2023 Plenaries
July 27-29, Sandy, Utah
Thursday, July 27th
Smith-Pettit Lecture: Kristin Kobes Du Mez
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Kristin Kobes Du Mez is a New York Times bestselling author and Professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. She holds a PhD from the University of Notre Dame and her research focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, and politics. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today, and has been interviewed on NPR, CBS, and the BBC, among other outlets. Her most recent book is Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.
Introduced by Benjamin Park
The Smith-Pettit lecture is free and open to the public. Register for the rest of the conference at Sunstone.org/Registration
Friday, July 28th
Opening Plenary: Dan McClellan
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Daniel O. McClellan recently made a name for himself by taking what is often seen as an abstruse discipline—biblical studies—and popularizing it on social media. He has more than half a million followers on TikTok. What motivated him to bring biblical studies to social media in the first place? How has his approach evolved? What has been the reaction to his work? How has his work affected biblical studies? How has it affected his own religious life?
Closing Plenary: Eli McCann
"The Curious Evolution of Mormon Media"
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
What role has fictional storytelling and media played in developing and demonstrating the priorities of Mormon communities throughout the last century? In this session, humor writer and Mormon observer Eli McCann walks through several eras of Mormon media, showcasing how some of the most broadly disseminated films might give us insight to the culture's priorities at particular points in time, including a conversation about ways in which some of the most beloved classics have aged since they were first released.
Saturday, July 29th
Why We Stay
2:30 - 4:00 PM
A perennially popular session, Why We Stay brings together people who have chosen to stay engaged with the LDS Church despite challenges. But this isn't testimony meeting. It's stories of struggle, imagination, and bravery as the panelists bring their whole selves into risky, robust encounters with their church and their faith.
Closing Picnic, Trivia, and Kickball Game
7:00 - 9:30 PM
Join us for an annual favorite!
This closing picnic is an attendee favorite! Join us at a park for a fun-filled night to wrap up another great year of Sunstone!
This catered picnic requires a separate registration which can be purchased here.
We'll play a casual game of trivia, eat, drink, chat with other attendees, and round out the night with a kickball game! Team Outer Darkness will square up against team Higher Law in the kickball game to end all kickball games
SYMPOSIUM FAQ
Open Donation
Please make check donations payable to Sunstone and mail to 343 North 300 West Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Sunstone is a 501(C)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.