In 2007, Matthew Philip Gill of Derbyshire, England, announced the formation of the Latter Day Church of Jesus Christ. He claimed to be acting under angelic direction and produced a new scripture, the Book of Jeraneck, to usher in his new faith. Gill claims to have restored the Mormon movement which Joseph Smith founded as …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2010
SL10171: Panel: “Those Members of the Body, Which Seem to be More Feeble … Are Necessary”: Placing Disability at the Heart of Zion
The Apostle Paul compares members of Christ’s church to a body and suggests that God set each member “as it hath pleased him.” He adds that members of the body who are less comely or honourable are those upon whom “we bestow more abundant honour” (I Cor. 12:18, 23). How do we as Mormons include …
SL10231: Why We Stay
This perennially well-received session features the stories of those who have chosen to remain active, dedicated Latter-day Saints even in the face of challenges to traditional faith. How have these members wrestled with their faith and yet emerged more determined than ever to be a part of the Latter-day Saint community? ALAN EASTMAN, CAROL B. …
SL10301: Devotional: Gratitude: A Contagious Choice
Gratitude is deeply rooted in the monotheistic religions as well as in eastern forms of spirituality. Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Through story and a smidgen of contemporary social science research, we will explore the notion that gratitude is not only a choice but …
SL10336: Panel: Growth and Dispersion of Latter-day Saints in “Zion” and “Babylon”: The Consequences of Mormon Demographic Transition
”Demographic Change in Utah: Consequences for LDS Religious Behavior and Member Retention in the Mormon Culture Region.” This paper looks at demographic data from Utah and various national censuses throughout the world to analyze the trends and consequences of Mormon growth and dispersion. Rick Phillips’ paper combines several data sources to show how recent shifts …
SL10372: Seeing as Believing
The eclectic visions of three diverse and discerning poets emerge as concrete images, scenes, shapes, and shadow—screened in a sensuous slide show and read and performed live. Poetry in voice, in paint, in photos, and in ink, all of which remains on the retina and stretches the imagination. ALEX CALDIERO, CHERYL L. BRUNO, PAUL SWENSON
SL10131: Rediscovering Eugene England in the 21st Century
The Eugene England Foundation has launched EugeneEngland.org, a comprehensive website that makes the life and writings of one of the most influential Mormon thinkers and activists easily accessible to another generation. Panelists will discuss the new website, photos, the Eugene England papers at the University of Utah’s Marriott Library, and draw on journals and correspondence …
SL10172: The Stories We Tell: How an Unpleasant Truth Can be More Inspirational than a Pleasant Fiction
Most stories in LDS publications almost always result in a predictably happy ending, but life doesn’t usually wrap up so tidily. Divorce, addiction, abuse, disability–they happen to the best of us no matter how righteous we are, and many of us feel the impulse to hide tragedy in our lives. While it can be terrifying …
SL10251: Responses to the Documentary 8: The Mormon Proposition
Billed as a documentary but made in a style that some find reminiscent of anti-Mormon exposés, LAURA COMPTON, ROBERT A. REES
SL10311: Film Screening: Trouble in Zion, a documentary
Trouble in Zion is an hour-long documentary offering a unique look at the 1838 Mormon/ Missouri War. The film retells a tragic piece of American history through spoken word, folk music, and even the vibrant pages of a comic book. It features intriguing interviews with notable scholars from history, religion, and sociology (such as Richard …