The Smith-Pettit lecture is free and open to the public, thanks to a generous grant from the Smith-Pettit foundation. To get a ticket, you just need to arrive early to get a seat. We are only seating for 300. There will be overflow seating available where the presentation can be viewed via live stream. Doors …
Event: Salt Lake Symposium 2017
Contemplations on a Mormon Intrafaith Marriage
In this session, Nathan McCluskey and Gina Colvin will reflect on 24 years of their Mormon marriage where some of their most persistent conflicts have been over levels of religious observance. Without any guarantees or assurances, they will discuss their past and current conflicts, negotiations, and resolutions as they decide how to manage their intrafaith …
Helping the FLDS in Crisis: What One Outsider Never Expected to Find Behind the FLDS Walls
Unlike traditional psychology, positive psychology is the study of mental wellness – what people do right, how to increase happiness, what helps communities flourish. This presenter moved to Hildale, Utah, expecting to find the sad and dangerous culture represented in the media. Instead she found mothers and children playing in the parks while in desperate …
Atonement Talk in Mormonism
Since there isn’t an official LDS consensus on how the Atonement works, various ideas emphasizing substitution or satisfaction theories are bandied about in Sunday lessons as well as theories of how one might “qualify” for the Atonement. But can we transcend this type of discussion to speak of it in deeper, more empowering ways? Can …
Typical Sexual Shame Residue from Religious Upbringings
Although Mormonism has quite a bit of sexual positivity in its doctrine, the cultural processes in wards, stakes and family systems teach mostly fear, shame and the “thou shalt nots.” This leaves many members of our church with problems like unrealistic expectations, inadequate education, unnecessary self or partner shaming, rigid belief systems, and underdeveloped processes …
Mormon Identity in Crisis: Embracing the Least of These
Our Mormon Identity is often conferred upon us by parents and a high-demand religious culture, leaving little room for exploration and mature identity development. As a result, the Mormon identity is often child-like in its magical worldview, and vulnerable to delayed identity crises in adulthood when challenges to beliefs arise. Additionally, Mormon institutions often foster …
Awash in a Sea of Faith: Is Mormon Political History Repeating Itself?
As an homage to “Awash in a Sea of Faith: Christianizing the American People,” by Jon Butler, this session explores how Mormons managed to overwhelmingly vote for a candidate that is decidedly against all their sensibilities and values. It will also explore why a minority of Mormons conscientiously didn’t, drawing parallels to Mormon political history. …
Transitions: What I Learned
This session will focus on the personal experiences of people who have transitioned out of the LDS Church, focusing on lessons learned in the process and aftermath of transition. Alex Pedersen Nicholas R. Stewart Samuel Yamamoto
Perspectives of Mormon Women (Re)Entering the Workforce
The narrative of LDS women forgoing educational and professional pursuits to marry and rear children is well told, but what of the stories of LDS women who want to (re)enter the workforce or complete degrees? This panel conversation will focus on women’s paths of persistence in (re)entering the workforce, highlighting the pressures, expectations, obstacles and …
Sunstone Art Show
Brigham’s 56 Wives: An Art Experience Leslie O. Peterson, Amy Rich