For LDS Church members who are more melaninated than others, family history can be extremely daunting: colonization, forced migration, and (for many of African descent) slavery have had a devastating impact on records about our ancestors. This session presents tips and strategies for overcoming such obstacles. Bryndis Roberts
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2017
Worth of All Persons
This panel includes people from many different branches of the Restoration movement who will discuss what “Embracing All, Even the Least of These” means in a faith transition. What do our books of scripture say about this topic? How we act upon those words? Carla Long Lachlan Mackay Nancy Ross Dan Wotherspoon Ruth Williams
Plenary Session: Embracing the Least of These
Following several religious traditions, Dr. Salleh will preach a sermon on what it means to embrace “the least of these” in a tumultuous world. After the sermon, Lisa Butterworth will host an interactive Q&A. Opening musical number: “Sinners, Are You Woke?” Written and composed by Michael Adam Ferguson Dr. Fatimah S. Salleh
The Polygamist’s Daughter: Healing in the Aftermath of Trauma and Abuse
This presentation will address the issue of “Healing in the Aftermath of Trauma and Abuse”, including the hidden abuses which leave marks and scars not just on the body, but on the heart, soul, and spirit as well. Anna LeBaron
Seer Stones, Folk Magic, and Alvin’s Hand
Mormonism’s beginnings are deeply connected with the folk magic practice of the Smith Family and Joseph Smith himself. This session will expound on the Chase family, water witching, magic circles, guardian spirits, throat slit Spaniards, Obadiah Dogberry, Joseph’s seer stones, and of course Alvin’s hand. Once we understand these narratives, Mormonism’s beginnings look quite different. …
To Redact, or Not to Redact? That Is the Question: The George Q Cannon Journals
This panel will discuss the release of the George Q Cannon Journals and the redactions made by the Church Historian’s Press when publishing the journals online. A press release stated in part: “some passages of the original journal will be withheld in accordance with policies of the Church History Library to redact sacred, private, and …
The Banality of Progress
This presentation will: 1. Think through the complex and conflicting trifecta of identity, politics, and activism. 2. Help to shed some misconceptions about identity so that we can more effectively fight against injustice. Mehrsa Baradaran
Continuity and Change in Temple Worship
The history of LDS temple theology and practice has undergone three distinct phases: 1) “Development.” From 1836–1917 temple theology and practice evolved and became standardized. 2) “Stability, Maturity, and Expansion.” From 1919–1975 a consistent temple theology and practice was integrated into LDS culture worldwide. 3) “Revision and Change.” From 1975–Present major changes in temple practice …
Evening Devotional: Sacred Space and Spiritual Practice
Feminist theologians Gina and Maxine invite participants to enter sacred space and experience spiritual practice through liturgy, chant, contemplative prayer, and the holy day of Mary Magdalene. Gina Colvin Maxine Hanks
They, Them, Their: Seeing God on the Spectrum
Much of the world has created God to fit into a binary concept of gender—either male or female. This session explores how God could present across the gender spectrum, displaying traits such as being nurturing, life-giving, strong, compassionate, weeping, and the qualities of the priesthood described in Section 121. Could focusing on the qualities we …