Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2012

SLIPPERY TREASURES: AFFINITY FRAUD IN MORMON UTAH

Affinity fraud is broadly defined as fraudulent financial, political, or education schemes in which the defrauders gain the trust of the victims through shared identity or community. This presentation will cover the history of ponzi schemes in Utah, including the Valcor scandal, the largest fraud in Utah, and will also consider smaller schemes and multi-level …

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SELECTIVE MORAL PRINCIPLES: MORMONS AND TORTURE

The LDS Church has taken a stand on many social issues because of their moral content, including abortion, birth control, and gay marriage. But in the case of torture, although condemning inhumane treatment of others, the Church failed to join with other groups in any serious attempt to designate torture as outside the realm of …

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WILFORD C. WOOD–ECCENTRIC AND VISIONARY (1893-1968)

Wilford C. Wood was a visionary in many ways: first, he purchased property in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania that later became official LDS historic sites. Second, he collected historical artifacts such as the death masks of Joseph and Hyrum. Third, he claimed visions the LDS community considered appropriate only for apostles. An example of …

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FAITH AS A DEADLY SIN OF PRIDE

In an April 1989 General Conference talk, Ezra Taft Benson said, “Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion.” This presenter agrees. An unquestioned, aggressively supported faith tends to dismiss logical argument and evidentiary consideration, thereby involving the abdication of one’s responsibility as a thoughtful moral agent. This is a form of pride that continues …

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WHAT KEEPS MORMONS AND EVANGELICALS FROM COOPERATING POLITICALLY?

Although Mormons and Evangelicals in the US typically share conservative social values, Evangelicals’ theological opposition to Mormonism periodically generates friction between Mormons and the Evangelical Right. Recent examples include Mitt Romney’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, Focus on the Family’s 2008 decision to pull a Glenn Beck interview from its website, and a 2004 effort …

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