A Modern Nativity
Today is the tenth day of Christmas(1) Most of the West is familiar with the story of Jesus of Nazareth's birth narrative (the Nativity) which is a mixture of the Gospels of Luke and Mathew. This narrative follows Joseph and the very pregnant Mary as they travel from...
Mormon Identity Boundaries, Cultural Markers, and Parental Disappointment
All human communities have behavioral or attitudinal norms that serve to establish social boundaries between those in the “in-group” and those in the “out-group.” One way to analyze these “cultural markers” is to ask members of the group how they would react if a...
And God Said Let There Be
And God said let there be… Let it all be And so God let it go Let it live Let it alone Let it move on Let it take its place Let it find itself God gave it up Gave it over Gave it space Gave it to itself Though God stayed rooted to the spot Planted in the desert and...
Face to Face with a Lying Disgrace
As has already been pointed out by several people in different forums (I recommend Radio Free Mormon's "Elder Ballard Blows Up The Church" if you prefer to listen rather than read), parts of the 19 November 2017 ‘Face to Face’ event for Young Single Adults with...
More Mariology from Michelle Mormon
On a Personal Note: I am currently taking a fascinating course in Mariology through my PhD studies. This was a recent paper I wrote that you may find to be of interest. I hope you find this helpful in your own search for Heavenly Mother. - Sincerely, Michelle Mormon...
The CES Podcast: Hebrews 1-4:16 (episode 52; 196)
How can angels help you with your homework? Five things that go on in the Holy of Holies (Number three will shock you!). What is a Hellenistic Jew? All these questions and more are answered on this podcast episode which Hebrews, chapters 1-4:16 If you would like to...
The Mormon Enthusiast
(Artist: Zachary Staines) Something funny happened. Someone mistook me for a Mormon apologist, so I thought I’d clarify myself here. I’m not a Mormon apologist. I’m a Mormon enthusiast. A Mormon enthusiast is one who is highly interested in, motivated by, and invested...
Suffering and Lamentation
Hawkeye: War isn't Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse. Father Mulcahy: How do you figure, Hawkeye? Hawkeye: Easy, Father. Tell me, who goes to Hell? Father Mulcahy: Sinners, I believe. Hawkeye: Exactly. There are no innocent...
Coco: A Movie Review; Racism 101 (episode 23; 195)
"I didn't feel myself represented in the movie." Two Latinas, Rebekah and Azul, and one Latino, Miguel, offer a critical movie review of Disney and Pixar's, Coco. And guess what? All three have different opinions about the movie. To read Azul Uribe's blog-review of...
Passing Out Towels
(Artist: David Cohen) Yesterday, the LDS Church announced the following changes concerning youth involvement in temple rituals: “Young women (ages 12-18) with a limited-use temple recommend may assist with baptistry assignments currently performed by sister...
The CES Podcast: An Introduction to Paul’s Letter to the Hebrew (episode 51; 194)
Was Paul's Letter to the Hebrews actually written by a woman? Does Paul's Letter to the Hebrews have the Hebrew literary form known as Chiasmus? Or does Paul's letter to the Hebrews follow more closely the literary style of Greek? All these questions and more are...
My Faith Crisis: What was Helpful? What was Hurtful?
The following is adapted from a talk prepared for a Stake Conference meeting two years ago in the United States. It was delivered by one of my good friends who was generous to share her experience (names and other personal information have been changed). While my...
Sexual Harassment vs. The LDS Church
On Friday, December 1st, we learned that John Hokenberry, host of the award wining NPR program, The Takeaway , had been accused by several women of sexual harassment and bullying women, especially Women of Color. He was so effective in his bullying that The...
Book Review: “The Christ Who Heals” by Terryl and Fiona Givens
At a recent Sacrament Meeting I heard the following message: “The world tells women to be independent, confident, and educated, but we know women are instead supposed to be chaste, virtuous, and modest.” Sunday School then featured these highlights: “We are constantly...
The CES Podcast: Paul’s 2nd Epistle to Timothy and Paul’s Epistle to Titus (episode 50; 193)
What do Star Wars and Star Trek have to do with Paul's 2nd Epistle to Timothy? Why are the old men being told to behave? All these questions and more are answered on this podcast episode which covers Paul's 2nd Epistle to Timothy and Titus. If you would like to email...
The RACISM 101 podcast: Is Negro a Made-up Word? (episode 22; 192)
Can racism kill without guns and knives? Is negro a made-up word? Please leave an email question for Dr. Darron Smith to answer on the podcast by filling out the form below. We encourage our listeners to email us a voice-mail question so we can play it on the podcast....
LGBTQ Mormon Crisis
Two Printable handout for bishops and stake presidents that talks empirically about LGBTQ suicides:
The LGBTQ Mormon Crisis: Responding to the Empirical Research on Suicide
Youth Suicide Rates and Mormon Religious Context: An Additional Empirical Analysis
The Barker Brothers’ Projects
These videos were created for Latter-day Saint parents and allies to voice their love for their LGBT brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. They want to give a message of comfort and support to other parents who are navigating the difficult conflicts that can arise in families around this issue.
“Cogito!” (“I think!”) follows the intellectual adventures of a recovering academic outside the walls of academia.
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