up.”
Allred spoke about the different versions of the First Vision. He mentioned how when you go through such an incredible spiritual experience, it can be hard to describe it. Joseph Smith spoke of this. He shared how Joseph Smith once said it was like working with a “crooked, broken, scattered, and imperfect language.” Allred also noted Joseph Smith was trying to figure out his superpower just like a superhero.
In conclusion, Allred said, “Right now is the best time to study Church history” because they are coming out with new information about the time period.
Allred also mentioned the new book “Saints,” which is written in less academic prose to be more entertaining, although it is still a work of nonfiction. In regard to the Church’s history, Allred said Joseph Smith “somehow got heaven and earth to shake hands.”
Faith and academia
Speaking of Allred’s presentation, Iris Zavala, an elementary education freshman from Honduras, said, “I just love that the images are now more specific and clear.”
Zavala was speaking of how older paintings showed the Book of Mormon translation process incorrectly and paintings today were now more accurate as Allred had shown.
Now from Portland, but originally from Laie, Maie Hardy visited the luncheon because her family invited her. Hardy said she is “always looking for opportunities to blend faith with academia.” She noted she usually hears from only the faith perspective.
Molly Curtis and Shannon Beckstead, from Laie, said they both enjoyed the “insider information” they received from Allred. Beckstead noted, “The speaker was really good and the process of the Joseph Smith Papers was very interesting.” Curtis said, “The luncheon is always wonderful.”
Before the keynote speaker
Out of a room full of community members, mostly women, very few were university students. Zavala said she came because she was invited by her boss to come to the luncheon. Eastwood made it clear more women, and even men, are welcome to come.
Eastwood said the organization planned to help 38 families with their Sub for Santa program. Eastwood explained the organization “is a service organization. Some of the things we do are provide scholarships for students in need.” Eastwood said they plan to give 20 scholarships this year and hope to give more if possible.
Another service they provide is the new mom kit program. The kits involve things like onesies, diapers, and other items needed for a new mother. She said the kits are a “consistent project throughout the year.” Eastwood also explained how they hold a chili dinner during finals week during the Winter Semester.
The table decorations, which are always a hit at the luncheon, were created by Alpha Harper. Eastwood announced how Harper will be leaving for Costa Rica for her husband’s internship.