Abstract This panel will explore several issues in Mormon feminism, making use of scripture, feminist philosophy/critical theory, and theology. Questions we will examine include an analysis of the Mormon readings of Eve’s role in the Eden story, subjectivity and embodiment in Mormonism, and connections between relational understandings of God in mainstream feminist theology and LDS …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2009
SL09212 Women in the LDS Church Handbook of Instructions
The Church Handbook of Instructions is supposedly off-limits to all members of the Church (especially Vol. 1, which is reserved for priesthood leaders), but women are less likely than men to be able to consult it. Still, it impacts their lives in numerous ways, especially in terms of policies and procedures about which they are …
SL09261 Us-Them Tribalism and Early Mormonism [Partial]
For half a century, both LDS and non-LDS writers have referred in passing to “tribal D. Michael Quinn
SL09321 Making a Case for a Nineteenth-century Reading of the Book of Mormon
To interpret the Book of Mormon responsibly requires readers be brought into a historical conversation with early nineteenth-century North America and into a larger hermeneutical conversation with the text itself. This presentation will outline how this interpretive strategy will enable a more adequate reading of the Book of Mormon, including the perceived aims and purposes …
SL09361 School of the Saints: Writing the BYU Novel
School of Saints is a novel-in-progress by Laura Moulton, who attended BYU from 1988-1993. It spans a period that includes events ranging from an on-campus protest of the first Gulf War to the fireside in which Howard W. Hunter was accosted by a man claiming to have a bomb. It also includes the introduction of …
SL09134 Panel: Natural Childbirth: The Contemporary Mormon Women’s Natural Response: “No Way!”
This panel will discuss why contemporary Mormon women have such strong feelings about this topic, how it defines the beginning of our journeys as mothers, how it might reflect LDS dependence on male authority figures in our decision-making, and the diminishing importance of midwifery roles within the LDS community from the early pioneer days when …
SL09214 A Currency of Faith: Taking Stock in Utah County’s Dream Mine [Partial]
In 1894, John Hyrum Koyle began digging the Dream Mine on a mountaintop in central Utah. Koyle, who was a Mormon bishop at the time, claimed he had been shown where to dig by Moroni, the same heavenly messenger who had led Mormon founder Joseph Smith to unearth the golden plates. Moroni visited Koyle in …
SL09262 From Revelation to Repetition: The Decline of Dreams as Revelatory Experience in Contemporary Mormon Discourse
Historically, revelatory dreams have played an important role in Mormonism, protecting, guiding, and encouraging the Saints—especially during trials. In this paper, I will analyze revelatory dreams as discussed by general authorities since 1971. My analysis will suggest that dreams are still considered revelatory and used in the context of telling faith-promoting stories—but with a difference: …
SL09322 Panel: Activists and Mormonism: Using the Experience of Modern Activists to Give Context to Ancient Scripture
By examining the experiences of modern activists, we can gain insight into the lives of people in the Bible and Book of Mormon who stood up for their beliefs. As peace activists, we’ll share our experiences, along with those of other contemporary activists, and look back into the lives of Mormons such as Bathsheba Smith …
SL09362 Panel: This I Believe
Sunstone friends and supporters share short belief statements modeled on the NPR show. This audio features a presenter who is in violation of our code of conduct. For more info on Tom Kimball and his history, click here for the January 14, 2023 statement. Rhonda L. Callister, Rory T. Swensen, Thomas D. Parkes, Margaret Blair …