One of the better known stories in Church history is the simultaneous birth of twins in the homes of Joseph and Emma Smith and John and Julia Clapp Murdock on 30 April 1831. After the death of both Smith twins and of Julia Clapp Murdock (from complications while giving birth), Joseph and Emma adopted the …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2002
The Church and Its Scholars: Ten Years After
In August 1992, Lavina Fielding Anderson, who had been collecting information about a disturbingly unhealthy relationship between the Church and its scholars, primarily historians, presented that information as a chronology at a session of the Salt Lake Sunstone symposium. She called for greater honesty, humility, courage, and compassion from both scholars and the Church. As …
Dueling Authorities: Thoughts on Contradictory Statements from General Authorities
Today the Church places great emphasis on the idea that the doctrines and teachings of its leaders are consistent with scripture and revealed principles. But a study of General Conference discourses (the established forum for declaring doctrine) and other authoritative pronouncements shows many contradictions between the teachings of the leaders themselves. What can be learned …
The Problems of a Non-Mormon Historian in Writing a Biography of Joseph Smith
The Problems of a Non-Mormon Historian in Writing a Biography of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith Jr. is unquestionably the most important reformer and innovator in American religious history. In this paper, I will explain how and why I came to write his biography, the special problems I faced as a non-Mormon in treating his life …
Beyond the 1978 Revelation
This panel explores the paradoxical situation of African-Americans within the Church since 1978 and the ambivalence about the roles assigned to blacks. As Church officials attempt to reach out to blacks through missionary efforts in predominantly black areas, many white Latter-day Saints continue to embrace and even promote certain racist concepts. How have these ideas …
Fundamentalist Mormons in the News Part II
Last year’s symposium hosted several spirited and productive discussions about the recent rise in visibility of ‘fundamentalist Mormons.” We hope to continue this discussion this year by assembling a diverse panel to discuss developments since last August, including the impact of several new books on polygamy, the stories about Utah fundamentalists generated by media coverage …
How to be an Anti-Racist in a Racist Society
Many well-intentioned people are unaware of how central issues of race are to their lives. This session will try to help facilitate a new understanding of racism, i.e., that racism is not just about committing individual acts of aggression but rather is a consciousness situated in a long history of oppression and discrimination. The presentation’s …
Life With The ‘Unchosen People’
Rebecca Salti will provide symposium attendees a first-hand account of the life and struggles of many women and children in the Middle East. Among many other accomplishments, Salti is well-known for her work over the past twenty years helping mothers in the Bani Hamida tribe revive ancient Bedouin weaving traditions and turn the products they …
Multiple Incarnations: Recurring Voices from Ages Past
Through scriptural analyses and studies of themes in ancient Egyptian religion, other ancient writings, and the work of Hugh Nibley, this paper discusses the “noble and great ones” mentioned in Alma 13 and Abraham 3 and God’s sexual congress with mortal women. Unsure if there is audio for this session. Kim M. Clark, Robert Fillerup
FARMS Redux: Why I Don’t Trust FARMS Research
FARMS Redux: Why I Don’t Trust FARMS Research At the 2001 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium, John Hatch’s paper, “Why I No Longer Trust FARMS Review of Books,” focused on FARMS’ reviews of the work of others. This paper focuses on FARMS’ own research concerning the historicity and divinity of the Book of Mormon, specifically its …