Though not officially taught as doctrine, ideas concerning the potential reincarnation of souls have held some sway in Latter-day Saint minds and hearts. Some Mormons claim that they can access past lives or experiences in a way that suggests they’ve been incarnated on earth before. This panel examines reincarnation in light of LDS theology concerning …
Speaker: Bill Hansen
SL09231 Panel: Why We Stay
This perennially well-received session features the stories of those who have chosen to remain active, dedicated Latter-day Saints even in the face of many difficult challenges to traditional faith. How have these members wrestled with their faith and yet emerged more determined than ever to be a part of the Latter-day Saint community? J. Frederick …
A Warning to the Rising Generation: Allowing Religiosity to Reign over Spirituality
A Warning to the Rising Generation: Allowing Religiosity to Reign over Spirituality Even though the theme of this conference addresses spirituality, there may be some value in exploring the tendency to confuse it with religiosity. What is the difference between the two? Can a person be religious and not spiritual; or spiritual and not religious? …
Seeing Joseph through Jesus’s Eyes
Seeing Joseph through Jesus’s Eyes As the Community of Christ has dropped its traditional claims regarding exclusive authority and moved toward seeing their church as part of the body of Christ rather than as the body of Christ, there has been a greater emphasis on elements of faith members hold in common with the rest …
JESUS WASN’T A MINUTEMAN: A DIALOGUE ON IMMIGRATION AND CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
JESUS WASN’T A MINUTEMAN: A DIALOGUE ON IMMIGRATION AND CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY In many ways, the mission and message of Jesus transgressed or erased the political, social, and religious barriers of his time. This panel discussion will explore how believers today wrestle with immigration and border issues and understand them in terms of Christian responsibility. What …
Great Movies That Have Expanded My Religious World
Great Movies That Have Expanded My Religious World For many of us, movies not only entertain but can also change how we see and experience life and the world. From watching a film, we can feel cleansed, live without guilt, or be more selfless. For exalting recommendations, come to this session! Scot Denhalter, Moderator; Elbert …
Is The Rational Man An Enemy To God? The Role Of Reason In Living The Gospel
Does faith seek understanding? Does understanding support faith? The scriptures contain many affirmations of the value of the intellect, yet there is a strong anti-intellectual strain in Mormonism. This paper argues that reason plays an essential role in living the gospel. Janice Allred, Bill Hansen
A THEOLOGY OF COLLECTIVE SIN AND GRACE
The traditional theologies of sin and grace, Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Calvinism, all make one assumption about the nature of sin that I believe is incorrect. They assume that sin is primarily an action carried out by an individual and for which that individual is alone responsible. I argue that individual sin is the exception and …
THE BEST IDEA IN MORMONISM
Thought experiment: Imagine Mormonism without any concern for the concept of being “the one and only true church,” without any worries about how this or that doctrine might “play” in the mission field or among those with whom the Church is forging coalitions to cooperate on moral issues. That imaginary position is the starting point …