This session will detail John’s development of Integral polarity practice (IPP), an approach to meditation, awareness, and action aligned with patterns of the Restored Gospel. IPP is not an improved way to practice Mormonism, but a series of practices to help one deepen in awareness, become more integrated, grow to higher levels of human development, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
THE IROQUOIS AS THE LAMANITE: AN ARGUMENT FOR A CONTEMPORARY READING OF THE BOOK OF MORMON
Apologists have argued for ancient settings of the Book of Mormon in the American continent. In this presentation, I argue that the description of Lamanites portrayed in the Book of Mormon is consistent with nineteenth-century understandings of the Iroquois and the archaeological interpretation of artifacts commonly found in the New York State area during the …
EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL
A new and fundamental question of our doctrine has been brought to the forefront in the last decade: “Can one be gay and Mormon?” Despite claims that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is officially politically neutral, it has supported and funded legislation aimed at denying full rights and equality to God’s gay …
THE LIONESS OF THE LORD: THE LETTERS OF AUGUSTA ADAMS COBB TO HER HUSBAND BRIGHAM YOUNG
Four US archives contain some 140 letters written by Augusta Adams Cobb to her husband Brigham Young from 1844 to the 1860s. Augusta was Brigham’s second plural wife of some 55 total. A Boston Brahmin, herbalist, and cultural feminist, Augusta abandoned her wealthy first husband and six of her children to marry Brigham young in …
ALWAYS ON STAGE
When Dialogue editor Kristine Haglund discussed Mormonism on a March 2012 installment of CSPAN’s “Religion and American Politics,” she suggested Mormons “learn very early on that Mormonism is something to be constantly performed.” She said that many Mormons have “this sense that [they’re] always on stage, . . . always showing people how good Mormonism …