English Symposium, Edgar Allen Poe

English Symposium

Academic Session-Edgar Allen Poe

            Jared Pence spoke on how Sherlock Holmes was based off of Poe’s character Dupin. Dupin has the same emotional isolation as Holmes does and also the whit and intelligence to solve crimes. Detective Dupin is efficient and effective because of this lack of emotional connection. Bethanie Sonnefeld spoke on Poe and the Will, and the debate on whether Poe’s poem should be read literally or physiologically. She argues that Poe wanted his poem to be read both literally and physiologically. Much of what was said in the academic session that I went to was way over my head. The speakers, mostly graduate students, have a much higher plane of thought than mine. This made it hard for me to understand and analyze what they were talking about Poe and his writings. If I ever go again, I will read in preparation some of the poems or essays that the speakers will be analyzing. 

Intro and Thesis!

Thesis Statement: The LDS King James Version of the Bible is more effective for study than any other English translation because it provides a more accurate rendering than most English Bibles, contains study helps, and encompasses the most extensive cross references of this sacred text ever.

Working Introduction

The LDS KJV Bible has so many study helps, more than any other text. The question is whether or not more modern translations could be of use when trying to understand more of the culture, doctrine, and history contained in the divine book. I believe that the LDS KJV of the Bible is still the cream of the crop among other modern translations. Many people cannot understand the KJV’s old English, so many turn to the NIV, known as the New International Version. The LDS King James Version of the Bible is more effective for study than any other English translation because it provides a more accurate rendering than most English Bibles, contains study helps, and encompasses the most extensive cross references of this sacred text ever.

Taking time to understand what the Lord is trying to tell us through the scriptures takes work. But it is this work and study that allows us to feel the Holy Ghost. Putting effort toward reading the scriptures and deciphering what these ancient prophets are trying to tell us will help learn the scriptures better. 

Issues Paper

I chose prompt #2 for my issues paper. I will be researching specifically on how different translations may possibly enhance one's understanding and background knowledge of the Bible. Also, I might touch on why we, as the LDS church, have been commanded to use the King James version. There is so much information, specifically academic and quite scholarly information, that I could sort through.  But after listening to Elder Oaks's talk, I will focus on analyzing just a little bit of information instead of trying to go through tons of information. Below are the questions I will be answering in my research paper.

What about the research on ancient Greek and Hebrew texts that has been done since 1611? Has that research created a more accurate rendering of Biblical teachings, and provided more cultural context (which scholars believe is the case for translations like the NRSV or the JTS)?