Hey all.
This is me again, with my actual final post, just for fun. :{
Anyway, that's pretty much all I had to say. Ha ha.
Thanks, everyone in Carpe Diem, for being such a great group this semester. And thanks to Dr.s Burton and Petersen for one of my most interesting college courses so far.
So guys, here's to hoping I'll be seeing you all around campus sometimes!
Live long and prosper!
-Sam
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Overshadowed and Overlooked: Folk Knowledge as the Foundation
Although it is by no means the most prominently recognized form of knowledge, folk knowledge is foundational to all other knowledge forms and institutions because it provides the basis for learning how to learn.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Final Blog Post - Samuel Watson
What Community Means
Communities
are crucial to our sociality as humans, but the exact implications of that term
have not always been what they are now. Over time, the mediums through which
knowledge is passed have changed. Along with modifications in thought processes
and knowledge institutions, each new knowledge medium has changed the concept
of ‘community’ for those people who were able to use it.
Going Forth Unhindered
Time has changed the way in which religious knowledge is communicated. King Benjamin's masterful discourse demonstrates the power of the Spirit through oral communication. Sacred texts such as the Book of Mormon and the Bible drive the Spirit to the hearts of men through words of power. Though the mediums through which spiritual knowledge is communicated constantly change, one thing remains constant: the communication of the Spirit. Both oral and written communication are necessary parts of God's plan in touching his children by the power of his Spirit.
Oral communication, as a medium for the Spirit of God, has always existed. Over the course of history, powerful sermons have pierced the hearts of man by the Spirit of God. Sam Watson referenced President Packer's most recent address when he encouraged us to just listen to what the Spirit was telling us; that therein lies the true hidden gems that will guide our lives. President Packer understood the power of communicating by the Spirit through spoken words and listening. As a class we experienced this first-hand. I think we can all agree that we were touched as we listened to and recited King Benjamin's sermon. The power of the Spirit through oral means was manifested in that inspired activity.
As prophets of old delivered sermons and taught the people, our loving Heavenly Father commanded them to record their words for the benefit of future generations. In our "Salon" activity today, I told a personal experience from my mission about the power of the sacred words recorded in the Book of Mormon. Somehow, despite my horrendous presentation in the Spanish language, the Book of Mormon struck a chord in the heart of a child of God. It is doubtful that Brenda knew what I had said, but it didn't matter. The Spirit, communicated through words written in the Book of Mormon, had touched her heart at that moment in a way that my words could not.
In the "Salon", we were asked to argue both sides of this debate: "Within history, oral knowledge has had a more powerful effect upon spirituality and religious practice than other types of knowledge." From my discussions, both sides drew support. Kody Wood argued that our written texts cite countless examples where oral knowledge had a powerful effect on the listeners. He cited the account of Alma and Abinadi specifically. Another group member emphasized the need for written texts because the effects of oral communication can quickly fade (one generation for King Benjamin's people). Thinking about these examples, it became clear that our Heavenly Father never intended for there to just be one or the other. Words, from oral and written sources, are meant to be used in unison to "declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness" (Alma 62:45).
The words of God, given orally or written by hand, are meant to bring the Spirit into the lives of his children. Print has made the word of God accessible on levels Luther and Tyndale could only have dreamed of. God brings about these advancements for the gathering of his elect. How it is done, by word or by print, is not so much the question as is who and from what source. The Spirit of God proceeds forth from the words of truth. Whether written or spoken, all words of God are confirmed by the Holy Ghost. All provide the spark that will kindle the life-long fire of testimony within each honest seeker of truth.
Oral communication, as a medium for the Spirit of God, has always existed. Over the course of history, powerful sermons have pierced the hearts of man by the Spirit of God. Sam Watson referenced President Packer's most recent address when he encouraged us to just listen to what the Spirit was telling us; that therein lies the true hidden gems that will guide our lives. President Packer understood the power of communicating by the Spirit through spoken words and listening. As a class we experienced this first-hand. I think we can all agree that we were touched as we listened to and recited King Benjamin's sermon. The power of the Spirit through oral means was manifested in that inspired activity.
As prophets of old delivered sermons and taught the people, our loving Heavenly Father commanded them to record their words for the benefit of future generations. In our "Salon" activity today, I told a personal experience from my mission about the power of the sacred words recorded in the Book of Mormon. Somehow, despite my horrendous presentation in the Spanish language, the Book of Mormon struck a chord in the heart of a child of God. It is doubtful that Brenda knew what I had said, but it didn't matter. The Spirit, communicated through words written in the Book of Mormon, had touched her heart at that moment in a way that my words could not.
In the "Salon", we were asked to argue both sides of this debate: "Within history, oral knowledge has had a more powerful effect upon spirituality and religious practice than other types of knowledge." From my discussions, both sides drew support. Kody Wood argued that our written texts cite countless examples where oral knowledge had a powerful effect on the listeners. He cited the account of Alma and Abinadi specifically. Another group member emphasized the need for written texts because the effects of oral communication can quickly fade (one generation for King Benjamin's people). Thinking about these examples, it became clear that our Heavenly Father never intended for there to just be one or the other. Words, from oral and written sources, are meant to be used in unison to "declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness" (Alma 62:45).
The words of God, given orally or written by hand, are meant to bring the Spirit into the lives of his children. Print has made the word of God accessible on levels Luther and Tyndale could only have dreamed of. God brings about these advancements for the gathering of his elect. How it is done, by word or by print, is not so much the question as is who and from what source. The Spirit of God proceeds forth from the words of truth. Whether written or spoken, all words of God are confirmed by the Holy Ghost. All provide the spark that will kindle the life-long fire of testimony within each honest seeker of truth.
That's All, Folks!
 |
| In the relay of knowledge, the baton is never dropped. However, pieces of it are lost forever. |
Hello Carpe
Diem!!! Hope finals are going well! Congrats to all on making it this far! I
decided to put this up a little early since I have a test in the morning. So,
after a few very interesting discussions this morning on all kinds of
knowledge, I came up with my idea for my blog post!
Knowledge
has grown and changed much throughout the centuries. As knowledge institutions
and mediums have progressed over the years from folk knowledge to the new
frontier of digital knowledge today, there has been an ever increasing shift in
its complexity as people strive to preserve the knowledge they already have
while adding new knowledge onto it. Although many have attempted to preserve the
various precursors to each new form of knowledge, each additional type of
knowledge has accommodated less and less collaboration among the peoples of the
world.
Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen
Well Carpe Diem I have frantically finished all my final exams in an attempt to fly home early tomorrow morning. Since I will be on a plane tomorrow I decided I would post my final blog early tonight. I would first like to say its been a great semester and I was really glad I was able to learn from such fine bright peers. You guys have been very helpful in my attempt to gain as much knowledge as possible in this class. During the Salon my discussion always seemed to lead to one subject: the distinction between the Sophic view of knowledge and Mantic, what is spiritual knowledge and what is worldly and what are the implications of both? So naturally that is what I decided to make my thesis and final blog post about. Here it is:
Monday, December 12, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)