Speaker: Michael J. Stevens

Beyond Passive Aggression Creating A Culture Of Collaboration

Recent research has demonstrated that the Latter-day Saint community (especially along the Wasatch Front) has developed an unhealthy culture of passive-aggression. What can be done about this? Rather than focusing on the dysfunction, this paper will present a variety of concrete steps, learnable skills, and case studies that show us ways to develop healthy collaborative …

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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 …

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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 …

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SUNSTONE TOWN HALL MEETING

Bring your compliments and complaints to this session and let the SUNSTONE leadership know what we’re doing well—and where we can improve. SUNSTONE board members and staff will report on the past year and describe new initiatives and projects for the years ahead. Laura Compton, Michael J. Stevens, Stephen Carter, Mary Ellen Robertson

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Panel: The Message of Christ, the First Christian

This panel will discuss Christ’s messages to his historic and contemporary followers and explore the impact of Christ’s teachings on the individual, the family, the tribe, and the human power structures in which we all operate. Jacob Baker, Janice Allred, Mark Thomas, Michael J. Stevens, moderator Paul Toscano

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Sunstone Town Hall Meeting

There have been a few changes at SUNSTONE this year, including the 2011 Symposium’s move to Ogden/Weber State, using SUNSTONE’s Facebook page to promote events, launching a SUNSTONE student group at the University of Utah, and rolling out an electronic subscription via the SUNSTONE app for Apple devices (and soon on Android!). Michael J. Stevens

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