The academic disciplines of history and literary criticism were in their infancy in the early 19th century. Although Christians were becoming aware that some Biblical passages, read literally, were in error (cf. Joshua commanding the sun to stand still), Joseph Smith’s own work at Bible revision (the “Inspired Version” or “Joseph Smith Translation”) illustrate the …
Speaker: JOHN HAMER
Church for the Unchurched Revisited
For the past three years, John Hamer has built up a new community at Toronto Centre Place committed to a five-point mission: (1) invite everyone into community, (2) continually learn and grow, (3) abolish poverty and end needless suffering, (4) pursue peace and justice, and (5) live life meaningfully together. Regular participants at Centre Place …
Conversation with Author and Critic: William Bickerton: Forgotten Latter Day Prophet
Join John Hamer (critic) and Daniel Stone (author) for an in-depth conversation about the new book, William Bickerton: Forgotten Latter Day Prophet (Signature Books). This is the previously untold biography of William Bickerton, founder of the third-largest Latter Day Saint denomination, known as the Church of Jesus Christ. From his origins in the early Mormon …
Bob’s Mormon Cred Scale 2.0
How much Mormon cred do you have? That is, how much of the end-to-end Mormon experience have you participated in? Bob Caswell, of the Infants on Thrones podcast, derived a Mormon cred scale back in 2014 through which he attempted to quantify anyone’s Mormon credibility by having them answer a series of questions. Thousands of …
How the Restoration Experience Can Inform the Responsible Use of Scripture
Because of the legacy of Joseph Smith Jr., Latter Day Saint heritage churches have experience with scripture that is unique within Christianity. With the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith dictated whole books of scripture. By claiming the prophetic mantle, he dictated new revelations in God’s voice that were compiled into the …
Infants on Post-Mormon Values
What do values look like after a faith crisis? Without scriptures or prophets or belief in divinity, who is to say what is right and wrong? When the Liahona disappears, what becomes your moral compass? What is the baby? What is the bathwater? The members of the Infants on Thrones podcast will explore these questions …
Many Infants On Multiple Thrones What We Do Why We Do It And How We Think It Matters
Infants on Thrones (Heather, John, Glenn, Jake, Matt, Scott, and Tom) commemorates its fourth year of podcasting by reflecting on the highs and lows of irreverently ponderizing the philosophies of men, mingled with humor. Jake Frost, Tom Perry, Matt Long, John Hamer, Scott Rowley, Glenn Ostlund, Heather Craw
Mapping Many Mormonisms
John has created hundreds of maps and diagrams which outline the relationships—geographical, historical, and conceptual—between the many expressions of Mormonism. This presentation will visually map the schisms and connections between the many branches of Mormonism using dozens of original maps and diagrams. John Hamer
Church For The Unchurched The Case For Non Dogmatic Religion In The 21 St Century
As traditional Christian denominations fail to offer relevance to an increasing number of young people, the proportion of the unchurched “nones”Ñthose who answer “none” in surveys of religious affiliationÑcontinues to rise within the developed world. Nevertheless, studies of Millennials show a generation far more concerned with purpose-driven actions and a desire for meaning-filled lives than …
Infants On Thrones The Healing Power Of Mingling Humor With The Philosophies Of Men And Occasionally Some Women An Interactive Journey Through The Nether Regions Of The Mormon Mind
The Healing Power of Mingling Humor with the Philosophies of Men, and Occasionally Some Women: An Interactive Journey Through the Nether Regions of the Mormon Mind, if such a thing actually exists, which we will most likely discuss and probably debate. Live. Maybe. 101. Please bring a smart phone or tablet to participate. Scott Rowley, …