‘DO YOU HAVE A TESTIMONY OF . . . ?’ People who have much in common can still look at things very differently. Case in point: James McLachlan and Tom Kimball have been enjoying an ongoing discussion about their Mormon beliefs. Both have contemplated similar historical and philosophical dilemmas, and both are active in their …
Speaker: Tom Kimball
Tom Kimball is in violation of our code of conduct. For more info on Tom Kimball and his history, click our “latest news” link for the January 14, 2023 statement.
CONSTRUCTING JOSEPH SMITH’S LIFE AND TIMES
This session will be a wide-ranging conversation between historians, a Mormon publishing insider, and the audience on the attempt to “know Brother Joseph again.” What makes a good biography? What is the relationship between history and faith, and is Mormonism and the faith of its members tied more closely to the historical record than they …
CONSTRUCTING JOSEPH SMITH’S LIFE AND TIMES: A CONVERSATION
CONSTRUCTING JOSEPH SMITH’S LIFE AND TIMES: A CONVERSATION This presentation compares and contrasts two important works on Joseph Smith published within the past three months: Richard L. Bushman’s Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling and H. Michael Marquardt’s The Rise of Mormonism, 1816-1844. The latter work, while not a biography, focuses on Smith and the controversies …
For Better, For Worse, For Apostasy? How Faith Issues Affect Couple Relationships
For Better, For Worse, For Apostasy? How Faith Issues Affect Couple Relationships How does it affect the stability and foundation of the relationship when one partner in an LDS temple marriage begins to question his or her core religious beliefs? In this session, three couples share their personal experiences with doubt and changes in faith, …
The Ethics Of Doubt
Periods of doubt are a natural part of human development. But in cultures where doubting is considered a serious defect, people find themselves facing ethical dilemmas about how much, if anything, to say to family, friends, and Church leaders. This panel discusses how different Latter-day Saints have faced the challenges of dealing ethically with themselves …
FINDING FULFILLMENT ON THE MORMON MARGIN
In this paper, I discuss my own journey through life as a dedicated, faithful Mormon who eventually chose to remain on the margins in terms of my callings and participation. I also relate my position to the broader literature on those who are marginalized and refer to traditional meanings of being marginalized as well as …
PANEL. THE BOOK OF MORMON QUANDARY
Over the past two decades, scientific research has emerged which challenges the LDS church’s explanation for the origins of the Book of Mormon. How should we as Church members respond to the questions this research raises? Considering the implications of these findings, how might we as individuals shift our personal philosophy, religious belief and practice, …
STAGES OF FAITH: A MORMON ENCOUNTER
I used to believe a Latter-day Saint who reads Mormon histories, studies LDS theology, attends weekly meetings, and seriously considers the implications of what it all means, had two alternatives: either move toward fundamentalism or become agnostic. enter into my life James Fowler’s book, Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest …
STAGES OF FAITH: MORMON ENCOUNTERS
The model of faith development presented by James W. Fowler in his classic study, The Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning, has helped many people from a wide variety of religious traditions better understand their own faith journey. It has been embraced especially by many who feel they …
Seek Ye Out of the Best Books: A Retrospective Look at the Fascinating World of Mormon Books
Seek Ye Out of the Best Books: A Retrospective Look at the Fascinating World of Mormon Books Beginning with the 1830 publication of the Book of Mormon, Latter-day Saint leaders and members have published works designed to persuade, convert, defend, attack, inform, and inspire. Some have been extremely influential in the development of Mormon theology, …