Mormonism is often considered a tradition set apart from the rest of american society, but over the past half-century it has become an integral part of the country’s political life. From the equal Rights amendment through California’s Proposition 8, the LDS Church has played a crucial if episodic role in the country’s culture wars. As …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2012
EXERCISING DOMINION: SECTION 121 AND THE ABUSE OF POWER
The feminist slogan, “the personal is political,” calls attention to the profound relationship between power structures and personal life. Personal problems are often rooted in political, economic, cultural, and religious systems. Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants warns us that even divinely ordained power can be abused. This panel will look at power structures …
THE SWORD OF CHRIST: THE HUNGER GAMES AND THE PARABLES OF JUDGMENT
The parable is to human life what the mathematical equation is to the physical world. It abstracts certain features and enables us to see hidden realities. In her popular trilogy, The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins gives us a parable that reveals the hidden face of evil. This paper will compare The Hunger Games to Jesus’ …
TO WHAT AUDIENCE DO I CHOSE TO WRITE? (AND DOES BEING BORN MORMON AFFECT YOUR CHOICE?)
As a writer born into the Mormon culture, how do you define the audience to whom you’ve chosen to write? How has your Mormon background affected your creativity and the sense of your place in the world of writing? What are the political ramifications of being a “Mormon” writer? Do you feel an obligation to …
MORMON NEO-LIBERALISM: DEFINING FAITH FOR THOSE WHO DOUBT
There has always been theological and political tension between Mormon cultural orthodoxy and liberalism. Too often, Mormon conservatives view their liberal sisters and brothers as apostates or wolves in sheep’s clothing who seek to weaken or damage the Church. Such a view is not unwarranted as Mormon liberals have often defined themselves not by their …
EMPATHY, SYMPATHY, AND COMPASSION: CHALLENGING VIRTUES FOR LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Empathy is the ability to understand and, on a deeply caring level, respond to the needs of other creatures. Alma speaks of followers of Christ as those who are “willing to bear one another’s burdens, . . . mourn with those that mourn, . . . and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” …
EXPERIENCE THE PEACE OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER
Come reflect on God’s gracious gift of Jesus through scripture, song and prayer. Jane M. Gardner, Lauren Hall
OCCUPY ZARAHEMLA
The Occupy movements began at Wall Street and have spread throughout the world. This panel will discuss the theory behind Occupy movements and the strong parallels between Mormon scripture and Occupy movements in terms of critiques/ solutions. We argue that as Samuel occupied the center of political and economic power in Zarahemla to decry the …
PLURAL LIVES: MITT ROMNEY’S POLYGAMOUS HERITAGE
Though Mormons such as Mitt Romney are now viewed as thoroughly entrenched in the US conservative mainstream, his ancestors only a few generations back were counter-cultural crusaders, upholding a non-standard marriage system they believed was commanded by God— polygamy. It was also illegal, often secret, and publicly denied by Church leaders, frequently forcing people in …
MORMONS AND MORMONISM AS POLITICAL FARCE
“Mormon humor” is a concept that would startle many non-Mormons, but despite the warning in D&C 59:15 that “much laughter . . . is sin,” Mormons have long appreciated a good laugh. Simultaneously willing to laugh at themselves and sensitive to criticism, Mormons must answer the question: If you can’t laugh at a man claiming …