The bad news: in the end, all beliefs (yes, even religious ones) have their root in the reliably fallible brain. The good news: correct understanding of the brain can lead to less arrogance about one’s own beliefs and more tolerance of those who think differently. This paper explores the neuroscience behind how beliefs are formed, …
Tag: Sunstone Talk
216: How Media Misrepresentation Can Traumatize: Perspectives and Suggestions from a Media Psychologist and Mormon Fundamentalist
This panel of FLDS members and advocates will describe how media depictions impact their communities. This is a special session for media professionals, bloggers, activists, survivors, and others to hear how media portrayals impact vulnerable communities.
Sunstone Hymn Sing Along
This session honors the tradition of music and singing at Sunstone. The Eastmans are a beloved part of the Sunstone community and will lead the Symposium congregation in singing some of the hymns of the restoration, with Alan Eastman at the piano and Vickie Eastman leading. Alan Eastman, Vickie Eastman
Be One: Reflections on the 40th Anniversary of the Priesthood Restoration
This panel of will reflect on the lifting of the priesthood/temple ban while looking back on the history of race in Mormonism. It will also explore ways to move toward equity and true unity in Zion. Mica McGriggs and a panel of special guests
Borderlands Session: For Those Troubled by Church Programs, Practices, and Policies – Ways to Respond
Most LDS members encounter church programs, practices, and policies (PPPs) that bother them, e.g., the inability of non-temple-recommend-holding parents to attend a child’s wedding, policies related to children of same-sex couples, and practices related to the Word of Wisdom. This session will explore some of the more troublesome PPPs and offer thoughts on what we …
353.Author Meets Critic: The Plural Marriage Revelation
This session is an author meets critic panel discussing Bill Smith, Brian Hales, Lindsay Hansen Park, Andrew Hamilton
Race and Mormonism: A Roundtable Discussion with Experts
This session presents a roundtable discussion on the LDS Church’s former race-based restrictions, the fortieth anniversary of the revelation on priesthood, the “Be One” event, and the recent satire/hoax apology scandal. Newell Bringhurst, Devery Anderson, Darron Smith, LaShawn Williams, Lester Bush
My Walk With the Gods: My Experience as a Baptist, Mormon, Mormon Fundamentalist, Buddhist, and Beyond
Being raised in the South, my first interest in religion focused on the Southern Baptist Church. But at 15, I became a Latter-day Saint and later served a mission in Wyoming and Utah. During my mission I became convinced of the principles of plural marriage and the United Order. After some intense experiences with Fundamentalist …
Individuation Symbolism in Mormonism
The stories in Mormonism contain a repository of wisdom, but there are also psychological forces behind them that influence how Mormons experience spirituality. When we understand the symbolism of these stories as a model of our inner experiences, we can understand how they affect our lives. This presentation links the symbolism found in the Book …
Ask a Sex Therapist
Sexuality is a taboo topic both within the general population and Mormon culture, with sexual shame being a common factor among many of its members. This session gives attendants access to the expertise of one of Mormonism’s few AASECT certified sex therapists. Attendees can ask questions directly or anonymously in a safe space. Addressing sexuality …