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 …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2010
SL10334: Panel: The Pros and Cons of Writing Confessional Memoir in the Mormon Milieu
This panel will focus on the pros and cons of writing and publishing a tell-all, “confessional” memoir in the Mormon milieu—this culture of “truth-telling.” What are the ramifications of making private thoughts and actions into a public record? How does this follow D&C 42:88: “And if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take …
SL10373: Men and the Priesthood: Taking on the Feminine
Some feminists insist that they want equality in the priesthood while others just want to have a say in their culture. Before we brand an all-male priesthood as inherently bad, let’s step back and take a second look at some possible positive aspects of an all-male priesthood—as well as some of the drawbacks of such …
SL10132: Studies of Twentieth-century Utah Mormon Sects
This panel presents three case studies documenting and analyzing the expressions of Utah Mormonism as they developed in the twentieth century. Through these case studies, the presenters will demonstrate the diverse schismatic response to well-documented theological and cultural change within the LDS Church. Unlike Mormon Fundamentalism, (e.g. the FLDS Church, the Apostolic United Brethren), these …
SL10173: Some SAHD Stories
There is no Primary song that starts out, “I’m so glad that Daddy stays home,” probably because both the culture and teachings of the LDS Church overwhelmingly encourage the father to earn the living and the mother to raise the family at home. What happens when that arrangement doesn’t work out? Panelists talk about their …
SL10252: In Memoriam: Linda Sillitoe
Writer and poet Linda Sillitoe’s death in April 2010 left a hole in the heart of Sunstone. Join us for remembrances from family and friends. JOHN SILLITO, PAUL SWENSON, PHYLLIS BARBER, ALLEN ROBERTS
SL10312: The Descent of Dissent: or On the Origin of Speciousness
”In the Olden Days before Blogs: A Message to Maggie.” This paper will explore some of the developments in dissent over the past two decades, including what constituted dissent then and now. Is dissent praying privately to Mother in Heaven? Is it not putting up a lawn sign supporting Prop 8? Is it splitting your …
SL10351: Panel: Mobilizing the Saints: Behind-the-Scenes Strategies on Same-sex Marriage
”Toeing the Line: Is the LDS Church a Moral Agent or a Political Machine?” The LDS Church identifies its involvement in same-sex marriage issues as a moral cooperative with other religions. Yet participation by both members and general leaders appears to have outweighed participation by other religious adherents. Has the Church crossed the line from …
SL10374: Panel: Where is Your Faulkner? Mormon Fiction and America
As a non-Mormon writer for the PBS film, The Mormons, Jane Barnes found no novels about the Saints’ place in America. Her paper “Notes Toward a New Mormon Fiction,” asks questions about this absence, starting with the whereabouts of a Mormon Sound and Fury or My Antonia. How can Mormon writers look at their experience …
SL10133: Peculiar Portrayals: Mormons on the Page, Stage, and Screen
Published this spring by Utah State University Press, Peculiar Portrayals is a collection of new scholarly articles examining depictions of Mormon characters in mass market venues. The panelists, who are editors of and/or contributors to the project, will discuss the personal and professional reasons behind the book’s creation. Michael Austin will read a part of …