When a post-Mormon finds out that a compelling Bigfoot “documentary” is actually a work of fiction, he must again deal with doubt. Soon after returning from my mission, I sat down on a curb in downtown Atlanta and wept over my lost faith. I have since made peace with my Mormonism and now view it …
Tag: Sunstone Talk
Self-Compassion: Bringing Healing and Growth to Your Faith Journey
Having compassion for yourself means honoring and accepting the messiness of your own human experience. This messiness is often painfully present as our faith evolves. In this session, we will explore how to integrate the practice of self-compassion when challenging experiences arise. Through discussion, meditation, and experiential exercises, we will learn how to treat ourselves …
Eternal Damnation, Outer Darkness, and the Reorganization of Intelligence
While lacking the lake of fire from mainstream Christianity, Mormonism proposes an equally terrifying “outer darkness.” What is the nature of this particular damnation and what have Mormon authorities and scholars said concerning it? Are some spirits really going to be lost forever in the depths of space? Is this a bad thing? How do …
Finding Peace & Gratitude Amidst the Calamities of Life
When others afflict us, when life afflicts us, we can find peace and gratitude amidst the pain and loss
Feminist Geneology as Spiritual Practice
Owning our story can be an important step in transforming grief to gratitude. Learn about ways to engage feminist genealogy as a way to connect with your story, find your voice and wrestle with complicated intersections of history, spirituality, and meaning.
Author Meets Critics “The Whites Want Every Thing: Indian-Mormon Relations, 1847–1877”
The Whites Want Every Thing, by Will Bagley, explores the Native American view of Mormon and “Indian” relations during the years 1847-1First, Bagley will discuss his book. Then Native American leaders and scholars will share their views on the book and on the myths and realities of Mormon and Indian relations. Did 19th-century Mormons really …
Taking Off the Nametag: Why Some Missionaries Leave the LDS Church for Good
As a returned missionary, what does it mean to leave the LDS Church? Some struggle to reconcile leaving behind the doctrines of the Church without leaving behind their loved ones. While some family members assume that it’s “a phase” that will pass, others feel a deep sense of loss. Grief is felt on all sides …
Coffee, Alcohol, Cannabis, Psilocybin, Ayahuasca: Navigating Substance Use after Mormonism
When transitioning Mormons begin to question the validity of the Word of Wisdom, many begin to explore and experiment with previously forbidden substances. Some have positive experiences, but not all. This presentation will address substance use from a mental health perspective, addressing common pitfalls, and offering strategies for exploring the use of coffee, alcohol, cannabis, …
Gratitude, and Some Grief, about Temple Changes
When I heard last year about the changes in the temple ceremony, I was very happy that negative images and language about women had been removed. These changes eliminate the oppressive overlay that has made women feel like eternal second-class citizens. While these changes are mostly positive, they neither alter the underlying power structure of …
Mormons like me? Identity as Problem and Solution
Who do we belong to and how does identification motivate and shape our lives? Identification with our ego and our groups is inevitable and yet presents sticky problems. This session proposses that perpetual loss of identity is congruent with both spiritual and secular frameworks. A radical reading of Christ’s identity points us toward identifying with …