Mormon Stories - LDS (Unofficial - MormonThink.com)

In this seminar, I discuss techniques for staying in the LDS church after a major trial of faith.

In early 1994 the distinguished career of Richard D. Poll, historian, professor, writer, husband and friend, came full circle. His Liahona/Iron-rod dichotomy, borrowed from the Book of Mormon, had entered the lexicon of Mormon thought almost 30 years earlier in his landmark essay"What the Church Means to People Like Me" (Dialogue 2:4, Winter 1967). His"Pillars of My Faith" sermon in Sunstone called for committed LDS worshipers and writers to join a mighty Christian chorus"in which almost all the singers hear the dissonant sounds of the alternate voices as polyphonic enrichment of the message of the gospel music." For people like him,"neither dogmatic fundamentalism nor dogmatic humanism provides convincing answers to life's most basic questions." He defined history as"human strivings to discover divine realities." Like Paul, Richard Poll lived his life as part of the leaven that"leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9), offering his Liahona questioning in the spirit of"charity, humility, persistence." In a time when men and women are being called sinners for a word (or many words); when the terms"alternate" and"dissident" are being redefined as sinister; when some seek apostasy, while others have apostasy thrust upon them, Richard Poll's calm, reasoned, compassionate voice rings with a clarity that will live on in our hearts and minds.

For over 40 years, William D. Russell has been a progressive voice among the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (now the Community of Christ). This is his story -- from a 1993 Sunstone Symposium presentation called,"Pillars of my faith". William D. Russell is a professor of American History and Government, Graceland College. He is a past president of the Mormon History Association; former assistant editor of the Saints Herald; author of Treasure in Earthly Vessels: An Introduction to the New Testament; a founder of the Independence, Missouri, chapter of the Congress on Racial Equality; and former chair of the Decatur County Democratic Party. He has competed in the Boston and Los Angeles marathons and twenty-four others.

Love him, hate him, or indifferent -- D. Michael Quinn will go down as one of the most important Mormons of the 20th century. This is his story, in his own words.

The Decade of the Sixties: The Early Struggles in the RLDS Shift from Sect to Denomination: This is a discussion of how, during the 1960s the RLDS Church made very decisive steps toward shedding its sectarian past. It began the decade clearly rooted in the sectarian world view. But by the end of the decade, many of the church's leaders and a reasonable number of its members had adopted liberal views, down-playing traditional unique Latter Day Saint doctrines. Today, the RLDS Church (or Community of Christ) has but a fraction of the membership it once enjoyed. What lessons can the LDS Church learn from the Community of Christ. What did they do right, and wrong?

This presentation discusses why people leave the LDS Church, and what we can do to help. It was recorded in 2006.

In the 1995 Salt Lake Sunstone symposium, Elbert Peck spoke in the annual"Pillars of my faith" presentation about the"Remnants of his faith." This presentation represents (to me) the closest thing I've ever found to expressing how I now feel about my Mormon faith. I hope some of you will find value in it as well.

In part 4 of this 4 part series, Elbert Eugene Peck (editor of Sunstone Magazine from 1986 to 2001) discusses the September Six excommunications, the decline of Sunstone, and his thoughts on Sunstone's future.

In part 3 of this 4 part series, Elbert Eugene Peck (editor of Sunstone Magazine from 1986 to 2001) discusses the events leading up to the September Six excommunications of 1993, including the"Alternative Voices" and warnings against Symposia statements by LDS leaders.

In part 2 of this 4 part series, Elbert Peck (Editor of Sunstone Magazine from 1986 to 2001) discusses many of the central people of Sunstone, including Leonard Arrington, Bonner Ritchie, Eugene England, Lavina Fielding Anderson, Ed Kimball, Orson Scott Card, Peggy Fletcher Stack, Scott Kinney, and many others.

Elbert Eugene Peck was editor of Sunstone Magazine from 1986 to 2001. In part 1 of a 4 part interview, Elbert discusses his early years as a member of the LDS church in Washington D.C., his mission, his time at BYU with the Seventh East Press, and the events leading to him taking over Sunstone Magazine.

BYU Professor Dr. Ted Lyon has served as an LDS (Mormon) mission president in Chile. He has also served as the president of the Chile Missionary Training Center. He is currently serving as Temple President in the Santiago Chile LDS Temple. In this interveiw, Dr. Lyon answers questions about the previous 2 episodes ,and concludes with his testimony of the LDS Church.

BYU Professor Dr. Ted Lyon has served as an LDS (Mormon) mission president in Chile. He has also served as the president of the Chile Missionary Training Center. He is currently serving as Temple President in the Santiago Chile LDS Temple. In this interveiw, Dr. Lyon discusses some of the painful lessons learned from LDS missionary work in Latin America in the 20th century. He also discusses his views on reconciling thought with faith.

Dr. Ted Lyon has served as a BYU Professor, Mission President, MTC President, and is currently serving as temple president in Chile. His is both a believing Mormon, and an intellectual. In part 1 of this 3 part series, he discusses changes in the LDS church during his lifetime.

Breathe Life into Your Life Story is an essential read for anyone who aspires to write a life story—but not just any story, one your family and others will actually WANT to read. Written for both novices and experienced writers, this book presents techniques used by novelists to immerse readers in their fictional world—techniques like “showing” rather than just"telling”; creating interesting, believable characters and settings; writing at the gut level; alternating scene and narrative; beginning with a bang; generating tension, and more.

In this episode we discuss Joseph Smith's major legal battles during the Nauvoo period. Morris Thurston is a Harvard-trained lawyer, and one of the legal editors for the Joseph Smith Papers project.

In this episode we discuss Joseph Smith's major legal battles during the Nauvoo period. Morris Thurston is a Harvard-trained lawyer, and one of the legal editors for the Joseph Smith Papers project.

In this episode we discuss the Joseph Smith Papers project, sponsored by both the LDS Church and Larry H. Miller. Morris Thurston is a Harvard-trained lawyer, and one of the legal editors for the project.

In October 2007 a new LDS-themed periodical was launched entitled"The Mormon Worker." This publication is dedicated to promoting social justice within Mormonism. In this two-part series, we interview William VanWagenen, one of the founders of the Mormon Worker. William VanWagenen is not your typical Mormon. Not only has he studied at the Harvard Divinity School, but he is also an LDS peace activist, who was recently kidnapped in Iraq while on a peacekeeping mission. In this intervew, William discusses his views on poverty, war, socialism and justice within the Mormon framework.

In October 2007 a new LDS-themed periodical was launched entitled"The Mormon Worker." This publication is dedicated to promoting social justice within Mormonism. In this two-part series, we interview William VanWagenen, one of the founders of the Mormon Worker. William VanWagenen is not your typical Mormon. Not only has he studied at the Harvard Divinity School, but he is also an LDS peace activist, who was recently kidnapped in Iraq while on a peacekeeping mission. In this intervew, William discusses his views on poverty, war, socialism and justice within the Mormon framework.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

Levi Peterson is one of the most important LDS authors of the 20th century. His book entitled"The Backslider" is perhaps the most important piece of Mormon fiction ever written. This is his story.

A new pamphlet about homosexuality appeared on the church’s website in late July, 2007. The pamphlet is entitled God Loveth His Children, and, among other things, says that the Church does not know what causes same-sex attractions but does not believe sexual abuse and sexual experimentation in childhood are responsible. It declares that same-sex attractions are not considered sinful but affirms that acting on those attractions is incompatible with God’s plan for families in the afterlife. It urges same-sex attracted LDS members to remain active in the church and asks other members to treat them with love and respect. This panel will discuss this new pamphlet and welcomes a wide-ranging and frank discussion of this important topic.

A new pamphlet about homosexuality appeared on the church’s website in late July, 2007. The pamphlet is entitled God Loveth His Children, and, among other things, says that the Church does not know what causes same-sex attractions but does not believe sexual abuse and sexual experimentation in childhood are responsible. It declares that same-sex attractions are not considered sinful but affirms that acting on those attractions is incompatible with God’s plan for families in the afterlife. It urges same-sex attracted LDS members to remain active in the church and asks other members to treat them with love and respect. This panel will discuss this new pamphlet and welcomes a wide-ranging and frank discussion of this important topic.

A new pamphlet about homosexuality appeared on the church’s website in late July, 2007. The pamphlet is entitled God Loveth His Children, and, among other things, says that the Church does not know what causes same-sex attractions but does not believe sexual abuse and sexual experimentation in childhood are responsible. It declares that same-sex attractions are not considered sinful but affirms that acting on those attractions is incompatible with God’s plan for families in the afterlife. It urges same-sex attracted LDS members to remain active in the church and asks other members to treat them with love and respect. This panel will discuss this new pamphlet and welcomes a wide-ranging and frank discussion of this important topic.

In cooperation with Mormon Stories and Sunstone, I am proud to announce that Ashley Sanders has decided to launch her own, new podcast -- patterned (at least in part) after the NPR program"This American Life." The podcast is entitled"Project Deseret", and is dedicated to building a socially, politically, and economically just community.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In September of 1993, 6 Mormon"intellectuals" were disciplined by the LDS church: 5 of them excommunicated, and 1 of them dis-fellowshipped. Perhaps the most strident and controversial of the 6 was Paul Toscano. This is his story.

In part 6 of our series on spirituality and the rising LDS generation, we interview BYU student Kimball Sanders. In this interview Kimball discusses many aspects of his faith, including his experiences at BYU, and his struggles with church culture. He also emphasizes the importance of love, forgiveness and grace within Mormonism.

In part 8 of our series on spirituality and the rising LDS generation, we interview University of Utah student Ann Whittaker. In this interview Ann discusses many aspects of her faith, including her exploration of church history and feminism issues within Mormonism.

In part 7 of our series on spirituality and the rising LDS generation, we interview University of Utah student Caleb Proulx. In this interview Caleb discusses many aspects of his faith, including his struggles as an anti-war activist within Mormonism.

In part 5 of our series we interview BYU student David Lassetter. David was raised in a home very well-versed in Mormon Studies (Dialogue and Sunstones abounding), and seems to have benefited tremendously therefrom. In this interview, David discusses some of his views on the atonement, evolution, church doctrine, and membership awareness of history and doctrine.

In part 4 of our series we interview BYU Philosophy Professor Dr. Chris Foster. Dr. Foster was raised a"devout atheist" and then later converted to Mormonism. In this interview, he discusses his conversion to the church, along with his views on faith, religion, the church, teaching at BYU, and the importance of honesty and openness in all our religious endeavors.

Inside the Mind of an Anti-Mormon

In part three of our series on the Spirituality of the Rising LDS Generation, we interview Loyd Ericson -- UVSC student of philosophy. In this interview Loyd discusses his estrangement from, and eventual reconciliation w/ the LDS church. He also discusses his views on the LDS church’s approach to public relations and war.

In part 1 of a 3-part series, we interview Dan Wotherspoon (Editor of Sunstone Magazine) and Tom Kimball (head of sales and marketing for Signature Books), as they discuss James Fowler's work entitled, "Stages of faith." In episode 1, Dan Wotherspoon outlines the basics of Fowler's "Stages of Faith."

In part 2 of this 3-part series, Tom Kimball, with the help of Dan Wotherspoon, takes us through Fowler's "Stages of Faith" from an LDS perspective.

In part 3 of a 3-part series, Tom Kimball and Dan Wotherspoon tell us a bit about their journeys into stage 4 of Fowler's "Stages of Faith" as Mormons, and describe their respective experiences of attempting to baptize (Tom) and ordain (Dan) their sons while in stage 4.

Recently, Brigham Young University invited Darius Gray--one of the founders of the LDS Genesis Group, and a black Mormon for over 30 years--to make a presentation entitled, "Blacks and the LDS Priesthood." In this interview, Darius re-delivers this presentation, along with Margaret Young. Darius and Margaret are co-authors of a trilogy dealing with black Mormon history entitled: Standing on the Promises.

In episode 3 of a 3 part series, Jim Parkinson tells us the story of how he and his colleagues initiated a law suit on behalf of the Bataan Death March survivors, and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and then to the U.S. Congress.