Episode 32: The Liminal Experience of the Brother of Jared (Charles Swift)

Y Religion

BYU Religious Education

Whyreligion, Religiouseducation, Religion & Spirituality, Brighamyoung, Lds, Education, Mormon, Yreligion, Byu, Religion, Yreligionpodcast, Christianity, Churchofjesuschrist

4.8 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2021

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The word “liminal” isn’t in most people’s everyday vocabulary. Although the word is rare, the experience it summarizes is not, particularly in religious life. Liminality means to be in an in-between space, on the verge of transformation, or at a threshold—like a doorway. In this insightful episode, Dr. Charles Swift analyzes the Brother of Jared’s liminal experience in Ether 2 and 3, and what it can teach us today about our own interactions with and answers from the Lord.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi there, my podcast friends, Professor Anthony Sweat here from BYU Religion. Welcome to another great episode of Why Religion.
0:06.8	Okay, let's be real here to start. If you're anything like me, you probably took one look at the title of this episode and thought,
0:13.7	what in the world does liminal mean?
0:17.1	It kind of sounds like one of those English vocabulary test questions on the ACT that could get you a score above 30.
0:23.7	If I'm being totally honest with you, I had to look it up myself to understand it.
0:28.4	The definition of liminal means one, relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process.
0:35.5	Two, occupying a position at or on both sides of a boundary or threshold.
0:42.7	In other words, liminality is an in-between space where something exists on the verge of transformation.
0:50.9	Most all of us can relate to that idea in some way. As a practicing artist personally,
0:56.2	when my paintings sit on my e-cell, they're kind of in a liminal space,
1:01.1	sitting between non-existence and becoming finished.
1:06.2	And in a theological way, as Latter-day Saints, we sort of see this earth life as a liminal space between God's presence.
1:14.3	We were with God before we were born, and we'll be with Him after we die, at least we have that hope.
1:20.4	But our life's years are a transitional stage, a threshold between spirit and exaltation.
1:29.2	Indeed in the church, we have many liminal experiences and even places.
1:33.4	The temple is a liminal space and experience between heaven and earth.
1:37.4	Serving a mission is a liminal experience for many people.
1:40.8	Even the process of daily prayer and calling upon the Lord can be a liminal experience for us.
1:46.5	A moment where reality is paused and our heart and soul communes with God,
1:51.2	change to understand and adhere to His will more fully.
1:56.2	Professor Charles Swift from B.O.A. used Department of Ancient Scripture
1:59.7	has recently looked at the story of the Geridites, and in particular, the brother of Gerid, through the lens of liminality.
	...

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