Will heavenly beings go to services in a grand church like Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia or something akin to the Provo Temple? Will such a building be adorned with Rafael’s paintings or propagandistic illustrations by Mormon artist Jon McNaughton? Will the Telestial Kingdom hear only Muzak while Celestial Choirs inspire with the Hallelujah Chorus? Bob …
Speaker: Clifton Jolley
The First Vision in Poetry
Two hundred years ago Joseph Smith walked into the woods near his family farm and experienced the founding vision of the Restoration. While theologians and scholars have debated the veracity and contours of Joseph’s theophany, painters and poets have attempted to capture its essence in pigment and verse. This session presents examples of both visual …
Mormonism, Purpose, and Afterlife as Seen through a Purple Rain
Much of what we believe depends on what we hope or fear. We judge others and our church through the lens of who and where we are in a particular moment. Wonder becomes less a fascination than a question, while our questions of belief and believing are not inclined to be answered. Increasingly we see …
The Book of Mormon Musical: How Funny is it to Mormons?
The Book of Mormon Musical has been one of the most successful musicals in American theater history. Audience have flocked to see Mormons and Mormonism satirized, lampooned, and caricatured. But how funny is it to Mormons? How successful has the Church’s attempt been to turn the musical in its favor? Bob Rees, Clifton Jolley, Ron …
What Mormons Can Learn from . . .
As a New-World, restorationist religious movement, Mormonism has much to teach the world, but it also has much to learn from teachers, prophets, visionaries, artists, scientists, movers, and shakers from other traditions. This session includes seminal lessons for Latter-day Saints from the world’s great teachers, texts, traditions, and creative expressions. Bob Rees, Clifton Jolley, Phil …
Mormons and Trump: An Unholy Alliance?
Mormons have an ambivalent attitude toward Donald Trump. That ambivalence is most clearly seen through the lens of Mitt Romney. Romney was dissed by Trump who called the former candidate for president a “choke artist,” and a “failed candidate.” Then Trump humiliated Romney by pretending to consider him as Secretary of State. Trump seems to …
The Defense of Cain An Interactive Musical Play
The Defense of Cain An Interactive Musical Play Prepare for a radical idea. Suppose Cain was framed?!! In this interactive, musical play, The Defense of Cain, the playwright claims that the scriptural record is one sided, that Cain has never had his day in court! This is that day. What are the implications of a …
Poets and the Prophets
While it may be true, as he said of himself, that no one knew Joseph Smith’s history, poets from the early days of the Restoration have attempted to capture the Prophet through the power of poetic language. This session consists of readings of poets from W. W. Phelps and Eliza R. Snow to modern Mormons …
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO THE TEMPLE: A STORY ABOUT MORMONS AND JEWS, AND BECOMING BOTH, PART ONE: BEING MORMON
During his many years as one of Mormonism’s and Utah’s best-loved poets, essayists, and columnists, Clifton Jolley was unfailingly interesting. Blessed with piercing intelligence, a wry sense of humor, and a radar always tuned to finding life’s wonderful ironies, Clifton has never been afraid to share what’s on his mind. In this session, he will …
BANQUET. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON MY WAY TO THE TEMPLE: A STORY ABOUT MORMONS AND JEWS, AND BECOMING BOTH, PART TWO: BECOMING JEW-ISH
During his many years as one of Mormonism’s and Utah’s best-loved poets, essayists, and columnists, Clifton Jolley was unfailingly interesting. Blessed with piercing intelligence, a wry sense of humor, and a radar always tuned to finding life’s wonderful ironies, Clifton has never been afraid to share what’s on his mind. Earlier today (session 351), Clifton …