During the 20008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama’s pastor, Jeremiah Wright, was “exposed” as a radical and “un-American” when Fox News broadcast his statement: “It’s not God bless America, it’s God damn America!” For some Americans, that statement was enough to disqualify Obama for the presidency. However, this paper will defend Rev. Wright as a spokesman …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2015
Joseph As Reader Bible Stories And Mormon Religion
This presentation explores the narrative strategies that characterize Joseph Smith’s readings, or “translations,” of Bible stories (the Book of Mormon, a New Translation, the Book of Abraham, temple rituals, environing revelations). Characters evolve and change in these transformed stories, and Joseph himself becomes a character, re-enacting the plot as his friends follow. Understanding how theology …
Hyper Vigilance In Post Mormon Communities
A common symptom of post traumatic stress disorder is hyper-vigilance. The act of leaving one’s faith can cause emotional trauma and sometimes PTSD. In this session, we will discuss how hyper-vigilance in particular is manifest as a characteristic of the communities themselves and how this impacts the individuals and the communities at large. John Larsen
New Thinking For Mormons Involved With Foster Care A Forward Look
The Church’s history with adoption and foster care is gray area. Efforts like the Indian Placement Program and sometimes-coercive and secretive practices of LDS Social/Family Services were guided by wrong-headed ideas about the superiority of some familiesÑwhite families, wealthy families, temple-sealed familiesÑover others. Mormons who become foster parents are vulnerable to some of the same …
Does The Concept Of Zion Still Energize Mormon Hearts And Minds Today
In the early church, talk of building Zion and becoming a Zion people was everywhere. Then, twenty-five years ago, following the publishing of Hugh Nibley’s essay collection, Approaching Zion, and then an iconic “Plotting Zion” conference co-sponsored by Sunstone the following year, “Zion” seemed poised to once again rise up as a vital and energizing …
Faith In Action
Moroni 7:33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. Mormonism is a gospel of faith and works. Come hear how one informs the other as speakers share the events and concepts that animate their religious lives: a little soul …
Ordain Women Where We Go From Here
Join Ordain Women executive board members as we discuss what it takes to recognize and exhibit personal faith and sacrifice in the face of everyday obstacles and institutionalized sexism. We will be exploring topics such as ecclesiastical sexual abuse, hostility towards feminist thought in ward culture, and how defining one’s individual feminism can be your …
I Am A Trans Child Of God
Featuring people inhabiting different points on the gender spectrum and in various levels of LDS belief, this panel will discuss the unique challenges faced by transgendered people who come from an LDS background. Brianna Cluck, River Digerness, Lucas Kieran Strider, Meli (Curtis) Penfold
Lunchtime Presentation 4 Letters 4 Views Of Faith
The human mind sees everything through four lenses: the WHY (purpose), the WHAT (facts), the HOW (actions), and the WHO (relationships). We sometimes find ourselves struggling with conflicts between these lenses, especially when it comes to religion. This session will provide an overview of how these lenses function in religion and suggestions on how to …
Scared Sacred How The Horrifying Story Of Joseph Smith S Polygamy Can Help Save Us
Most stories, especially the kind we tell in church and on television, have morals. They’re like horses that carry us to known destinations. But a few stories have the power to launch us toward the divine by invoking sheer horror: psychological, emotional, and cognitive. Joseph Smith’s polygamy is one of those storiesÑespecially for Mormons. But …