2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - WED, JULY 26
Wednesday, July 26 Sunstone SLC 2017
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New Attendees Dinner: July 26th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Join Sunstone for our second annual New Attendees Dinner! This dinner is for anyone attending the conference for the very first time or for people who need a refresher. It’s also a great opportunity for old attendees to meet new attendees and offer advice on how to Sunstone! Anthony Miller and 5:00 - 6:30 PM: Mark you calendars for July 26th, 2017 at 5:00 pm at in the Crimson View room at the University of NEW ATTENDEE'S 5:00 PM-6:30 Jeralee Henderson Get your dinner ticket Crimson View Newcomer's Orientation Utah Olpin Student Union building. DINNER PM Renshaw are hosting here Dinner the event
Price $16 per person. Register here and make sure to add the New Attendees Dinner to your cart along with your symposium registration price.
During the dinner you will be given a Sunstone Symposium Orientation, hosted by our New Attendees coordinator, Anthony Miller. [email protected] Mormon culture and family traditions centered on male authority have unintentionally silence women's voices. How can we cultivate our own authentic and assertive voices in a culture that often prescribes rigid gender roles, and has been slow to amplify women's stories and perspectives? In this interactive discussion-based workshop participants will identify and explore Mormon "Finding Your Voice as a cultural and family messaging that has served to silence women's authentic voices. Throughout Mormon Woman: A Day- Please register for this WORKSHOPS EAST 9:00 AM-5:00 the day we will learn, discuss, and practice 5 skills of assertiveness from Dr. Hanks' book The Dr. Julie de Azevedo Long Workshop with Dr. specific workshop by (separate registration) BALLROOM PM Assertiveness Guide for Women: How to communicate your needs, set healthy boundaries, and Hanks, PhD, LCSW Julie de Azevedo Hanks, transform your relationships. Workshop will consist of lecture, discussion groups, worksheets, and clicking here PhD, LCSW." more. Lunch will be from noon-1:30 PM (on your own) EARLY-BIRD pricing - Save $50 when you register by June 1, 2017 *Please note that while all women are welcome, this workshop is geared toward women who want to stay meaningfully engaged with the LDS Church The Smith-Pettit lecture is free and open to the public, thanks to a generous grant from the Smith- Pettit foundation. To get a ticket, you just need to arrive early to get a seat. We are only seating for SUNSTONE OPENING 300. There will be overflow seating available where the presentation can be viewed via live 7:00 PM SMITH- SMITH-PETTIT stream. Doors will open at 5:00 pm. LECTURE: PETTIT LECTURE: CENTER 7:00-8:30 PM The lecture will be held in the central ballroom of the University of Utah Olpin Student Union Melissa Harris-Perry James Dubakis MELISSA HARRIS- BALLROOM 7:00 PM Smith-Pettit building, located at 200 S Central Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112. It will begin promptly at 7: PERRY Lecture: Melissa Harris 00 pm and go until 8:00 pm. Cameras will not be allowed during the lecture. Perry You will need to register to attend the rest of the conference. You can register for the entire conference here.
1 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: Room: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: MODERATOR:
Leslie O. Peterson and Amy Rich spearheaded a collaborative art project involving 56 women (non- artists) painting the 56 wives of Brigham Young. Our hope is to bring these wives out of obscurity and honor them as Leslie has done with the Forgotten Wives of Joseph Smith. Center Brigham's 56 Wives: An Art ALL DAY Sunstone Art Show Leslie O. Peterson, Amy Rich None 102 Ballroom Experience Amy Rich is a life-long learner, interested in projects that educate and enrich lives. She produced this artistic experience for and with the wonderful women of WOCA. Her work in education, editing, graphic design, and project management, helped to orchestrate the event, but the women of WOCA brought Brigham's wives to life!
2 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Mehrsa Baradaran is the J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law and the University of Georgia teaching Contracts and Banking Law.
She went to UGA from Brigham Young University, where she taught banking regulation, property and administrative law. During her time there, she was named the 1L Professor of the Year by the Student Bar Association.
Her scholarship includes the books How the Other Half Banks with the Harvard University Press and The Color of Money: An History of Black Banking (forthcoming, Harvard University Press). She has also published many academic articles and essays in law journals, economic journals, and periodicals.
Thinking through the complex and Baradaran's work has received conflicting trifecta of identity, significant national and international 9:00-10:00 AM politics, and activism. Learning to media coverage and has been Joanna Thorpe 111 (60) Opening Plenary: The banality of progress. fight against injustice by shedding Mehrsa Baradaran featured in the New York Times, the Tholstrom some misconceptions about Atlantic, Slate, The Wall Street identity. Journal, The Financial Times, National Public Radio’s “Marketplace,” PBS NewsHour, Radio West, C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal,” Public Broadcasting Service’s “NewsHour” and as part of TEDx.
Previously, Baradaran was an Academic Research Fellow at the New York University School of Law and practiced law in the financial institutions group at Davis, Polk & Wardwell in New York City.
She earned her bachelor's degree cum laude from Brigham Young University and her law degree cum laude from NYU, where she served as a member of the New York University Law Review.
She also served a spanish speaking mission in Houston Texas.
Roy Jeffs was born into the FLDS faith and is the son of FLDS prophet Roy Jeffs is the son of the infamous Warren Jeffs. He lived for 21 years as FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs. Join a faithful member until he left the 10:15-11:15 AM Saltair The Wicked Son: My Father Is Warren Jeffs him as he shares his harrowing Roy Jeffs group in 2014. He now works as a Ryan Flake 121 (60) story of shame, escape, and manufacturing technician and resiliency. rideshare driver in Salt Lake City, Utah.
3 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Bob Rees is the Director of Mormon Studies at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Jesus used the parable of the WILLIAM S. BRADSHAW is retired sheep and goats to call his from the Department of Molecular followers to look upon those we Biology at BYU. He and his wife, consider “the least” as if they were Marge, are the immedate past chairs him. This session looks at the of LDS Family Fellowship, a support Church’s November 2015 policy Bob Rees group for parents of LGBTQ children. 122 Crimson View 10:15-11:15 AM The November 2015 Policy Change in Light of change in regard to married gay William S. Bradshaw Joanna Smith (60) Matthew 25 and lesbian parents and their Berta Marquez Berta Marquez has worked for several children in light of this parable. It years throughout Utah with will include personal stories by organizations that specialize in families affected by the policy bridging the gap between the LDS change. faith tradition and the LGBT community, including Affirmation, Out in Zion, and ldswalkwithyou.org. She currently serves as director of Operation Shine America, an organization which serves homeless youth. Why do so many Mormons seem to be attracted to neoliberalism (the idea that society should be shaped by the free market) even though it shares some fundamental similarities with the philosophy of Korihor? This presentation Justin Pack has a PhD in philosophy from the University of Oregon where 10:15-11:15 AM The Mormon Ethic and the Spirit of examines the rise and failure of he studied thoughtlessness in 123 Panorama East (60) Neoliberalism economic liberalism, and how it Justin Pack Michelle Johnson was resuscitated in the late 20th academia. He is currently a lecturer at century. That many Mormons have CSU Stanislaus. embraced neoliberalism, despite the clear scriptural injunctions against radical individualism, shows that it is not only a political coup, but also an ideological one. NonDuality is a concept used to describe the mystery of existence and being and of one’s conscious relationship with and in God. Is there a place for nondual understandings within Mormonism, Philip McLemore is a former LDS which is arguably one of the most institute director, Air Force chaplain, 10:15-11:15 AM In Christ: Mormonism and the Paradox of dualistic religions on the planet? Is and hospice chaplain. He is a 124 West Ballroom (60) NonDuality it possible that the scriptural Philip McLemore meditation teacher who conducts Dan Wotherspoon expressions, “I shall know...as…I am seminars and oversees an online known” and “Abide in me and I in program at meditatewithphil.com. you” point to nonfual realities that have the power to transform individuals into a Christlike nature and the body of Latter-day Saints into a more spiritually rich community?
4 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Ultrarunning, especially in the Jedediah Rogers is a historian, editor, mountains, often takes on spiritual and avid mountain runner. Currently and religious dimensions: co-managing editor of the Utah sacrificing the body and pushing Historical Quarterly, he is author of beyond one's natural limits to Roads in the Wilderness: Conflict in experience transcendence. In this Canyon Country (University of Utah session, two ultra runners—one in Press, 2013) and editor of a couple of 10:15-11:15 AM Mountain Running, Mormonism, and a his thirties and one in his late Jay Griffith documentary volumes in Mormon Laura Evershed 125 East Ballroom (60) Pathway to Spirituality fifties—will share their experience Jedediah Rogers history. Johnsen of conversing with God through this sport, placing it in the context of Jay Griffith is an explorer of ideas and Mormonism and its unique a facilitator of dialogue and concepts of spirit, body, creation, relationships through various and nature. The session includes a organizations and non-profits, viewing of the 9-minute including the LDS Church. He often documentary "Holy." does his best meditative thinking and living while running in the mountains. In contrast to national trends, women in Mormon-dominated Utah attain college degrees at a much lower rate than men, reporting that they value some college experience but not necessarily graduation. This Danielle Briggs Christensen earned session presents findings from a her master’s degree from study focussing on an online Parlor A 10:15-11:15 AM Mormon Socialization, Women’s Education, Danielle Briggs Christensen Westminster College in community Brooke Scott 126 (60) and Online Support Groups support group (OSG) for Mormon leadership. Sh previously served as women pursuing a college degree. the program coordinator for the Utah The OSG provided academic Women and Education Initiative. assistance, emotional support, and a sense of community—the women developing a set of cultural norms adapted to their aspirations, mitigating Mormon culture’s impact.
At a recent Mormon Women’s Retreat, I was asked what I felt to be the greatest problem or Jody England Hansen is a mixed- challenge facing the Church today. media artist, occasional empty My thoughts on this go beyond nester, Mama Dragon and LGBTQ policy, doctrine, and politics. In this Saltair 11:30-12:30 (60) It's the End of the World as We Know It Jody England Hansen activist, recently rematriated to Thomas B. McAffee 131 presentation, I approach this Utah—on a journey to find challenge with a single question: "Is connection in the temple as she stops changing the way we live in the grasping for it. world more frightening than global destruction?" I will discuss what it might take to save the world, or the church, or just ourselves.
5 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Christ focused his teachings on subverting the letter of the law in order to pursue its spirit. In other words, he pointed us away from Jonathan Aderhold practices the known toward the unknown. psychotherapy at Silver Skies Mormonism has evolved into a rigid Counseling in Seattle, WA. He is a and dogmatic group dominated by member of the Mormon Mental Health Jonathan Aderhold authority. Its members frequently Association, and an active Mormon.
Crimson View 11:30-12:30 (60) Rejecting Dogma By Embracing Paradox focus on the importance of Kevin Labresh 132 Co-author: Joshua Neal (will ideology, often leading them Joshua Neal practices be unable to attend this year) toward moral stagnation and a psychotherapy at Capitol Hill Therapy disregard of others. In this session, in Seattle, WA. He is a member of the we’ll explore how embracing Mormon Mental Health Association, paradox and the incomprehensible and is “Mormon-ish.” can allow us to reorient our spirituality to be more in line with Christ’s teachings. This presentation is an honest, candid look at the life of a Dallin J. Phillips is a retired university gay/bisexual man who grew up in administrator and instructor, and 133 West Ballroom 11:30-12:30 (60) Old Gay Mormons the 60's, and the unique pleasures Dallin J. Phillips father of eight children and 24 Aaron Boyett and frustrations that attend being grandchildren. He has a law degree, an older gay man today. and has served as a bishop twice. This presentation provides information about the science of gender identity by: 1) Defining gender-relevant terminology; 2) Providing education about sex and Dr. Emily Mackelprang received her gender—using intersexuality to bachelor's degree from the University illustrate the false dichotomies of Washington and both her master's Embracing All Genders: Clashes Between often associated with these degree and Ph.D. from the University 134 East Ballroom 11:30-12:30 (60) Mormonism and the Science of Gender terms—and, 3) Discussing what Emily Mackelprang, Ph.D. [1] of Arizona where she taught human Bert Fuller Identity scientific research tells us about sexuality courses and provided guest gender and gender identity. The lectures, seminars, and community presenter will then facilitate a presentations on various topics conversation regarding the clash relating to sexuality. between scientific and Mormon views of sex and gender, exploring potential paths toward understanding and reconciliation. Isaiah 2 is one of the most famous chapters in the Hebrew Bible. The establishment of House of God in the last days, the peaceful gathering of all nations, and the beating of swords into plowshares Mark Thomas is widely published on have influenced western religion, the subject of Mormon scriptures and The LORD's House in the Top of the Mountains: Union Theater 11:30-12:30 (60) prophecy, and art for thousands of is currently coauthoring a book Wendy Demandante 135 The Diverse Mormon Readings of Isaiah 2:2 Mark Thomas years. The chapter is also central to entitled The Mormon Annotated the history of Mormonism. This Isaiah. session will examine the setting and authorial intent of the passage as well as the long and varied history and mythology of Mormon readings of the chapter.
6 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Natural disasters such as earthquakes spread misery, especially affecting the most vulnerable. How God allows this to happen remains a major obstacle to people’s faith. Could it be these are a necessary part in keeping a Lex Newman is a professor of planet like the earth habitable? philosophy at the University of Utah. This presentation will explore the He specializes in early modern philosophy, especially Descartes and An "Anthropic" Theodicy: Where There Is a following argument: Locke. Loving, All-powerful God, Must the Natural 1. Humans with rational free David D. Allred Parlor A 11:30-12:30 (60) Aubri Parmenter 136 World Be as Violently Destructive of Life as Our agency can exist only in a law- Lex Newman David D Allred is a professor of World Is? governed universe where the behavior of physical objects is physics and astronomy at Brigham predictable. Young University in Provo. His PhD in 2. In law-governed universes, only physics and physical chemistry is planets with plate tectonics can from Princeton University. support advanced animal life (including humans). 3. Therefore, humans with rational free agency can exist only on planets with plate tectonics.
141. LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE 141. LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING VENDORS IN FOLLOWING VENDORS IN THE UNION THE UNION CAFETERIA: Papa 12:30- 2:00 (90) CAFETERIA LUNCH CAFETERIA CAFETERIA: Papa Johns Pizza, Einstein Johns Pizza, Einstein Brothers Brothers Bagel, Jamba Juice, GrillNation, Bagel, Jamba Juice, Panda Express, Deli, Chop'd, Sono Latin GrillNation, Panda Express, Deli, Chop'd, Sono Latin In the four years of food studies at Sunstone, food trends have never been studied so vigorously and in- depth as they have in the last year. Jerilyn Hassell Pool is a digital artist How has the election changed the and print production specialist. She Lunch Presntation: Mormon Food Studies in food patterns of Mormons? How Dovie Onice Eagar Saltair 1:00- 2:00 (60) Jerilyn Hassell Pool lives in Provo, Utah with her family, 142 Trump’s America many more bags of Cheetos have Peterson where she works with the local been consumed in Utah County LGBTQ community. alone? And what about the food habits of famous Mormons? Brace yourself, the alternative facts are coming and they aren’t pretty.
7 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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KRISTIN MARIE BENNION, LCSW, is a licensed mental health therapist. She owns her own practice in Orem, Utah where she primarily treats sex and intimacy concerns.
HEATHER CRAW is the newest addition to Infants on Thrones where she offers a point of view steeped in social psychology, behavioral economics, and Russian literature.
JOHN DEHLIN has a PhD in clinical and counseling psychology from Utah State University. He is the founder of the Mormon Stories podcast.
J SETH ANDERSON is a historian, activist, and writer. He has a master's degree in history from the University of Utah and specializes in the history When mere words cannot of sexuality in the American West. adequately illuminate the intimate Kristin Marie Bennion journey of faith, growth, Heather Craw MICHAEL ADAM FERGUSON is a transformation, and healing, often John Dehlin postdoctoral research fellow at Seth Anderson 2:00-3:30 PM “Sunstone Roadshow” or “Songs of a Faith only music can come to the rescue. Cornell University specializing in Michael Adam Ferguson 151 Saltair (90) Transition” This session will be a musical cognitive neuroscience. Meli Penfold expression of the many Tanner Gilliland experiences of a faith Samantha Louise Shelley TANNER GILLILAND is a professional crisis/journey—with, hopefully, a Connor Snyder writer best known for his video poem, little of something for everyone who "Mormonism and Me" and his has been touched by Mormonism. contributions to the website Zelph On The Shelf, where he goes by the pseudonym Richard R. Lyman.
CONNOR SNYDER is a graduate from Utah State University where he studied marketing and Chinese. He has written for Millennial Mormons, co-founded the blog Whatsoever Is Good with his hot British wife, and now contributes to the blog Zelph on the Shelf under the pseudonym Albert Carrington.
SAMANTHA LOUISE SHELLEY is a really professional writer from Essex, England. She is a firm believer in the four-hour work week, vegan pizza, and not a lot else. Anything you don't like about her is the result of her strict British upbringing.
8 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: Room: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: MODERATOR:
Carol Lynn Pearson's memoir about her marriage to a gay man opened the conversation in Mormondom about LGBT issues in 1986. Others of her works include No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons around our Gay Loved Ones, and the play Facing Author Carol Lynn Pearson and East. several women and men whose lives have been impacted by her Jeralee Renshaw lives in Alpine, Utah book The Ghost of Eternal Carol Lynn Pearson,Jeralee 2:00-3:30 PM The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy One Year and is the lead moderator of A Crimson View Polygamy take a look at the first Henderson Renshaw, Jay Dan Wotherspoon 152 (90) Later: A Report Thoughtful Faith Support Group. year in the life of a book that, in the Griffith, Jane Griffith words of Greg Prince, could “cause Jay Griffith is an Art Director, explorer a shift in the way the institutional of ideas, and a facilitator of dialogue church views itself.” and relationships through various organizations and non-profits.
Jane Griffith is a wife, mother, musician, and Executive Assistant at the U of U. She volunteers for Best Friends Animal Society and is an advocate for the marginalized. The history of LDS temple theology and practice has undergone three distinct phases: 1) "Development." From 1836–1917 temple theology and practice evolved and became standardized. Benjamin Shaffer is a Seventy and a 2) "Stability, Maturity, and temple worker for Christ's Church. He Expansion." From 1919–1975 a is an LDS historian, blog editor, former consistent temple theology and Seminary teacher, and historical practice was integrated into LDS apologist. 2:00-3:30 PM culture worldwide. Benjamin Shaffer 153 Panorama East (90) Continuity and Change in Temple Worship 3) "Revision and Change." From David Patrick David Patrick is the Temple President Roy Schmidt 1975–Present major changes in of the Paiquin Temple of Christ's temple practice and theology Church. He runs an insurance and occurred every decade. financial services brokerage in St. This session will explore the George Utah, where he lives with his historical context and stated wife and four children. reasons for these periods of change, as well as their impact on LDS theology and culture. Perspectives will include both LDS and "fundamentalist" viewpoints.
9 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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From its inception, members of Ordain Women have engaged in faithful agitation for gender equality. In response, some LDS Church leaders have characterized Bryndis Roberts is the chair of Ordain them as neither faithful nor Women’s executive board. virtuous. A few church leaders have Lorie Winder Stromberg serves on the Bryndis Roberts even imposed ecclesiastical Ordain Women executive board as 2:00-3:30 PM Lorie Winder Stromberg West Ballroom Finding Faith and Virtue in Resistance discipline on Ordain Women chair of the long-term planning Joanna Smith 154 (90) Mark Barnes supporters and board members. committee.
Despite this, Ordain Women Mark Barnes serves on the Ordain believes that true faithfulness and Women executive committee as virtue can be found in the treasurer. questioning of and even resistance to church policies, practices, and procedures that result in inequity, marginalization, and exclusion. This session explores the role of spirituality in the poetry of the presenter's mother, Linda Sillitoe, as she moved from Mormon to non-Mormon and embraced Cynthia Sillitoe is a writer, artist, 155 East Ballroom 2:00-3:30 PM Bridgewalker: Spirituality in the Poetry of Linda universal themes in the culture of Cynthia Sillitoe daughter, and close friend of Linda Michelle Johnson (90) Sillitoe her birth and others. The main Sillitoe. source for interpretation will be her collections "Crazy For Living," and the forthcoming "Owning The Moon."
10 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Ryan McKnight was born into the LDS Church and left at age thirty-two. He has a master's degree in accounting from UNLV and is a founder of MormonLeaks and the Underground Handcart Company
Steve Hill has degrees in economics and law from BYU. Since 1977, he has practiced with law firms in Salt Lake City and Seattle, with the exception of a four-year interlude during which he served as CEO of a supercomputing company and co-founded the Ragnar Relay Series.
Andrew Jolley is the CEO of the + source dispensaries, which owns and operates two licensed dispensaries, two cultivation facilities, and a production lab in Southern Nevada. The legalization of marijuana and other cannabis-related substances have long been a source of moral Andrew Jolley, Emilie Emilie Campbell is a special needs 2:00-3:30 PM Campbell, Ryan McKnight, mom and advocate for epilepsy and 156 Union Theater (90) The Moral and Spiritual Case for Cannabis and medical controversy. This Ryan McKnight panel will make a case for why Steve Hill autism. In 2014 she worked on House allowing research and use of the Bill 105 to allow cannabis oil for the drug is a moral imperative. treatment of epilepsy in Utah. She and her fellow epilepsy moms sat down with countless state representatives, senators, LDS church lobbyists and PR, medical professionals and drug prevention organizations, to help educate them and change their view on medical cannabis. She continues to promote education on cannabis in Utah and is looking forward to having a full medical cannabis program here. She is a native of Las Vegas but has lived in Provo for over 20 years and considers it home. Emilie graduated with a BFA in photography from BYU, served a mission in Bulgaria and is a mother to 3. Emilie is married to Branden Campbell who plays bass in the band Neon Trees and has enjoyed touring the world with him and their children. During a one-year volunteer position with THRIVEGulu, an NGO with a mission of healing trauma in Marie Blanchard has a doctor of victims of the 20+ year war in mental health degree from the Northern Uganda, this presenter University of California, San Francisco lived among three cultures, the LDS and has practiced as a licensed 2:00-3:30 PM The Witch Doctor in the Sky: The Acholi, culture, the Western mental health clinical psychologist in Fremont, 157 Parlor A (90) Mormonism, and Mental Health Marie Blanchard, DMH Bryan McAffee culture, and the Acholi culture. The California since 1982. She loves interplay, clashes, connections, traveling, both in developing countries and confusions among these three and with her clients in their personal, cultures highlight the challenge of interior journeys. preserving core values in a diverse context.
11 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Sometimes aspects of church discipline are determined not by Ian Thomson has been working as a one's religious leaders, but by the public defender representing indigent criminal court system. This can criminal defendants since he introduce inequities into a system graduated from law school fourteen that should be designed to help years ago. He currently represents Damned by the Courts: The Conflation of heal and redeem. This presentation Saltair 3:45-4:45 PM Ian Thomson inmates who have been sentenced to Monica Harward 161 Church Discipline with the Criminal Justice will examine relevant differences (60) death in their post-conviction English System across jurisdictions and use real- litigation and appeals. He has life anecdotes to show degrees from The University of circumstances under which an Chicago and the J. Reuben Clark Law overreliance on the criminal justice School at BYU. system can impede access to the benefits of full church participation. This interactive discussion group will allow attendees to discuss with 3:45-4:45 PM Discussion Group: Having Conversations Josh Weed Crimson View one another strategies on how to NONE 162 (60) About Faith With Those You Disagree With Lolly Weed have conversations about faith with people they disagree with. During the second half of the nineteenth century, anti-Mormon novels became something of a sub-genre. In this paper I argue that the reasons for this abundance had to do with the rise of first-wave feminism—many of Charmed Bird Under the Serpent’s Eye: Anti- Manuel Saine hasa bachelor’s degree the authors using Mormon 3:45-4:45 PM Mormonism and Feminism in Nineteenth- in Spanish and education and a 163 Panorama East stereotypes to show the negative Manuel Saine Ana Nelson Shaw (60) Century America master’s degree in English from consequences for women when Weber State University. certain vices went unchecked. Mormons in these novels were portrayed as drunks, sexually immoral, and slave owners (polygamy considered equivalent to white slavery). The Utah Department of Health confirmed the first cases of AIDS in 1983 and began compiling statistics on the disease that year. How did gay and lesbian activists in Utah respond to the new and deadly disease? What did religious communities in Utah think about the disease and what, if any, support did they offer? How did the state health department respond to its responsibility to treat those J. Seth Anderson has a master's degree in history from the University 3:45-4:45 PM who had become infected and of Utah. His research examined the 164 West Ballroom (60) The Wages of Sin is Death: HIV/AIDS in Utah what did it do to prevent the spread J. Seth Anderson Kim Hurst Glover of the disease? This presentation emergence of HIV/AIDS in the state describes where people with AIDS and various responses to the disease. in Utah sought care, and examines the “Common Law Marriage Act” passed by the Utah legislature in 1987, the first piece of legislation to address the AIDS epidemic. How does the presupposition that moral unworthiness warrants death continue to permeate contemporary political and religious cultures?
12 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Doe Daughtrey has a PhD in religious studies and is a full-time instructor at Arizona State University. She recently lost both her mother and a daughter.
RevaBeth Rullell taught science at Lehi High School for 32 years. Her son How does the LDS culture respond Brian committed suicide five years when the death of a child occurs? Doe Daughtery PhD ago. 3:45-4:45 PM What could we do to be more Reva Beth Rullell 165 East Ballroom (60) Learning to Breathe After the Death of a Child helpful? Three parents will tell their Carlene George Patrick Bryson Patrick Bryson worked as a general stories of losing a child and the news reporter for a major newspaper path their grief took. until a car accident ended his career as a journalist. He is currently writing a book about sexual assault on women, based on the experience of his late daughter who was sexually assaulated by a police officer.
If you ask Mormons if we should always believe God and always disbelieve Lucifer, they will say yes. However, in the story of the Fall, we Dr. Ian R. Harvey is a nanotechnologist and patented Teach from the Little Box: Blurring the Lines are supposed to believe Lucifer inventor by day, a beekeeper and Union Theater 3:45-4:45 PM between Mainstream Christianity and and not God. This presentation Ian R. Harvey Lindy Yam 166 backyard farmer & orchardist by (60) Mormonism examines this oddity and proposes that we've been misinterpreting evening. and a Wyoming beef cattle this story for a long time. What ranch hand on weekends. happens when we decide to believe God instead? The "kingdom" concept in Mormon theology has narrowed over the 170 years since pioneer settlement in Utah. The law book used by the first government in Utah, The Laws of the State of Deseret, consisted of the Ten Commandments alone. Robert Kimball Shinkoskey is a The Decalogue was understood to graduate of Stanford University, a 30- be a constitutional law document Parlor A 3:45-4:45 PM The Kingdom Embraces All Robert Kimball Shinkoskey year employee of the Utah Ryan Chidester 167 (60) that embraced the hopes and Department of Health, and the author aspirations of every portion of that of several books on biblical and U.S. early society. Today the Church history. tends to view the "kingdom" as the membership of the church. Modern scholarship demonstrates that ancient Israel understood the Decalogue the way early Utahns did. MormonLeaks was founded in December of 2015 by Ryan Ryan McKnight was born into the LDS McKnight as he gathered Mormon- Church and left at age thirty-two. He related leaks and assembled a has a master's degree in accounting 5:00-6:30 PM Ryan McKnight from UNLV and is a founder of Saltair An Introduction to MormonLeaks team to create and operate the Anthony Miller 171 (90) website. What is the process MormonLeaks and the Underground behind gathering the leaks? How Handcart Company does the website work? How did each team member get involved, and what are their roles?
13 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: Room: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: MODERATOR:
Janice Allred is an independent scholar who speaks and writes on theological topics. She is the author of God the Mother and Other Theological Essays.
Margaret Toscano is an associate Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's well- professor of classics and known aphorism, "Well-behaved comparative studies at the University women seldom make history," was of Utah. She has published initially meant not to call attention extensively on Mormon feminism to the importance of since 1984. unconventional women's lives, but Janice Allred
5:00-6:30 PM to the importance of ordinary Margaret Toscano 172 Crimson View Extraordinary Ordinary Women Dr. Gina Colvin is a research fellow Margaret Toscano (90) women's lives. This panel will Gina Colvin at the University of Canterbury, explore the lives of women, both Vickie Eastman Christchurch, New Zealand with an ordinary and extraordinary, that interest in cultural and post-colonial help us better understand our past, studies. She is an international editor give us insights into our own lives, for Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon and expand our own possibilities. Thought.
Vickie Eastman is a frequent participant on Sunstone panels dealing with Mormon culture. Professionally, she is a retired freelance executive recruiter. Sheyenne Alvarez was active and dedicated to the LDS Church for 20 years until she made a fairly sudden transition in the spring of 2016 after Transitioning away from the LDS being alerted to historical concerns Church comes with many and embarking on two months of full- complications and difficulties. time research. Her adopted son Relationships between parents Javier has chosen to remain active in and teens are already complex, the Church. and transitioning introduces additional issues that must be Mark Whitley decided to make an exit Sheyenne Alvarez navigated to preserve from the LDS Church in the spring of Panorama East 5:00-6:30 PM Transitioning with Teens Mark Whitley David Conley Nelson 173 relationships. This panel is made up 2016 after he studied historical issues. (90) Jessica Whitley of parents who have transitioned Mark's three teen daughters from the Church with teens; they emotionally left the church for will address issues that have differing reasons before Mark's faith presented themselves and crisis. strategies that have, or have not, helped the family keep its Jessica Whitley is an honor student, relationship intact. school spelling bee winner two years running, amazing artist & pianist. Was a very devout / believing Mormon after reading the Book of Mormon multiple times. Studying evolution triggered her faith transition.
14 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: Room: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: MODERATOR:
Community of Christ Sings, a hymnal / song book, published in 2013 presents a strong theology of acceptance. With titles such as “For Everyone Born,” “Draw the Circle Wide,” ”Friend of the Streetwalker,” “Is There One Who Russ is a revitalization minister for Feels Unworthy,” and “Leftover Community of Christ in eastern People in Leftover Places,” the West Ballroom 5:00-6:30 PM For Everyone Born, a Place at the Table Russ Pirie Canada. When the new hymnal was Debra Jenson 174 (90) songs challenge us to embrace the released in late 2013, he was touched diversity of humanity. Additionally, deeply by the challenges in many of some of the traditional hymns have these songs. minor word changes which also challenge us theologically. For example, “God’s mercy falls on the just and unjust” instead of the traditional version of “God’s mercy falls on the just and the right.” In recognition of the gendered nature of spiritual authority within Doe Daughtrey has a PhD in religious institutional Mormonism, many studies and is a full-time instructor at Mormon women have sought Arizona State University. Her increased representation by dissertation included an analysis of seeking female ordination and the relationship of Mormonism to encouraging further discussion of reincarnation and the ways in which the divine feminine. Outside of some LDS women incorporate that institutional channels, many have concept into various hybrid also begun to look toward spiritualities. 5:00-6:30 PM Mormon Women and Alternative Spiritual Cristina Rosetti Sarah Hancock East Ballroom alternative practices to harness the 175 (90) Practices Doe Daughtrey Jones power of God in their lives. These Cristina Rosetti is a doctoral practices include immersion candidate in the Department of ceremonies, blessings, and Religious Studies at the University of devotion to Heavenly Mother. Using California, Riverside. Her research ethnographic methodologies, this focuses on the intersection of paper seeks to understand the Mormonism and Spiritualism, with nature of these practices and the particular attention to alternative continued invocation of women’s forms of Mormon religious practice. historic spiritual authority in the lives on contemporary Mormons. In traditional Christian theology, spirits are non-material. But if so, Douglas A. Abbott was a professor of how could a non-material spirit child, youth & family studies at the communicate with a material University of Nebraska Lincoln for brain? This would violate the laws thirty years. He received a bachelor’s 176 Union Theater 5:00-6:30 PM Spirit-Matter: The Gateway to Moral Agency of both physics and chemistry. Douglas A. Abbott degree in biology from Oregon State Andre Sprague (90) Mormonism posits that the spirit of University, a master’s in child man is material (see D&C 131:7), development from Brigham Young which opens the gateway to moral University, and a doctorate in child & agency. This presentation will family studies from the University of explain how moral agency works. Georgia.
15 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - THURS, JULY 27
Thursday, July 27 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Roy Jeffs was born into the FLDS faith and is the son of FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs. He lived for 21 years as a faithful member until he left the group in 2014. He now works as a manufacturing technician and rideshare driver in Salt Lake City, This session is not a conference- Utah. style format, but an interactive session where audience members Roy Jeffs Mica McGriggs is a PhD candidate in counseling psychology at Brigham 5:00-6:30 PM Discussion Group: Choosing Your Family: How will participate in a group Mica McGriggs Parlor A Young University. Her academic Mica McGriggs 177 (90) to deal with losing family over faith discussion on how family functions, Jazmin Hight and how those who have lost Ryan Chidester research focuses primarily on family over faith can build new multicultural competence in family communities. psychology. She contributes to several blogs including The Huffington Post.
Jasmine Hight is pursuing a degree in sociology an emphasis on gender and family organizations. She has left the church and is supporting her transgender brother through his transition. BALLROOM: BENCHMARK BOOKSTORE OPEN ALL DAY 142. BOOK SIGNING: TBA
16 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
This has been a terrible year. And it has been a glorious year. I want growth, wisdom, and knowledge, but I don’t Jody England Hansen always like what it takes is a mixed-media artist, to get them. Pain and joy occasional empty nester, Mama Dragon It Was the Worst of Times; It Was the Best of coexist in the extremes and LGBTQ activist, 201 SALTAIR 8:15-8:45 AM Times: Finding God in the Wound of personal, spiritual, Jody England Hansen Kirsten Arnoldsen Barksdale and community life. repatriated Utahan, and Where do we find the God seeker who hasn't truth Joseph promised in figured any of this out proving contraries? This yet. presentation shares a journey of learning to embrace a new level of opposition. Ryan Trimble lives in Utah Valley with has Untitled: A series of film family. He enjoys writing, Center portraits made on the 202 ALL DAY Sunstone Art Show Ryan Trimble photography, and riding None Ballroom street bikes, among other things. Drawing on my work as a non-Mormon academic in the social- scientific study of religion, this presentation offers a Adam Powell is junior bio-cultural look at research fellow in the religious identity and the Department of Theology aspects of Mormonism & Religion at Durham which have supported University (UK) where he the conferral of such an was a recipient of the identity on its members. I Durham International 9:00-10:00 AM Meaning for All?: Identity Theory and Mormon will discuss the Fellowships for 211 SALTAIR (60) Elasticity neuropsychological as Adam J. Powell Research and Brooke Scott well as sociological ways Enterprise. Previously, in which religious identity he was an assistant is emotion-laden and professor and director of dependent on the master's program in institutional elasticity for religious studies at sustained salience Lenoir-Rhyne University before finally in North Carolina. highlighting some of the challenges this poses for those involved in Mormonism’s exclusivism/inclusivism negotiations. Though the LDS Church claims political neutrality, this has not necessarily been the Kelsy Hillesheim is a case in practice. Taking senior at the City College a case study approach, of New York in the this presentation argues Macaulay Honors 9:00-10:00 AM that the institutional LDS College program with an 212 CRIMSON VIEW (60) Mormonism and the Limits of Political Neutrality Church did indeed Kelsy Hillesheim interest in the influence Kevin Labresh influence the political of religion on public sphere in the 20th and policy in the United 21st centuries through States. She is studying its involvement with the philosophy with a minor Equal Rights in history. Amendment, Proposition 8, and the October 2016 MormonLeaks tapes.
17 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
While Black women have inherited the worst of racism over the decades and might be characterized as "the least of these my sisters," Black Mormon women have also had to reconcile their Laura Rutter Strickling membership in a has a PhD in historically White church sociocultural linguistics that had at one time from the University of withdrawn access to Maryland Baltimore spiritually emancipitory County. Her academic 9:00-10:00 AM Black Mormon Women from Baltimore: What work includes 213 COLLEGIATE temple ordinances. This Laura Rutter Strickling Kimberly Lewis (60) They Have Taught Me about Race and Faith inquiry into the developing a model of gendered, racialized linguistic awareness in conversion of sixteen regards to urban Black Mormon women educators and their from Baltimore seeks to attitude toward African overturn the American English- conceptualization that speaking students. "the least of these" are somehow deficit and draws on W.E.B. Dubois, "We who are dark can see [spiritual things] in a way that White [Mormons] cannot." "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." –– Lorenzo Snow
Mormons: we almost got it right. That statement only applied in Eden Ian R. Harvey, PhD, prior to the Fall: worked as an engineer Other Christians: you in the Silicon Valley mostly got it right. God computer chip industry was/is ever righteous before taking an from eternity to eternity. academic position in 9:00-10:00 AM The Agency Blueprint vs. The Doctrine of nanotechnology. He is 214 PARLOR A Ian R. Harvey Kim Hurst Glover (60) Privation "As man chose, God for an inventor with over 25 us weeps; as God is, patents but ponders the man may still choose to meaning of life as a become." weekend hand on his –– father's Wyoming cattle IRHarvey ranch.
Humans are not inherently evil; nor is the Fall of Adam good. But both our first parents were given the same test of moral agency that we now face.
18 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
For many women in the church, the potential to receive an endowment of power and authority from on High is a beautiful blessing. However, the current temple blessing defers Edward Bailey is the son to antiquated gender of a "white lamanite" positioning in which a convert from Honduras husband rules over his who immigrated to the wife and posterity. United States and WEST 9:00-10:00 AM Priestess unto the Most High God However, there are a Edward Bailey married an electrical Brooke Oveson Walrath 215 BALLROOM (60) number of sources, engineer attending BYU including Heber and graduate school. He is Vilate Kimball, Phinehas currently serving in the Richards, John Taylor, bishopric of a ward in Eliza R. Snow, and some the east coast. 20th-century prophets and apostles that point toward the glory of the original promise to become hereafter priests and “priestesses unto the Most High God.”
Debra Oaks Coe is mother of five, BYU grad, army wife, and business owner. She and her husband are proud allies of the LGBTQ community in Utah County.
John Gustav-Wrathall is Senior Vice President of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons and adjunct professor of This panel will discuss American Religious the youth LGBT suicide History at United EAST 9:00-10:00 AM The Mormon Suicide Epidemic in Light of epidemic and how we Debra Oaks Coe Theological Seminary of Bob Rees 216 BALLROOM (60) Matthew 25 can look to the Bob Rees the Twin Cities, where he scriptures for guidance John Gustav-Wrathall teaches future and solutions. Protestant ministers about Mormonism (and other religions). He is the author of Take the Young Stranger by the Hand: Same-sex Relations and the YMCA (University of Chicago Press, 1998), has published articles in Sunstone and Dialogue on being gay and Mormon, and is the author of the Young Stranger blog.
19 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
"I know the Church is true" is a very loaded statement. With over 13 years of professional experience working with Kenneth Lines, also data, Mithryn is very known as Mithryn began familiar with executives his life on Reddit in 2009 who claim to "know" when he rose up fully things that turn out not formed, mounted on a to be true. This Narwhal and wielding presentation has been Staff of Historical Truth. given professionally to Union Theater 9:00-10:00 AM Epistemological Guardianship: The Importance Kenneth Lines Recently publishing two Ryan Flake 217 (60) of How We Know What We Know discuss the concept of books: "The ABC's of "how we know what we Science and know" in a business Mormonism" and "I setting and to help should Start A Cult". individuals consider Mithryn thrives on what counts as helping answer church "knowledge" and how to history questions and guard that precious chocolate. kernal that drives business or individual action—what we "know" to be true. This panel is made up of several current and return missionaries serving for Christ Church Inc., including converts baptized during the time they served. Although The panel will share the they are currently a challenges, experiences, separate organization, perspectives and Christ Church formed success that Michael Peterson with members of the fundamentalist Betty Amrine Apostolic United missionaries have. Alice Lovassen Brethren (AUB) and 9:00-10:00 AM Likewise they will share Dana Peterson Room 312 Fundamentalist Missionary Work trace priesthood George Andrew Spriggs 218 (60) the experience of Atrayu Pickering authority through Rulon converts and why they Joseph Wright C. Allred. They believe accepted the message Jonathan Olsen Joseph Smith Jr. to be of Christ Church. They Ethan Patrick the “One Mighty and will also include a brief Strong” and that Christ’s history of the formation Church was organized of Christ's Church. under his authority following the murder of Rulon C. Allred and that he (Rulon) called, authorized and directed Gerald Peterson Sr. to form Christ Church.
20 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
When Oliver Cowdery showed up in Palmyra with “fire in his bones” and the idea to start a Christopher Smith new church, Joseph recently received a PhD Smith initially resisted in religion from the idea. Even after Claremont Graduate Cowdery persuaded University after him, Smith thought he completing a would get it started and dissertation on the then give up his Mormon conquest of the leadership and pass the native lands and 10:15-11:15 AM Joseph Didn’t Set Out to Start a Church (Let baton to others. Christopher C. Smith peoples of Utah's 221 Saltair (60) Alone a New Religion!) Gradually he changed Respondent: John Hatch Wasatch Front. In Spring Bert Fuller his mind. David Whitmer 2017 Chris took a job as apostatized partly in a postdoctoral fellow at reaction to Smith’s Utah State University, growing sense of where he has taught ownership of the American Religious movement. In addition to History. identifying how Mormonism became a John Hatch is an editor church, this paper will for Signature Books and identify the moment mixes a mean gimlet. when it became in some meaningful sense an entirely new religion. Divorce affects over 50% of families in the Mormon community. The resulting trauma quickly buries family members Elizabeth Dalton is a in a swamp of shame seasoned family law and loss. It is possible to attorney who helped rise strong and wise pioneer family mediation after divorce and learn in Utah as an alternative 10:15-11:15 AM to divorce litigation. She Crimson View Rise Strong After Divorce new "mountain climbing" Elizabeth A. Dalton Kirsten Arnoldsen Barksdale 222 (60) skills. How can is the author of Healing individuals reach out Hearts: Helping Adults and assist others in this and Children Recover climb toward healing from Divorce (Gold Leaf and growth? Family Press 1994). mediator Elizabeth Dalton will share trail wisdom gained over 25 years of guiding families after divorce. Christians often quote from seven Biblical Russ is a revitalization passages to condemn minister for Community homosexuality. Too of Christ in eastern often, however, these Canada. He grew up in scriptures are taken out the Baptist Church and of context and may have 10:15-11:15 AM What Does the Bible Say About was baptized into the Collegiate been subject to Russ Pirie Laura Evershed Johnsen 223 (60) Homosexuality? RLDS Church at age ten. inadequate translation. He is married and has The presenter will share one daughter. Russ was an alternative a pastor for 6 ½ years interpretation which and holds the priesthood acknowledges a God of office of Elder. love and acceptance of all people.
21 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Many people who are pursuing health believe the only way to do it is to Paige Smathers, RDN, be restrictive and rigid CD is a registered with their eating. This dietitian nutritionist in talk will provide practical Salt Lake City who advice from a registered specializes in helping dietitian nutritionist people heal their about how to recognize relationship with food. 10:15-11:15 AM The Religion of Dieting: How an Increasingly dieting dogma in our Paige graduated from 224 Panorama East (60) Secular Society Is Embracing Dieting Dogma Paige Smathers Monica Harward English culture and how to not Brigham Young let healthy eating University’s Dietetics become a religious, all- program and Utah State or-nothing pursuit. University’s Dietetic Learning to love your Internship. She now runs body and not trying to a private practice in manipulate it through nutrition consulting. diets is a radical act of self-care. Jim Smithson studied Since there isn't an sociology and official LDS consensus anthropology, was a on how the Atonement professional researcher, works, various ideas and sincerely hopes emphasizing everything really is substitution or connected. satisfaction theories are Billy Phillips teaches bandied about in English and college Sunday lessons as well success at Cascadia as theories of how one College in Washington State. He is interested in might "qualify" for the Billy Phillips how religion deals with 10:15-11:15 AM Atonement. But can we Jim Smithson 225 Parlor A Atonement Talk in Mormonism darkness and suffering, Dan Wotherspoon (60) transcend this type of Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen discussion to speak of it and how communities in deeper, more deal with truth. Lisa empowering ways? Can Tensmeyer Hansen is a we find better framings, licensed marriage and better stories? This family therapist in session features people private practice, co- who believe so, and who editor of Why I Don’t are excited to share Hide My Freckles some more constructive Anymore, and founder ways to think and talk and former director of about Atonement. Utah County Men’s Voices
Bryndis Roberts is a For LDS Church proud alumna of members who are more Wesleyan College, melaninated than Macon, Georgia, the others, family history can oldest college in the be extremely daunting: world chartered to grant colonization, forced degrees to women. She migration, and (for many was raised in the African 10:15-11:15 AM of African descent) American Baptist faith 226 West Ballroom (60) Genealogy: Melaninated Style slavery have had a Bryndis Roberts Joanna Thorpe Tholstrom tradition and joined the devastating impact on LDS Church in January records about our 2008. She is an attorney ancestors. This session and has her own firm – presents tips and Jenkins & Roberts LLC – strategies for where her law partner is overcoming such her ex-husband, who obstacles. also happens to be her best friend.
22 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Much of the world has created God to fit into a binary concept of gender—either male or female. This session explores how God could present across the gender spectrum, displaying traits such as Jody England Hansen is being nurturing, life- a mixed-media artist, giving, strong, occasional empty nester, Mama Dragon 10:15-11:15 AM They, Them, Their: Seeing God on the compassionate, East Ballroom Jody England Hansen and LGBTQ activist, Roy Schmidt 227 (60) Spectrum weeping, and the qualities of the repatriated Utahan, and priesthood described in God seeker who hasn't Section 121. Could figured any of this out focusing on the qualities yet. we ascribe to God, rather than gender, help us to move beyond the narrow, binary gender roles that have become prevalent in Mormon discourse? Ronald O. Barney is the former executive The groundbreaking director of the Mormon publication of Joseph History Association. He Smith's personal and worked for thirty-three institutional records by years as an archivist the LDS Church’s and historian before Joseph Smith Papers retiring from the LDS initiative, produced over Church History the years by dozens of Department in 2011. He scholars and staff has was associate editor of provoked the obvious the Joseph Smith fact that there is much Ronald O. Barney Papers and executive 10:15-11:15 AM "[My] feelings... I should not dare to reveal”: The 228 Union Theater (60) Personality of Joseph Smith of significant producer of the Joseph Anthony Miller consequence that Respondent: John Hatch Smith Papers television remains unknown. But series. His books on with these resources, we Mormon history have are now able to move won several awards. He torward to a new lives in North Salt Lake, understanding of Smith Utah, with his wife, and his church. This Marilyn. They have three presentation will children and ten describe some of what grandchildren. we now think we know about Smith. John Hatch is an editor for Signature Books and mixes a mean gimlet.
23 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Lawrence Barlow spent most of his life in public safety at Hildale, Utah. Many fundamentalist After a forced year-and- communities lack a-half separation from access to resources to his family, he returned adequately deal with home "uninvited" to abuse. This is largely due regain his family. He has to the fact that their since become an activist communities are already in Hildale. 10:15-11:15 AM How Compassion Can Heal Polygamist Lawrence Barlow Room 312 marginalized because of Jennifer Huss Basquiat 229 (60) Communities Shirlee Draper their lifestyle. This panel Shirlee Draper earned will discuss how her associate degree "outsiders" can help heal from Mohave these communities by Community College and bridging the gap of her BA in social work understanding with from the University of compassion. Utah. She currently runs Cherish Families, and organization that assists those from the FLDS. D. Michael Quinn (Ph.D., history, Yale University) is an affiliated scholar at the University of Southern California’s Center for Feminist Research. He has been a full-time researcher and writer, a professor of history at Brigham Young University, and a visiting professor of history (2002–03) at Yale.
Steve Jobs was a Dan Hill creates brands flawed man, both and events that bring personally and people together, professionally in a lot of sparking human ways, but he was also connections that inspire. one of the most It’s an approach to life successful CEOs in that fosters belief and history. He and others helps people actively like him have Dan Hill Saltair 11:30-12:30 (60) Joseph Smith, the Entrepreneur engage with life on a Lindsay Hansen Park 231 transformed the world D. Michael Quinn higher level. As CEO of with their visions of George Smith Awake and founder of change and innovation. RiSE, Electric Run, and This panel will explore the Ragnar Relay series, Joseph Smith as a Dan has spent his religious and spiritual career building unique innovator who changed and original the landscape of experiences. The events American faith. he has created span more than 50 domestic markets, 20 countries and include over 600,000 participants worldwide.
George D. Smith is president and publisher of Signature Books. ... Journal of Mormon History, John Whitmer Historical Journal, Sunstone, and elsewhere.
24 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Ryan Flake is an information security professional with degrees in geospatial The LDS Church has a intelligence and Spanish program that deals with from BYU. pornography "addiction." This panel will discuss, Ryan Flake The Church's Sexual Addiction Recovery Justin Pilmer is a 31- from personal Justin Pilmer 232 Crimson View 11:30-12:30 (60) Program year-old post-Mormon Mica McGriggs experience, what it is like Brayden Snow who majored in religious to be in this program studies and business and what its benefits management at Utah and drawbacks are. Valley University.
Brayden Snow is a career salesman who is ready to live his life. This session presents a study drawing on interviews, blogs, and podcasts examining the motivations and consequences individual Mormon women have faced when engaging in Jennifer Crow is an feminist activities. What Honors Fellow at Middle Social Responses to Mormon Feminists: "No motivates them to Tennessee State 233 Collegiate 11:30-12:30 (60) One Else Was Talking About It, So it Must Be engage in such Jennifer Crow University studying Ana Nelson Shaw Taboo" activities? What sociology and the happens to their intersection of gender persona in their religious and religion. communities? How does this shift impact their private lives? How have LDS Church leaders reacted to them? What formal or informal social controls have these women experienced? Eugene England is recognized as one of the most influential Latter- day Saints of the latter half of the twentieth century. As teacher, writer, scholar and humanitarian, England had an indelible influence on several generations of Latter- day Saints at a pivotal Bob Rees is the Director time in Church history. of Mormon Studies at Panorama East 11:30-12:30 (60) Remembering Gene Bob Rees Bob Rees 234 Graduate Theological Graduate Theological Union is establishing an Union in Berkeley. endowed chair in Mormon Studies to be named in Gene’s honor. This session is designed to celebrate Gene's life and studies by giving attendees an opportunity to pay tribute to him through personal stories and remembrances.
25 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Even though many know that the biblical injunction to “be ye therefore perfect” is referring to wholeness or completion through Christ, rather than the elimination of errors, literal perfectionism continues to pervade LDS culture. Parents who strive for perfection while raising their children may unwittingly Kelly Furr is a marriage pass on perfectionistic and family therapy Parenting and Perfectionism in the LDS expectations and graduate student at 235 Parlor A 11:30-12:30 (60) Context anxieties to their Kelly Furr Nova Southeastern Michelle Johnson children, leading to University in Fort negative mental health Lauderdale, Florida. consequences. This presentation will cover current research on perfectionism and explore how perfectionism and LDS culture are related. It will offer practical strategies for parents and discuss existing doctrines the institutional LDS Church can accentuate to de- emphasize perfectionism. Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats, in which he equates himself to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner—"the least of these"— is not simply an isolated parable with Janice Allred is an a message encouraging independent scholar inclusivity; it forms an who speaks and writes integral part of the West Ballroom 11:30-12:30 (60) The Greatest and the Least: The Theology of Janice Allred on theological topics. Thomas B. McAffee 236 meaning embedded in the Parables and Miracles of Jesus She is the author of God all of his parables and the Mother and Other miracles. This paper will Theological Essays. explore the theology of the parables and miracles of Jesus, showing how they give us a witness of the person and mission of Jesus Christ and his message of salvation for all people.
26 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Early on in a faith shift, most of us begin to feel less comfortable at church, sure that we’re Boyd Jay Petersen is the the only one thinking editor of Dialogue: A (what seem to be) bigger Journal of Mormon thoughts about the Thought and serves as topics at hand, or the program coordinator frustrated at appeals to for Mormon Studies at authority instead of Utah Valley University. genuine engagement. He is the author of Dead “Where’s the growth?” Wood and Rushing “Where’s the curiosity?”, Water: Essays on 237 East Ballroom 11:30-12:30 (60) From Surviving to Thriving: Learning How to we wonder. Experiences Dan Wotherspoon Mormon Faith, Culture, Dan Wotherspoon "Do" Church as an Adventurous Mormon like these can change, Boyd J. Petersen and Family, as well as however, and church Hugh Nibley: A can once again become Consecrated Life. a rich experience, even enjoyable. In this Dan Wotherspoon, PhD, session, two veterans of is the host of the Mormon faith shifts Mormon Matters share a few of their podcast, and the former secrets to once more editor and executive “thrive” at church. And director of Sunstone they want to hear yours, too! This session will feature a vigorous discussion. Mithryn began his life on Reddit in 2009 when he rose up fully formed, mounted on a Narwhal and wielding Staff of Historical Truth. Recently publishing two books: "The ABC's of Science and Anonymity provides the Mormonism" and "I ability to protect oneself should Start A Cult". from reprisal, but it also Mithryn thrives on provides trolls the ability helping answer church to erode the quality and history questions and longevity of an online chocolate. forum. This online community of over 11:30 - 12:30 40,000 subscribers Mithryn (aka Kenneth Lines) Vh65 works as a Union Theater Anonymity and the Mormon Searcher Aaron Boyett 238 PM flourishes with Vh65 (aka Violet Hughes) moderator of the information, support, /r/exmormon subReddit and caring while trying to maintain a cordial to protect the identities environment, promote of those just starting to the sharing of dare to ask questions information, provide help that go unanswered in to those struggling LDS Sunday Schools emotionally, and to worldwide. protect the now 45,000 subscribers from any real-life harm associated with their anonymous virtual contributions. She finds herself addicted to truth and tea. Preferably Earl Grey with milk and sugar.
27 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Last year Jennifer and Natasha presented a popular session called “Mormon Thinking Natasha Helfer Parker, Errors” which addressed LCMFT, CST has been in typical ways myth and practice as a mental overgeneralizations health professional for usually rear their heads over 20 years, primarily in LDS family and ward working with issues of Jennifer White settings. This session will relational health, faith 239 Room 312 11:30-12:30 (60) Addressing Mormon Thinking Errors Natasha Helfer Parker Bryan McAffee take the conversation transitions and journeys, further and offer and sexuality. She writes concrete strategies and a blog called "The ideas to combat these Mormon Therapist," and types of messages in our hosts the podcasts own heads or when they "Mormon Mental Health," come at us through and "Mormon Sex Info." conversations with family and friends. 141. LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 241. LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE THE FOLLOWING VENDORS IN THE FOLLOWING VENDORS IN THE UNION UNION CAFETERIA: Papa Johns Pizza, LUNCH CAFETERIA 12:30- 2:00 (90) CAFETERIA: Papa Johns Pizza, Einstein Einstein Brothers Bagel, Jamba Juice, Brothers Bagel, Jamba Juice, GrillNation, GrillNation, Panda Express, Deli, Panda Express, Deli, Chop'd, Sono Latin Chop'd, Sono Latin Join Jake for a lunchtime viewing of Jake Frost is the creator of the Brother Jake 1:00-2:00 PM Lunch Presentation: Brother Jake Does some Brother Jake webseries and a panelist 242 SALTAIR (60) Sunstone classics, the world Micah Nickolaisen Micah Nickolaisen premier of his latest on the Infants on video, and some humor. Thrones podcast.
28 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Dan Wotherspoon, Ph.D. is the host of the Mormon Matters podcast and former editor and executive director of the Sunstone Education Foundation. Each year he curates and moderates the Why I Stay panel.
Nathan McCluskey earned his PhD from the University of Canterbury in political science. He now works as the union convener for New Zealand's national statistics agency.
Robin Linkhart is a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, the lead missionary quorum of Community of Christ. She is assigned to the North Central USA Mission Field. She also oversees Restoration heritage seeker ministry.
Her previous assignments include president of the Quorum of Seventy. She also serves on the International Leaders Council, Theology Formation Team, Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministries Team, and chairs the Latter-day Seekers Ministries Team. On special assignment in Utah, Robin is served as pastor of Salt Lake City Community of Christ and supports a variety of new ministries along the Wasatch Front.
Prior to holding the office of seventy, Robin provided ministry in the offices of elder, and high priest. Her experience includes pastor, youth and young adult ministries, community outreach/partnering, leadership development, and congregational consulting. In her prior assignment she served the Western USA Mission Field as field missionary coordinator. Linkhart has been This perennially well- employed by the church received session since January 1999. She features the stories of Robin Linkhart holds a master of arts in those who have chosen Christian ministry from 2:00-3:30 PM John Gustav-Wrathall Saltair Why We Stay to remain active, Community of Christ Dan Wotherspoon 251 (90) Maxine Hanks dedicated Latter-day Nathan McCluskey Seminary and a Saints even in the face bachelor of arts in of challenges to biological sciences from 29 traditional faith. the University of Northern Colorado.
Community of Christ has 250,000 members in more than 60 nations. The church’s mission is to “proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.” Community of Christ International Headquarters is located in Independence, Missouri.
PANELIST: John Gustav-Wrathall is senior vice president of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons and adjunct professor of American religious history at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, where he teaches future Protestant ministers about Mormonism (and other religions). He is the author of Take the Young Stranger by the Hand: Same-sex Relations and the YMCA (University of Chicago Press, 1998), has published articles in Sunstone and Dialogue on being gay and Mormon. He is the author of the Young Stranger blog.
John has been an activist for greater understanding of LGBT people since the 1980s on college campuses, in churches and faith- based organizations, and most recently on behalf of marriage equality in his home state of Minnesota. Over the years he has spoken in churches and community forums, on university campuses and in religious assemblies and conferences (including at the Sunstone Symposium and at Affirmation conferences) about the issues affecting LGBT people in communities of faith.
Though excommunicated from the LDS Church, John has a testimony, and has been active in his south Minneapolis ward since 2005. He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his husband of over twenty years, to whom he was legally married in Riverside, California in July 2008, and with whom he has foster- parented three sons.
Maxine Hanks is a Mormon feminist theologian who compiled and edited the book Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism (1992). She was excommunicated on September 19 (along with fellow contributor D. Michael Quinn). In February 2012, Hanks was rebaptized into the LDS Church. 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
West Ballroom 2:00-3:30 PM Overflow: Live Stream of Why We Stay 251B (90) Inspired by her own faith journey, Janice created this play by interviewing fifteen inactive Mormon Janice Jenson serves as women through a group the Producing Director interview process called Janice Jenson – Creator for Salt Lake Acting a story circle. The story Company. She has a BA circles were audio Cast: in theatre studies from recorded, transcribed, Chelsea Yeates – Lucinda Brigham Young and then compiled into a Emilie Starr – Presindia University and a MA in 252 Crimson View 2:00-3:30 PM (In)Active Mormon Women: An Ethnodrama performance script— Lily Hye Soo Dixon – Fanny community leadership Janice Jenson (90) every word in the script Marlena Everts – Sylvia from Westminster comes directly from Marta Schaub – Agnes College. Her play (in) these women's Natalie Keezer - Zina active mormon women: experiences following an ethnodrama was their spiritual journey (Casting may be subject to change, developed and away from the Mormon based on availability) performed as part of her Church. Be advised that thesis project while at this play contains strong Westminster College. language and adult content. "Transparency is for those who carry out public duties and exercise public power. Privacy is for everyone else." – Glenn Greenwald Ryan McKnight was
born into the LDS To one degree or Church and left at age another, transparency thirty-two.He has a has always been an master's degree in issue in the LDS Church. Saltair 3:45-4:45 PM Transparency for All Ryan McKnight accounting from UNLV George Andrew Spriggs 261 MormonLeaks was (60) and is a founder of created to help facilitate MormonLeaks and the transparency, though Underground Handcart this effort has been Company criticized by some LDS
Church members. It is the position of MormonLeaks that everyone (including active members) benefits from LDS Church transparency.
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Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Although Mormonism has quite a bit of sexual Kristin Marie Bennion, positivity in its doctrine, LCSW is a licensed the cultural processes in mental health therapist. wards, stakes and family She owns her own systems teach mostly practice in Orem, Utah fear, shame and the where she primarily "thou shalt nots." This treats sex and intimacy leaves many members concerns. She is of our church with currently working problems like unrealistic toward her PhD in Human Sexuality. expectations,
3:45-4:45 PM Typical Sexual Shame Residue from Religious inadequate education, Kristin Marie Bennion Crimson View Natasha Helfer Parker, Natasha Helfer Parker 262 (60) Upbringings unnecessary self or Natasha Helfer Parker LCMFT, CST has been in partner shaming, rigid belief systems, and practice as a mental underdeveloped health professional for processes when it over 20 years, primarily comes to our working with issues of relationship with relational health, faith sexuality. This session transitions and journeys, will offer some and sexuality. She writes reframings that can help a blog called "The attendees embrace their Mormon Therapist," and sexuality in healthier hosts the podcasts ways. "Mormon Mental Health," and "Mormon Sex Info." Lachlan Mackay is a member of Community of Christ’s Council of Twelve Apostles with responsibility for historic sites, the Church History and Sacred Story Team, and the Northeast USA Mission Field.
Ruth Williams was born in Hilldale Utah and lived in Colorado City for 37 years before moving to Centennial Park. She This panel includes has been a nurse in people from many Southern Utah for the different branches of the past 27 years. Restoration movement Carla Long who will discuss what Lachlan Mackay 3:45-4:45 PM "Embracing All, Even the Carla Long is a bishop in Nancy Ross Mary Urban Clarke 263 Collegiate (60) Worth of All Persons Least of These" means Community of Christ and Dan Wotherspoon in a faith transition. What has worked for the Ruth Williams do our books of scripture church for 12 years. She say about this topic? has volunteered for the How we act upon those church in the Philippines words? for five months, Australia for a year, worked as a financial officer in California for six years and as the bishop of Europe for 5 years.
Dan Wotherspoon, Ph.D. is the host of the Mormon Matters podcast and former editor and executive director of the Sunstone Education Foundation.
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Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Too often we portray 19th-century Mormon pioneers as two- dimensional stick figures against the back drop of the Mormon Restoration. Melvin C. Johnson is an The presentation, Murder, Mayhem, Mormons, and Miners: Tales independent historian however, covers several 3:45-4:45 PM of Death and Violence from Utah’s Pioneer and retired college 264 Panorama East accounts of deadly Melvin C. Johnson Bruce Crow (60) Dixie instructor. He and his incidents and treachery wife, Halli—a bi-lingual that occurred among special educator—live in the Mormons the Santa Salt Lake City, Utah. Clara and Virgin Rivers area, giving us a new look into pioneer days in Dixie. For some Mormons, losing faith creates an existential crisis, making them ask what life's Gary Horlacher, PhD, meaning is. Why is and Ernest meaning in life so Horstmanshoff, JD, both important? What received their degrees 3:45-4:45 PM Gary Horlacher Parlor A A Life Worth Living (after Mormonism) meanings are worth from BYU. They enjoy Kirsten Arnoldsen Barksdale 265 (60) Ernest Horstmanshoff living for? This studying philosophy and presentation explores discovering and creating theories and research meaning in their post- on meaning, and shares Mormon life. insights toward achieving a meaningful life. The text of Doctrine & Covenants has evolved in a manner that is comparable to organismal phylogenies. It was previously demonstrated that modern LDS and RLDS (or Community of Christ) editions represent distinct textual groups, which are also distinct Bill Speer has BS and from the Book of MS degrees in biology Commandments and from 3:45-4:45 PM More on the Evolution of the D&C Text: earlier D&C editions. This West Ballroom Bill Speer Virginia Tech. He is Lindy Yam 266 (60) Revelations Printed in Mormon Newspapers study focuses on currently employed at revelations printed in Salt Lake Community The Evening and the College. Morning Star and then reprinted in the similarly named Evening and Morning Star (without the definite articles). Differences, though sometimes small (but significant), can be found between what is printed in the former, and what is reprinted in the latter.
32 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Steve Hill has practiced with law firms in Salt Panel members will Lake City and Seattle, consider the extent to with the exception of a which the Emancipation four-year interlude Proclamation and the during which he served Civil Rights movement as CEO of a were, as Elder Dallin H. supercomputing Oaks has argued, company and co- “motivated by religious founded the Ragnar principles and Relay Series. persuaded to official
adoption by pulpit- Wil Colom is a graduate preaching and persons of Howard University who had a clear religious and Antioch Law School vision of what was in Washington,D.C., and morally right.” They will Steve Hill is founder of the Colom 3:45-4:45 PM The Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil examine competing East Ballroom Wil Colom Law Firm in Columbus, Mica McGriggs 267 (60) Rights Movement, and Religious Freedom positions on what Elder Bill Skepnek Mississippi. Oaks calls those
“significant moral Bill Skepnek has tried advances in Western over 100 civil society,” both secular commercial and white- and religious, including collar criminal cases in those of the LDS Church, Kansas, Missouri, and discuss what the Oklahoma, Texas, history of those matters Colorado and California. teaches about religious Outside the courtroom, freedom and the he has taught Western involvement of churches Civilization at the and religiously- University of Kansas for motivated people on 20 years, and writes a moral issues of public weekly column for the concern. Lawrence Journal- World. In 1841–1842 unknown numbers of faithful Mormons embraced a "new doctrine" where a man and a woman could be sexually intimate without ceremony as Meg Stout is the author long as it was kept of Reluctant Polygamist: secret. Contemporary Joseph Smith. She was documents confirm the the first civilian woman identities of several, with admitted to the Naval the affidavits of some Postgraduate School, 3:45-4:45 PM Redeeming the Fallen: LDS Reaction to the Union Theater published in Meg Stout earning an MS in Nadine McCombs Hansen 268 (60) Illicit Intercourse Heresy of 1841–1842 newspapers. This product development. presentation examines She has been blogging key instances where the at the Mormon-themed "heretics" subsequently website Millennial Star repented and became since December 2013. stalwart members of the [3] Mormon community, along with the mechanisms used in the 1840s and later to knit the community back together. [2]
33 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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LDS women are among a growing number who hunger for more spiritual fulfillment. Many find the male-defined and dominated structures of traditional religions Debra Brown Gordy is a increasingly stifling, relationship therapist leading them to seek a and spiritual deeper connection with development mentor for the Divine, one that accomplished, spiritually embraces Heavenly awakening women. Mother and expresses From her professional their own divinity. For beginning over 30 years 3:45-4:45 PM Out of the Luminous Silence: Embracing the eons this yearning has ago as a BYU- trained Room 312 Debra Brown Gordy Aubri Parmenter 269 (60) Divine Feminine Through Women’s Rituals been satisfied through marriage and family women’s rituals, which therapist to the present, were part of the she believes a woman’s beginnings of the journey to the Divine Restoration. Though Feminine to be the path banished and driven of deepest healing and underground by growth, transformation, patriarchal religions, connection and they are not lost. Come personal empowerment. and learn about this ancient path to connection with the Divine – the Feminine Path to God.
34 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Margaret Toscano is an associate professor of classics and comparative studies at the University of Utah. She has published extensively on Mormon feminism since 1984.
Newell G. Bringhurst is an independent scholar and Professor Emeritus of History and Political This session is a Science at College of the discussion of the Sequoias in Visalia, contents of forthcoming California, having retired volume entitled The LDS after a 35 year career in Church’s Gospel Topics the classroom. He was Essays: The Scholarly born in Salt Lake City Community Responds, Utah and received his edited by Mathew L. bachelors and masters Harris and Newell G. degrees at the Bringhurst and to be University of Utah before published by the attending the University University of Utah Press of California, Davis, in 2018. The discussion where he received his will feature four PhD. He is the contributing scholars. author/editor of nine Following the books published since presentations, time will 1981, the most recent be allowed for being Scattering of the discussion and Saints: Schism within questions. The scholars Newell G. Bringhurst Mormonism (2007) which A Preview Discussion of a forthcoming volume and their topics are as Matthew L. Harris he co-edited with John 5:00-6:30 PM entitled: The LDS Church’s Gospel Topics 271 Saltair follows: Newell G. Gary Bergera Hamer; and The Newell G. Bringhurst (90) Essays: The Scholarly Community Responds Bringhurst, “A Brief Margaret Toscano Mormon Quest of the Overview of the Presidency (2008), co- Volume-- Why the authored with Craig L. Gospel Topics Essays?” Foster. Matthew L. Harris, “Reflections on the Matt Harris is a ‘Race and Priesthood’ professor of history at essay—Its Strengths Colorado State and Weakness” Gary University-Pueblo. With James Bergera, “’ Newell Bringhurst he co- Through a Glass Darkly’: wrote and co-edited ‘Joseph Smith and the _Blacks and Mormons: A Beginnings of Plural Documentary History_ Marriage’ essay.” (University of Illinois Margaret Toscano, Press, 2015) and co- “Deconstructing the edited _The LDS ‘Joseph Smith’s Church's Gospel Topics Teachings about Essays: The Scholarly Priesthood, Temple and Community Responds_ Women’ essay” (University of Utah Press, 2018).
Gary James Bergera is managing director of the Smith-Pettit Foundation (Salt Lake City) and the author of six published studies of early Mormon polygamy. He is past publisher of Signature Books and past managing editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.
35 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Marybeth Raynes LCSW, LMFT, maintains a private psychotherapy practice with Crossroads LGB or SSA Mormons Psychotherapy. She are faced with works with individuals, challenging choices couples, and families about how to integrate with a variety of mental faith and sexuality. health concerns, Unfortunately none of including religious the available choices and/or spiritual are widely approved or dilemmas. easy to make. In order to be inclusive and better Lee Beckstead PhD is a understand these licensed psychologist in choices, an research private practice in Salt team has been formed Lake City. He conducted with both conservative Marybeth Raynes two studies investigating 5:00-6:30 PM LDS/SSA Mormons: Preliminary Results of the 272 Crimson View and liberal members. Lee Beckstead Mormons who tried to Monica Harward English (90) Four Options Survey They designed a survey Ron Schow change their sexual which includes ten orientation. sections of questions on aspects of life and Ron Schow splits his relationships. This time between session will present the residences in both preliminary findings from Pocatello, Idaho and more than 1,000 Salt Lake City. He is respondents, focused on Professor Emeritus at the four options studied: Idaho State University single celibate, single (ISU) where he has non-celibate, mixed taught since 1975. orientation, and same- Although semi-retired he sex relationships. continues to teach some in the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences in the Division of Health Sciences.
36 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Presentation on my journey to become a LGBTQ ally while servicing as a YSA Bishop and how we can support our LGBTQ members in a more thoughtful and heathier way. The journey started with meeting with LGBT members and hearing their stories. The journey continued with the policy statements which caused me to do a ‘hard-drive reset’ and rebuild my LGBT beliefs/attitudes/conclu sions from scratch primarily by meetings with LGBTQ people. Richard Ostler and his That journey was wife Sheila Juergens transforming. I now see (from Houston) live in my LGBT friends as Salt Lake City. They are some of Heavenly the parents of six Parent’s finest sons and children and two daughters … equal grandchildren. His How I Became an LGBTQ Ally While Serving as members of society … education focused on 5:00-6:30 PM a YSA Bishop and How We Can Better Support worthy … and need them 273 Collegiate Richard Ostler business (U of U and Jeralee Henderson Renshaw (90) our LGBTQ members in my life to help teach BYU degrees) and is the me to be a better owner of a business call disciple of Christ. With The Ostler Group. In my release as a YSA addition to his LGBT Bishop (served the ministry, he serves as a normal three years, Salt Lake Temple released fall of 2016), I ordinance worker. felt ‘called’ to minister to my LGBT friends and my baptism and temple covenants are ‘fuel’ for this calling. That ‘ministry’ included meeting with many of my LGBTQ friends, becoming involved with affirming LGBT organizations (Affirmation, Encircle and Mormons Building Bridges) and using social media to provide better understanding of our LGBT friends so we can support them in healthier and more thoughtful way and to create hope/healing for my LGBT friends.
37 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: Description: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Bob Rees is the Director of Mormon Studies at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Mormons have an Misty Kathrine Snow is ambivalent attitude an American politician toward Donald Trump. from Utah, who was the That ambivalence is Democratic candidate in most clearly seen the United States through the lens of Mitt Senate election in Utah, Romney. Romney was 2016. dissed by Trump who called the former Clifton Holt Jolley is candidate for president known in Utah as a a "choke artist," and a newspaper columnist "failed candidate." Then and host of PBS Civic Trump humiliated Dialogue; he has been 5:00-6:30 PM Clifton Jolley 274 Panorama East Mormons and Trump: An Unholy Alliance? Romney by pretending Bob Rees published in the New Bob Rees (90) to consider him as Misty K. Snow York Times, Dialogue, Secretary of State. Sunstone, Western Trump seems to stand Folklore, and others; for everything Mormons each of his two are against and against documentaries for PBS everything they are for, have been Emmy and yet he won a nominated (always a majority of Utah voters. bridesmade…); he is the This panel explores the father of 6, grandfather complex attitudes of 11, and spouse of 1 toward Trump and (as of this printing) who poses questions as to has been awarded for the future of Mormon- “Criticism and Trump relationship. Commentary” by the Associated Press, and his book—Children’s Voices—is perennially available as a “remainder” on Amazon. Analyn Gourley is a nerdy craft girl with a Craftivism has been love of Mormon culture. defined as “the practice She has a Masters in of engaged creativity, Economics from UNLV especially regarding and a BA in Political political or social Economy from the causes.” Some feminists College of Idaho. While are using traditionally she has a full time job so identified “feminine” she can eat and pay crafts to reclaim their art student loans, her spare and empower women. time is spent in working By using their creativity on social justice causes, to make the world a running D&D nights, and better place, craftivists crafting. help bring change via
personalized activism. Crafting as Subversive Resistance and Analyn Gourley Nancy Ross is a Parlor A 5:00-6:30 PM Craftivism also gives Sarah Hancock Jones 275 Problematic Myopia: The Struggle for Nancy Ross professor at Dixie State (90) women access to Intersectionality Jennifer Huss Basquiat University and needs a working on important vacation. social and political
causes using domestic Jennifer Huss Basquiat crafts. Yet, these same is an anthropology crafts can limit the professor at the College intended audience when of Southern Nevada. one person’s reality She is an ethnographer erases another. This who believes field work panel will explore what and social justice should adaptations craftivists go hand in hand. She must make if they are to lives in Las Vegas with become intersectional her two children while and truly effect social prepping for the change. inevitable zombie apocalypse.
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Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Studies show that more Alia Peterson and more youth are Katherine Horner This panel is made up of leaving religion, so what Dana Peterson young adults from Christ keeps young adults in a Caleb Horner Church Inc., a break-off 5:00-6:30 PM Millennial Mormons: A Fundamentalist West Ballroom fundamentalist faith? Joshua Horner group from the Apostolic Mica McGriggs 276 (90) Perspective This panel will discuss Jonathan Olsen United Brethren (AUB). personal experiences of Joseph Wright youth from several Benjamin Jenson fundamentalist groups. Derrek Peterson Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST has been in practice as a mental health professional for over 20 years, primarily working with issues of relational health, faith transitions and journeys, The Women's March on and sexuality. She writes Washington inspired a blog called "The many Mormon women Mormon Therapist," and to gather in sisterhood. hosts the podcasts Some of us carried the "Mormon Mental Health," names of those who and "Mormon Sex Info." could not gather physically, sharing a Dr. Gina Colvin is a vicarious experience. In research fellow at the Washington D.C., Jody England Hansen University of Canterbury, 277 East Ballroom 5:00-6:30 PM Sacred Resistance: Mormon Women Marching Natasha Helfer Parker Natasha Helfer Parker Christchurch, New (90) and Gina Colvin led a Gina Colvin Zealand with an interest Ana Nelson Shaw retreat for Mormon in cultural and post- feminists who had come colonial studies. She is to the march. In this an international editor panel, we will share the for Dialogue: A Journal sacred nature of this of Mormon Thought. gathering and of the power of resistance Jody England Hansen is inspired by the spirit of a mixed-media artist divine sisterhood. and loves to combine the visual and spiritual aspects of language. She recently returned to Utah residence, and enjoys seeing the view of Mt. Olympus from both her kitchen and chapel windows.
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Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Michael G. Reed will present on the topic of his Dissertation, offering a comparative study of the Gold Plates of the New World, and the Lead Plates of Granada Spain, and will show how both metallic records, burried in the ground, Michael G. Reed is a connected by rings, doctoral student at found by treasurer- Graduate Theological seekers, in a sacred hills Union, Berkeley. He is (cu/amera[h]), deposited the author of Banishing with other relics, the Cross: The claiming indigenous Emergence of a Mormon people were anciently Taboo, John Whitmer introduced to Books, 2012. Christianity, and brought forth in the 5:00-6:30 PM Modern Freemasonry and Alternative Michael G. Reed D. Michael Quinn (Ph.D., Union Theater modern period (the latter Brooke Oveson Walrath 278 (90) Christianity of the Early Modern Period Respondent: D. Michael Quinn history, Yale University) c1600). These artifacts is an Affiliated Scholar at served similar needs, the University of emerged in times of Southern California’s political/religious turmoil, Center for Feminist and were defended by Research. He has been believing apologists in a full-time researcher strikingly similar and writer, a professor of (identical?) ways. history at Brigham Young University, and a The Lead Plates of visiting professor of Granada, *which are history (2002–03) at now considered Yale. forgeries,* will be new news to most Sunstone attendees. Reed's study sprang from the annual Bushman/Givens Gold- Plates Seminars--one of which Reed participated in several years ago. Our Mormon Identity is often conferred upon us by parents and a high- demand religious culture, leaving little room for exploration and mature identity development. As a result, the Mormon identity is often child-like in its magical worldview, and vulnerable to Mark Crego recently delayed identity crises in retired as managing adulthood when director responsible for challenges to beliefs identity at Accenture 279 Room 312 5:00-6:30 PM Mormon Identity in Crisis: Embracing the Least arise. Additionally, Mark Crego where he led the Jerilyn Hassell Pool (90) of These Mormon institutions development of the often foster a kind of National ID of India and identity politics, other prominent identity leveraging “worthiness” programs around the to control Mormon world. Identity. This presentation demonstrates how what is usually termed a “faith crisis” is actually more of an “identity crisis,” and presents an approach toward an inclusive and open Mormon identity going beyond faith crisis.
40 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - FRI, JULY 28
Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Tom Bennett is an authentic folk blues one man band. Born and raised in the rural North Georgia Countryside, Tom was given his first harmonica by an old lady from West Virginia at 9 years old. Many long hours were spent on the hayfields of Eagle Crest ranch learning the blues. Tom left the south and headed west seeking religion at age 19. He fell in with Mormon Polygamists, studied Tibetan Buddhism and eventually became a cocaine dealer in Salt Lake City. He was arrested at 26 years old Pizza and salads will be and after going through available for purchas e rehabilitation and the Dinner: pizza and salad available for purchase on the patio where Tom legal system Tom 281 on the patio. Tom Bennett, One Man Band Bennett will give a decided to make things musical performance. right and began working for the Boys and Girls Club. He was a club Director when, at age 32, on April 7, 2013 he began playing the guitar. He was discovered by a nationally touring blues band and invited to join them on the road as the opening act. Tom has stayed on the road since completing many national tours after having recorded his debut album "The Man Who Shook The Trail of The Devil's Hounds" on Sweet Salt Records. When he is not on tour he rests in the Southern Utah desert near the town of St. George.
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Friday, July 28 SLC 2017 Sunstone
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Rev. Dr. Fatimah Salleh began life as Muslim; converted as a teenager to the LDS Church; served a mission; taught LDS Institute, and then, responding to a call, she attended Duke Divinity School. Following a period of discernment, Following several she was recently religious traditions, Dr. ordained a Baptist Salleh will preach a minister. sermon on what it Lisa Butterworth is a Saltair 8:00-9:30 (90) Plenary Session: Embracing the Least of These means to embrace the Dr. Fatimah S. Salleh Lisa Patterson Butterworth 291 Least of These in a licenced professional tumultuous world. After counselor specializing in the sermon, Lisa concerns about faith, Butterworth will host an trauma, body image, interact Q&A. anxiety and depression, and sexuality in Boise, Idaho and online at Symmetry Solutions. As founder of Feminist Mormon Housewives she has been working with people in liminal Mormon spaces for more than a dozen years. 291B West Ballroom 8:00-9:30 (90) Overflow: Live streamof session 291 BALLROOM: BENCHMARK BOOKSTORE OPEN ALL DAY
42 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Beauty may not, as Dostoevky claimed, “save the world," but without it, neither salvation nor the world is complete. Why has God planted in the human soul a need for beauty? One reason is that, as Emerson said, “beauty is God’s handwriting—a wayside sacrament.” As such, it deepens and refreshes us, 301 Saltair 8:15-8:45 AM Beauty (A Devotional) Bob Rees Bob Rees is the Director of Mormon Studies at Josh Kim (30) making it possible for us to Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. endure the ugly, the grotesque, and the unseemly. There is so much of the world that is unbeautiful that we should never “lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful.” This devotional focuses on beauty and explores its relationship to other virtues. Faith in Our Differences is an ongoing photo-interview project involving individuals who are or have been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than a platform for people to openly speak, it Erik has been a professional photographer for about is an invitation to openly two years and focuses on capturing images that tell stories, frequently related to the human condition. Even 302 Center Ballroow ALL DAY Sunstone Art Show listen. As it continues to Erik Robinson None grow, the goal is to when taking pictures of nature, architecture, or objects, encourage understanding, he is usually looking for something resembling a unity, and love in our diverse character and finding a way to tell its story. perspectives and experiences. Though different, we are all part of the human family and no one deserves to be put into a box. Consequently, the images have no frames.
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Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
On any given Sunday, but especially on the first Sunday of the month, it is not uncommon to hear Latter- day Saints speak of miracles in their lives. To an objective viewer, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between some event that might qualify as a miracle and others that seem more within the realm of magic or 311 Saltair 9:00-10:00 AM Mormons, Myth, Miracles, & Magic Bob Rees Bob Rees is the Director of Mormon Studies at Laura Evershed (60) myth. What is the difference Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Johnsen between myth, magic, and miracles? Is it important to make such distinctions? What are the dangers of seeing every positive event as a miracle? This session examines the extraordinary and seeming-extraordinary through the lens of the natural, supernatural, and cultural. In 2016, BYU’s honor code made headlines around the world after media reports that student victims were being investigated for honor code violations after reporting sexual assaults to the university. Several Jenny McComb is an adult convert to the LDS Church, months later a specially and works as a student affairs professional at Durham convened advisory council University, England. She was awarded a 2017 Churchill 9:00-10:00 AM BYU, Sexual Violence, and the Honor 312 Crimson View recommended that BYU Jenny McComb Memorial Travelling Fellowship, giving her the Mary Urban Clarke (60) Code institute an amnesty policy opportunity to spend six weeks in the USA and Canada for victims of sexual violence, researching best practice responses to sexual violence along with a number of other in higher education. changes to provide more comprehensive support on campus. The presentation will consider this controversy and contextualize it with similar events at other religious universities.
44 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Savannah is a Thirteen-year-old girl who recently made headlines when she "came out" to ward during Fast and Testimony meeting.
Lowell Acorda considers himself less active/culturally Mormon. He works as a Recovery Co-worker at IKEA In June, 12-year-old Edmonton, is a part time student and full time Queer Savannah bore her initiative volunteer in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. testimony in her ward. Millions of people watched Wesley Green was born and raised in the church. Wes as the microphone was shut is an artist who strongly believes that church beliefs off and she told to sit down and complex issues shouldn’t hinder fellowship and after saying that she knew Savannah testimony. God loves her and made her Lowell Acorda gay. This incident is 9:00- 10:00 AM Wesley Green Jack Steele is a mild-mannered paralegal by day, and 313 Panorama East Beyond Savannah symptomatic of a larger Jerilyn Hassell Pool (6) Jack Steele a social vigilante by night. Living in Eagle Mountain problem within the Mormon Sarah with his wife and four kitties, Jack spends his free time church of silencing LGBTQ Kris attempting to dismantle Mormon heterosupremacy. voices. A panel of LGBTQ Britt Johns Mormons will relate stories of Sarah is a convert from Michigan. She attended BYU-I, the many ways they have works as a web designer, and lives in Nebraska with been silenced within her partner and their cats. Mormonism and what allies can do to amplify and lift up Kris lives in Bluffdale, UT and is a lifelong member of their voices. the church. Kris is a spouse, parent, student at BYU, and works as a cat wrangler at the Irvin household.
Britt Johns is a US diplomat, living in China and the host of I Like To Look For Rainbows podcast. He describes his connection to the Mormon church as “a committed but abusive relationship. Just kidding, I do all the Mormon things. Got a recommend and everything.” So many of us experience pain and for some religion is a balm of relief, for others it is a bomb of destruction, and for some it is the barbed wire of entrapment. In this presentation I am going to describe the pain myself and others have found within the religion we were born and raised into, and how Elizabeth Snyder is an undergraduate student at UVU narcotics gave us relief from majoring in behavioral science with an emphasis in that pain. I will discuss psychology and religious studies. Her studies have 9:00-10:00 AM Brooke Scott 314 Parlor A (60) Mormons and Heroin Use several points of how Elizabeth Snyder been informed by Buddhist psychoanalysis and other narcotic abuse and cultural psychoanalytic theories centered around Mormonism perpetuates the phenomenology, existentialism, and continental pain experienced into an philosophy. ongoing state of suffering. I will conclude with suggestions and ideas as a former Mormon on how to live-in-relation and within Mormonism as a way to ameliorate this pain and suffering that is experienced by the individual.
45 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Tausha Larsen was raised in rural Idaho, attended BYU, and was excommunicated for apostasy, together The current, so-called with her husband, in 2014. She has a passion for piano, “Remnant” movement is a healing with herbal medicine, and is mother of seven. mystery to many. Originating
with the works of Denver Adrian Larsen was raised LDS in St. Louis, Missouri. He Snuffer, this grass-roots was a lifelong active Mormon, and was movement has captured the excommunicated in 2014 for apostasy because of his attention of all types of blog, To The Remnant. He holds two bachelor’s Mormons, as well as the ire degrees and a doctorate, and works in healthcare of the LDS church. As it technology. seeks to reclaim what’s been Tausha Larsen
9:00-10:00 AM The Remnant Movement: Seeking to lost since the days of Joseph Adrian Larsen 315 West Ballroom Quintina BearChief Adolpho, PhD, Blackfoot descent, Ryan Flake (60) Recover and Continue the Restoration Smith, and continue the work Quintina BearChief Adolpho was raised on the Siksika Nation reservation, Alberta, he started, it also rejects Robert WK Adolpho Canada. She grew up competing in her culture's polygamy and church traditional dances and learned many traditional stories hierarchy. In this panel from her father. She served as a tribal leader of her presentation and Q/A, four nation on Chief & Council. She’s been married to Rob active participants in the for over 22 years, and they commonly go by Bobby-Q. movement will present the
facts, dispel the myths, and Robert WK Adolpho was raised in Hauula, Hawaii. He is outline the ideas driving this a civil engineer and actively home schools five of his six unique approach to the children as a stay-at-home dad. He enjoys gospel. participating in his own, and his wife’s, rich cultural traditions. The term, “aspirational shame,” names a common experience among Mormon women: the feeling of shame for having aspirations outside of the Church’s emphasis on women’s roles in the home. In this session, I will share case examples that define and illustrate the concept and will suggest ways to resolve this shame and to challenge the prevailing either/or Shame with No Name: Identifying and paradigm for the lives of Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW is a licensed 316 East Ballroom 9:00-10:00 AM Healing “Aspirational Shame” in Mormon adult women. Julie de Azevedo Hanks clinical social worker and psychotherapist specializing Andre Sprague (60) Women in women's emotional health and relationships. Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW is a seasoned psychotherapist, owner of Wasatch Family Therapy, author of The Burnout Cure and The Assertiveness Guide for Women, media contributor, performing songwriter, blogger on Mormon cultural issues and mental health, and is passionate about cultural transformation through partnership.
46 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
This is like couples therapy for your relationship with the LDS Church. Many of us have the same issues and often fall into the same traps. There are millions of other LDS members experiencing Daniel Rollo is studying religious anthropology at UVU, a tension with the LDS and joined the Utah Valley Interfaith Association in Church, and this speaker 2015. He currently resides in Provo, UT as a "less has consolidated both the active" non-literal Mormon, called as his ward's Sunday major issues and ways of School teacher. Rollo was born into a mainstream LDS dealing with those issues 317 Union Theater 9:00-10:00 AM Trials Of Our Faith: On Navigating A Faith Daniel Rollõ family and fully embraced it himself, where he lived and Corey Howard (coping methods) in this (60) Crisis (Lost Or Shaken Faith) loved every part of growing up in the Church. The presentation. biggest trial of his faith occurred during his mission to
Seattle, WA (2009), which caused deep wounds and Surprisingly, the best lasting scars he was forced to wrestle with and solutions aren't in having a reconcile. satisfying answer to each unique concern, but in understanding the tension itself. By learning how we can help a friend navigate their trial of faith, we learn how to navigate our own This will be an interactive discussion where Discussion Group: Leaving and Not participants will discuss how 9:00 - 10:00 AM Leaving Alone: How to Live With the Samantha Louise Shelley 318 Room 312 (60) it feels to be labeled by their Tanner Gilliland NONE Labels family and friends once they move away from orthodox participation. Brain science has matured to the point where it is beginning to subsume the philosophical discipline of religious phenomenology. In this session, Dr. Michael Ferguson will lead attendees Dr. Michael Adam Ferguson is a Harvard and Cornell- through an exciting spiral of trained neuroscientist, publishing groundbreaking divine ascent, complete with 11:30-12:30 AM empirical and theoretical research on spirituality detailed mechanisms for the 334 Panorama East (60) "The Spiritual Brain" Dr. Michael Adam Ferguson across peer-reviewed disciplines. He leads the Mica McGriggs cognitive and neural Mystagogy & Science Society in Boston, dynamics of theosis (i.e., Massachusetts, where he lives with his husband J. Seth divine imitation). The best of Anderson. contemporary science and the highest expression of Christian theology are fused in an extraordinary presentation you will not want to miss.
47 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
The Heavenly Mother, though acknowledged as legitimate by LDS leaders, nonetheless has been marginalized in practice, referred to mostly as one of the “heavenly parents.” Recently, she also has been challenged by liberal writers who question her value, Dr. Margaret Toscano is an associate professor of comparative studies at the University of Utah. Her 10:15-11:15 AM The Mormon Heavenly Mother: Helper of seeing her as a research centers on myth, gender, and religion. She 322 Crimson View (60) the Oppressed representative of Margaret Toscano Thomas B. McAffee heteronormative marriage. has published extensively on Mormon feminism for the This paper will contest both past thirty years. views, arguing that the Mormon Mother God is a vital symbol of the oppressed and outcast, whether they face discrimination for their race, their LGBTQ identity, their immigrant status, or as one of the poor and needy. How we care for our individual bodies is a private, sacred choice. The relationship between a healer and a client is also sacred, very similar to that of a priest and parishoner. It must remain free of government, religious, or Sarah E. Firmage holds a bachelor's degree in corporate intrusions. It must psychology from the University of Utah and a masters 323 Collegiate 10:15-11:15 AM Health Is Our Birthright be available to all people, Sarah E. Firmage degree in traditional Chinese medicine from Five Ana Nelson Shaw (60) including those on the LGBT Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA. She teaches spectrum. We are seeing Eastern and Western health sciences at Myotherapy healthcare rights threatened College of Utah. and removed one by one. To ignore these intrusions is to give our power away, lay down our freedom of choice, and lay down our God-given intelligence to find new ways to heal. Given the unique psychoactive effects and abundant availability of myriad entheogens, there Cody Noconi is a certified permaculture designer exists evidence that Joseph specializing in micoremmediation and plant medicines. Smith used plant medicines He is the researcher/host/producer of the Psilly to incite visions and personal Rabbits podcast which investigates the history of revelations for himself and entheogen use and the current medical science his parishioners. This model 324 Panorama East 10:15-11:15 AM Revelation Through Hallucination Bryce Blankenagel surrounding the field. Kim Hurst Glover provides a much-needed (60) Cody Noconi naturalistic explanation for Bryce Blankenagel is full-time researcher, host, and multiple instances of producer of the Naked Mormonism Podcast. In its first visionary experiences in year of production, Naked Mormonism won 3 Brodie Mormon history which have awards. previously been explained with group-hallucination psychology or attributed to the power of God.
48 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
This session explores emergent themes generated across a year of faith transition interviews from the Faith Transitions Podcast. The data includes 28 Rob Vox is a seventh generation Mormon. He served a Mormon transitions and mission, married in the temple, and has four children seven transitions occurring Nancy Ross and a PhD in sociology. 10:15-11:15 AM A Year of Faith Transition Stories: A Rob Vox 325 Parlor A (60) Qualitative Analysis of Emergent Themes outside of the Mormon Sarah Hancock Jones tradition. Commonalities and Nancy Ross is an art historian who moonlights as a differences between stories sociologist of religion. will be explored, concluding with a Q & A regarding the transition process with suggestions for navigating a faith transition.
Almost every member of the LDS Church has a time when some cherished belief or understanding is challenged and doubt begins to be part of their traditional Mormon D. Jeff Burton is the author of the book For Those Who "knowing" testimony Wonder and the long-running "Braving the experience. We in the Borderlands" column in Sunstone. He is also a former Borderlands can help those member of the Sunstone board of directors. 10:15-11:15 AM Borderlands: Helping Newcomers and D. Jeff Burton struggling by sharing ten 326 West Ballroom (60) Those Experiencing a Crisis of Belief Jon Ogden Jerilyn Hassell Pool simple approaches and Jon Ogden is the author of When Mormons Doubt: A perspectives. These can Way to Save Relationships and Seek a Quality Life, help struggling members see which proposes methods of dealing with religious their difficult experiences in a doubts. He writes at WhenMormonsDoubt.com. more positive light and help them return to emotional stability, personal growth, and continued Church activity or affiliation (suitable to their needs and wants).
As an homage to "Awash in a Sea of Faith: Christianizing the American People," by Jon Butler, this session explores how Mormons Randy Snyder is a practicing orthodontist in Colorado managed to overwhelmingly who got his start in podcasting on Mormon Stories vote for a candidate that is where, along with Tyson Jacobsen, he was interviewed 10:15-11:15 AM Awash in a Sea of Faith: Is Mormon decidedly against all their by Dan Wotherspoon regarding atheism after 327 East Ballroom (60) Political History Repeating Itself? Randy Snyder Andre Sprague sensibilities and values. It will Mormonism (episodes 222-227). After that he also explore why a minority appeared multiple times as a panelist on Mormon of Mormons conscientiously Expression which led to him become a founding didn't, drawing parallels to member of the Infants on Thrones podcast in 2012. Mormon political history. Included will be research on the impact fabricated news played in the election by Jeff Green.
This presentation will One of more than fifty children of infamous, polygamist address the issue of "Healing cult leader, Ervil LeBaron, Anna LeBaron endured in the Aftermath of Trauma abandonment, horrific living conditions, and child labor. and Abuse", including the At age thirteen, she escaped the violent cult, began a 328 Union Theater 10:15-11:15 AM The Polygamist's Daughter: Healing in the Anna LeBaron Lisa Patterson (60) Aftermath of Trauma and Abuse hidden abuses which leave new life and sought healing. A gifted communicator Butterworth marks and scars not just on and personal growth activist, she's passionate about the body, but on the heart, helping others walk in freedom. Anna lives in the DFW soul, and spirit as well. Metroplex and loves being Mom to five grown children.
49 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
This presentation proposes that the true purpose of genealogy is to help us get Corey Howard lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her life's to know our ancestors. To goal is to bring the hidden into the light. More Than a Name: How Genealogy Corey Howard 10:15-11:15 AM illustrate this concept, the 329 Room 312 Connects Us Kathy Carlston Corey Howard (60) presenter will use stories Kathy Carlston is a multimedia artist with a passion for from her own history that storytelling. She and her wife live in Layton, Utah. helped her understand her contemporary family dynamic. Come and sing new, relevant hymns with us! These hymns address topics such as the lifting of the priesthood ban Alan has 35 years of experience in energy research, on race, reverence for the and is a co-founder of a GreenFire Energy, a start-up earth, Heavenly Mother, the geothermal power company. He has been playing the Atonement, evolution, the piano since age 10, studying the organ with Dr. Robert homeless, refugees, Cundick at the Tabernacle. He had a jazz trio for 30 women's prophetic role, the 321 Saltiar 10:15-11:15 (60) Sing a New Song: Hymns of Devotion, Fred Voros years, and currently plays with two local swing bands. Vickie Eastman Inclusion, and Faith devil, death, faith, and doubt. Alan Eastman The session will consist Fred Voros began writing hymns in 2009 and later almost entirely of singing founded the Western Hymn Writers Workshop. The new hymns by Fred Voros, Workshop has produced over 70 hymns, Fred having Alan Eastman, and other written or co-written more than thirty of them. members of the Western Hymn Writers Workshop. All are welcome, regardless of singing ability. Millennials, GenXers, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation. What do they have in common, and where do they diverge?
This session looks at research findings from the nationally representative Next Mormons survey, Jana Riess is a senior columnist for Religion News conducted in late 2016. Service and the author or co-author of numerous Mormon Generations: What New Which generation of Latter- books, including Flunking Sainthood, Mormonism and Research Tells Us about Four day Saints has the largest American Politics, Mormonism for Dummies, and the 332 Crimson View 11:30-12:30 (60) Jana Riess Debra Jenson Generations of Current and Former number of children? Which Twible. She is currently writing The Next Mormons: The Latter-day Saints has the strongest belief in Rising Generation of Latter-day Saints in America, God and in Mormon based on social science research on four generations teaching? And which is the of Mormons and former Mormons. most likely generation to leave the Church? A significant portion of the session will be devoted to Q&A, and there will be age- appropriate door prizes for lucky members of each generation.
This session will explore the value and beauty of faith Walking One Another Home: Why I Bob Rees is the Director of Mormon Studies at 333 Collegiate 11:30-12:30 (60) found within communing Bob Rees Roy Schmidt Continue to Stay Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. with the Divine and with one another.
50 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Christ's "other sheep" are mentioned in the New Testament and Book of Mormon, but remain unidentified. There are important things known to the "other sheep" but still unknown to Mormons. "The least of these" may not be our inferiors, but may be needed to complete Denver Snuffer, Jr. was an active member of the LDS Mormonism. Mormonism church for 40 years until he was excommunicated in 331 Saltair 11:30-12:30 (60) Other Sheep, Indeed Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Micah Nickolaisen welcomes all truth, wherever September 2013 on the 40th anniversary of his original it is found, and cannot allow baptism date. itself to become self- satisfied or unwelcoming to new and important ideas from outside. No Mormon should be willing to ignore scripture to conform to orthodoxy. This paper will defend taking a much broader view of the unfinished "restoration of all things." CINDY MADSEN REID – DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
Three years ago, Cindy Cindy holds a B.A. in English from Brigham Young Madsen Reid, a first-time University and an M.Ed from the University of Nevada, documentarian, read about Las Vegas. She taught high school, was an adjunct Kate Kelly and the Ordain professor of English at the College of Southern Nevada Women movement. Thinking for over a decade, and served as a member of the it might make an interesting Nevada State Board of Education. Cindy then decided story and wanting to explore to make art her primary focus. She now serves on the An Unruly Faith: The Making of a a career in film, she called board of the Las Vegas Film Festival and the Black 335 Parlor A 11:30-12:30 (60) Documentary about Kate Kelly and Kate and asked her if she Bryan McAffee Cindy Madsen Reid Mountain Institute. She is curating a photography Gender Equity in the Mormon Church could follow her with a installation featuring the work of a Nepalese artist in camera. Three years later, her Himalayan village. In 2013, she started a the story continues. Come production company, Powerhouse Productions, and get a sneak peak at the began pursuing her dream of making films. Her first film trailer, hear about a budding project, Through Eden, explored a group of devout filmmaker, and catch key Mormon women questioning their beliefs. She is also a moments in an activist’s producer for the short film Ma: A Story of Us. An Unruly journey. [4] Faith is her first feature documentary. She and her husband have three children. In September 2016 the LDS Church Historian’s Press made available in print the early minutes of the Council of Fifty. These minutes were kept from church members and the public for well over H. Michael Marquardt is an independent historian and one hundred and fifty years. research consultant. He is the compiler of Early This paper will explore some Patriarchal Blessings of The Church of Jesus Christ of 336 West Ballroom 11:30-12:30 (60) The Nauvoo Council of Fifty Minutes H. Michael Marquardt Clair Barrus of the events and topics Latter-day Saints (Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2007) and discussed in these meetings, co-author with William Shepard of Lost Apostles: including Joseph Smith and Forgotten Members of Mormonism’s Original Quorum Brigham Young being of Twelve (Signature Books, 2014). accepted as kings, the gentiles rejecting the gospel, and being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
51 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Conflict and disagreements in mixed faith relationships Tom Perry has been involved in podcasting since 2009 are very common; finding (Mormon Expression & Infants on Thrones) and has Healthy Communication and Negotiation healthy, two-way been facilitating a Utah Country support group for 337 East Ballroom 11:30-12:30 (60) in Mixed-faith Relationships communication and Tom Perry Aaron Boyett mixed-faith couples for almost two years. He and his negotiation can often wife have been in a mixed-faith marriage for over 8 mitigate these years. disagreements and issues.
In the gerentocracy of the LDS Church, actuarial tables can be (and have been) used to forecast leadership a few Christian N. K. Anderson is a quantitative biologist in decades in the future. southern California who has published numerous Though these predictions scientific articles on ecosystem theory and statistical are generally quite accurate, genetics. He has been attending Sunstone Symposia surprises happen. Using since the age of one. historic actuarial tables, this 338 Union Theater 11:30-12:30 (60) Quantifiably Stranger Than Fiction Christian N. K. Anderson Josh Kim presentation demonstrates Cheryl Bruno Cheryl Bruno is an independent scholar of Mormon four time periods where history. She has published articles, spoken at reality deviated most from conferences, and is co-author of Method Infinite: the statistically most likely Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration, path, then presents four forthcoming from Greg Kofford Books. corresponding alternative history vignettes with particular emphasis on humanitarian ramifications. The ancient practice of midrash inserts fictional narrative where actual scripture is silent, giving details to characters that are otherwise footnotes. This presentation explores the historical context and current spiritual relevance of Margaret Olsen Hemming is the editor in chief of midrash. We will examine Exponent II. She received an MA in international peace criticism of its practice, from and conflict resolution from American University and accusations of cultural Margaret Olsen Hemming worked for International Rescue Committee doing 339 Room 312 11:30-12:30 (60) Voice in the Wilderness appropriation to the hubris of Lindy Yam Pandora Brewer refugee resettlement. trying to add to scriptural record, and then discuss the Pandora,Brewer is a Quilter, Editor, Mother, Wife, from power of focusing on female Mount Prospect, IL characters and stories. We will look at examples of midrash, including the process of publishing the midrash issue of Exponent II and how the experience helped us think differently about women in the scriptures. 141. LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE 341. LUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING VENDORS IN THE FOLLOWING VENDORS IN THE UNION UNION CAFETERIA: Papa 12:30- 2:00 (90) LUNCH CAFETERIA: Papa Johns Pizza, Einstein Johns Pizza, Einstein Brothers Brothers Bagel, Jamba Juice, GrillNation, Bagel, Jamba Juice, GrillNation, Panda Express, Deli, Chop'd, Sono Latin Panda Express, Deli, Chop'd, Sono Latin
52 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
This session will be a viewing of the 1922 silent-era film "Trapped by the Mormons," Brian Whitney graduated with a BA in history from the earliest depiction of Weber State University, has interned with the LDS Mormons on film. The film Church History Department, and was awarded a was based on tropes research fellowship in Nauvoo, IL. He currently works as established by the "dime a historical editor and publicist for Greg Kofford Books novel" genre popular during and is co-editing the David O. McKay office diaries. the late-nineteenth and 342 Saltair Trapped by the Mormons Brian Whitney Brian Whitney 1:00- 2:00 (60) early-twentieth century— Michael Austin Michael Austin received his BA and MA in English from the primary lens through Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in English which the nation viewed Literature from the University of California at Santa Mormons. This film Barbara. He is the author or editor of seven books and presentation will be more than 50 articles, book chapters, and reviews. He accompanied by discussion is currently the series co-editor for the Mormon Image of the genre and its impact in Literature series published by Greg Kofford Books. on the popular conception of Mormonism. In the four years of food studies at Sunstone, food trends have never been studied so vigorously and in- depth as they have in the last year. How has the election changed the food Jerilyn Hassell Pool is a digital artist and print Encore Presentation: Lunch Presntation: patterns of Mormons? How production specialist. She lives in Provo, Utah with her Dovie Onice Eagar 343 East Ballroom Jerilyn Hassell Pool 1:00- 2:00 (60) Mormon Food Studies in Trump’s America many more bags of Cheetos family, where she works with the local LGBTQ Peterson have been consumed in community. Utah County alone? And what about the food habits of famous Mormons? Brace yourself, the alternative facts are coming and they aren’t pretty. Kylie Johnson is a model probably best known for her appearance in Playboy as a Playmate of the Month for February 2011. She speaks publicily about sex shame Mormonism has a and healthy intimacy. complicated relationship with bodies and sex. Sasha Kylie Johnson Sasha Earl currently serves in her Arizona ward as a 2:00-3:30 PM Earl, a faithful, active 351 Saltair Playmate Mormons: Faith and Sex Work Sasha Earl Gospel Principles teacher. She is also a professional Kristin B. Hodson (90) Mormon stripper will join Kristin B. Hodson stripper and dancer. Playboy Playmate Kylie Johnson to discuss healthy Kristin Hodson is Founder and Executive Director of intimacy, bodies, and faith. The Healing Group and co-author of the newly ... Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapsts. Family dinners, church, Facebook, work—all are rife with opportunities to have conversations about Jay Griffith is an explorer of ideas and a facilitator of sometimes painful and dialogue and relationships through various divisive topics. And yet we organizations and non-profits, including the LDS usually avoid these subjects Church. because we don’t know how Can We Talk? How to Facilitate to feel safe sharing what we 352 Crimson View 2:00-3:30 PM Jay Griffith Jacob Hess is co-founder of Village Square Utah and Joanna Thorpe Challenging Conversations with Those really think. In this workshop, (90) You Love (and Those You Don't) Jacob Hess blogs at MindfullyMormon.org and FlirtingwithCuriosity. Tholstrom Jacob and Jay will teach org. He is the author of You’re Not as Crazy as I proven methods to help Thought, But You’re Still Wrong, Once Upon a bridge these troublesome Time…He Wasn’t Feeling It Anymore and A Third waters while staying Space: Proposing Another Way Forward in the anchored to the essence of LGBT/Religious Conservative Impasse. Christian ethics. Time will also be spent in small groups practicing with these tools.
53 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
The LDS Church professes to be a worldwide church, Bryndis Roberts was raised in the African American and its teachings proclaim Baptist faith tradition and joined the LDS Church in that all are welcome. January 2008. She is an attorney with her own firm – However, the Church tends Jenkins & Roberts LLC – where her law partner is her to become mired in issues ex-husband, who also happens to be her best friend. that are primarily of concern
of those who live in the Kalani Tonga is biracial, and often says that her life has "Mormon Corridor" in the been characterized by lots of seemingly opposite United States, taking Bryndis Roberts “halves”: she is a liberal feminist, but also an active 2:00-3:30 PM Standing at the Crossroads of Identity political positions that are Kalani Tonga 353 Collegiate Mormon; she is half Swedish, and half Tongan; she Gina Colvin (90) and Faith alienating rather than Gina Colvin started her collegiate career at the University of Utah, welcoming to those outside but graduated from BYU. that culture. As women of
color, we struggle constantly Dr. Gina Colvin is a research fellow at the University of with navigating paths in a Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand with an church that often does not interest in cultural and post-colonial studies. She is an hear us or see us. Many of us international editor for Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon are now standing at a Thought. crossroads in our
relationship with the LDS Church. Out of the dark night of the soul can come great growth. Lisa Butterworth is a licenced professional counselor Using the principles of specializing in concerns about faith, trauma, body trauma recovery and the image, anxiety and depression, and sexuality in Boise, pillars of meaning, we will Idaho and online at Symmetry Solutions. As founder of outline the process for Feminist Mormon Housewives she has been working Getting Unstuck: Healing from healing the deep wounds 2:00-3:30 PM with people in liminal Mormon spaces for more than a 354 Panorama East Community Rejection and Spiritual that some experience during Lisa Butterworth Anthony Miller (90) dozen years. Wounds faith transition and give Jana Johnson Spangler
resources for rebuilding a life Jana Spangler is a transformational life coach who with new depths of kindness, specializes in faith transitions and relationships. She strength, and resilience. This sees clients in the greater Salt Lake City area and session will include online with Symmetry. Solutions. experiential and processing components.
Alex Pedersen received a BA in Latin American studies from BYU in April 2016 and left the Church in July 2016. This session will focus on the
personal experiences of Nicholas R Stewart earned a BA from San Francisco people who have Alex Pedersen State University in American diplomatic history and 355 Parlor A 2:00-3:30 PM Transitions: What I Learned transitioned out of the LDS Nicholas R. Stewart Nicholas R. Stewart international relations. Though raised in the LDS (90) Church, focusing on lessons Samuel Yamamoto Church, he is currently inactive. learned in the process and
aftermath of transition. Samuel Yamamoto graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Music Education and Boston University with a Master of Music Education. He teaches instrumental band in Alberta, Canada.
54 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Mormonism's beginnings are deeply connected with the folk magic practice of the Smith Family and Joseph Smith himself. This session will expound on the Chase family, water witching, magic Bill Reel is the host of Mormon Discussion Podcast 2:00-3:30 PM 356 West Ballroom Seer Stones, Folk Magic, and Alvin's Hand circles, guardian spirits, Bill Reel which deals with the complexities of Mormonism while Chris Bloxham (90) throat slit Spaniards, helping Latter-day Saints lead with faith Obadiah Dogberry, Joseph's seer stones, and of course Alvin’s hand. Once we understand these narratives, Mormonism's beginnings look quite different.
Tom Perry has been podcasting for more than six years. He was one of the founding members of Mormon Expression and is also one of the founding members of Infants on Thrones.
Matt is a lawyer by trade and an infant by choice. He's How much Mormon cred do an aspiring vegetarian and hippy and strives to love you have? That is, how much fiercely and experience life because this all ends. of the end-to-end Mormon experience have you John Hamer is pastor of the downtown Toronto participated in? Bob Congregation of Community of Christ. A past president Caswell, of the Infants on of the John Whitmer Historcial Association, he is co- Thrones podcast, derived a editor of "Scattering of the Saints: Schism within Mormon cred scale back in Mormonism." 2014 through which he Tom Perry attempted to quantify Matt Long Scott Rowley is a family law attorney from Mesa, 2:00-3:30 PM anyone's Mormon credibility John Hamer Arizona. He is among the principal founders of Any 357 East Ballroom (90) Bob's Mormon Cred Scale 2.0 by having them answer a Heather Craw Opposed & Infants on Thrones, and the principal Josh Kim series of questions. Glenn Ostlund founder of the Mormon Genome Project. Thousands of responses Bob Caswell later, the infamous cred Scott Rowley Glenn Ostlund studied Mormon folklore at Indiana scale lives on as a point of University, and came half a dissertation away from reference. But now, Bob will finishing a PhD on Mormon humor. But he never really join his fellow Infants in did anything with that, cuz really, what can you do with hosting a panel discussion to a PhD in folklore? reveal and discuss the new and improved version of the Heather Craw is the newest addition to Infants on cred scale for all to love… or Thrones where she offers a point of view steeped in hate. social psychology, behavioral economics, and Russian literature. Bob Caswell served a one-year sentence at Brigham Young University before escaping and graduating from Utah Valley University magna cum laude with a degree in business management followed by receiving an MBA from Purdue University.
55 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Leadershift is the final essay in my "Shift Happens" series.
In part 1, I revisit the theme of my 1989 Sunstone speech "A Plea to the Leadership of the Church: Choose Love Not Power" and examine why church and state leaders tend to shift steadily Paul Toscano is a consumer bankruptcy lawyer from compassion to control, practicing in Salt Lake City. His books available from ethics to self- 358 Union Theater 2:00-3:30 PM Leadershift: The Slurge from Love to Paul Toscano through Amazon include The Serpent and the Dove: Aubri Parmenter (90) Power preservation, from love to Messianic Mysteries of the Mormon Temple (2014); The power. Sabbath of Death (2014); The Sacrament of Doubt (2007) and many more. In part 2, I discuss how this shift illuminates God's perceived failure to exercise divine leadership to intervene to prevent pain and evil, which is perhaps the most potent reason for the individual abandonment of theism for atheism. Natasha Helfer Parker, LCMFT, CST has been in practice as a mental health professional for over 20 Sexuality is commonly a years, primarily working with an LDS clientele around taboo subject and is often issues of relational health, faith transitions and relegated to secret or non- journeys, and sexuality. She writes a blog called "The existent spaces, especially in Mormon Therapist," and hosts the podcasts "Mormon Mental Health," and "Mormon Sex Info." 359 Room 312 2:00-3:30 PM Ask a Sex Therapist religious cultures that have Natasha Helfer Parker George Andrew Spriggs (90) roots in Puritanism. This Kristin Marie Bennion session will offer an open, Kristin Marie Bennion, LCSW, CST is an AASECT safe space for attendees to certified sex therapist and the owner of Intimate ask trained professionals Connections Counseling in Orem, Utah. She has been questions about sexuality. practicing as a licensed therapist for eight years and works full-time helping clients with sexuality concerns. She is working toward a PhD in human sexuality. Carol Lynn Pearson and Carol Lynn Pearson's memoir about her marriage to a therapist Julie deAzevedo gay man opened the conversation in Mormondom Hanks relate their about LGBT issues in 1986. Others of her works include experiences in discovering No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons around our that patriarchy is not a given, Gay Loved Ones, and the play Facing East. but is a historical construct, and one that is in process of Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW is a seasoned 361 Saltair 3:45-4:45 PM Helping Mormonism Move from Carol Lynn Pearson Dan Wotherspoon (60) Patriarchy toward Partnership giving way to a much more Julie deAzevedo Hanks psychotherapist, owner of Wasatch Family Therapy, sustainable and enlightened author of The Burnout Cure and The Assertiveness paradigm: partnership. How Guide for Women, media contributor, performing can this shift be songwriter, and Mormon culture and emotional health. accomplished in the solid She earned her MSW in clinical social work and PhD in patriarchy we know as marriage and family therapy with an emphasis in Mormonism? creative systemic studies.
56 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
In this paper I will argue that Jesus's historical context provided a framework for what he meant about those who were "the least of these" within his community, but who "the least of these" are within modern communities will differ according to modern contexts and concerns. I will argue for a specific interpretation and what this might mean for moral obligations regarding "the least of these," and how Mormonism's natural Without Death We Cannot Mourn, universalism has become Jacob Baker is a doctoral candidate in philosophy of 3:45-4:45 PM Without Mourning We Cannot Be Saved: obscured by other concerns, religion and theology at Claremont Graduate 362 Crimson View Jacob Baker Stephen Carter (60) On Mormonism's Confrontation with Its hiding "the least of these" University. He teaches ethics at Utah Valley University Haunted, Invisible Body [5] from us while in plain sight, and is a freelance writer. making its body invisible to itself. I argue that a proper understanding of mourning as individual confrontation with death and the collective building of solidarity is the only long-term, redemptive solution the moral obligations we have toward those in a community who qualify as "the least of these," and that the collective salvation or damnation of a community hinges on how these are seen and responded to. During my longer-than- planned Mormon sabbatical, I have discovered a different type of service. Not a check- list service. Not an assigned Doree Burt is a court appointed special advocate for good-deed service. But the children, a Democrat county and state delegate, and soul-charging, spirit- an advocate for LGBTQ causes and issues, especially 3:45-4:45 PM "Jesus Service": The Work Church changing service that comes when they intersect with Mormonism. After speaking 363 Collegiate Doree Burt Joanna Smith (60) Callings Never Allowed Time For when not trying to rescue out against the November 2015 exclusion policy on anyone. I call this "Jesus UPR, her temple recommend and church calling, as co- service." This presentation president of a multi-stake mutual for special needs explores what "Jesus adults, were rescinded. service" means and how the LDS organization might hinder or help its pursuit.
57 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Trump's rise from outside pariah to the presidency of the United States gives us insight into the phenomenon of charismatic leaders such as Joseph Smith. A comparison of the two men John Larsen has a BA in linguistics from BYU and an MBA from WSU. He is the former host of the Mormon 3:45-4:45 PM The 10 Things Donald Trump can Teach can shed light on the nature Expression Podcast. Employed at the University of 364 Panorama East (60) us about Joseph Smith of revolutionary leaders and John Larsen Kevin Labresh what characteristics it takes Utah, John writes and occasionally podcasts at (or doesn't take) to stage an JohnLarsen.org. inside revolution. Looking at Trump, we can re-examine some of the assumptions about the motivation, skills, and character of Joseph Smith. This session gives an overview of FreeBYU's activism over the preceding year, detailing what they’ve achieved, and highlighting Brad Levin has presented at Sunstone in a session what they hope to titled Why Mormonism Can Abide Gay Marriage. In accomplish in the coming 365 Parlor A 3:45-4:45 PM FreeBYU’s Campaign for Religious Brad Levin 2011 he nearly got kicked out of BYU for publishing Aaron Boyett (60) Freedom at the Y year. They are one of the few Homosexuality: A Straight BYU Student’s Perspective Mormon activist groups with and selling it in the BYU Bookstore. a track record of both eliciting statements from LDS PR officials and achieving policy reform.
The title The Book of Mormon is by no means obvious. A minor figure, Mormon and Jesus, a major figure are outliers. Jesus is the Christ of the New Testament, however, his persona is surrounded by Hermetic themes such as light and darkness. This 366 West Ballroom 3:45-4:45 PM The Paradox of Jesus in The Book of figure undergoes a literary Brian W. Kassenbrock Brian W. Kassenbrock has a PhD in German literature Ryan Flake (60) Mormon apotheosis in. Christ is both and taught in New York until his retirement. human and Hermetic entity, surrounded by themes such as light and darkness. These paradoxes relate to others such as the role of Ancient Egyptian language and culture in the context of Hebraic beliefs and give us insight as to why another set of scriptures was needed.
58 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints see a distinction between church culture and gospel doctrines. But where is that line? When does doctrine seep into Glenn Ostlund received a master's degree and PhD The Distinctions Between Gospel and culture? And when does (abd) in the study of folklore from Indiana University. 3:45-4:45 PM Culture in a Pre-Post-Mormon Mind 367 East Ballroom culture seep into doctrine? Glenn Ostlund Known among his friends as "the TBM Whisperer," Matt Long (60) How does a person's shift in Glenn has been an active voice in post-Mormon faith impact these podcasting since 2010. distinctions? This audience- interactive presentation will explore these questions. Bring your smart phones. You'll be using them. This presentation aims to understand how polygamy has shaped current cultural beliefs about women and men, specifically how women internalize limiting beliefs about themselves, and how good men don't understand this framework and often perpetuate these ideas through ignorance. These limiting beliefs have Lizza Jacobs Nelson has curated art, taught yoga, instructed teenagers, picked cherries, and nannied 3:45-4:45 PM shaped marriage, Italian babies. She loves traveling (but hates plane 368 Union Theater (60) Men, Women, Autonomy, and Polygamy parenthood, mental health, Lizza Nelson Jerilyn Hassell Pool physical health, and how we rides), being in nature (but hates bug bites), and asking come together in lots of questions (and usually hates the answers). communities. They are an invisible chain that bind both genders in a system that exploits and misunderstands our true divine nature and personhood. Unless we individually change our beliefs, we will continue to perpetuate global problems of suffering, division, and power struggle. An important part of my faith journey started with my singing in the Tabernacle Choir, continued through my leaving the Church (after coming out as gay), and ended with rediscovering my Mormon voice through John Bonner is a licensed clinical social worker in Salt Lake City specializing in trauma, grief & loss, faith 3:45-4:45 PM Voice Lessons: Finding My Way Back to writing. This session will tell 369 Room 312 John Bonner transitions, and navigating LGBTQ identities. He is Roy Schmidt (60) the Songs of My Faith the story of how I began the process of mending my singing his eighth season with the Utah Chamber divided heart, particularly in Artists and second season with Brevitas. the wake of the November 2015 exclusion policy. I will be reading selections from the various personal essays I've published since November 5, 2015.
59 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
This session will provide space and resources for learning how to stand up against racism and alt right extremism in Mormon Joanna Brooks is Associate Dean of Graduate and spaces. We will first learn Research Affairs at San Diego University and the from the perspectives and author or editor of six scholarly books on religion, Organizing to Fight the Mormon Alt Right: writings of Mormon activists gender, race and American culture including _The 5:00-6:30 PM A Collaborative Learning and Working 371 Saltair of color and then move to Joanna Brooks Book of Mormon Girl: A Memoir of an American Faith_ Mica McGriggs (90) Session discussion of the role white (2012). She is the editor with Hannah Wheelwright and Mormons can play in taking Rachel Hunt Steenblik of _Mormon Feminism: Forty responsibility for the toxicity Years of Essential Writings_ (Oxford UP, 2015) and with of historic and present day Gina Colvin of _Decolonizing Mormonism_ (University racism and political of Utah, 2016). extremism in Mormon contexts. Jeff Johnson is a pharmacist with extensive experience in acute care, community, and long-term care arenas. He currently practices as a financial and supply chain consultant. He's dealt with the realities of substance abuse and addiction in both his professional and personal life.
Catania Johnson is a dedicated student of the social sciences, and will soon complete her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. She plans to practice as a therapist in the field of addiction recovery.
Utah has one of the highest Devin Edwards started his 15-year career at DCFS prescription drug abuse Jeff Johnson, (Division of Child and Family Services) working on the rates in the country. How James Ott CPS team investigating child abuse. Mormons, Addiction, and Opioids: does this affect the Mormon Catania Johnson 372 Crimson View 5:00-6:30 PM Persepectives From Experts and Jame Ott community? Experts and Devin Edwards Elizabeth Porter attended Ricks College and Utah (90) Individuals those who have experience Elizabeth Porter State University. She is a volunteer with a non-profit with addiction will share their Ryan Watkins that supplies clean needles to active addicts, and a observations and stories. long-time member of a 12-step recovery program
Ryan Watkins is a physician in recovery who has experienced addiction from both sides of the physician-patient relationship. He currently works at a local treatment center helping others facing similar challenges.
James Ott is a licensed therapist and family interventionist with a private practice in downtown Salt Lake City. He works with addiction from various frameworks—trauma, family dynamics, mental health, brain chemistry, etc. He believes everyone should work a daily program of recovery
60 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Naomi Watkins is the co-founder of Aspiring Mormon Women, an organization that encourages and supports LDS women’s educational and professional pursuits. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Utah. Danielle Briggs Christensen earned a master's degree from Westminster College in community leadership. Her thesis focused on Mormon culture’s impact on women’s aspirations. Danielle previously served as the The narrative of LDS women program coordinator for the Utah Women and forgoing educational and Education Initiative. professional pursuits to marry and rear children is Mandee Grant is the Chief Operating Officer of Better well told, but what of the Days 2020, works as an internal business partner for stories of LDS women who Naomi Watkins FranklinCovey, and has a bachelor’s degree from BYU want to (re)enter the Danielle Briggs Christensen Idaho. 373 Collegiate 5:00-6:30 PM Perspectives of Mormon Women (Re) workforce or complete Mandee Grant Naomi Watkins (90) Entering the Workforce degrees? This panel Cristall Harper Cristall Harper graduated from BYU with a BFA in conversation will focus on Lisa Baker Heaton painting and is living her dream as a full-time artist. She women’s paths of Cecilia Wilbur has been married to her college sweetheart for 18 persistence in (re)entering years. They survived infertility and hope to inspire the workforce, highlighting others who want joy and acceptance in childlessness. the pressures, expectations, obstacles and challenges Lisa Baker Heaton is a full-time real estate agent, these Mormon women face. former advertising copywriter, and the mother of three children. She has an AA degree from Snow College, and attended Utah State University.
Cecilia Wilbur graduated from BYU with a BA in English. After attempting to write creatively for a few years, she realized she never wanted to write a novel anyway and started working as a technical writer. John S. Dinger has a juris doctorate, and degrees in This panel will discuss the politi-cal science and history from the University of release of the George Q Utah. His book The Nauvoo High Council and City Cannon Journals and the Council Minutes (Signature Books, 2011) won the Best redactions made by the Church Historian's Press Documentary Book Award from the Mormon His-tory when publishing the journals Association and the Best Book Award from the John online. A press release Whitmer His-torical Association. stated in part: “some Gary Bergera passages of the original Joseph Geisner Joseph Geisner and his wife provide residential 374 Panorama East 5:00-6:30 PM To Redact, or Not to Redact? That Is the Brooke Oveson Walrath (90) Question: The George Q Cannon Journals journal will be withheld in John Dinger services for developmentally disabled adults. He has accordance with policies of published in Sunstone, the John Whitmer Historical the Church History Library to Journal, the Journal of Mormon History, and Irreantum. redact sacred, private, and confidential information.” Gary James Bergera is managing director of the What were some of the Smith-Pettit Foundation (Salt Lake City) and the author redacted passages? What of six published studies of early Mormon polygamy. He can we learn from these is past publisher of Signature Books and past redactions? managing editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.
61 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
Marybeth Raynes LCSW, LMFT, maintains a private psychotherapy practice with Crossroads Intense inner conflict and Psychotherapy. She works with individuals, couples, strained relationships often and families with a variety of mental health concerns, occur for LGBT/SSA including religious and/or spiritual dilemmas. Mormons who are trying to reconcile their sexuality Jerry Buie, LCSW, teaches at the Graduate School of and/or gender identity with Social Work at the University of Utah where one of his their faith. Policies and specialties is diversity training. He owns and operates practices for understanding Pride Counseling, a LGBTQ mental health practice. their concerns have been deeply polarized for Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen, LMFT, is a PhD candidate at
decades. The Reconciliation Brigham Young University in marriage and family Reconciling Conflicts: Creating Ethical Jerry Buie 5:00-6:30 PM and Growth Project (RGP), a therapy. She specializes in adolescent-family relations, 375 Parlor A Guidelines for Helping Faith-based LGBT Lisa Hansen Marybeth Raynes (90) group of 11 mental-health including addressing LGBTQ issues and stressors in People David Matheson professionals and family contexts with respect to the LDS community. Lee Beckstead academics from across the political spectrum, has David Matheson, CMHC, has advocated for the well- developed a set of ethical being of individuals experiencing unwanted same-sex guidelines for helping attraction. He co-founded Brother's Road and Journey therapists, faith-based LGBT Into Manhood and Journey Beyond experiential people, their families, and weekends. He authored "Becoming a Whole Man: communities. The presenters Principles and Archetypes." will discuss these guidelines and model elements of our Lee Beckstead PhD is a licensed psychologist in Peacemaking Protocol. private practice in Salt Lake City. He conducted two studies investigating Mormons who tried to change their sexual orientation. This presentation will begin by discussing psychedelic plants (psilocybic mushrooms, mescaline cacti, ergot extract, ayahuasca, cannabis, etc.), how they affect the human brain, what psychedelic experiences are like, and the Micah Nickolaisen has spent the past five years in the effects they can have on progressive/post-Mormon community as a blogger, 5:00-6:30 PM 376 West Ballroom Food of the Goddess: The Entheogenic people. The second half will Micah Nickolaisen podcaster, activist, and community organizer. He was Flip Johnson (90) Theory of Religion explain the entheogenic the original host of the A Thoughtful Faith Podcast, as theory of religion, a well as one of the organizers of the Any Opposed somewhat speculative demonstration. explanation of how we changed from shamanic, egalitarian, peaceful goddess worshippers to patriarchal, warmongering, religious dogmatists after the development of agriculture.
62 2017 Sunstone Symposium Program with Descriptions - SAT, JULY 29
Saturday, July 29 SLC 2017 Sunstone
Session #: ROOM: TIME: PRESENTATION TITLE: DESCRIPTION: PRESENTER(S): Presenter BioS: Moderator:
What do values look like Glenn Ostlund received a masters degree and PhD after a faith crisis? Without (abd) in folklore from Indiana University. Known among scriptures or prophets or his friends as "the TBM Whisperer," Glenn has been an belief in divinity, who is to say active voice in post-Mormon podcasting since 2010, what is right and wrong? first as a contributor to the Mormon Expression When the Liahona podcast and then as a founding member of Infants on disappears, what becomes Thrones. Glenn Ostlund your moral compass? What 5:00-6:30 PM Scott Rowley 377 East Ballroom Infants on Post-Mormon Values is the baby? What is the Matt is a lawyer by trade and an infant by choice. He's Glenn Ostlund (90) Matt Long bathwater? The members of an aspiring vegetarian and hippy and strives to love the Infants on Thrones fiercely and experience life because this all ends. podcast will explore these questions with their Scott Rowley is a family law attorney from Mesa, trademark fearless Arizona. He is among the principal founders of Any introspection, unexpected Opposed & Infants on Thrones, and the principal thoughtfulness, and manly founder of the Mormon Genome Project. humor. 5:00-6:30 PM 378 Union Theater Muslims and Mormons Josh Kim (90) Jody England Hansen is a mixed-media artist, occasional empty nester, Mama Dragon and LGBTQ For many, the Mormon activist, repatriated Utahan, and God seeker who temple experience is first hasn't figured any of this out yet. jarring, then inspiring, and
eventually repetitive, dull, Sonja Farnsworth is the mother of four daughters and and monotonous. How might has been a Mormon feminist since the 1980s. She has we enliven temple worship Dan Wotherspoon an M.A. in communication studies and has taught 5:00-6:30 PM and service? Are there ways 379 Enjoying the Temple with Fresh Eyes Sonja Farnsworth college-level communication theory and academic Corey Howard Room 312 of approaching it that can (90) Jody England Hansen writing for the past 15 years. Her essay, "The Art of add life, personal and Mormon Feminism: Forgotten Wives Remembered" communal empowerment, appeared in the Fall 2016 issue of Sunstone. She lives and richer views and in Holladay, Utah with her husband, Davis. experiences? Meet three
people for whom this answer Dan Wotherspoon, PhD, is the host of the Mormon is a resounding yes. Matters podcast, and the former editor and executive director of Sunstone
381 Center 7:00-730PM Dinner Ballroom (30) Elna Baker (born January 1982) is a writer and performer of humorous stories. Her stories have been featured on radio programs such as This American Life, The Moth, BBC Radio 4 and Studio 360. In October Every year, the Sunstone 2009, Penguin Books published her book The New York symposium ends with a Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance, which closing banquet called a chronicles her experience as a young, single Mormon “Linger-Longer.” We invite living in New York City. participants to join us for this
event to hear Elna and Mindy Mindy Gledhill is a popular singer and a member of The perform. Tickets are $18 per Linger Longer with Elna Baker and Mindy Elna Baker Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon or 391 person (in addition to a Gina Colvin Saltair 7:30-9:00 (90) Gledhill Mindy Gledhill LDS Church). Her album, The Sum of All Grace, resulted regular conference ticket). in two Pearl Awards (Best Inspirational Album, New
Recording Artist) in 2005, followed by another Pearl Space is limited. You can Award (Best Inspirational Song) in 2006 for her purchase Linger-Longer contribution on a compilation album. n 2012, she was tickets here: https://www. nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best sunstonemagazine. Dance/Electronics Album” for Kaskade’s Fire & Ice. com/registration/ And her songs debuted on primetime TV on So You Think You Can Dance, Bones, and 20/20. Her song “All the Pennies” was featured on an episode of “Jane by Design” on ABC (July 31, 2012). BENCHMARK BOOKSTORE OPEN ALL BENCHMARK BOOK BALLROOM: 142. BOOK SIGNING: TBA DAY STORE OPEN ALL DAY
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