A Mormon Example This session not only explores the “E” word and the fear of its usage among Mormons; it also combines wide-ranging irrefutable demonstrations of the observable incidents of Mormon evolution through explorations of physical culture (72 hour kits, swimsuits, horns, and luggage), Mormon social history (the bickering of my own neurotic family), and …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2002
Mormonism and Process Theology Part II: The Problem of Evil
The cover of a recent issue of BYU Studies states: “Joseph Smith Resolves the Problem of Evil.” This is an editorial exaggeration of the conclusions reached in the actual article, written by David L. Paulsen, which appeared inside. Still, of all the theological challenges that dominate philosophy of religion, “theodicy,” often called the “problem of …
Reflections on Who Owns a People’s History: The Controversy of the Leonard J. Arrington Collection
Reflections on Who Owns a People’s History: The Controversy of the Leonard J. Arrington Collection In 2001, the Leonard J. Arrington collection was opened to the public at the Utah State University Special Collections division. Within days, however, Church representatives questioned whether documents donated by Arrington were actually owned by the Church. The situation quickly …
‘Why Have Ye Polluted the Holy Church of God?’
‘Why Have Ye Polluted the Holy Church of God?’ 2,500 years ago, Nephi cautioned those living in our day against being “lulled away into carnal security,” believing “all is well in Zion” and putting our trust in the precepts of any men rather than the Holy Ghost. A thousand years later, Moroni reiterated these concerns, …
Unraveling the History and Mystery of the Priesthood
Research and a close analysis of scriptures and the historical record strongly suggest that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery did not receive the priesthood in the manner supposed by most Latter-day Saints. This study also shows it to be unlikely that the priesthood was part of ancient Israel’s religious practices until the time of the …
A Young Man’s Journey Through the Middle East: What Defines a Nation?
In the spirit of Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Bryan Richards has written a novel, Triopia, which expresses a powerful synthesis of ideas that help us understand the various, conflicted cultures of our world. This presentation introduces elements of Middle Eastern history, his novel, and some suggestions for how to proceed …
The Restoration of Questionable 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 sacrifices in their temple worship, the requirement to eventually re-establish …
Sin, Skin, and Seed: Mistakes of Men in the Book of Mormon
Are concepts that sinfulness is reflected in skin color consistent with biogenetic understandings of human variation? Are patriarchal concepts of a procreative seed consistent with modern biogenetic procreation? Is Israelite heritage of Nephites and Lamanites reflected in the genes and biology of Native Americans? I will argue that new scientific evidence indicates we should relegate …
Discussion of
Following a brief break at the conclusion of the screening of Chasing a Good Day to Die, film critic Paul Swenson will lead a discussion of the film with its writer/director Paul Larsen and producer Terri Holland. As Sunstone attendees will be among the first groups to see the film, audience comments and suggestions will …
Current Research and the Quest for Personal Meaning
Current Research and the Quest for Personal Meaning What effect has the work of Ian Stevenson, Brian Weiss, Michael Newton, Edgar Cayce, and other “New Age” contributors had on the Mormon world? How do Church members relate experiences with New Age ideas to their gospel roots?