2016
salt lake symposium JULY 27-30 University of Utah Olpin Student Union 200 S. Central Campus Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84112
many mormonisms and the mormon movement official program INDEX OF PARTICIPANTS GUIDE TO NUMBERING: WEDNESDAY = 000’S, THURSDAY = 100’S, FRIDAY = 200’S, SATURDAY = 300’S
ADERHOLD, JONATHAN 324 EASTMAN, ALAN 91 LINKHART, ROBIN 91 ROBERTS, BRYNDIS 311, 331, 342 AIKEN, ALICIA 173, 225, 327 ENGLAND, CHARLOTTE 276 LONG, MATT 337, 357 ROSKY, CLIFFORD 123 ALLGOOD, NECA 278 ERICKSON, SARA CARRUTH 273 LOPEZ, LAURA 231 ROSS, NANCY 111, 135, 161, 211, 273, ALLRED, JANICE 335, 374 FALES, STEVEN 227 LOWTHER, STEVE 371 331 ANDERON, LAVINDA FIELDING 133 FARR, AMANDA 151, 238, 322 MACNAUGHTON, G. CAMPBELL 367 ROWLEY, SCOTT 357 ANDERSON, KIMBERLY 166 FERGUSON, MICHAEL ADAM 223 MAGEE, MERRY 171 RUSSELL, WILLIAM D. 267 ANDERSON, SETH 111, 223, 264 FERRE, ROB 161, 212, 263 MALAN, PAUL 122, 234, 363 RYAN, CAITLIN 372 ANSAH-ANTWI, ROSE 358 FIRMAGE, SALLY E. 234 MANDELIN, NATALIE SPERRY 261 SADDLER, CONNIE 165 ARCHIBALD, CHELSI BARNARD 274, FITT, MELYNDA 153, 262, 314 MARQUARDT, H. MICHAEL 215 SAINE, MANUEL 173 312, 325 FOSTER, CHRIS 264 MAYNE, MITCH 372 SAMUELSEN, ERIC 251 ASLAN, REZA 191 FOSTER, MCKENZIE STEEL 171 MCAFFEE, THOMAS B. 112, 323 SANDVIK, ALEXANDRA 151 BARLOW, EDITH 131 FREEMAN, JUDITH 191, 341 MCCALL, KIM 91 SAUNDERS, SHAWN 171 BARLOW, ELISE 131 FROST, JAKE 242, 357, 366 MCCLEARY, PATRICK C. 221 SCHMIDT, ROY 134, 164, 214, 233 BARNES, MARK 151, 311 FURR, KELLY 134 MCCLUSKEY, NATHAN 212, 371 SCOTT, BROOKE 227, 265, 363 BARRUS, CLAIR 215, 232, 331 GALVEZ, SAMY 151, 228, 332, 342 MCCONKIE, THOMAS 216, 241, 274, SCOTT, CRYSTAL 301, 321 BASQUIAT, JENNIFER HUSS 162, GARDNER, BRANT A. 351 371 SHEPP, STAN 376 174, 376 GAULTNEY, KARA 151 MCGREGOR, MURIEL 225 SHIELDS, CHELSEA 131, 166, 232, BENALLY, MORONI 362 GLENN, TYLER 381 MCGRIGGS, MICA 91, 111, 191, 224, 242, 362 BENNION, KRISTIN 126 GOLDEN, ELIZABETH 171 231, 272 SHIELDS, STEVEN L. 162 BIGELOW, CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL GOMEZ, FERNANDO R. 224, 291 MCLACHLAN, CARRIE 132 SILES, ALI 155 328 GONZALEZ, JENNIFER 342 MCLACHLAN, JAMES 124 SMITH, CHRISTOPHER C. 272, 351 BLACKMORE, DOLLIE 131 GOURLEY, ANALYN 174 MCLEMORE, PHILIP 313 SMITH, NATASHA 175, 311, 342 BLACKMORE, ELSIE 131 HAGLUND, KRISTINE 352 MCPECK-STRINGHAM, MARISA 314, SNUFFER, DENVER C. 271 BLACKMORE, HANNA 131 HALFORD, ALISON 266 364, 375 SPEER, BILL 233, 265 BLACKMORE, MARY 131 HALLETT, ALICE PETERSEN 327 MECHAM, SHELLI 316 SPURLOCK, JAKE 366 BLACKMORE, WINSTON 261 HAMER, JOHN 315, 357 MIKESELL, SUSAN 235, 335 STEENBLIK, RACHEL HUNT 275 BOKOVOY, DAVID 351 HAMMOND, JOHN J. 241, 338 MOHLMAN, LAURIE 124, 201, 267 STEVENS, MICHAEL J. 152, 271, 313, BRADFORD, CHRISTOPHER 163 HANKS, JULIE DE AZEVEDO 112, 152 MONEY, KRISTY 216 337, 353 BRADLEY-EVANS, MARTHA 276 HANKS, MAXINE 151, 262 MONTGOMERY, WENDY 278 STEVENSON, RUSSELL 111, 142 BRINGHURST, NEWELL G. 232 HANSEN, ABBY 228 MOSS, RANDY 312 STOKES, CATHY 291 BROOKS, JOANNA 275 HANSEN, ALLEN 375 MOULTON, JEFF 175 STOLAKIS, KRISTINE 228 BRUNO, CHERYL 375 HANSEN, BILL 355 MOULTON, WHITNEY 154, 367 STONE, DANIEL 356 BURLINGAME, SARA 91, 125, 163, 213 HANSEN, JODY ENGLAND 121, 172, MURPHY, JIM 91, 191, 29, 381 STONE, EMMA TUELLER 151 BURT, DOREE 214 201 NEAL, JOSHUA 324 STROMBERG, LORIE WINDER 291, 311 BURTON, D. JEFF 236 HANSEN, LISA 164, 355 NEWEL, L. JACKSON “JACK” 276 SWICK III, JOE STEVE 221 BUSH, LAURIE SHIPP 336 HANSEN, NADINE 273, 331 NEWELL, LINDA KING 374 TANNER, SANDRA 351, 371 BUSHMAN-CARLTON, MARILYN 165 HARDY, DESTRY PIXTON 176, 226 NICHOLSON, BRENDA 176, 316 TENNEY, KRISTINA OLERGÅRD 277 BUTTERWORTH, LISA 161 HARRIS, KAREN 171, 236 NICKOLAISEN, MICAH 126, 316, 328 THOMAS, MARK 122, 262, 351 BUZBEE, HEATHER 174 HARWELL, JERRI A. 251 NIELSEN, JOHN 332 TIBBITTS, LORENZO E. (LON) 221 CARLSON, APRIL 368 HATCH, JOHN 172 OGDEN, JON 333 TILTON, DEANN 368 CARTER, STEPHEN 236, 252, 328, HEATON, TIM 358 OLSEN, SYDNIE CAZIER 251 TONGA, KALANI 342 377 HICKEN, CHELSEA 151 ORCUTT, DIANNE 322 TOSCANO, MARGARET 374 CHADWICK, TYLER 213, 365 HOOPES, ASHLEY 155, 336 OSMOND, RUSS 325 TOSCANO, PAUL 353 CHAMBERLAIN, CALEB 225 HUESER, SARAH ADIA 175 OSTLUND, GLENN 327, 357 TURNER, JOHN G. 91 CHATWIN, ANDREW 176 JENNING, DUANE 133, 341 PACE, DAVID G. 341 URBAN, EMILY FAY 174 CLARKE, MARY ANN URBAN 373 JENSEN, EMILY W. 352 PALMER, GRANT 371 URIBE, AZUL 231 CLEMENTS, DERRICK 338, 365, 371 JENSEN, JOE 154 PARK, LINDSAY HANSEN 361, 381 VANEL, CHRYSTAL 323 COLLETT, SARAH 354 JENSON, DEBRA 161, 311 PARKER, NATASHA HELFER 126, VENKATAPATHY, SARITA 368 COLVIN, GINA 212, 274, 342, 354, 371 JENSON, PAM 316 216, 238, 263 WALKER, BRADLEY 358 COMPTON, GEORGE R. 235 JOHNSON, FLIP 165, 222, 357 PARMENTER, AUBRI 368 WALRATH, BROOKE OVESON 237, CRAGUN, RYAN T. 272 JOHNSON, G. WESLEY “WES” 276 PAUL, CHARLES RANDALL 326 333, 354 CRAM, SARA WILLDEN 121, 334 JOHNSON, MELVIN C. 226 PEARSON, CAROL LYNN 291, 361, WARD, EMILY 135 CRANNEY. STEPHEN 272 JONES, KATHRYN 368 372 WATKINS, NAOMI 322 CRAW, HEATHER 357 JONES, MATT 277 PERRY, TOM 357 WHEELWRIGHT, HANNAH 266, 275, CUSTUDIO, OLIVIA 171 JONES, SARAH HANCOCK 172 PETERSEN, BOYD JAY 221, 334, 352 315, 366 DAUGHTREY, DOE 355 JONES, SHAUNA 278 PETERSON, F. ROSS 276 WHITE, JENNIFER 263 DECKER, KRISTYN 316 KAPP, KEVIN PERRY 277 “POLLY” 376 WILCOX, RICHIE 324 DEHLIN, JOHN 272, 371 KELAIDIS, KATHERINE 237 PUGSLEY, MARK 123, 278, 352 WILLIAMS, BRADY 321 DELTON, MELANIE 278 KELLY, DONNA 368, 273 QUINN, D. MICHAEL 122, 332, 356 WILLIAMS, TROY 123 DIAZ, AGUSTIN “TINO” 231 KELLY, KATE 228 RASMUSSEN, DEVIN 264 WOTHERSPOON, DAN 132, 172, 221, DILLARD, BIANCA MORRISON 252, KIRBY, ROBERT 291 RECTOR, JOHN M. 211 251, 277, 355 377 KNOLL, BENJAMIN 153 REED, MICHAEL G. 375 YOUNG-OTTERSTROM, CRYSTAL 151 DILLARD, DAVEY MORRISON 252, KOLDEWYN, KERSTIN 311, 356 REEL, BILL 251, 354, 373 YOUNG, MELISSA 354 377 KRAMER, AARON 171 REES, ROBERT A. 216, 276, 301, 358, DOCKSTADER, JOSEPH 376 KRAMER, BRAD 111 364, 372 DOCKSTADER, LORINE 376 LEAVITT, PETER 125 REES, ROBERT S. 216 DOXEY, HEIDI 322 LINDSEY, LUNA 175, 222 RENSHAW, JERALEE 277
2 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM 2016 SALT LAKE We recognize that the search for things that are, have been, and are to come is a sifting process in which much chaff must be carefully inspected and threshed before the wheat can be harvested. SUNSTONE FAITH. Hear words that inspire Christian living by exploring SYMPOSIUM gospel truths, sharing spiritual journeys, and facing difficult challenges head on. COMMUNITY. Meet old friends and make new ones—fellow Many Mormonisms seekers whose thoughts and experiences inform your own. and the Mormon Movement KNOWLEDGE. Gain insights that can come only from rigorous examination of Mormon doctrine and culture from insider and WELCOME outsider perspectives. Welcome to the 2016 Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium! We’re FUN. Find your people at Sunstone! Come enjoy a excited to explore “Many Mormonisms” with you! community of diverse scholars, intellectuals and thinkers who celebrate the wide spectrum of Mormonism in a variety of ways. Enjoy the uniqueness of the Mormon community SYMPOSIUM PURPOSE with friends. Browse and purchase interesting books and
Mormon crafts. The Salt Lake Sunstone Symposium is an annual gathering of Latter-day Saints, scholars, and others interested in the diversity and richness of Mormon thought and experience who SYMPOSIUM CODE OF CONDUCT enjoy pondering the past, present, and future of the unfolding We welcome the honest ponderings of all individuals and Restoration. The Symposium is a public conference based on the expect that everyone speaking at or attending the symposium principles of an “open forum,” meaning that we invite rigorous will approach every issue—no matter how difficult—with inquiry and thoughtful, respectful participation, trusting that both intelligence, respect, and good will. We expect speakers to the cause of truth and the society of the Saints are best served engage in rigorous inquiry and thoughtful participation that is by free and open exploration and discussion. respectful of what others hold sacred. This symposium is dedicated to the idea that the truths of the If you express disagreement, please do so without personal gospel of Jesus Christ are better understood, and, as a result, attacks on the character, religious observance, or intelligence better lived when they are freely and frankly explored. of other parties. We strongly discourage the use of profanity.
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 3 4 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM POINTS TO NOTE the Student Union. Attendees may pay to park in the Visitor Lot directly east of the Union Building. This lot charges by the Sunstone offers a diverse selection of topics, formats, and hour with a maximum of $20 per day and is the closest lot to perspectives. Be excited to hear views that coincide with the Union. For those requiring handicapped parking, spaces are your own, but also prepare to hear presentations that offer available in the Visitor Lot at the normal parking rate. A better a different perspective. As Elder Hugh B. Brown told BYU option is the handicapped parking directly in front of the Union students in 1958, “I have mentioned freedom to express Building; these spots are FREE with a handicap placard. your thoughts, but I caution you that your thoughts must meet competition in the marketplace of thought, and in that Attendees who are staying at the Hampton Inn can park free in the competition truth will emerge triumphant. Only error needs hotel’s parking lot and take the free shuttle to the Student Union. fear freedom of expression.” DINING ON AND OFF CAMPUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT To promote their new book Island Adventures, Signature Books is As a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, all contributions to the generously providing a complimentary continental breakfast Thursday, Sunstone Education Foundation are tax deductible to the extent Friday and Saturday in the Ballroom from 8:30 am to 9:00 am. Food allowed by law. Please give generously to insure that the quality will be available on a first come first served basis, so get there early! and quantity of our programs and services continue to grow. The food court is located on the first floor of the Olpin Student Please visit the registration desk, locate a staff member, or visit Union building, downstairs from where most sessions will be Sunstone.org/donate to make a donation to Sunstone held. It is open 7:30 am–2:30 pm Wednesday through Friday and is closed Saturday. Dining options include Rise & Shine (breakfast), SESSION PROCEEDINGS AND Panda Express, Sonos (Mexican), The Grill, The Deli, Papa John’s, RECORDINGS Chop’d (salads), Jamba Juice, and a convenience store. Symposium proceedings are not published in the magazine. Thursday evening dinner will be off campus. Please feel free to Audio recordings of sessions (excluding film sessions) will visit local restaurants near the union. be available on a Sunstone flash drive or audio disk at the Food will be available for purchase on the patio Friday evening registration desk. All symposium audio will be available for free from 6:30 pm–8:00 pm and Saturday for lunch 12:30 pm–2:00 at SUNSTONE.ORG six months after the symposium. pm from the following food trucks: Tandooria’s Curry, Food Cartel (Asian/Mexican fusion), and Rubadue’s Saucy Skillet SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION (gourmet sandwiches). Name badges are mandatory for admission to sessions. Sunstone is hosting a linger longer barbeque 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm Registration opens daily thirty minutes before sessions Saturday night followed by Tyler Glenn who will be speaking about begin. Full registration, one-day passes, and single-session* his latest music video “Trash.” Cost will be $15 per person. admission are available for purchase onsite. Admission to THURSDAY breakfast: ballroom the linger-longer barbeque with Tyler Glenn is also for sale lunch: union food court at registration desk for $15 per person. Sunstone cannot dinner: local restaurants guarantee admission to preferred sessions.** Please plan your FRIDAY breakfast: ballroom schedule accordingly. If the session you wish to attend fills up, lunch: union food court you will have to choose another session on the program. dinner: food trucks on patio * There are a limited number of single session tickets. Please SATURDAY* breakfast: ballroom purchase your ticket early and be on location 10 minutes before lunch: food trucks on patio your session starts to secure your single session seat. dinner: linger longer **As a courtesy to our attendees, we request that rooms be *the food court is closed on saturdays cleared after each session to make room for those attending the next session. UNION WIRELESS INTERNET LOGIN PARKING To connect to the Student Union’s wireless network, open up your laptop’s list of available networks. Select the UNION Sunstone has reserved the Alumni House parking lot for network and press enter. The password is Union255. Scroll to symposium attendees (see map on page 47). Parking there is FREE the bottom, accept the terms, and click Login. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Alumni House is northeast of the Olpin Union and directly north of the Sill Center. CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS On Saturday only, parking in other campus parking lots is free except the paid Visitor Lot in front of the Olpin Student Union The Fern Foundation is sponsoring children’s workshops Building (see map on page 47). that will run concurrently with this year’s Symposium. An instructor who is background-checked, along with a youth After 6:00 pm, parking is free in other campus permit lots near
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 5 staff group will provide this service for children ages 2–11 in MUSIC: We are pleased once again to have ALAN EASTMAN at the the DEN room. Projects and snacks are included. piano and KIM MCCALL as chorister for our evening plenary music. Children’s workshops will be provided Thursday–Saturday in VENUE: We’re pleased to be at the University of Utah two blocks each day: 8:30 am–12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm–6:30 pm. where the first Sunstone Symposium was held in 1979. Child care costs $1 per hour per child. We’re especially thankful for the support of ANDREE BOGGESS, KAROL CONRAD, and TYLER MARZ at the Utah state law requires licensed childcare providers limit Student Union. the number of children per adult. The children’s workshop is limited to 40 children. Please arrive early to ensure a spot PRESENTERS: We’re excited to have both new and returning for your child. Walk-ins are welcome as space permits. If presenters on this year’s program. We value their participation childcare is something you would like to support at Sunstone and hope they continue to join us as both presenters and conferences, please consider making a donation at the audience members. registration desk or at Sunstone.org/donate. THANKS TO OUR DONORS & SPONSORS BOOKSTORE Sunstone depends on generous donors to operate and develop Please visit the bookstore located in the ballroom and new events and programs for the Sunstone community. To patronize the businesses and organizations that have displays support our ongoing work, or to show your appreciation for a there. Be sure to pick up titles by both Benchmark Books and job well done, please set up a monthly or one-time donation Signature Books, who are loyal supporters of Sunstone. with us at the regstration desk.
ART EXHIBIT 2017 SYMPOSIUM DATES AND THEME The symposium will be hosting an art exhibit curated by Jeff 26–29 July 2017 Moulton and Brad Kramer of Writ and Vision. Some art will be University of Utah Student Union provided by Kimberly Anderson of the Mama Dragons Story Salt Lake City, Utah Project and the Ordain Women key exhibit. 2017 Symposium Theme: HANDCRAFTER’S ROW “The Least of These: Embracing All” We invite proposals exploring how Mormonism and the Restoration address the Mormon artisans from around the globe will showcase their invitation of Matthew 25:40 “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto talents at this year’s symposium. Handcrafter’s Row offers an one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” array of unique gifts for both children and adults, featuring hand- sewn items, crafts, and beautiful art from talented artists. Come The calls for papers for our 2017 symposium will open on peruse the halls of the symposium and support Mormon artists. 1 September 2016, and the deadline for proposals will be 1 March 2017. Please submit proposals by using the Call For MANY THANKS Papers form at Sunstone.org. AUDIO/VISUAL: We couldn’t manage the event without the help of GREG BRIGHTON, KAI DEMANDANTE, WADE THE SUNSTONE EDUCATION FOUNDATION GREENWOOD, ANDREW HAMILTON, RICHARD HOLDMAN, The mission of the Sunstone Education Foundation is to MICHAEL J. STEVENS, and TYLER WYNN. sponsor open forums of Mormon thought and experience. Under the motto, “Faith Seeking Understanding,” we examine PLANNING AND OFFICE VOLUNTEERS: Our thanks and express the rich spiritual, intellectual, social, and to those who have gone the extra mile in managing artistic qualities of Mormon history and contemporary life. preparations for this year’s events. The Symposium couldn’t We encourage humanitarian service, honest inquiry, and happen without them: CHRIS BENCH, CURT BENCH, responsible interchange of ideas that is respectful of all people JOHN HATCH, TOM KIMBALL, ALA0N EASTMAN, ALLAN and what they hold sacred. COOK, BILL MCGEE, JEFF MOULTON, TYLER GLENN,
HOLLY ALDEN,WHITNEY RIDENOUR-MOULTON, JOHN BOARD OF DIRECTORS: BILL MCGEE (chair), DEHLIN, ANDREW SPRIGGS, KIMBERLY ANDERSON, MICA HOLLY ALDEN, CHRIS BRIGGS, KIM MCCALL, MCGRIGGS, and DAN WOTHERSPOON. ROBIN LINKHART, JIM MURPHY (ex officio), WEB AND TECH: JAKE SPURLOCK CHELSEA SHIELDS, GEORGE ANDREW SPRIGGS, MICHAEL J. STEVENS, KAIMIPONO WENGER. ON-SITE VOLUNTEERS: It takes a village to help the symposium run smoothly. We give our heartfelt thanks to all of STAFF: our many volunteers for helping with registration desk duties JIM MURPHY (executive director) and other tasks that keep the symposium running smoothly. LINDSAY HANSEN PARK (assistant director) STEPHEN CARTER (director of publications) PHOTOGRAPHERS: Once again STEVE MAYFIELD, KIM GRACE POOL (office manager) TURNER, and PERRY PORTER will be capturing symposium highlights on film, so smile when you see them approach! 6 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM 8:00–9:30 191. 191. Q&A Author with: Aslan Reza and Judith Freeman Room: SALTAIR 6:30–8:00 181. off Dinner campus at nearby restaurants.
5:00–6:30 pm 176. 176. up Growing FLDS 175. Neurodiversity in Mormonism 172. 172. Past Moving Black and White Thinking 173. in The Church the Spanish- Speaking World 174. Claiming the Mormon in Ex-Mormon 171. Reading: Play Morag Burn by Shepherd 3:45–4:45 pm 161. 161. Understanding Abuse Sexual in Mormonism 164. Exclusion From to Acceptance 165. in Two A Foot Camps 166. Mama Dragon Project Story 162. 162. Continuing the Along Divergent Paths 163. The Prophetic Society: Technological Change 2:00–3:30 pm 154. Evolution: Analysis of the “Facts” 151. 151. Mormons Agency: for Reproductive Revolution 152. (and Love Gender Equality) at Home 153. and Faith Doubt in Contemporary Mormonism 155. Mexican Mormon Men pm 12:30–2 141. Lunch will be available for purchase in the Union cafeteria. See page 5 for dining options. 142. Russell Stevenson book signings by Benchmark Books THURSDAY 28 JULY 28 THURSDAY 131. 131. Plural Marriage: Story Our 135. Mormon Write: Women Life Writing 132. Clothing God 134. 134. me “Entreat not to leave thee” 11:30-12:30 pm 11:30-12:30 133. Including LGBTQIA children am 10:15-11:15 124. 124. The Beauty of Mormon Theology 126. the How Porn Addiction Model Fails LDS 125. Mormon My Culture 122. Liquid Assets 121. 121. P-Words 123. From Same-Sex to Marriage Antidiscrimination Come patronize the Benchmark Bookstore the Benchmark Bookstore Come patronize in Row and Handcrafter’s the Ballroom in Mormon art and to support the Corridor scholarship. 9:00-10:00 am 9:00-10:00 111. 111. Black and White: Colonialism in Mormon Art 112. A Crisis of Perception: New Paradigms 8:30-9:00 101. Continental breakfast by provided Signature in Books Center Ballroom Doorbuster Prize for 50 first attendees
A VIEW EAST EAST EAST WEST ROOM PARLOR PARLOR SALTAIR CRIMSON PANORAMA BALLROOM BALLROOM
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 7 pm 291. 291. Making Mormonism Mine Room: SALTAIR 291b. 291b. Overflow livestream of session 291 8:00–9:30 FRIDAY 29 JULY 29 6:30–8:00 281. Dinner will be available for purchase food from trucks on the patio. See page 5 dining for options. Bowling and in billiards the Union game room
5:00–6:30 pm 278. When Religion Creates Dragons 271. an There Was Original? 277. 277. Did I Find How Myself Here? Later-in-Life Transition Faith 274. 274. The Transcendent of the Power Between 273. in Mother Heaven 272. 272. Does the LDS Do Church Harm More than Good? 276. Dialogue Jubilee 275. Holding Our History: Mormon Feminism 3:45–4:45 pm 262. 262. The Throne Kolob: Near of A Portrait Power 261. of Roots the Mormon Tree Family 264. 264. Should Mormons Be Vegan? 267. Christians Why Should Vote in Democratic 2016 265. 265. The Evolution of the D&C 263. Mormon Thinking Errors 266. 266. Wearing Purple Pants to Church 2:00–3:30 pm 252. 252. Adam and Eve : Series The Screening 251b. Overflow of livestream Stay We Why 251. 251. Stay We Why
pm
12:30–2 241. Lunch will be available purchase for in the Union cafeteria. See page 5 dining for options. Lunchtime presentation: 242. Brother DoesJake Sunstone Room: SALTAIR John J. Hammond and Thomas McConkie book signings by Benchmark Books
232. 232. “The Policy” and Cursed Lineage 237. Eivai Mormonosi: and Greeks Mormons 238. Navigating Complex Relationships: Non-monogamy 233. 233. The Plat of Zion and American Ideal Cities 231. 231. Latinidad, Afro-Latinidad, and Mormon Activism 234. Restoration Is a Personal Journey 236. 236. Borderlands: LDS- Compatible Model Religious 235. 235. Polygamy in America: Legalization 11:30–12:30 pm
10:15-11:15 am 10:15-11:15 223. Is A Seer than Greater a Prophet: Mormon Mystics 225. FreeBYU: Religious Freedom 226. John Burton: of Slave Utah Parowan, 227. Human Trafficking in Zion 224. Mormon Latino History 221. 221. Being Both Mormon and Mason 222. (Ex)Mormons Online 228. We Where Stand : Ordain Women Documentary 9:00-10:00 am 9:00-10:00 215. Martin Harris in the Mormon Movement 213. 213. Doing Mormonism 216. One Love Another: Crisis Family of Faith 211. 211. Plato’s Leaving Cave 212. The American through Church Eyes Other 214. Going on Mormon Sabbatical 8:30–9:00 201. Continental breakfast by provided Signature in Books Center Ballroom Doorbuster Prize for 50 first attendees Morning Devotional 8:15-8:45 201. The Gospel According to . Room: SALTAIR
A VIEW EAST EAST WEST ROOM UNION PARLOR SALTAIR CRIMSON THEATER BALLROOM PANORAMA BALLROOM COLLEGIATE
8 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM
6:30-9:00 pm 6:30-9:00 30 JULY 381. Longer Linger Barbeque and An with Evening Glenn Tyler to this Admission is available session the at purchase for desk for registration person. $15 per Room: BALLROOM SATURDAY
5:00–6:30 pm 377. Adam and Eve: Series The Screening 376. Centennial Park: A Priesthood Story 372. 372. Change Policy on Effects Parents LGBT and Children 371B. of Livestream 371 Session 374. 374. Claiming Our Gifts; Knowing the Roots 375. Mormon Magic and the Religious View World 373. Handshakes and Drawn Swords 371. 371. and Repairing Preserving Relationships
3:45–4:45 pm 361. 361. Ghost The of Eternal Polygamy 365. Heavenly in Mother Poetry 366. Mining Text of 30+ Years of Sunstone Talks 363. 363. Mormon Alchemy 368. Start by Believing: Preventing Assault Sexual 362. 362. from Power the Margins 367. Mormonism as a Religious Ethnie 364. 364. Misreading Scripture: Abrahamic Sacrifice
2:00–3:30 pm 356. William vs. Bickerton Brigham Young 353. 353. Deep Shift: Reassessing the Restoration 351. 351. Views of Four of the Book Mormon 352. The Future of Dialogue 358. Malnutrition Among LDS Children 357. Infants Many on Multiple Thrones 354. The Second Reformation? 355. Reincarnation in Today’s Mormonism pm
341. Lunch will be for available purchase food from trucks on the patio. See page 5 dining for options. Lunchtime presentation: 342. Lunch with FEMWOC Room: SALTAIR Judith Freeman, Duane Jennings, and G. David Pace book signings by Benchmark Books 12:30–2 338. Hawaiian and Mission Smallpox Epidemic 333. 333. Beauty, Truth, and Goodness: Bridge Differences 332. Who Holds the FLDS Keys?: Perspectives 336. Mormon Transitions 334. Landing Instructions: a Navigating Crisis Faith 335. Conversations with Harry 337. Mormon Spotlight: Child Sex Abuse 331. 331. Joseph Smith’s Teachings: Priesthood, Women Temple, 11:30–12:30 pm
10:15–11:15 am 328. 328. the Battle for Beginners 325. A Prism for the “. . ISMs” 326. Are Heretics Not Apostates 327. Lost From to Tribes Mormon Humor 321. 321. Progressive Polygamy 322. Expanding Definition of “Faithful Mormon Woman” 323. 323. The of Community Christ 324. A Discussion of What’s Not Up for Discussion 9:00–10:00 am 316. Polygamy and Religious Freedom 311. 311. for Ready Revelation 312. Death’s Bifocals 313. 313. to Face Mystic Face: in Tradition Mormonism 314. Child Abuse in Mormon Culture 315. Many Mapping Mormonisms 8:30–9:00 Continental breakfast by provided Signature Books Room: BALLROOM Doorbuster Prize for 50 first attendees Morning Devotional 8:15–8:45 301. A Quest for Holiness Room: SALTAIR
A EAST VIEW EAST WEST UNION ROOM PARLOR SALTAIR CRIMSON THEATER BALLROOM BALLROOM COLLEGIATE PANORAMA
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 9 WEDNESDAY 27 JULY
Turner’s years with the Latter-day Saints have, WEDNESDAY 27 JULY in a roundabout way, returned him to his roots. He grew up outside of Rochester, New York (not SMITH-PETTIT LECTURE, 7:00-8:30 PM terribly far from where Brigham Young worked as a craftsman).
Abstract Marriage has divided Mormons and Christians, 091. SMITH-PETTIT LECTURE: JESUS and marriage has contributed to divisions CHRIST, MARRIAGE, AND MORMON among not only Mormons but among many CHRISTIANITIES other Christian churches as well. Because marriage occupies such a central place in Mormon history and doctrine, though, changes The Smith-Pettit lecture is FREE and open to the public. in marital practices and debates about marriage have proved unusually fraught for Latter-day Saints. Indeed, from scholarly debate about moderator ROBIN LINKHART Joseph Smith’s marriages to the angst-filled conductor KIM MCCALL discussions of same-sex relationships today, conflicts about marriage have torn families accompanist ALAN EASTMAN and institutions asunder. Certain ideas about opening song There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy marriage thrill some, and repel others. For this outsider, certain moments in the history of invocation MICA MCGRIGGS Mormon marriage have repelled, while others presenter JOHN G. TURNER is a professor at George have proven attractive. Those moments include Mason University in the Department of Religious the practice of plural marriage at the height of Studies. the 1856–1857 Mormon reformation, and also His first book, Bill Bright and Campus Crusade Mormon ritual reenactment of Mary’s anointing for Christ: The Renewal of Evangelicalism in of Jesus. Postwar America, won Christianity Today’s 2009 Conflicts over marriage have often caused prize for best history / biography. Turner then individuals, churches, and families to forget shifted his focus from post-1945 evangelicalism the other things that bind them together. to mid-nineteenth-century Mormonism. The Doctrines, histories, and rituals connect “many result was Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, Mormonisms,” just as they connect Mormonism published in 2012 by Harvard University Press. and other branches of Christianity. His portrait of Young emphasizes his early religious experiences (such as speaking in closing song Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends tongues), the transformative effect of Joseph benediction SARA BURLINGAME Smith’s murder on Young’s personality and special thanks JIM MURPHY approach to leadership, Young’s outsized family, and his thirty-year battle with the U.S. room SALTAIR government for control of the Utah Territory. This lecture is FREE and open to the public. This After spending several years researching the lecture has been made possible by the generous life and times of Brigham Young, Turner wanted support of the Smith-Pettit Foundation. to focus more intently on Mormonism’s place within the broader tapestry of Christianity. Whether reading Mormon scriptures or entering Latter-day Saint chapels or visitors’ centers, one can hardly ignore the centrality of Jesus Christ. At the same time, many Protestants and Catholics consider the LDS Church something other than Christian, and many scholars describe Mormonism as a “new religion.” Turner explores the many ways that Latter-day Saints have described and experienced the Christian savior in The Mormon Jesus, published by Harvard University Press in April 2016.
10 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM THURSDAY 28 JULY
THURSDAY 28 JULY 112. A CRISIS OF PERCEPTION: NEW PARADIGMS TO ADDRESS REGISTRATION, 8:30 AM–9:00 PM THE COMPLEXITIES OF MODERN MORMONISM Admission to sessions is by Symposium name badge or ticket only. This policy will be strictly enforced. Badges and single- presenter JULIE DE AZEVEDO HANKS, PhD, LCSW, is a session tickets are available at the registration table in the seasoned psychotherapist, owner of Wasatch lobby of the Olpin Student Union Building. Family Therapy, and author of The Burnout Cure and The Assertiveness Guide for Women.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 9:00AM–10:00AM abstract Mormonism has inherited ways of thinking that are no longer sufficient to understand or address 111. BLACK AND WHITE: the complexities facing the 21st-century Church. THE CHALLENGES OF COLONIALISM Concepts from cybernetics, systems theory, and IN MORMON ART AND SCHOLARSHIP complex thought will be presented as alternative presenters MICA MCGRIGGS is a PhD candidate in lenses with which to view and wrestle with counseling psychology at Brigham Young the Church’s increased historical transparency, University. She contributes to several blogs gender concerns, racial diversity, LGBTQIA including The Huffington Post. issues, and member disaffection. RUSSELL STEVENSON is the author of For moderator THOMAS B. MCAFFEE the Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of room CRIMSON VIEW Blacks and Mormonism, 1830-2013, which won the 2015 Best Book Award from the Mormon History Association. CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 10:15AM–11:15AM NANCY ROSS is an assistant professor of art history at Dixie State University and has a 121. P-WORDS PhD in the same field from the University of Cambridge. presenter JODY ENGLAND HANSEN is a mixed-media and book artist who lives in Colorado. She BRAD KRAMER has a PhD in anthropology serves with faith journey groups and LGBT+ from the University of Michigan. He is teaching advocacy including Mama Dragons. a section on the Cultural Anthropology of Mormonism at Utah Valley University. abstract Starting with Primary, pioneer, and polygamy, then prophet, priesthood, and patriarch—and abstract Depicting ethnic diversity within Mormon art now pride—P-words have been a strong and scholarship often magnifies the religion’s presence in my life. Like most things, all of it white dominant membership. For example, J. is personal, and none of it is personal. This Kirk Richards’ “Eve and the Fruit of the Tree of session will explore some parts of my journey, Knowledge,” which depicts a nude black Eve, including a proposal to enter into a polygamist drew criticism for presenting an “exoticized” marriage, and how these P-things are similar, black woman “naked and up for auction.” and how some of them just don’t belong. Since depictions of black Mormons in history, sociology, and art are mostly produced by moderator SARA WILLDEN CRAM whites, this panel asks the question, “To what room SALTAIR extent is the black image in Mormonism affected by a white filter?” moderator SETH ANDERSON 122. LIQUID ASSETS room SALTAIR presenter MARK THOMAS has a career in public finance including experience in real estate valuation. He has helped in the financing of hundreds of millions of dollars of capital improvements.
abstract The LDS Church owns over a billion dollars worth of real estate in Florida, and continues to buy land and build multi-million dollar buildings there. How much of that is likely to
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 11 THURSDAY 28 JULY
be under water within a few decades due to education. The statement that we could make climate change? This is just the beginning of the Mormonism true references Mormonism’s financial and moral problems that the Church doctrine that humans are divine, creative faces from environmental challenges that have beings, and that the highest form of truth is so far remained unaddressed. activity toward the creation of an ethical, just, and loving world. respondent D. MICHAEL QUINN is an affiliated scholar at the University of Southern California’s moderator LAURIE MOHLMAN Center for Feminist Research. His accolades include Best Book awards from the American room WEST BALLROOM Historical Association and the Mormon History Association. 125. MY MORMON CULTURE: moderator PAUL MALAN A CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGIST’S room CRIMSON VIEW VIEW ON BEING MORMON AND CHANGING MORMON MINDS
presenter PETER LEAVITT is a doctoral candidate in 123. FROM SAME-SEX MARRIAGE social psychology at the University of Arizona. TO ANTIDISCRIMINATION: WORKING WITH THE LDS CHURCH abstract Being Mormon means much more than ON LGBT RIGHTS simply believing in a certain set of religious teachings. For many, the unique shared values presenters CLIFFORD ROSKY served as Equality Utah’s and norms of “Mormon culture” both interact Board Chair, working with representatives of with and transcend national, ethnic, and other the LDS Church on the drafting of SB 296, the identities. This has important implications for Utah law that prohibits discrimination based the way Mormons live their faith and deal with on sexual orientation and gender identity in challenges to it. Using findings from cultural employment and housing. and social psychology along with a series of personal anecdotes, this presentation aims to TROY WILLIAMS has over a decade of shed some light on some of the psychological experience as a community organizer for the underpinnings of Mormon culture and what it LGBTQ community. He created and produced takes to undergo or cause major change within Now Queer This, which aired on KRCL from such a framework. 2006–2007. moderator SARA BURLINGAME abstract This panel will discuss the LDS Church’s increasing focus on religious freedom and the room EAST BALLROOM impacts it would have on the LDS Church and American society at large. 126. HOW THE “SEX/PORN ADDICTION” moderator MARK PUGSLEY MODEL FAILS LDS MEMBERS room PANORAMA EAST presenter NATASHA HELFER PARKER, LCMFT, CST, serves as president of the KS chapter of AAMFT and is the founder and current president of the Mormon Mental Health Association. 124. THE BEAUTY OF MORMON THEOLOGY: WILLIAM H. CHAMBERLIN KRISTIN BENNION, LCSW, hasan MA in clinical AND MAKING MORMONISM TRUE social work from BYU. She owns her own practice in Orem, Utah where she primarily presenter JAMES MCLACHLAN is a professor of treats sex and intimacy concerns and eating philosophy and religion at Western Carolina disorders. University, and the co-editor of Element: The Journal of the Society of Mormon Philosophy and abstract Proponents of the “sex/porn addiction” model Theology. claim that individuals become addicted to sexual pleasure or to watching pornography in the abstract One of the first Mormons to study philosophy and biblical criticism, Chamberlin was blacklisted from teaching for LDS Church
12 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM THURSDAY 28 JULY
same way someone may become chemically 132. CLOTHING GOD dependent to substances. This unfounded claim has spread like wildfire, especially in religiously presenter CARRIE MCLACHLAN is an adjunct instructor conservative communities such as ours. This for the department of philosophy and religion has severe implications in regards to treatment at Western Carolina University where she modalities, self-identity, relational processes currently teaches an online course on American and an individual’s long-term relationship with Indian religious traditions. their sexuality. abstract “When saw we thee . . . naked, and clothed moderator MICAH NICKOLAISEN thee?” Some societies have clothed God as a fierce warrior, a regal king, a father, room PARLOR A mother, a shepherd, a lamb, a primal hunter, or agricultural being. Each of these clothings reflects a people’s vision of the ideal being and offers ways to become more like that being. CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 11:30 PM – 12:30 PM Julian of Norwich struggled for thirty-years to 131. PLURAL MARRIAGE: OUR STORY “re-clothe God” because her revelation of Christ did not match her Catholic version of him. We presenters EDITH BARLOW has been living plural marriage can learn much from her about how our visions for 21 years. She lives in Northern Idaho / of God can change as we grow “line upon line, Canada and was born and raised in Hildale, Utah. precept upon precept.”
ELISE BARLOW has been living plural marriage moderator DAN WOTHERSPOON for 15 years. She lives in Northern Idaho / Canada and was born and raised in Hildale, Utah. room CRIMSON VIEW
HANNA BLACKMORE was born and raised a Fundamentalist Mormon in Lister, British 133. STUMBLING BLOCKS AND STEPPING- Columbia. She is married, living in Salt Lake City. STONES: INCLUDING LESBIAN, GAY, ELSIE BLACKMORE is the oldest daughter of BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND Winston Blackmore living at home. She heads INTERSEX CHILDREN OF GOD IN the Relief Society in the Bountiful Community in THE LDS PLAN OF SALVATION Canada. presenter DUANE JENNINGS served his mission in DOLLIE BLACKMORE is Winston’s Blackmore’s South Africa. He is married since December daughter. Along with working as a CNA at a 2013 Brian Benington, and has held leadership care facility, she helps Elsie with the Relief positions in the Salt Lake chapter of Affirmation. Society in Bountiful. abstract The Church’s emphasis on the traditional MARY BLACKMORE was born and raised in family, complete with preexistent and post Bountiful, British Columbia. She’s a certified mortal stages as part of the plan of salvation, teacher and currently works at the Mormon has received near-canonical status with “The Hills School in Bountiful. Family: A Proclamation to the World.” But the call to be a Zion community means commitment abstract Several members of the Fundamentalist to “line upon line, precept upon precept” growth community in Bountiful, Canada will discuss and the concept of continuing revelation. their experiences with plural marriage and what it means to them. Eighteen years in the making, a newly released book addresses these issues using tools found in moderator CHELSEA SHIELDS the restored gospel, the scriptures, and Joseph Smith’s teachings and shares personal stories and room SALTAIR correspondences from Church leaders to help us reexamine our beliefs and policies.
moderator LAVINA FIELDING ANDERSON
room PANORAMA EAST
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 13 THURSDAY 28 JULY
134. “ENTREAT ME NOT TO LEAVE THEE” CONCURRENT SESSIONS,2:00 PM – 3:30 PM COGNITIVE DISSONANCE 151. MORMONS FOR AGENCY: IN THE LDS CONVERT REPRODUCTIVE REVOLUTION presenter KELLY FURR has a BA from BYU in special IN THE MORMON CONTEXT education, and is pursuing her MA in family therapy presenters SAMY GALVEZ is a queer immigrant Latino at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, activist and community voice. With a BS degree Florida. She joined the church in 2003. in neuroscience, and an abiding interest in abstract Being a convert who experiences cognitive public health, he works for healthcare access dissonance can feel like Naomi’s invitation for everyone, especially communities in his to the widowed Ruth to leave and return to a native Guatemala. former way of life. However, like Ruth, many EMMA TUELLER STONE is a sophomore at converts who doubt still want to stay with their Columbia University studying English and new tribe. This session will use the story of creative writing. She is interning at Planned Ruth to explore the experience of converts who Parenthood and preparing for an editorship at feel cognitive dissonance and how they might Columbia’s Daily Spectator and Quarto magazine. find a way to stay in the Church. AMANDA FARR has a degree in education moderator ROY SCHMIDT sciences and lives in San Diego with her four room WEST BALLROOM children. A former foster parent, she ran the support group for drug-exposed and HIV- positive children in foster care, and is active in the special needs parenting community. 135. MORMON WOMEN WRITE: LIFE WRITING AND THE CONSTRUCTION CRYSTAL YOUNG-OTTERSTROM is actively OF MORMON WOMANHOOD involved in politics, chairing LDS Democrats and sitting on the C4 board of Planned Parenthood presenter EMILY WARD is completing an MA in English Association of Utah. at Idaho State University. Her thesis was titled, “Spiritual Autobiography and the Construction MARK BARNES is a third-generation feminist of Female Identity: A Comparison of Puritan and and an activist attorney. He serves in the Mormon Life Writing.” leadership of Mormons for Agency, Ordain Women, and Mormons for ERA. He is the father abstract Drawing on their Puritan heritage, early Mormon of four and grandfather of five. converts were avid life writers, keeping diaries and journals, writing autobiographies and life KARA GAULTNEY grew up in a Mormon sketches. Life writing continues to occupy a household in Provo, Utah with her single mother significant place in Mormon culture, especially who immigrated from Venezuela. She has among women. This presentation examines attended Salt Lake Community College, and has Mormon women’s life writing across time been working at Planned Parenthood since 2015. and culture, showing how Mormon women’s understanding of themselves as individuals and MAXINE HANKS is an independent scholar as part of God’s kingdom continues to evolve. who lectures and writes on gender studies in religion. She served on the Utah Pro-Choice moderator NANCY ROSS Coalition from 1991–2003, participated in pro-choice rallies, and wrote articles about room EAST BALLROOM reproductive issues in LDS culture.
CHELSEA HICKEN is a feminist and democratic socialist, believing both of these align with the LUNCH BREAK, 12:30 PM–2:00 PM teachings of Christ.
See page 5 for dining options. ALEXANDRA SANDVIK is a recent graduate from J. Reuben Clark Law School, and has Book signings will take place at a table near the bookstore in contributed legal and sociological research for the main hallway. amicus briefs to the United States Supreme book signings RUSSELL STEVENSON, author of For the Cause Court regarding Whole Women’s Health v. of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Hellerstedt. Mormonism.
14 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM THURSDAY 28 JULY
abstract Mormons for Agency is a new group that supposition, this presentation will take a includes Mormons from all walks of life who quantitative approach, giving an overview of research, discuss or share their experience and the 2012 Pew “Mormons in America” survey. information about LDS views and policies on Specific topics will include which types of topics such as reproductive rights, birth control, Mormons are more or less likely to express bodily autonomy, and abortion. M4A seeks an doubt, how doubts affect other religious or open and public discussion, and advocates for social behavior among Mormons, and the the right of all people to exercise full agency role political beliefs play in either driving or over their own bodies and reproductive choices. mediating doubt. This panel will include first-hand abortion stories by Mormon women, address Mormon moderator MELYNDA FITT views and LDS policies on these topics, and room discuss how to get involved, share your story, PANORAMA EAST or participate in this important conversation. moderator AMANDA FARR 154. EVOLUTION: ANALYSIS OF THE “FACTS” room SALTAIR presenter JOE JENSEN is the proprietor of two sites, justandtrue.com and fulness.com. He has an 152. LOVE (AND GENDER EQUALITY) MA in computer engineering from Purdue AT HOME: A MODEL OF FAMILY University. TRANSFORMATION abstract This presentation approaches the theory of presenter JULIE DE AZEVEDO HANKS, PhD, LCSW, is a biological evolution not from biological or seasoned psychotherapist, owner of Wasatch paleontological perspectives, but from design Family Therapy, and author of The Burnout Cure and engineering perspectives. What do recent and The Assertiveness Guide for Women. discoveries in DNA studies tell us about traditional understandings of evolution? How do abstract Early relationship patterns lay the framework for they interact with traditional understandings of our identity development, social interactions, and the fossil record and genetics? assumptions about others. If gender equality is to be achieved within Mormon culture and theology, moderator WHITNEY MOULTON it must first be modeled in family relationships. room Cultural Transformation Theory provides a WEST BALLROOM framework for moving from a domination model that values “masculine” over “feminine” to a partnership model where relationships are based 155. MEXICAN MORMON MEN: on connection and equality. NOTIONS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF MORMON MASCULINITIES moderator MICHAEL J. STEVENS presenter ALI SILES has an MA in social sciences from room CRIMSON VIEW the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, and is a PhD student at the University of Manchester. 153. FAITH AND DOUBT IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN abstract For over a hundred years Mormonism has been MORMONISM: A QUANTITATIVE influencing the lives of thousands of Mexican EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVE men. This presentation explores the meanings and practices that Mormon men associate with presenter BENJAMIN KNOLL, PhD, is an assistant gender, gender identities and masculinities. It professor of politics at Centre College in also reflects on the way these meanings and Danville, Kentucky. He blogs at RationalFaiths. practices are shaped within their contemporary contexts and by their religious affiliation. abstract Much has recently been made about the Mormon men are engaging in dialogue with intersection of faith and doubt in contemporary diverse discourses about gender identity and American Mormon culture. While discussion gender relations; to what extent are their of this topic often relies on anecdotes and masculinities and practices reconfigured through this process?
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 15 THURSDAY 28 JULY moderator ASHLEY HOOPES 163. THE PROPHETIC SOCIETY: TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE room EAST BALLROOM AND MORMON ROOTS
presenter CHRISTOPHER BRADFORD is Vice President of Engineering at Ancestry and a founding CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 3:45PM–4:45PM member and board member of the Mormon 161. UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL Transhumanist Association. ABUSE IN MORMONISM abstract Prophetic vision has been associated with a call to build a just world with an eye to a future presenters NANCY ROSS is an assistant professor of art history at Dixie State University and moonlights Zion. With the exponential rate of technological as a sociologist of religion. change and its attendant socioeconomic implications, there is a great need for us to LISA BUTTERWORTH has completed an MA in raise the prophetic voice in society. The roots of counseling. She looks forward to establishing Mormonism are a fruitful source for inspiration her own practice. to address some of the imminent changes in society. This presentation draws on Mormon DEBRA JENSON is an assistant professor of teachings and early Mormon social experiments communication at Utah State University. for their relevance to our near future. abstract This session will include three presentations on moderator SARA BURLINGAME sexual abuse. Debra will examine how the topic is discussed in official LDS Church contexts. room PANORAMA EAST Lisa will talk about a new project that will connect survivors of abuse to resources and a new guide that will help survivors’ loved ones 164. FROM EXCLUSION TO ACCEPTANCE: support those who have been abused. Nancy THE TASK OF GOD’S PEOPLE will talk about social media responses to the IN ALL DISPENSATIONS LDS Church’s claim that it is the gold standard for handling cases of child abuse. presenter LISA HANSEN, LMFT, co-editor of Why I Don’t Hide My Freckles Anymore, and founder and moderator ROB FERRE former director of Utah County Men’s Voices room SALTAIR abstract “Chosen” people have always excluded groups distinctly different from the then-current perspectives of who is acceptable to God: 162. CONTINUING ALONG THE DIVERGENT the physically imperfect during the time of PATHS OF THE RESTORATION the second temple; non-Jews during both Old Testament and New Testament times (a presenter STEVEN L. SHIELDS is an independent prejudice maintained by Christ’s followers until historian best known as author of Divergent Peter’s vision); people who have been divorced; Paths of the Restoration. people who have used any form of birth control; and, up until forty years ago, people with any abstract Forty years ago, the first edition of Divergent black ancestry. This presentation focuses on Paths of the Restoration was published. Its 5th how our understanding of God and what kind edition was recently completed and is awaiting of people God views as profane has developed publication. This presentation will give insights over time. How might it still be changing today? into the challenges of keeping track of a movement that continues to expand, becoming moderator ROY SCHMIDT more diverse in its expressions. What are the challenges of categorizing these expressions? room WEST BALLROOM Are they denominations, groups, ministries? The historical roots of divergencies in the Latter Day Saint movement and examples of current expressions will be shared. moderator JENNIFER HUSS BASQUIAT room CRIMSON VIEW
16 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM THURSDAY 28 JULY
165. A FOOT IN TWO CAMPS: THE LDS CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM CHURCH AND RULON ALLRED’S POLYGAMOUS SECT 171. PLAY READING: BURN BY MORAG SHEPHERD presenter MARILYN BUSHMAN-CARLTON is a poet and author. She has won awards from the presenters ELIZABETH GOLDEN - Allison Association of Mormon Letters, the Comstock OLIVIA CUSTUDIO - Ana Review, and the Utah Arts Council. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals AARON KRAMER - Clark and anthologies including Fire in the Pasture and Discoveries: Two Centuries of Poems by SHAWN SAUNDERS - Paul Mormon Women. MERRY MAGEE - Claire CONNIE SADDLER is the subject of Bushman- Carlton’s new book, Worthy: a Young Woman MCKENZIE STEEL FOSTER - Riley from a Background of Poverty and Abuse Falls Prey to a Polygamous Cult. abstract Burn is the story of a young Mormon mother working through a crisis of faith manifesting abstract While waiting for a Mormon missionary, itself through an allergy to the sun. This is a Connie Saddler was lured into a polygamous new work by Morag Shepherd being produced group where she lived for fourteen years, this fall in Salt Lake City. Morag is the 2015 raising four children. Though she lived among recipient of a grant from the David Ross Fetzer and associated with sect members, she also Foundation for Emerging Artists and has a play attended her LDS ward. Like polygamous leader in development at Plan-B Theatre Company for Rulon Allred, she believed in both religions. their 2017 season. Her play Poppy’s in the Sand premiered at the 2015 Great Salt Lake Fringe moderator FLIP JOHNSON Festival, and then played at the San Diego International Fringe Festival in June 2016. room EAST BALLROOM moderator KAREN HARRIS
room SALTAIR 166. MAMA DRAGON STORY PROJECT presenter KIMBERLY ANDERSON’s most recent long- form documentary project is concentrating on 172. MOVING PAST BLACK-AND-WHITE outreach and suicide prevention among LGBT+ THINKING ABOUT GOD, RELIGION, youth. Anderson has a BA and an MFA from AND MORMONISM Utah State University. presenters DAN WOTHERSPOON, PhD, is the host of abstract A message of unconditional love is the cause Mormon Matters podcast, and the former editor the Mama Dragons fight for. They seek to and executive director of Sunstone. protect and defend their LGBT+ children against the onslaught of dogma inflicted by both religion JOHN HATCH is the acquisitions editor for and society. Signature Books and the former managing editor and symposium director of Sunstone. The Mama Dragons are predominantly Mormon or have a Mormon background, but the group JODY ENGLAND HANSEN serves in non- does not limit itself to members of a particular correlated ways such as with faith journey and faith; all are welcome, including those who have LGBT+ groups, including Mama Dragons. She is abandoned organized religion altogether. Part a mixed media and book artist. of a larger ethos in the religious community of mothers loving their LGBT+ children, the Mama abstract One of the most difficult tasks in a faith journey Dragons message meshes seamlessly with many is to enter into complexity, to be willing and other faith communities across the world. able to move from clean, simple views of truth, history, and knowledge into more uncertain and moderator CHELSEA SHIELDS uncharted territories—all with the hope (but no guarantee) that we’ll find something in which to room PARLOR A center ourselves. Panelists will present stories of their owns journeys and offer insights they’ve gleaned along the way.
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 17 THURSDAY 28 JULY moderator SARAH HANCOCK JONES to your identity? Can you remain an “ethnic Mormon” even after your faith subsides? Are room CRIMSON VIEW you still rooted in the tradition you elected to leave? This panel consisting of former Mormons, would answer a resounding “Yes!” 173. THE MORMON CHURCH IN THE to these questions. Their Mormon-ness does SPANISH-SPEAKING WORLD not cease simply because they are no longer members of record. presenter MANUEL SAINE was an LDS member for 25 years before resigning his membership. He has moderator JENNIFER HUSS BASQUIAT a BA in Spanish teaching and an MA in English from Weber State University. room WEST BALLROOM abstract The LDS Church in Latin America is a different animal from its United States counterpart— 175. NEURODIVERSITY AND MORMONISM especially Utah’s church. This session presents 10-minute videos of people who, until recently, presenters LUNA LINDSEY is an ex-Mormon who writes were members of the Church in Spain, science fiction with psychological themes, and Colombia, Peru, and El Salvador. The stories advocates for neurodiversity on her blog (she is showcase the influence of the Church, the diagnosed with Asperger’s). attitudes and practices of its members, and, whenever possible, a brief statistical report. SARAH ADIA HEUSER was diagnosed with Manuel will introduce the session and speak Autism at the age of 18. She recently earned a briefly on his experience with the church in BA in behavioral science with an emphasis in Argentina, his native country, and in Chile, psychology from Utah Valley University. where he served his mission. NATASHA SMITH is diagnosed with Autism and moderator ALICIA AIKEN describes herself as a Unitarian Universalist Mormon. She will be attending law school in the room PANORAMA EAST fall.
abstract The autistic community is often overlooked within Mormonism. As numbers of diagnosed 174. CLAIMING THE MORMON IN and self-diagnosed autists continue to increase EX-MORMON: REIMAGINING throughout society, the number of Mormon CULTURAL IDENTITY AND LOSS autists will also increase. How can non-autists (allists) better understand Autism? In what ways presenters JENNIFER HUSS BASQUIAT is a tenured professor of anthropology at the College of do autists benefit from Mormonism and in what Southern Nevada and an administrator at ways do we contribute? How do we struggle? Mormon Feminists in Transition. How can Mormons and the progressive Mormon community be more inclusive? This panel will ANALYN GOURLEY’s love of studying and consist of autistic Mormons. Come with an history led her to resign from the LDS Church open heart, ready to explore this topic from a in December of 2014. She has an MA in neurodiversity perspective. economics. moderator JEFF MOULTON HEATHER BUZBEE is a nurse working on an MA in pediatric nursing practice. She resigned her room EAST BALLROOM LDS Church membership in 2013.
EMILY FAY URBAN lives in the San Francisco 176. RELIGION, DISCRIMINATION, Bay Area. Inactive in the LDS Church since July AND GROWING UP FLDS 2010, she officially resigned in January 2015. presenters ANDREW CHATWIN is a former member of abstract Mormonism is more than religion. It is a cultural the FLDS and has lived in Short Creek most of identity that encompasses nearly every aspect his life. His work has been featured in films, of an individual’s life. It can be a dazzling documentaries, and major media outlets. experience to be a willing part of the fold. However, if you choose to leave, what happens
18 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM THURS/FRI 28/29
BRENDA NICHOLSON left the FLDS four years ago. She currently educates the public on legal FRIDAY 29 JULY issues regarding the group. REGISTRATION, 8:30 AM–9:00 PM abstract As an outsider to both the FLDS faith and Admission to sessions is by Symposium name badge or the LDS faith, Chatwin has felt the edge ticket only. This policy will be strictly enforced. Badges and of discrimination from both sides. He will single-session tickets are available at the registration table by talk about his experiences growing up in a the ballrooms on the second floor of the Olpin Student Union polygamist family and standing up for Warren Building. Jeffs’ victims. Following Chatwin’s remarks, Brenda Nicholson will share her experience. DEVOTIONAL, 8:15 AM–8:45 AM moderator DESTRY PIXTON HARDY 201. “THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO . . . ” room PARLOR A presenter JODY ENGLAND HANSEN serves in non- correlated ways such as with faith journey and DINNER BREAK, 6:30PM–8:00PM LGBT+ groups, including Mama Dragons. She is a mixed media and book artist. See page 5 for dining options. abstract This devotional is about heartbreaking and healing personal conversations I’ve had with culturally conservative or newly liberal Church PLENARY SESSION, 8:00 PM–9:30 PM members, leaders, Mama Dragons, and LGBT+ loved ones about the November policy. I’ve 191. Q&A WITH REZA ASLAN encountered questions, conflict, and pain. It AND JUDITH FREEMAN seems the November policy is another reason to either be more sure of what you were already presenters is an Iranian-American author, REZA ASLAN certain of, or a deeper, feel a more urgent need commentator, and religious scholar. He has to keep asking, and reaching. Through it all, I am written two books on religion: No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam and Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.
JUDITH FREEMAN is an American novelist “HONEST who frequently deals with Western and Mormon to its core and so themes. She is the author of many books, well crafted that the including Red Water and her latest memoir, The reader can’t put it down.” Latter Days. —Writer’s Bone abstract Join Sunstone for a unique plenary session featuring two acclaimed authors. There “TENDER… will be a 35-minute Q&A with Reza Aslan, With photographs Skyping from his home in California. He jogging her memories, will be discussing religious reform and Freeman immerses us fundamentalism. Then Judith Freeman will talk about her latest memoir, The Latter Days, in the rhythms of followed by a Q&A. Mormon family life… a gentle stream of moderator MICA MCGRIGGS recollections… special thanks JIM MURPHY coalescing room SALTAIR into eloquence.” —Chicago Tribune
“BRAVE” —Ursula K. Le Guin PANTHEON
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 19 FRIDAY 29 JULY
looking for the truth and the life. I am seeking kinds of resistance does it meet? How does again for the good news of the Gospel, or the mostly American LDS Church leadership gospel, however big the “G” needs to be. function in places far from the Church’s center? moderator LAURIE MOHLMAN moderator ROB FERRE room SALTAIR room CRIMSON VIEW
CONCURRENT SESSIONS,9:00AM–10:00AM 213. DOING MORMONISM
211. MORMON MENTAL HEALTH: LEAVING presenter TYLER CHADWICK received his MA in PLATO’S CAVE: UNDERSTANDING English from National University in San Diego, AND TRANSCENDING OUR California, and is a doctoral candidate in English OBJECTIFICATION OF OTHERS at Idaho State University. presenter JOHN M. RECTOR, PhD, is the author of abstract Community identification is performative. It’s a The Objectification Spectrum: Understanding matter of putting on the discursive practices— and Transcending Our Diminishment and the ideas, beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and Dehumanization of Others (Oxford). roles—that constitute the community’s being- in-the-world. Social scientists have called this abstract Rather than offering a narrow definition of “doing” identity. This presentation explores objectification, this presentation explores it as a what it means to “do” Mormonism, to put on a spectrum running from its mildest form (casual Mormon identity, especially through speech acts indifference) to its most extreme manifestation, and literary texts. (dehumanization). Gleaning insights from classic philosophy, the world’s five most moderator SARA BURLINGAME prominent religious traditions, and current social science research, the presentation room COLLEGIATE examines the best antidotes humankind has devised thus far to move us from casual concern for our fellow human beings toward 214. GOING ON MORMON SABBATICAL interconnectedness and, ultimately, unity AND FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS consciousness. OF COUNTER-CULTURE (BAD-ASS) JESUS moderator NANCY ROSS presenter DOREE BURT is a court-appointed special room SALTAIR advocate for children in Logan, and active in LGBTQ rights and issues, especially within Mormonism. 212. THE AMERICAN CHURCH THROUGH OTHER EYES abstract After I spoke out against November’s exclusion policy, my church calling was revoked and presenters GINA COLVIN is a professor at the University temple recommend taken, both against my of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, and wishes. So I decided to take a sabbatical from host of A Thoughtful Faith Podcast. the Church. NATHAN MCCLUSKEY holds a PhD in political I will share my observations from this science. He is a political activist, union organizer, sabbatical, including my weekly purposeful and Mormon lay leader in New Zealand. worship (going to other services, volunteering, communing with nature, etc.), a monthly abstract The LDS Church exerts considerable cultural “tithing,” visiting teaching by inspiration, and influence on its international congregations. The seeking enrichment. term “gospel culture” has been used by LDS leadership as a directive to replace local cultural moderator ROY SCHMIDT understandings of the gospel of Jesus Christ with American LDS interpretations of it. What room PARLOR A kinds of risks does this directive cultivate? What
20 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY 29 JULY
215. BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT: abstract Many Latter-day Saint families and MARTIN HARRIS IN THE MORMON congregations experience conflict and even MOVEMENT division when one or more members experience a crisis of faith or actually separate from the presenter H. MICHAEL MARQUARDT is author of The faith. The authors of a new approach for helping Four Gospels According to Joseph Smith; Joseph families negotiate this challenging territory Smith’s 1828–1843 Revelations; and The Rise of discuss the reality of family divisions over Mormonism: 1816–1844. faith and offer helpful strategies based on love and understanding designed to keep families abstract Martin Harris, who was baptized on 6 April together in spite of differences over faith. 1830 in Manchester, New York, was associated with the early Church in New York and Kirtland, moderator ROBERT A. REES Ohio. Though he initially followed Joseph Smith Jr., he eventually split with him and followed room EAST BALLROOM other Mormon offshoot leaders such as David Whitmer, James J. Strang, Gladden Bishop, and William Smith. Though considering Brigham CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 10:15AM–11:15AM Young to be an apostate, Harris journeyed to Utah Territory toward the end of his life where 221. BEING BOTH MORMON AND MASON: he was rebaptized and lived until his death. FAITH ENHANCEMENT THROUGH Harris never denied his religious experiences in ASSOCIATION IN TWO TRADITIONS the Mormon movement. presenters BOYD JAY PETERSEN is the editor of Dialogue: moderator CLAIR BARRUS A Journal of Mormon Thought and serves as the program coordinator for Mormon Studies at room WEST BALLROOM Utah Valley University.
PATRICK C MCCLEARY has been a Freemason 216. LOVE ONE ANOTHER: since 2008. He is also a member of both A PANEL ON MORMON FAMILIES Scottish Rite and York Rite Freemasonry. AND CONGREGATIONS LORENZO E. (LON) TIBBITTS has a special EXPERIENCING A CRISIS OF FAITH interest in Masonic history in New York during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and the presenters ROBERT A. REES is the co-author of Supportive Families: Healthy Children: A Guide for Latter-day societal impacts of the changing role of men Saint Families with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and during both the Reformation and Modern periods. Transgender Children. JOE STEVE SWICK III is an independent scholar ROBERT S. REES grew up in the Mormon of Freemasonry and Mormon history. He is co- Church, served a mission in Paris, France, and author of Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the held various callings while active in the Church. Mormon Restoration (Kofford, forthcoming). He and his wife, Jeri, left the Church in 2001. abstract This panel of four Latter-day Saints who are also NATASHA HELFER PARKER, LCMFT, CST Freemasons explores how association with two serves as the president of the Mormon Mental different traditions has enriched their spiritual Health Association and president of the Kansas lives. The relationship between Mormonism division of the American Association for and Freemasonry has historically been a tense Marriage & Family Therapy. one, and the LDS Church implies that it should be able to serve all spiritual and social needs, THOMAS MCCONKIE is the author of Navigating so how did these people overcome their qualms Mormon Faith Crisis. He serves as faculty at about joining Freemasonry? How do their LDS Pacific Integral. backgrounds affect their Masonic experiences? Even more important, what is it about the rituals, KRISTY MONEY received her PhD from teachings, and social life of Freemasonry that Brigham Young University in counseling enhances their LDS spiritual life? psychology in 2010. She specializes in women’s mental health and infertility counseling. moderator DAN WOTHERSPOON
room SALTAIR
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 21 FRIDAY 29 JULY
222. (EX)MORMONS ONLINE: 224. TRANSITIONING LDS CHURCH HOW INTERNET COMMUNITIES HISTORY TOWARD MORMON FUEL THE EXODUS, AND AID FAITH LATINO HISTORY TRANSITION AND RECOVERY presenter FERNANDO R. GOMEZ was born in Monterrey, presenter LUNA LINDSEY is an ex-Mormon, who writes Mexico. For the past twenty-five years he has science fiction with psychological themes, and directed a non-profit museum opened to the advocates for neurodiversity on her blog (she is general public free of charge in Mexico City. diagnosed Asperger’s). abstract Over the last twenty-five years the Museum of abstract With growing access to the Internet, tens Mormon History of the Americas has dedicated of thousands of Mormons are uncovering time and resources to documenting, preserving, uncomfortable facts leading to a painful crisis and exhibiting Mexican Mormon history. This has of faith that can trigger phobias and internalized led to the establishment of the Museum of the shame; cause them to be shunned by family History of Mormonism in Mexico in Provo, a private, and community; and destabilize their identity, non-profit institution. Come learn about the history sense of reality, and moral framework. With and offerings of this unique museum. so few professionals to guide them, many of these destabilized Mormons find support and moderator MICA MCGRIGGS validation in online communities. Learn how these communities have unwittingly become room PANORAMA EAST support groups. moderator FLIP JOHNSON 225. FREEBYU: A CONVERSATION ABOUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM room CRIMSON VIEW AMONG THE COUGARS
presenter CALEB CHAMBERLAIN cofounded FreeBYU 223. A SEER IS GREATER after graduating with an MA in electrical THAN A PROPHET: engineering to help promote freedom of thought EMPOWERING MORMON MYSTICS and conscience at BYU. presenter MICHAEL ADAM FERGUSON is a postdoctoral MURIEL MCGREGOR attended a year of research fellow at Cornell University graduate school at BYU before experiencing a specializing in cognitive neuroscience. desire to exercise to her freedom of religion and leave the Mormon faith. abstract Mysticism pertains to the discourse beyond discourse. It is a style of attending to events, abstract Though religious freedom has been an LDS and an experiential aesthetic. In this session, we watchword for the past few years, little of discuss a theology of mysticism in the context that freedom can be found at Brigham Young of the Restoration movement by examining University. Students who question the faith the spiritual gift of seership. The Restoration’s too far can face expulsion from the school. To centrally-defining text—The Book of Mormon— combat this unfair treatment, former students asserts seership as a gift second only to the and allies founded FreeBYU, an organization power of God. We explore the history of seership dedicated to promoting freedom of thought and in Western and Eastern civilizations, and hear religion at BYU. Specifically, FreeBYU asks from Mormon mystics who will share examples of that the school’s honor code be updated to their own personal visions. allow LDS students to change their personal religious beliefs without being expelled from the moderator SETH ANDERSON University and evicted from their housing. room COLLEGIATE moderator ALICIA AIKEN
room PARLOR A
22 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY 29 JULY
226. JOHN BURTON, SLAVE OF PAROWAN, abstract Where We Stand is a documentary film about UTAH: 1797–1865 a controversial group of Mormon feminists fighting for women’s ordination in The Church presenter MELVIN C. JOHNSON is an independent of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film historian and retired college instructor. follows Abby Hansen, a stay-at-home mom turned vocal advocate for Ordain Women abstract John Burton (1797–1865) was born to slave as she navigates the repercussions of her parents, and eventually joined the Mormon Church. unpopular activism against her church in her Burton’s Mormonism transcended race, bondage, predominantly Mormon suburb. The film is also culture, and geography as he journeyed west with the coming-of-age story of Ordain Women as several owners from Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, an organization—from a humble website to an Illinois, and frontier Utah. He was one of the three internationally recognized activist group. African Americans in Brigham Young’s 1847 company to Utah and remained in Great Salt Lake moderator SAMY GALVEZ City afterward. Burton’s life and times challenge traditional Mormon conceptions of religious room UNION THEATER community, racism, and paternalism. moderator DESTRY PIXTON HARDY CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 11:30AM–12:30PM room WEST BALLROOM 231. LATINIDAD, AFRO-LATINIDAD AND MORMON ACTIVISM: OPEN BORDERS AS A SPIRITUAL IMPERITAVE 227. HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ZION presenters AGUSTIN “TINO” DIAZ is a founder and leader presenter STEVEN FALES is forming The Possibility of #TogetherWithoutBorders. He works in Foundation, which helps victims of human education, helping students of color (including trafficking, especially in the LGBT community. undocumented students) finance their education. abstract Fifteen years ago, for nine months, Steven Fales LAURA LOPEZ is a Mormon and founding turned to sex work in New York City in order to member, leader, and organizer with pay child support. Using personal stories from #TogetherWithoutBorders. She is a business this time as well as data from organizations such owner and part of a mixed-status family. as Truckers Against Trafficking, Fales will show how Mormons remain mostly ignorant of human AZUL URIBE is a Mormon, a mujerista, and part trafficking in Zion, and what we can do to stop it. of the #TogetherWithoutBorders leadership. After being raised stateside and fighting her moderator BROOKE SCOTT case in immigration courts for three years, she was deported. room EAST BALLROOM abstract Members of #TogetherWithoutBorders call out racist and nativist elements’ in Mormon discourse, and seek a voice and 228. WHERE WE STAND — representation in Mormon white progressive ORDAIN WOMEN DOCUMENTARY activist community, all the while remaining presenters KRISTINE STOLAKIS’s films have played active members of the faith. Individuals in this at festivals internationally, including Hot organization will share how they frame their Docs International, Seattle International, and activism as people of color with a new kind of Frameline. She has an MFA in documentary film liberation theology that racializes and broadens and video from Stanford University. their work within their community and in activist circles outside of it. KATE KELLY is the founder of Ordain Women and a human rights attorney. She currently works at moderator MICA MCGRIGGS the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah as room SALTAIR their strategic advocacy & policy counsel.
ABBY HANSEN grew up in Davis County, Utah, and graduated from BYU. She is a seasoned army wife, landlord, and stay-at-home mom to three kids.
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 23 FRIDAY 29 JULY
232. “THE POLICY” IN CONTEXT OF 234. RESTORATION MORMON THOUGHT ON CURSED IS A PERSONAL JOURNEY LINEAGE AND MARRIAGE presenter SALLY E. FIRMAGE has a BA in psychology presenter CLAIR BARRUS has presented at MHA, from the University of Utah, and an MA in Sunstone, and the Mormon Media Studies traditional Chinese medicine. Symposium. His topics include Mormon History, Old Testament Studies, and contemporary abstract We are each endowed by our Creator with an issues affecting the Church. innate ability to receive guidance and assurance that we are safe, loved, and equal in the eyes NEWELL G. BRINGHURST is an independent of God. We “fall” when we forget about this scholar and Professor Emeritus of History and endowment. Restoration is the process of Political Science at College of the Sequoias in remembering the truths we lost in this fall. I will Visalia, California. He is the author/editor of many tell about my own journey through a fall and books published since 1981, including Scattering restoration, including leaving the LDS faith in of the Saints: Schism within Mormonism and The my 20’s, and coming out late in life as bisexual. Mormon Quest of the Presidency. Through this journey, I have gained a far greater understanding and respect for my Mormon abstract Early Mormon views on marriage, race, and heritage. progeny provide a background to consider the Church’s new policy banning gay families from moderator PAUL MALAN Church membership. room PANORAMA EAST 19th-century teachings on race and marriage provide a context for the concepts of a cursed people and unholy marriage. In this paper, I will 235. POLYGAMY IN AMERICA: explore teachings of the past that parallel today’s LEGALIZATION-CONDUCIVE policy. CULTURAL/DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS; moderator CHELSEA SHIELDS LIBERTARIAN RUMINATIONS moderator CRIMSON VIEW presenter GEORGE R. COMPTON has a PhD from UCLA in economics, which he taught part-time at BYU for ten years. He has had careers in aerospace and public utility regulation. 233. THE PLAT OF ZION: A COMPARISON WITH AMERICAN IDEAL CITIES abstract Given recent reformulations of what constitutes an acceptable marriage relationship, polygamy presenter BILL SPEER has BS and MS degrees from is probably the next dominant Western family- Virginia Tech and has done further graduate law battleground. Recent cultural trends leading studies at USU. towards the legalization of polygamy (which are quite different from those that led to gay marriage) abstract The Ideal City has its origins in Renaissance are rendering traditional arguments against ideas, which drew upon more ancient ideas. polygamy less persuasive than they once were. Mormon authors have not generally talked upon Fundamental questions are before us regarding the Plat of Zion beyond recognizing it as an the role of law in protecting the innocent but example of an ideal city. This study compares limiting personal freedom and even standing in the the Plat of Zion with other examples of way of potentially salubrious outcomes. American Ideal Cities, specifically Philadelphia (Penn’s Holy Experiment) and Savannah (the moderator SUSAN MIKESELL Oglethorpe Plan). Laid out in a grid pattern, each has its basis in its founder’s philosophical room PARLOR A and theological principles, including communitarianism, utopianism, and societal equality. moderator ROY SCHMIDT room COLLEGIATE
24 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY 29 JULY
236. THE BORDERLANDS: 238. NAVIGATING COMPLEX CREATING AN LDS-COMPATIBLE RELATIONSHIPS: RELIGIOUS MODEL FOR YOURSELF NON-MONOGAMY AND MARRIAGE presenters D. JEFF BURTON is the author of For Those presenter NATASHA HELFER PARKER, LCMFT, CST, Who Wonder and the long-running “Braving the serves as the president of the Mormon Mental Borderlands” column in Sunstone. He is a life- Health Association and president of the Kansas long member of the Church and has served in division of the American Association for most local callings. Marriage & Family Therapy.
STEPHEN CARTER is the editor of Sunstone, abstract Many aspects of being in a non-monogamous, author of Mormonism for Beginners, and co- poly, or open relationship are actually similar to author of iPlates—a graphic novel series based those of being in a monogamous relationship. on the Book of Mormon. There are also some notable differences. This presentation will cover a few of the unique abstract Troubled LDS members who want to remain challenges of non-monogamy and how to cope a part of the Mormon experience find that with them. creating a personal religion compatible with the LDS model and acceptable to their family can moderator AMANDA FARR be very useful and comforting. When developing a compatible/acceptable personal religion, room UNION THEATER we must carefully select attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and elements of faith that help us meet these goals. This session will explore how LUNCH BREAK, 12:30 PM–2:00 PM to construct a personal religion that works, provide examples of personal religious elements See page 5 for dining options. that can be included, and share the experiences of some who have developed personal religions. Book signings will take place at a table near the bookstore in the main hallway. moderator KAREN HARRIS book signings JOHN J. HAMMOND, author of Island room WEST BALLROOM Adventures: The Hawaiian Mission of Francis A. Hammond 1851–65.
237. EIVAI MORMONOSI: THE GREEKS THOMAS MCCONKIE, author of Navigating AND THE MORMONS IN EARLY Mormon Faith Crisis. 20TH-CENTURY UTAH presenter KATHERINE KELAIDIS has a BA in classics 242. BROTHER JAKE DOES SUNSTONE from the University of California Berkeley and a PhD in classics from the University of London. presenter JAKE FROST is the creator of the Brother Jake She is the co-director of NOSTOI, a project web series and a panelist on the Infants on exploring the Greek diaspora outside of Europe. Thrones podcast. abstract During the early twentieth century, thousands abstract Join Jake for a lunchtime viewing of some of Greeks poured into Utah to work in its Brother Jake classics, the world premier of his mines and on its railroads. Many of these new latest video, and a bit of Q&A. migrants came from regions still controlled by the Ottoman Empire. This presentation will moderator CHELSEA SHIELDS examine the relationship between those Greek immigrants and their Mormon neighborhoods. room SALTAIR In particular, it will explore intermarriages and religious conversions through the lens of each group’s 19th-century history. moderator BROOKE OVESON WALRATH room EAST BALLROOM
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 25 FRIDAY 29 JULY
PLENARY SESSION, 2:00PM–3:30PM but he’s more enthusiastic about the idea than she is. It’s a typical coming-of-age story. Only 251. WHY WE STAY this time the future of the human race is at stake. presenters SYDNIE CAZIER OLSEN is the mother of six, grandmother of eleven, and wife of one. She is moderator STEPHEN CARTER also an avid spiritual seeker and meditator. room UNION THEATER BILL REEL is the host of the Mormon Discussion podcast. A former LDS bishop, he works to help Latter-day Saints work through the difficult issues while maintaining belief in the CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 3:45PM–4:45PM Restoration. 261. ROOTS OF THE JERRI A. HARWELL is an associate professor in MORMON FAMILY TREE the English department at Salt Lake Community presenter WINSTON BLACKMORE, after being College. She is a former BYU Women’s excommunicated from the FLDS Church in Conference speaker, teaches a world religions 2002, is the leader of a polygamous Mormon class at the Taylorsville Institute, and sings in fundamentalist group in Canada. the OneVoice International Gospel Choir. abstract Although there are many branches of ERIC SAMUELSEN has written many award- Mormonism, perhaps we have more in common winning plays, as well as commentary and than we realize. What are the differences criticism on his blog, Mormon Iconoclast. between Mormon Fundamentalist beliefs and abstract This perennially well-received session features LDS beliefs? What are the similarities? Where the stories of those who have chosen to remain do the roots of tree branch out and where do active, dedicated Latter-day Saints even in the they begin? face of challenges to traditional faith. moderator NATALIE SPERRY MANDELIN moderator DAN WOTHERSPOON room SALTAIR room SALTAIR
262. THE THRONE NEAR KOLOB: 251B. OVERFLOW BROADCAST OF SESSION 251: A PORTRAIT OF POWER WHY WE STAY presenter MARK THOMAS is best known for his literary approaches to the Book of Mormon, including room WEST BALLROOM Digging in Cumorah published by Signature Books.
252. ADAM AND EVE: THE SERIES respondent MAXINE HANKS is a theologian who researches, lectures and writes in religious studies, presenters DAVEY MORRISON DILLARD is an actor particularly women’s studies in religion. working in film, TV, commercials, and voice over, as well as a screenwriter, director, and abstract There are few images that have endured as editor. long in western religion as that of a powerful god upon a throne. Though kings are scarce BIANCA MORRISON DILLARD is an actor, these days, and thrones difficult to find, the dramaturge, producer, and director in film and popularity of the Game of Thrones television theater. series indicates that the archaic image still holds sway in the modern psyche. This throne abstract Picking up twenty minutes after they’ve been image appears frequently in the Mormonism—in kicked out of Eden, Adam and Eve follows the the Book of Mormon, the vision of the three courtship of the first man and first woman in degrees of glory, and in prayers that dedicate the world—out on their own for the first time, temples. By examining the Mormon throne near fending for themselves, figuring things out, and Kolob, we will find the underlying assumptions making their first fumbling forays into romance. of power brokering in Mormonism. They’ve been tasked with populating the earth—
26 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY 29 JULY moderator MELYNDA FITT is no longer necessary, it is time for Mormons to get back to their doctrinal roots and end the room CRIMSON VIEW exploitation of animals.
moderator SETH ANDERSON
263. MORMON MENTAL HEALTH room PARLOR A ASSOCIATION: MORMON THINKING ERRORS presenters JENNIFER WHITE, CSW has worked as a 265. THE EVOLUTION OF THE therapist with a focus on treatment related to DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS TEXT: substance use disorders, mental health, and A PRELIMINARY AND services for domestic violence offenders. EXPLORATORY STUDY
NATASHA HELFER PARKER, LCMFT, CST presenter BILL SPEER has BS and MS degrees from serves as president of the KS chapter of AAMFT Virginia Tech and has done further graduate and is the founder and current president of the studies at USU. Mormon Mental Health Association. abstract This study uses methodologies developed in the abstract Cognitive distortions, or thinking errors, cause biological sciences to evaluate the development individuals to perceive reality inaccurately, of the D&C printed text. Phylogenetic patterns of producing and reinforcing negative thoughts and a small number of individual sections common in emotions. All individuals, families, and cultures both RLDS/COC and LDS editions will be analyzed. perpetuate distorted thinking patterns, including Insights and comparisons between these two Mormonism. This session will look at common textual groups will be presented. These two groups Mormon thinking errors and offer remedies for will be distinguished from early 19th century them including examining beliefs and self- editions, from which they are both descended. talk, correcting inaccurate thought patterns, and expanding clear awareness of thoughts. moderator BROOKE SCOTT These can significantly improve self-image, communication, relationships, success, and room WEST BALLROOM happiness. moderator ROB FERRE 266. WEARING PURPLE PANTS TO CHURCH: MORMON FEMINIST room PANORAMA EAST ACTIVISM IN A GLOBAL RELIGION
presenter ALISON HALFORD has a First Class BA 264. SHOULD MORMONS BE VEGAN? honors degree in sociology from the University of Derby, UK, and is a PhD candidate at the presenter DEVIN RASMUSSEN was inspired by activists Research Centre of Trust, Peace, and Social who seek to eliminate violence, and has relations at the University of Coventry, UK. participated in the leadership of the BYU Vegan/ Vegetarian Club for a number of years. abstract Campaigns like Wear Pants to Church have raised the profile of Mormon feminist CHRIS FOSTER is a convert to the LDS Church movements, but is it, as Claudia Bushman and professor of philosophy. Famous for his contends, “too American to sway an presentations that highlight LDS theology in international church”? This presentation regard to the treatment of animals, and his will discuss how a global Mormon founding of the group “Mormons For Animals”, feminist movement is being stymied by an Chris has played a critical and instrumental role interdependency and cultural exclusivity in the movement of many Mormons to a more between Mormon feminism and American peaceful way of living. exceptionalism. As a result, British Mormon women who wish to challenge unequal abstract Mormonism once strongly advocated against practices and doctrine are being reduced to a harming animals unnecessarily. Both prophets footnote within Mormon feminism. and scriptures have put restrictions the use of animals for food. During this time of nutritional moderator HANNAH WHEELWRIGHT abundance where the use of animal products room EAST BALLROOM
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 27 FRIDAY 29 JULY
267. WHY USA CHRISTIANS SHOULD JOHN DEHLIN has a PhD in clinical and VOTE DEMOCRATIC IN 2016 counseling psychology from Utah State University. He is the founder of the Mormon presenter WILLIAM D. RUSSELL is a professor emeritus Stories podcast. of American history and politics at Graceland University. He is a past president of both the MICA MCGRIGGS is a PhD candidate in Mormon History Association and the John counseling psychology at Brigham Young Whitmer Historical Association. University. Her academic research focuses on multicultural sensitivity in psychology. abstract Christians, including Mormons, should consider moral and ethical issues when deciding whom RYAN T. CRAGUN is an associate professor to support in an election. The teachings of sociology at the University of Tampa. His of Jesus in the four gospels should be an research focuses on Mormonism and the important guide in considering the issues raised nonreligious. in a campaign. This paper will argue that in the 2016 presidential election, the moral issues lean abstract Joseph Smith famously said the word “Mormon” strongly on the side of the Democrats. means “more good.” Does the Mormon Church live up to its name? Or does it do more harm than moderator LAURIE MOHLMAN good? In a lively but friendly debate, four social scientists will offer competing perspectives room UNION THEATER rooted in research and data. For the sake of discussion, the panel will bracket eternal life and focus on the measurable social harms and benefits of Mormon fellowship and practice. CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 5:00PM–6:30PM 271. WAS THERE AN ORIGINAL? moderator CHRISTOPHER C. SMITH room CRIMSON VIEW presenter DENVER C. SNUFFER is a graduate of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, a practicing attorney for 36 years, a father of nine children, and a faithful Latter-day 273. MOTHER IN HEAVEN Saint until his excommunication for “apostasy” in 2013 for writing a volume on LDS history. presenters NANCY ROSS is an assistant professor of art history at Dixie State University and has a abstract Although every splinter since the death of PhD in the same field from the University of Joseph and Hyrum Smith claimed or claims to Cambridge. be the authentic version of Mormonism, the real question is whether there was “an original.” DONNA KELLY has been an attorney for 34 From the First Vision until 27 June 1844 years, spending most of her career prosecuting Mormonism constantly changed. It was still a crimes against women and children. work-in-process at Joseph’s death. Even the design for the Nauvoo Temple, like the temple SARA CARRUTH ERICKSON received a BS in itself, remained unfinished. Brigham Young felt biochemistry from Brigham Young University at liberty to complete both as he imagined they and a doctorate of pharmacy degree at the ought to be completed. This presentation will University of California, San Diego. discuss whether there was an “original,” and abstract In October 2015 the Church released its essay what it did and did not include. “Mother in Heaven.” This panel will explore the implications of Mormon belief in a Heavenly moderator MICHAEL J. STEVENS Mother, including the way it affects women’s room SALTAIR equality on earth and in the church.
moderator NADINE HANSEN
272. DOES THE LDS CHURCH room COLLEGIATE DO MORE HARM OR MORE GOOD? presenters STEPHEN CRANNEY is a postdoctoral researcher at Baylor University. His research interests include the social psychology of religion, sexuality, and fertility intentions.
28 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM FRIDAY 29 JULY
274. THE TRANSCENDENT POWER moderator HANNAH WHEELWRIGHT OF THE BETWEEN room PARLOR A presenters THOMAS MCCONKIE is the author of Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis. He is faculty at Pacific Integral. 276. DIALOGUE JUBILEE: GINA COLVIN is a New Zealander of Maori, CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF English, Irish, Welsh, German and French MORMONISM’S LEADING JOURNAL descent, and a “multi-generation lifelong presenters ROBERT A. REES is a scholar of religious and Mormon.” Mormon studies who is involved in interfaith work, humanitarian service, and the peace abstract Susan Rothbaum (1988) argues that church leavetakers ‘have a foot in each world, but are movement. at home in neither . . . this experience of being F. ROSS PETERSON has taught history at “between two worlds” can be both depressing the University of Texas, Arlington; Utah State and elating, painful and productive.’ University; Victoria University in Wellington Thomas McConkie and Gina Colvin will explore New Zealand (Fulbright scholar); Deep Springs this space “between two worlds” where College; and Colorado Mesa University. new identities, attachments, and ways of L. JACKSON “JACK” NEWEL has been a understanding the self, God, and the world are professor at the University of Utah, but took worked out. They will explore the productivity leave to serve as president of Deep Springs of the liminal space and provide a theoretical College from 1995 to 2004. framework from which to apprehend spiritual transitions as fruitful, grounding, and personally CHARLOTTE ENGLAND is a writer, artist, and and socially transformative. musician. She is writing sketches of her life together with her late husband, Eugene England, moderator CHELSI BARNARD ARCHIBALD and gathering material for his biography. room PANORAMA EAST G. WESLEY “WES” JOHNSON began his work as an editor under John Updike at the Harvard Lampoon. Especially of note is his research and 275. HOLDING OUR HISTORY— publication in the new field he helped establish, REFLECTIONS ON MORMON public history. FEMINISM: ESSENTIAL WRITINGS MARTHA BRADLEY-EVANS is a professor in presenters JOANNA BROOKS is Associate Vice President the College of Architecture + Planning teaching of Faculty Advancement at San Diego State history and theory classes, for which she has University, and the author of The Book of won many awards. Mormon Girl. abstract Beginning with its first issue, which showed RACHEL HUNT STEENBLIK is a PhD student in two people sitting under a tree engaged in philosophy of religion and theology at Claremont conversation, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Graduate University. Thought has encouraged dialogue by publishing leading-edge scholarly articles, personal HANNAH WHEELWRIGHT is the human rights essays, fiction, poetry, sermons, and other award coordinator and programs assistant at writing that have engaged Latter-day Saints the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights on vital subjects within Mormonism and in its and Justice. interface with the world. Join founders, editors, and others in this retrospective celebration. abstract Published by Oxford University Press in November 2015, Mormon Feminism: Essential moderator ROBERT A. REES Writings gathers an important collection Mormon feminist writings from its beginnings room WEST BALLROOM in the 1970s to the present. Join editors and contributors in celebrating this historic volume and discussing where our community came from, where we are now, and where we are going.
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 29 FRIDAY 29 JULY
277. “HOW DID I FIND MYSELF HERE?”: MELANIE DELTON’s oldest daughter identifies REFLECTIONS ON LATER-IN-LIFE as gay. Melanie feels that leaving the Church FAITH TRANSITIONING was an important part of sustaining her family. presenters JERALEE RENSHAW is the lead moderator of A abstract The LDS Church can claim to “love the Thoughtful Faith Support Group. sinner and hate the sin” all it wants, but if there were REAL love for LGBTQ people in MATT JONES is an entrepreneur and business Mormonism, there would be no need for the owner in Seattle, Washington, currently serving Mama Dragons—a group that started with seven as an LDS bishop. women and is now almost 800 strong. Our hope is that one day there will be no need for mothers KEVIN PERRY KAPP was serving in his to have to turn into dragons to protect their stake Young Men’s presidency when he first children from their religious community. Until experienced a faith crisis, two and a half years then, we are here with the courage, talons, and after his wife, Kim, had her own faith crisis fire needed to protect God’s LGBTQ sons and daughters. KRISTINA OLERGÅRD TENNEY sought out and converted to the LDS Church at age 16 in her moderator MARK PUGSLEY hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. room UNION THEATER abstract This panel consists of persons who have chosen to remain engaged in Latter-day Saint religious life even after going through faith challenges that came to them later in life—a situation that DINNER BREAK, 6:30PM–8:00PM is sometimes more difficult to manage than when one is young and less entrenched in family See page 5 for dining options. and cultural traditions. How did they come to find themselves in this situation that none of them ever dreamed of as a possibility? What PLENARY SESSION, 8:00 PM–9:30 PM ideas, tools, people, or settings have helped them survive these changes and find renewed 291. MAKING MORMONISM MINE: optimism for long-time engagement within CLAIMING SPACE WITHIN THE FAITH Mormonism? presenters ROBERT KIRBY’s culture column appears every moderator DAN WOTHERSPOON Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Kirby is most proud of being named grand marshal of the room EAST BALLROOM 2010 Green River Melon Days Parade.
CAROL LYNN PEARSON’s memoir about her marriage to a gay man opened the conversation 278. WHEN RELIGION CREATES DRAGONS: in Mormondom about LGBT issues in 1986. MAMA DRAGON PANEL Others of her works include No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons around our Gay Loved Ones, presenters WENDY MONTGOMERY is one of the founders of the Mama Dragons and a member of the and the play Facing East. board of directors for Affirmation. FERNANDO R. GOMEZ was born in Monterrey, SHAUNA JONES lives outside of Idaho Falls, Mexico. For twenty-five years, he directed a Idaho. With a fierce love for all of her children, non-profit museum opened to the general public Shauna is a proud Mama Dragon. free of charge, in Mexico City (1991–2014).
NECA ALLGOOD’s middle child is FTM CATHY STOKES earned a BS in nursing at transgender, and since he transitioned at age DePaul University and was then employed by 16, he and Neca have been active working with the Illinois Department of Public Health for 30+ Equality Utah to extend non-discrimination years. protections to include sexual orientation and LORIE WINDER STROMBERG is a member of gender identity. the Ordain Women executive board. She has an MA in humanities from Brigham Young University. For over 30 years, she has written and spoken about Mormon feminism and advocated for the ordination of women.
30 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM FRI/SAT 29/30 abstract With decades of experience in claiming CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 9:00AM–10:00AM space inside the institutional Church, the LDS community, and/or the Mormon intellectual 311. READY FOR REVELATION community, this all-star panel will talk about how they have carved out a space in and around presenters LORIE WINDER STROMBERG is a member of Mormonism. the Ordain Women executive board, and has an MA in humanities from Brigham Young moderator JIM MURPHY University. She has been an editor of many historical and Mormon publications. special thanks JIM MURPHY BRYNDIS ROBERTS is chair of the Ordain room sALTAIR Women executive board and an attorney at her own firm—Jenkins & Roberts LLC.
MARK BARNES is a member of the Ordain SATURDAY 30 JULY Women executive board, and serves on the REGISTRATION, 8:30 AM–9:00 PM boards of Mormons for ERA and the Bleeding Hearts Foundation. He is a practicing attorney. Admission to sessions is by Symposium name badge or ticket only. This policy will be strictly enforced. Badges and NATASHA SMITH is a member of the Ordain single-session tickets are available at the registration table by Women executive board and blogs at FEMWOC, the ballrooms on the second floor of the Olpin Student Union a blog dedicated to the voices of feminist Building. women of color. DEBRA JENSON is a member of the Ordain Women executive board. She is a professor of DEVOTIONAL, 8:15 AM–8:45 AM communication at Utah State University.
301. A QUEST FOR HOLINESS abstract Ordain Women’s theme for this year is Ready for Revelation. Mormonism is founded on a deep presenter ROBERT A. REES, PhD, is a scholar of appreciation for continuing revelation, but what religious and Mormon studies who is involved does “continuing revelation” mean and how does in interfaith work, humanitarian service and the it happen? By using examples from Mormon peace movement. history, panelists will discuss the process of revelation and how small changes preceded abstract A quest for holiness is one of the more big revelations. The panel will examine the challenging dimensions of discipleship. Holiness effectiveness of this year’s action and discuss is not something God can give but rather how seeking for policy and behavioral changes something we must desire and then pursue within the Mormon faith corresponds with the through conscious effort and unconscious historical process of revelation. yearning. Because holiness requires an ultimate commitment and a total surrender, few moderator KERSTIN KOLDEWYN achieve it—or, achieving it, are able to sustain it. Holiness must come from some wellspring room SALTAIR within, a virtue that grows in the soul and blossoms unexpectedly, like the night-blooming cereus. This session examines the dimensions 312. DEATH’S BIFOCALS: of holiness and considers what insights Latter- FOCUSING LIFE’S JOY’S, day Saint theology offers in understanding and MAGNIFYING LIFE’S VIOLENCE achieving it. presenter RANDY MOSS is a practicing psychologist moderator CRYSTAL SCOTT and consultant. His interest is in reciprocal room SALTAIR relationship alliance and understanding the worldview of individuals and groups.
abstract To apprehend life, we must contemplate death. Socrates, Jesus, and the Buddha did just that, intertwining the threads of death with the
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 31 SATURDAY 30 JULY
qualities of life. However, the contemplation of moderator MELYNDA FITT death can also amplify violence and diminish one’s quality of life. Using research from the room WEST BALLROOM field of terror management, this presentation will explore these two death forces and show how they can affect our own spiritual pursuits 315. MAPPING MANY MORMONISMS and our treatment of others. presenter JOHN HAMER is pastor of the downtown moderator CHELSI BARNARD ARCHIBALD Toronto Congregation of Community of Christ. A past president of the John Whitmer Historical room CRIMSON VIEW Association, he is co-editor of Scattering of the Saints: Schism within Mormonism.
313. FACE TO FACE: abstract John has created hundreds of maps and FOUNDATIONS FOR A MYSTICAL diagrams outlining the relationships— TRADITION IN MORMONISM geographical, historical, and conceptual— between the many expressions of Mormonism. presenter PHILIP MCLEMORE is a former LDS institute This presentation will visually map the schisms director, Air Force chaplain, and hospice and connections between the many branches of chaplain. He is a meditation teacher who Mormonism using dozens of original maps and conducts seminars and oversees an online diagrams. program at meditatewithphil.com. moderator HANNAH WHEELWRIGHT abstract Mysticism, properly understood and practiced, is the quest for a deep and direct realization of room EAST BALLROOM God and Self. It is conscious awakening into the mystery of life itself and therefore vital for vibrant, spiritual living as individuals and as a community. 316. POLYGAMY AND Sadly, a rich mystical tradition has not developed RELIGIOUS FREEDOM in Mormonism in spite of the fact that Mormon theology and scripture contain unique elements presenters KRISTYN DECKER left the AUB polygamist for its development. This presentation will explore group at age 50, after raising her seven children these theological and scriptural keys. there. She attained a BA in Education, wrote Fifty Years in Polygamy, Big Secrets and Little moderator MICHAEL J. STEVENS White Lies, and founded and became director of Sound Choices Coalition. room PANORAMA EAST BRENDA NICHOLSON left the FLDS four years ago. She currently educates the public on legal 314. CASA VOLUNTEERING AND CHILD issues surrounding the group. ABUSE IN THE MORMON CULTURE SHELLI MECHAM, LCSW has provided therapy presenter MARISA MCPECK-STRINGHAM is the for individuals, couples and families from the information and research specialist for the various fundamentalist Mormon communities National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. She since 2011. has a BA in social work. PAM JENSON is an active Mormon who works abstract Through my volunteer work as a court appointed with Holding out HELP and the Diversity special advocate (CASA) with foster and/or Foundation. She is on the board of directors of DCFS-identified high-risk children in northern Sound Choices Coalition. Utah I have identified patterns of child abuse within Mormon culture. This presentation will abstract This panel will discuss how the topic of describe familial structures that lead to cycles Religious Freedom intersects with polygamy of abuse within Mormon families. It will also and how the implications of some of the identify ways of breaking those abusive patterns proposed interpretations of the idea would and empowering abuse victims to speak out—all affect those living polygamy. the while focusing on maintaining biological family structures when possible. moderator MICAH NICKOLAISEN room UNION THEATRE
32 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 30 JULY
CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 10:15AM–11:15AM 323. THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST: AN AMERICAN ECUMENICAL AND 321. PROGRESSIVE POLYGAMY: PROGRESSIVE PROTESTANTISM, FEMINISM’S STRANGEST WITH MORMONISM AS AN OPTION BEDFELLOW presenter CHRYSTAL VANEL has a BA in history, an MA presenter BRADY WILLIAMS is a former fundamentalist in religious studies, and a PhD in sociology. Mormon who lives in Utah with his five wives, He is a postdoctoral researcher at the Groupe all of whom are pro-gay marriage, believe in Sociétés, Religions, Laïcités. Buddhism, and star in TLC’s reality television show My Five Wives. abstract From its beginning as a moderate Midwestern Mormonism, the Reorganized Church of Jesus abstract Is there a way to practice polygamy without Christ of Latter Day Saints integrated into patriarchy? One family has been trying. This American pluralist modernity. The Community presentation will outline a feminist approach to of Christ is today part of the National Council of polygamy and how one polygamous family has Churches in the USA. American identity is still tried to build equality into its structure. predominant in the Community of Christ, whose theology and ethics are defined by an American moderator CRYSTAL SCOTT progressive leadership striving to unite a room SALTAIR diverse membership through common rituals. Thus the Community of Christ is an American Ecumenical and Progressive Protestantism with Mormonism as an option. 322. EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF THE “FAITHFUL MORMON WOMAN”: moderator THOMAS B. MCAFFEE EMBRACING EDUCATION, CAREER, AND FAMILY room COLLEGIATE presenters NAOMI WATKINS is the co-founder of Aspiring Mormon Women, a nonprofit that encourages 324. MORMON MENTAL HEALTH and supports LDS women’s educational and ASSOCIATION: A DISCUSSION OF professional pursuits. She has a PhD in literacy. WHAT’S NOT UP FOR DISCUSSION DIANNE ORCUTT is a co-founder of Aspiring Mormon Women. For the last nine years she has presenters JOSHUA NEAL practices psychotherapy at worked as a civil attorney for the Utah County Capitol Hill Therapy (which he owns) in Seattle, Attorney’s Office. WA. He is “Mormon-ish.”
HEIDI DOXEY works at a state level to promote JONATHAN ADERHOLD practices higher education for Utah students, focusing on psychotherapy at Silver Skies Counseling first-generation college students, students of (which he owns) in Seattle, WA. He is an active color, and other underserved populations. Mormon. abstract Within Mormonism there is an increased need abstract This session focuses on the ways that Mormon women are individually and collectively to understand some members’ tendency to broadening their spheres of influence to hold certain topics sacrosanct. Join us for a encompass education, career, and family. They discussion on how this need to maintain a stable have embraced rich and diverse experiences sense of reality can keep certain ideas off the as a precursor to, but also in tandem with, table—and how we may navigate the turbulence increased institutional acceptance through caused when competing realities collide.. endeavors such as the “I’m a Mormon” moderator RICHIE WILCOX campaign and calling women with careers to church boards. room PANORAMA EAST moderator AMANDA FARR room CRIMSON VIEW
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 33 SATURDAY 30 JULY
325. A PRISM FOR THE “...ISMS”: 327. FROM LOST TRIBES TO MORMON THE JOURNEY FROM HUMOR: ONE MAN’S FAITH JOURNEY “WHICH CHURCH IS RIGHT?” THROUGH MORMON FOLKLORE TO “MY ...ISM IS BETTER THAN STUDIES YOUR ...ISM” presenter GLENN OSTLUND studied Mormon folklore at presenter RUSS OSMOND received his PhD from Indiana University, and came half a dissertation Syracuse University in 1979 and has since away from finishing a PhD on Mormon humor. added five MAs. He writes “The All-seeing I” But he never really did anything with that, cuz column in Sunstone. really, what can you do with a PhD in folklore? abstract Nearly every social movement of any permanent abstract Starting at BYU in the missionary collection consequence in American history traces its of the William A, Wilson folklore archives, roots to the first half of the 19th century in continuing at Indiana University with a masters the “Burned Over District” of western New thesis on Japanese Mormon lost tribe lore, York State. They often verbalize their intent and ending with a half-finished dissertation to be “. . . On the Right Hand of God”; hence, on Mormon humor, Glenn reflects on his time the cacophony of confusion they all reference. studying and teaching Mormon folklore, and the “ISMs” of all types found root in that frontier ways it impacted his family, his beliefs, and his along both sides of the Erie Canal. This faith. session provides a birds-eye view of the birthing sequence of today’s extremisms plus moderator ALICIA AIKEN a clarifying lens through which to discuss why there are so many “Mormon-ISMs”. room EAST BALLROOM moderator CHELSI BARNARD ARCHIBALD 328. BATTLE FOR THE BEGINNERS: room PARLOR A AN ARGUMENT OVER HOW TO PRESENT MORMONISM TO NEWBIES
326. HERETICS ARE NOT APOSTATES: presenters CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL BIGELOW is a co- A SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY author of Mormonism for Dummies. He is a APPROACH TO MUTUALLY DISSING freelance writer, editor, and publisher who has OUR FELLOWS run Zarahemla Books for the past 10 years. presenter CHARLES RANDALL PAUL has a PhD in social STEPHEN CARTER is the author of Mormonism thought from the University of Chicago, and is for Beginners, director of publications for the the founder and president of the Foundation for Sunstone Education Foundation, and creator of Religious Diplomacy. the iPlates series. abstract In The Heretical Imperative, sociologist Peter abstract Christopher Bigelow and Stephen Carter Berger de-fangs the term “heretic,” helping us see have both authored guides for people new to the forces that produce heretics as natural and Mormonism. Along the way, they encountered inevitable. No group, once formed, remains pure. sticky questions. How do you decide what Some members of that group will notice the the essentials of Mormonism are in the first changes and suggest ways in which the group place? How do you talk about difficult aspects has lost its original purity, and how to get it back. of Mormon history? How do you present Is there a limit to “heresy” before it becomes the attractions of Mormonism without being “apostasy?” If so, what are the boundaries that preachy? How much should you talk about separate loyal dissenter and outsider enemy? temple ceremonies? Chris and Stephen will How can we understand the dynamics of our argue over these questions and more. dissents? moderator MICAH NICKOLAISEN moderator ALICE PETERSEN HALLETT room UNION THEATER room WEST BALLROOM
34 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 30 JULY
CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 11:30AM–12:30AM abstract In October 2015 the Church released its essay “Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, 331. JOSEPH SMITH’S TEACHINGS Temple, and Women. This panel explores early ABOUT PRIESTHOOD, teachings about these concepts, including the TEMPLE, AND WOMEN “Anointed Quorum,” and their implications for LDS women today. presenters CLAIR BARRUS has presented at MHA, Sunstone, and the Mormon Media Studies moderator NADINE HANSEN Symposium. His topics include Mormon history, Old Testament studies, and contemporary issues room SALTAIR affecting the LDS Church.
BRYNDIS ROBERTS is a member of the Ordain Women executive board, and is an adult convert 332. WHO HOLDS THE KEYS?: to the LDS Church from the Black Baptist faith. FLDS PERSPECTIVES ON AUTHORITY She is an attorney and has her own firm— Jenkins & Roberts, LLC. presenters JOHN NIELSEN is a researcher and historian from the FLDS Church. He was “sent away” by NANCY ROSS is an assistant professor of art Warren Jeffs in 2004. His wife and daughter history at Dixie State University in St. George, still remain with the group. Utah. She received her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2007. D. MICHAEL QUINN is an affiliated scholar at the University of Southern California’s Center for Feminist Research. His accolades include Best Book awards from the American Historical Association and the Mormon History Association.
THOSE WITH EARS TO HEAR abstract Representing the FLDS perspective, John Nielsen will explain the claim to priesthood authority from a fundamentalist point of view. LISTEN TO D. Michael Quinn will respond, representing the LDS point of view. sunstone skullcandy moderator SAMY GALVEZ h e a d p h o n e s room CRIMSON VIEW
333. TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND GOODNESS: Retail Price A WAY TO BRIDGE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MORMONS AND FORMER MORMONS
$40 presenter JON OGDEN is the director of content marketing at MX, a financial technology company. He has a BA in English literature and an MA in rhetoric and composition.
abstract When people leave the Mormon Church, tensions can rise up between them and their still-faithful families and friends. By turning to Only the ancient ideas of truth, beauty, and goodness we can find a way to close the gap between believers and nonbelievers, diminishing these tensions and replacing them with love. $25 moderator BROOKE OVESON WALRATH AT THE REGISTRATION DESK room COLLEGIATE
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 35 SATURDAY 30 JULY
334. LANDING INSTRUCTIONS: organizers LAURIE SHIPP BUSH, ASHLEY HOOPES HOW TO NAVIGATE (OR HELP SOMEONE NAVIGATING) room WEST BALLROOM FAITH CRISIS presenter BOYD JAY PETERSEN is the editor of Dialogue: 337. MORMON SPOTLIGHT: A Journal of Mormon Thought and serves as THE PROBLEM OF CHILD SEX ABUSE program coordinator for Mormon Studies at IN THE LDS CHURCH Utah Valley University. presenter MATT LONG is a criminal defense attorney in abstract A faith crisis is like turbulence on a airplane: Mesa, Arizona, previously working for 12 years one minute everything is fine, then the plane as a Deputy County Attorney where he primarily starts shaking; you feel powerless and scared. prosecuted sex crimes, child crimes, and Worse, unlike on a plane where your fellow homicide cases. passengers are gripping their seats the same way you are, in a faith crisis you often feel abstract Attorney Matt Long (of Infants on Thrones) and like you’re alone. Though airplane turbulence board members of Restore our Humanity (a usually passes, nothing returns to normal after human rights advocacy group) will discuss a faith crisis. Going through this transformation reasons why sexual abuse is so pervasive in isn’t easy, but it can lead to a deeper faith, a the LDS Church, how Church doctrine and richer life, and greater communion with our policy contribute to the abuse, why that abuse is traveling companions. underreported, and what is being done to give past victims a voice and protect children in the future. moderator SARA WILLDEN CRAM moderator MICHAEL J. STEVENS room PANORAMA EAST room EAST BALLROOM 335. CONVERSATIONS WITH HARRY: SECTARIANISM AND THE ONE TRUE CHURCH presenter JANICE ALLRED speaks and writes on theological topics. She is the author of God the Mother and Other Theological Essays. abstract My ninety-five-year-old friend Harry Fox has ministered his whole life in the Church of Christ, which originated in the Campbellite restoration movement, and we have had many conversations about the quest for the true church of Christ. This paper explores the basic issues of these dialogues. Can the true church of Christ be found in many different denominations or must it be housed in one structure? What are the characteristics of the true church of Christ? Is membership in the correct institutional church required for salvation? moderator SUSAN MIKESELL room PARLOR A
336. SUNSTONE SERVICE PROJECT abstract Each year Sunstone seeks to fulfill the humanitarian part of our mission. For this session we will be assembling hygiene kits for homeless families in Utah. Stop in if you’d like to help.
36 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 30 JULY
338. THE MORMON HAWAIIAN MISSION GINA COLVIN is a lecturer at the University of AND THE SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand and OF 1853 host of the A Thoughtful Faith podcast. presenter JOHN J. HAMMOND earned a PhD at SUNY/ NATASHA SMITH describes herself as a Buffalo in the 1970s and taught political science Unitarian Universalist Mormon. She received and philosophy for thirty-five years at Kent her BA degree from the University of Chicago State University in Ohio. and will be attending law school in the fall. abstract In 1851–1852 Utah Mormon missionaries JENNIFER GONZALEZ has a law degree from converted hundreds of native Hawaiians on Maui, Stanford, and has endured/embraced life as a and during the spring of 1853 hundreds more “Mormon single” for over a decade. on Oahu. In 1853 the smallpox virus reached Honolulu and spread among natives who had no KALANI TONGA is a liberal feminist, but also natural immunity to it. The Utah elders interfered an active Mormon; she is half Swedish, and half with efforts of authorities to deal with the Tongan; she started her collegiate career at the disease claiming it was part of the “scourges” University of Utah, but graduated from BYU. accompanying the imminent Second Coming, and Kalani is a history teacher, volleyball coach, and promising that their healing powers (priesthood a mother of five hilarious little monsters. “administrations”) would protect the native saints. abstract Last year FEMWOC discussed how policies, Constantly violating the quarantine, the Utah and procedures, and the imperialist American native Mormon elders likely spread the disease to culture of the Mormon Church shaped the other Oahu villages, causing many deaths. experiences of women of color—including black, diasporic, and indigenous women. Panel moderator DERRICK CLEMENTS members will explore how women of color room UNION THEATER are using their experiences to claim space and establish roots within our physical wards and communities, the progressive Mormon community, and elsewhere. LUNCH BREAK, 12:30PM–2:00PM moderator SAMY GALVEZ The Student Union’s food court is CLOSED on Saturday. Food trucks are available on the patio. room SALTAIR See page 5 for dining options. CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 2:00PM–3:30PM Book signings will take place at a table near the bookstore in the main hallway. 351. FOUR VIEWS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON book signings JUDITH FREEMAN, author of Red Water and The Latter Days. presenters BRANT A. GARDNER is the author of Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary DUANE JENNINGS, author of Stumbling Blocks on the Book of Mormon, The Gift and Power: and Stepping-Stones: Including Gay, Lesbian, Translating the Book of Mormon, and Traditions of Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Children of the Fathers: The Book of Mormon as History. God in the LDS Plan of Salvation. DAVID BOKOVOY has a PhD in Hebrew Bible DAVID G. PACE, author of Dream House on and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Jewish Golan Drive. Studies, both from Brandeis University. MARK THOMAS has spoken and written 342. LUNCH WITH FEMWOC: extensively on the Book of Mormon as literature. EMPOWERMENT WITHIN THE His best-known effort is Digging in Cumorah MARGINS from Signature Books. presenters BRYNDIS ROBERTS is a proud alumna of SANDRA TANNER is an author, lecturer, and Wesleyan College, the oldest college in the critical researcher of LDS history and doctrine. world chartered to grant degrees to women. She She co-founded Utah Lighthouse Ministry with is an attorney and has her own firm—Jenkins & her late husband, Jerald. Roberts LLC
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 37 SATURDAY 30 JULY abstract Is the Book of Mormon an inspired history of 353. DEEP SHIFT: REASSESSING ancient peoples? An inspired scriptural narrative? THE RESTORATION A work of great literature? Or nineteenth-century plagiarism? In a friendly debate, four historians presenter PAUL TOSCANO is a consumer bankruptcy will each defend a different hypothesis. Panelists lawyer, essayist, novelist, polemicist, contrarian, will buttress classic arguments with new insights irritant, insultant, septuagenarian, September and original research to make the strongest Six excommunicant, Christian, agnostic, and possible cases for their respective views. amateur theologian. moderator CHRISTOPHER C. SMITH abstract This session presents an overview of the LDS Church’s 186-year mythical and historical room SALTAIR narrative arc, from its promising 19th- century origins to its defaulting 21st-century decomposition. Where will the Church head 352. THE FUTURE OF DIALOGUE: from here? WHAT MIGHT THE NEXT moderator MICHAEL J. STEVENS FIFTY YEARS BRING? room COLLEGIATE presenters BOYD JAY PETERSEN is the editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and serves as the Program Coordinator for Mormon Studies at Utah Valley University. 354. THE 2ND REFORMATION? KEEPING A RECORD OF THE EMILY W. JENSEN covered the online world of MORMON INTERNET EXPERIENCE Mormonism for the Deseret News for five years IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 21ST and currently webedits Dialogue: A Journal of CENTURY Mormon Thought. presenters BILL REEL is the host of the Mormon Discussion KRISTINE HAGLUND is the former editor podcast. The podcast helps listeners delve of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, into the tougher issues of their faith while also a current or former essayist at By Common leading with faith. Consent and Times and Seasons. MELISSA YOUNG graduated in December 2015 abstract As Bob Dylan suggests: “The times they are a from BYU with an MA in TESOL. She teaches at changin’.” And so must ways of reaching one’s BYU’s English Language Center. intended audience. Please join recent and current Dialogue editors and board members as they GINA COLVIN is a lecturer at the University of discuss how to keep the journal relevant and Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand, and accessible in this digital century with far more host of the A Thoughtful Faith podcast. accessibility to studies and reflections on all aspects of Mormon history, culture, art, and thought SARAH COLLETT started the A Thoughtful than ever before. Come with your ideas, as well! Faith podcast in 2012 and now only occasionally dabbles in the LDS online community. moderator MARK PUGSLEY abstract As the Internet becomes a dominant factor room CRIMSON VIEW in religious life, it is important that we begin to record, and if possible, quantify the ways in which members of the Church, in all their variety, perceive and experience each other, the institution, and theology through blogs, podcasts, discussion forums, and websites. Is this collective experience beneficial or detrimental? How does our relationship with social media affect our relationships and communities at home? Does the Internet serve all demographics fairly?
moderator BROOKE OVESON WALRATH
room PANORAMA EAST
38 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 30 JULY
355. THE PERSISTENCE OF IDEAS accepting the doctrine of polygamy, [I would] ABOUT REINCARNATION prefer the displeasure of God.” The session will IN TODAY’S MORMONISM explore why Bickerton challenged polygamy and why this dramatic event prompted him to presenters DOE DAUGHTREY has a PhD in religious forsake Brigham Young and establish a new studies. Her dissertation included an analysis of church. the relationship of Mormonism to reincarnation. moderator KERSTIN KOLDEWYN BILL HANSEN is a general practice attorney in Payson, Utah. He currently serves as a church room WEST BALLROOM service missionary researching pension records from the War of 1812.
LISA HANSEN, LMFT, is co-editor of Why I Don’t 357. MANY INFANTS ON MULTIPLE Hide My Freckles Anymore, and founder and THRONES: WHAT WE DO, WHY WE DO former director of Utah County Men’s Voices. IT, AND HOW WE THINK IT MATTERS.
DAN WOTHERSPOON, PhD, is the host of the presenters JAKE FROST is the creator of the Brother Jake Mormon Matters podcast, and the former editor web series and a panelist on the Infants on and executive director of Sunstone Thrones podcast. TOM PERRY was one of the founding members abstract Though not officially taught as doctrine, ideas concerning the potential reincarnation of souls of Mormon Expression and Infants on Thrones. have held some sway in Latter-day Saint minds MATT LONG is criminal defense attorney in and hearts. Some Mormons claim that they Mesa, Arizona, previously working for 12 years can access past lives or experiences in a way as a Deputy County Attorney where he primarily that suggests they’ve been incarnated on earth prosecuted sex crimes, child crimes, and before. This panel examines reincarnation in light homicide cases. of LDS theology concerning the body and eternal progression. It will also offer a peek into the lives JOHN HAMER is pastor of the downtown of contemporary Mormons who feel empowered Toronto Congregation of Community of Christ, by their experiences or belief in this possibility. and past president of the John Whitmer Historical Association. moderator DAN WOTHERSPOON SCOTT ROWLEY is a family law attorney from room PARLOR A Mesa, Arizona. He is among the principal founders of Any Opposed and Infants on Thrones, and the principal founder of the Mormon 356. WILLIAM BICKERTON V. BRIGHAM Genome Project. YOUNG: THE CASE AGAINST POLYGAMY GLENN OSTLUND studied Mormon folklore at Indiana University, and came half a dissertation presenter DANIEL STONE has a BA and MA in history. away from finishing a PhD on Mormon humor. He has written the first full-length biography on But he never really did anything with that, cuz William Bickerton, forthcoming from Signature really, what can you do with a PhD in folklore? Books. HEATHER CRAW is the newest addition to respondent D. MICHAEL QUINN is an affiliated scholar at Infants on Thrones where she offers a point of the University of Southern California’s Center view steeped in social psychology, behavioral for Feminist Research. His accolades include economics, and Russian literature. Best Book awards from the American Historical Association and the Mormon History Association. abstract Infants on Thrones (Heather, John, Glenn, Jake, Matt, Scott, and Tom) commemorates its abstract Sometime in late 1851 or early 1852, Brigham fourth year of podcasting by reflecting on the Young decided to publicly endorse plural highs and lows of irreverently ponderizing the marriage. While attending a church meeting in philosophies of men, mingled with humor. Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, William Bickerton, a dedicated Mormon elder, heard the shocking moderator FLIP JOHNSON news. He arose from his seat and declared, “If room EAST BALLROOM the approval of God were to come to [me] by
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 39 SATURDAY 30 JULY
358. NEW DIRECTIONS temples, our scripture, and our anticipation AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES of eternity destroys marriages, debilitates FOR ADDRESSING MALNUTRITION women’s self-esteem, harms men, and erodes AMONG LDS CHILDREN faith in the church and in God. presenters BRADLEY WALKER is co-founder and past moderator LINDSAY HANSEN PARK president of the Liahona Children’s Foundation, and a public health physician working in Orange room SALTAIR County, California.
TIM HEATON is a professor of sociology at 362. POWER FROM THE MARGINS: BYU. He and his students work closely with RECLAIMING THE “PROMISED LAND” the Liahona Children’s Foundation to improve measurements and monitor program results. presenter MORONI BENALLY is Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations at Diné ROSE ANSAH-ANTWI has a degree in public College, and a PhD Candidate at the University health from BYU and has worked as a medical of Washington. assistant at the University of Utah Diabetes Clinic. She and her husband supervised the abstract Decolonization is a conscious resistance to, and Liahona Children’s Foundation program in re-centering of, power arrangements between Ghana. indigenous and settler-colonial societies. Decolonization is different in a society where abstract Severe, acute malnutrition affects tens of the colonizer has a permanent presence. The thousands of Latter-day Saint children in the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of developing world. The Liahona Children’s Latter-day Saints who interpret and actualize the Foundation is addressing the critical needs of mission of the Church are largely informed by more than 11,000 children in over 180 stakes in settler-colonialism. In this paper, I demonstrate 17 countries, from Africa to Mongolia. Through how members of the Church have designed and its Adopt-a-Stake program and other efforts, implemented the programs of the Church to deny the Foundation seeks to expand its work even and deflect their complicity in colonization and further. Come and learn how you can volunteer how Indigenous people can resist. and contribute to this essential work of meeting the needs of the Lord’s most vulnerable children. moderator CHELSEA SHIELDS moderator ROBERT A. REES room CRIMSON VIEW room UNION THEATER 363. MORMON ALCHEMY: MAKING A LIFE THAT MATTERS FROM CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 3:45PM–4:45PM MORMONISM’S MOST COMMON, 361. NEW BOOK: THE GHOST OF SOMETIMES EVEN UGLY, ELEMENTS ETERNAL POLYGAMY presenter PAUL MALAN produces the Mormon Alchemist podcast, which aims to challenge black-and- presenter CAROL LYNN PEARSON’s memoir about her marriage to a gay man opened the conversation white thinking by creating short, shareable in Mormondom about LGBT issues in 1986. episodes out of the best content in progressive Others of her works include No More Goodbyes: Mormonism. Circling the Wagons around our Gay Loved Ones, abstract Hundreds of years ago, alchemy was the and the play Facing East. medieval predecessor to chemistry—an almost-scientific determination to transform abstract Drawing on material from her just-released book, The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting that which is common, like lead, into something the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and valuable, like gold. What would Mormonism look Men, Pearson will share stories from the more like if each of us learned to become Mormon than 8,000 respondents to her survey on this alchemists? What if, instead of picking around subject. The picture is one of extraordinary the parts we dislike, or fighting against our pain, showing how the lingering and powerful religious reality, we could transform the most presence of polygamy in our psyches, our common elements of our Mormon experience into something fundamentally valuable?
40 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 30 JULY moderator BROOKE SCOTT 366. TEXT MINING 30+ YEARS OF SUNSTONE TALKS room COLLEGIATE presenters JAKE SPURLOCK is a software engineer on the Wired tech team at Condé Nast, overseeing 364. MISREADING SCRIPTURE: digital publishing, content management, and THE ABRAHAMIC SACRIFICE web performance. RECONSIDERED JAKE FROST is the creator of the Brother Jake web series and a panelist on the Infants on presenter ROBERT A. REES, PhD, is a literary and textual critic who writes on Mormon religion, Thrones podcast. scripture, and culture. He has taught at UCLA, abstract Two Jakes unite in a follow-up to Spurlock’s UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and the Graduate presentation at last year’s symposium (“Data Theological Union. Analysis of 30+ Years of Sunstone Talks”). Applying various text-mining methods to the abstract Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of his son, Isaac, is often seen as the great paradigm for absolute archive of talks Spurlock created, the two will faith and unquestioning obedience. Blind discuss the trends in themes and topics they’ve obedience has become the ultimate obedience— discovered in the data. whether it is women acquiescing to polygamy, moderator HANNAH WHEELWRIGHT blacks accepting priesthood limitations, gays practicing celibacy, and, most recently, LDS room WEST BALLROOM Church members accepting the official account of the Church’s policy change on LGBT parents and their children. This session takes a fresh look at the Abrahamic covenant and argues that 367. MORMONISM AS A it is often misinterpreted and misused, including RELIGIOUS ETHNIE in Mormonism, to the detriment of many. presenter G. CAMPBELL MACNAUGHTON Dip. API, MA, moderator MARISA MCPECK-STRINGHAM MRes, and MSc, worked as director of local and regional government and director of innovation room PANORAMA EAST for CISCO UK and Ireland.
abstract Modernist theories of nationalism include an approach called ethnosymbolism, which 365. “WOMAN OF ANOTHER WORLD, I AM proposes that proto-nations or ‘ethnies’ are WITH YOU”: HEAVENLY MOTHER IN seedbeds for the development of nations. MORMON POETRY While an ethnie may a precursor to a nation, they are not a perfect predictor. To develop presenter TYLER CHADWICK received an MA in English into a nation an ethnie would have to master from National University in San Diego, common economy, develop legal structures, and California, and is a doctoral candidate in English reproduce a mass cultural identity. Mormonism at Idaho State University. demonstrates some of the key theoretical concepts that identify an ethnie: a mythomoteur, abstract The A Mother Here Art and Poetry Contest (2014) aimed to counter Mormonism’s cultural a golden age, a territorial homeland, and a silence about Heavenly Mother, to inspire messianic mission. Mormonism, as a cultural thinking about the Divine Feminine, and to ethnie, will be reviewed with emphasis show that Heavenly Mother is a valued part of on convergence and divergence with the Mormon religious tradition by encouraging ethnosymbolist principles. artistic and literary portrayals of Her. In my moderator WHITNEY MOULTON presentation, I will read and comment on the poems featured in the contest in an attempt to room EAST BALLROOM express the nearness of our Heavenly Mother and to witness Her presence in the cosmos (as coeval with Father) and in the intimate details of our lives. moderator DERRICK CLEMENTS room PARLOR A
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 41 SATURDAY 30 JULY
368. START BY BELIEVING: SANDRA TANNER co-founded the Utah PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT Lighthouse Ministry, a non-profit organization, AND SUPPORTING SURVIVORS as an outreach ministry to the Mormon IN THE MORMON COMMUNITY community. presenters APRIL CARLSON, LCSW, has an MA of GRANT PALMER published the controversial social work degree from the University of book An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins in Southern California. She recently shifted from 2002. investigating and treating child sexual abuse to providing grief and trauma support to cancer THOMAS MCCONKIE is the author of Navigating patients and their families. Mormon Faith Crisis. He serves as faculty at Pacific Integral. KATHRYN JONES uses her background as a secondary survivor of sexual assault to educate GINA COLVIN is a lecturer at the University of the masses about rape culture, myths, and the Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand, and true definition of consent. host of the A Thoughtful Faith podcast.
DONNA KELLY has worked as a prosecutor for abstract Many who have undergone crises of faith have the last twenty-two years, devoting much of her found one of the most devastating by-products is time to working with victims of sex crimes. damage to relationships with family and friends. This panel will explore personal experience DEANN TILTON is a survivor activist and strategies, mistakes, and perspectives in dealing founder of the non-profit organization Talk with these fractures. The emphasis will be upon to a Survivor. DeAnn and other survivors “keeping relationships in good repair.” successfully lobbied to expand the time limits adult survivors of child sexual abuse have to moderator DERRICK CLEMENTS bring a civil case against their abuser. room SALTAIR SARITA VENKATAPATHY is a survivor, advocate, and yoga and wellness business owner who focuses on healing and community 371B. LIVE STREAM OF SESSION 371: in her yoga studios, non-profits, and outreach. REPAIRING AND PRESERVING RELATIONSHIPS DAMAGED abstract Panelists discuss ways communities can work BY FAITH CRISES safely to prevent sexual assault and skillfully to support survivors in healing. room WEST BALLROOM moderator AUBRI PARMENTER room UNION THEATER 372. THE LDS CHURCH’S POLICY CHANGES ON LGBT PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 5:00PM–6:30PM presenters CAROL LYNN PEARSON’s memoir about her 371. REPAIRING AND PRESERVING marriage to a gay man opened the conversation RELATIONSHIPS DAMAGED about LGBT issues in Mormondom in 1986. BY FAITH CRISES Others of her works include No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons around our Gay Loved Ones, presenters STEVE LOWTHER is a fine art photographer, and the play Facing East. retired math and science teacher, software developer, and surgical technician. CAITLIN RYAN is the founder and director of San Francisco State’s nationally acclaimed JOHN DEHLIN has a PhD in clinical and Family Acceptance Project, and is a leading counseling psychology from Utah State expert on the psychology and sociology of gay, University. He is the founder of the Mormon lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth. Stories podcast. MITCH MAYNE is an openly gay, active Latter- NATHAN MCCLUSKEY holds a PhD in political day Saint who served as the executive secretary science. He is a political activist, union organizer, in his local bishopric. Mitch has become a and Mormon lay leader in New Zealand. national voice on Mormon LGBT issues.
42 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 30 JULY
ROBERT A. REES, PhD, is a scholar of abstract This panel will explore why Mormon women of religious and Mormon studies who is involved many different varieties and persuasions value in interfaith work, humanitarian service, and the spiritual gifts, whether they are still believers or peace movement. not, and whether they are still in the LDS Church or not. And we will examine the roots and fruits of abstract This panel will discuss the implications of the these beliefs and practices. LDS Church’s most recent policy regarding LGBT couples and their families. This session is sponsored by the Mormon Women’s Forum. moderator ROBERT A. REES moderator MARGARET TOSCANO room CRIMSON VIEW room PANORAMA EAST
373. HANDSHAKES & DRAWN SWORDS 375. MORMON MAGIC AND THE presenter BILL REEL is the host of the Mormon Discussion RELIGIOUS WORLD VIEW podcast. A former bishop with the LDS Church, he works to help Latter-day Saints work through presenters CHERYL BRUNO is an independent scholar of the difficult issues while maintaining a faithful Mormon history. She is co-author of Method belief in the Restoration. Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration (Kofford Books, forthcoming). abstract Plural marriage was announced as an official doctrine of the LDS church in 1852. Although MICHAEL G. REED is a doctoral student at not canonized as Doctrine & Covenants 132 Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He is the until 1876, it nonetheless became the pivot point author of Banishing the Cross: The Emergence of of 19th century Mormonism until its reluctant a Mormon Taboo (John Whitmer Books, 2012). abandonment near the end of the century. The apologists tell us that all is in order and that ALLEN HANSEN has presented at the Mormon Joseph carried out plural marriage in accordance Scholars in the Humanities conference and is with Section 132 however, many reasonable pursuing a BA in journalism at USU. people read Section 132 and are left bewildered of the disconnect between how Joseph practiced abstract This session will consist of three presentations. plural marriage and the guidelines laid out by God. Could there be another explanation? Allen Hansen: Finding treasure and other wealth (in Jewish tradition) fits the spiritual schema moderator MARY ANN URBAN CLARKE of redemption. By examining folklore, responsa, etc., lessons can be drawn to better understand room COLLEGIATE Mormonism.
Cheryl Bruno: Alchemist were a “necessary 374. CLAIMING OUR GIFTS agent of creative transmutation: a priest in a AND KNOWING THE ROOTS hallowed, ancient priesthood; a son of the Widow; OF OUR MORMON IDENTITIES a knower of creation’s ancient secret; a digger after hidden treasure.” England will be a focus. presenters MARGARET TOSCANO is an associate professor of classics and comparative studies at the Allen Reed: Vicarious work for the dead was University of Utah. She has published extensively extant among German and other Christian on Mormon feminism since 1984. treasure seekers. As the granting of three wishes freed an otherwise trapped genii, LINDA KING NEWELL is the author of four treasure guarding spirits could be freed from books, including Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale their trapped/limbo state. Smith, (co-authored with Valeen Tippetts Avery) and former co-editor of Dialogue: A Journal of moderator MARISA MCPECK-STRINGHAM Mormon Thought. room PARLOR A 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.
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 43 SATURDAY 30 JULY
376. CENTENNIAL PARK: LINGER LONGER, 7:30-9:00 PM A PRIESTHOOD STORY The linger longer requires a separate registration fee of $15, presenters JOSEPH DOCKSTADER is an educator from the either pre-purchased online or on-site, to cover the cost of the plural culture. He has advocated for diversity as meal. This will also cover admission into the session. an active member of the Centennial Park Action Committee since 2011. If you didn’t purchase a linger longer ticket in advance, ask about availability at the Symposium registration desk. LORINE DOCKSTADER was raised in Mormon polygamous culture. She has been an advocate for the plural lifestyle since 2004 as a member of the Centennial Park Action Committee. 381. AN EVENING WITH TYLER GLENN presenter TYLER GLENN is best known as the lead “POLLY” is a member of the Mormon plural singer for Neon Trees and most recently for culture as well as the Centennial Park Action Committee. She is devoted to the the controversial music video for his new solo decriminalization of polygamy. single, “Trash.” abstract Tyler Glenn made waves with the release of STAN SHEPP converted to the mainstream his new solo video, “Trash” which depicted LDS Church in 1989 and studied Mormon fundamentalism extensively before joining the metaphors from his journey through Centennial Park community. Mormonism. Tyler will screen the video. Following the video Tyler will share his thoughts abstract Several members of the Centennial Park Action about what inspired the video and the meaning Committee (CPAC) will discuss their Mormon faith. and symbolism it contains. moderator JENNIFER HUSS BASQUIAT moderator LINDSAY HANSEN PARK special thanks JIM MURPHY room WEST BALLROOM room CENTER BALLROOM
377. ADAM AND EVE: THE SERIES: REPEAT SCREENING OF SESSION 252 BENCHMARK BOOKS presenters DAVEY MORRISON DILLARD is an actor working 3269 S. Main, Ste 250 in film, TV, commercials, and voice over, as well Salt Lake City, UT 84115 as a screenwriter, director, and editor.
BIANCA MORRISON DILLARD is an actor, 801-486-3111 800-486-3112 dramaturge, producer, and director in film and theater. benchmarkbooks.com (our inventory is online) abstract Picking up twenty minutes after they’ve been kicked out of Eden, Adam and Eve follows the [email protected] courtship of the first man and first woman in the world—out on their own for the first time, fending for themselves, figuring things out, and making We have one of the largest inventories of new, their first fumbling forays into romance. They’ve used, and out-of-print LDS books anywhere been tasked with populating the earth—but he’s more enthusiastic about the idea than she is. It’s and an extensive book search for hard-to-find a typical coming-of-age story. Only this time the titles. We want to buy or trade for your used future of the human race is at stake. books. Contact us for a copy of our “want list” (books we want to buy). moderator STEPHEN CARTER room UNION THEATER Like us on Facebook or join our blog at benchmarkbooks.com and receive 10% off one purchase.
44 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM SUNDAY 31 JULY
SUNDAY 31 JULY
The Community of Christ will hold a post-Symposium Sunday service on Sunday 31 July at its Salt Lake City chapel.
10:00 am: Sunday School taught by apostle and historian Lach- lan Mackay and sermon given by John Hamer
11:00 am: Sacrament service
12:00 pm: Community lunch. All are welcome.
The Salt Lake City Community of Christ chapel is located at 2747 Craig Drive (2747 East 3640 South) Salt Lake City, UT, 84109.
Directions from the U of U Campus: Take Foothill BLVD to I-215 South Take Exit #4, 3900 South MAP TO COMMUNITY OF CHRIST CHAPEL Turn Right at 2700 East Turn Right onto Craig Drive The church is on the left.
GLOSSOLALIA POEMS BY MARITA DACHSEL
Glossolalia is an unflinching exploration of sisterhood, motherhood, and sexuality as told in a series of poetic monologues spoken by the thirty-four polygamous wives of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
praise for glossolalia: “Glossolalia is simply riveting, it is hauntingly “Avoiding sentimentality Dachsel gives us a sad, it is a clear and articulate indictment of haunting collection that illuminates lives that patriarchy and religion. … If I had a rating were behind-the-scenes until now.” system this book would get all my stars.” – Canadian Poetries – Michael Dennis’ Poetry Blog “The complex questions of what it means to be “The wives each emerge as distinct, aware, a wife, how it is possible for men and women embodied, and it is the smallness and closeness to relate, and how dynamics of power of poetry (as well as their poet’s talent) affect and alter love and sex, are presented that brings them so to life.” without clear answers.” – Pickle Me This – rob mclennan’s Poetry Blog isbn: 978-1-927380-40-6 • $18 • 94 pp.
Conference attendees, copies of Glossolalia are available from conference bookseller, Benchmark Books repped by publishers group canada distributed in canada by raincoast • in the u.s. by small press distribution, berkeley www.anvilpress.com • e: [email protected]
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 45 ISLAND ADVENTURES
The Hawaiian Mission of Francis A. Hammond, 1851-1865 John J. Hammond
signaturebooks.com
46 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM ISLAND ADVENTURES
The Hawaiian Mission of Francis A. Hammond, 1851-1865 John J. Hammond
signaturebooks.com
SUBSCRIBE AT SUNSTONE.ORG | 47 Olpin Student 48 | SUNSTONE 2016 | SALT LAKE SYMPOSIUM Union Map