Anti-Semitism in the Scriptures Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon point to ‘the Jews” as responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. Historically, such interpretations have contributed to persecution and pogroms ranging from the crusades to the Holocaust. Were these scriptural authors really “anti-Semitic”? Or are we reading them out of context? And how …
Event: DC Symposium 2000
The Evolution of Mormon Teachings on Marriage and Celibacy
The Evolution of Mormon Teachings on Marriage and Celibacy One of the contentious social issues in the United States is the nature of marriage. The Mormon Church has been actively involved in passing anti-gay legislation defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The presentation will explore evolution of Church teachings on …
Surprise, Surprise: Reflections on the Oxymoronic Question of Mormon Humor
Surprise, Surprise: Reflections on the Oxymoronic Question of Mormon Humor Last year, an associated press writer raised, yet one more time, the question of Mormon humor. He interviewed a variety of equally befuddled theorists, humorists, apologists, and DeGenerists in an attempt to arrive at the crux of Latter-day Saint levity. The reporter may be excused …
David O. McKay and Blacks: Building the Foundation for the 1978 Revelation
David O. McKay and Blacks: Building the Foundation for the 1978 Revelation Shortly after David O. McKay became church president in 1951 he traveled to South Africa, the first church president to visit that country. While there, he made an important and impromptu change in the church policy regarding ordination of blacks. While not reversing …
The Turkmens’ Magic World View
The Turkmens’ Magic World View While years of Soviet domination added new elements to the intellectual life and culture of the Central Asian peoples, it at the same time reinforced the region’s geographic isolation and served to lessen the impact of external secularizing influences. As a result, many ancient traditions and values were preserved little …
Beyond Liberalism: Mormonism and Liberation Theology
Beyond Liberalism: Mormonism and Liberation Theology Within the last 50 years or so a number of religions have developed a well-defined and specific theology which challenges many of the injustices in the world today. The term Liberation Theology refers to political activists whose activism is based on religious values. Liberation Theology is not passive, nor …
Pillars Of My Faith
Pillars Of My Faith This is Sunstone’s perennially most popular session. Here speakers share the events and concepts that animate their religious lives: a little intellectual testimony-bearing. This self-reflective session is about the things that matter most. Charlie Cannone, Rebecca Chandler, Elbert Peck
The Restoration of Some Things
The Restoration of Some Things In 1840 Joseph Smith declared that animal sacrifices would be restored once the Nauvoo Temple was completed and that this was necessary to bring to pass the ‘restoration of all things.” While modern Mormons would most likely be shocked at the thought of including animal sacrifice in their Temple worship, …
Hold to the Ironic Rod
Hold to the Ironic Rod Robert Kirby
I Heard It On The Grapevine: The Positive Uses of Church Gossip
I Heard It On The Grapevine: The Positive Uses of Church Gossip This paper examines the ways gossip functions as a ‘speech act,” one that transforms the relationship between the two speakers. The paper will also examine how this type of unofficial talk influences the dynamics of a social group — such as a ward …