Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snicker Doodles, and the Current State of Dating at BYU
It’s the beginning of a new semester at BYU. This means that it is, once again, time for “the talk.” While we were given a couple of weeks to sow some wild oats (and by this I mean stay out of our apartments a little past midnight), the devotional this week was...
Gospel Truth in Les Miserables, Pt.I-Fantine
This is part I of a II part series. Part II will publish on 9/25/2013, and will focus on the life of Jean. Today, I am concerned with the life of Fantine though. For those who have not seen Les Miserables (either the musical or the movie) I will offer very little back...
U2 and Mormonism
I have always loved U2. I think pretty much everyone has a favorite U2 song. Even though the song "With or Without You" was played at every tri-stake dance when I was a teenager, I didn't have a real connection with U2 until I began studying about Latin America in...
Knowable vs. Unknowable God
By Liz Oppelt As a Mormon, I was always taught that the concept of the Trinity was an apostate concept, and that we had greater knowledge because we knew that the Godhead were three separate individuals. In doing some research, I’ve found that this has been taught...
This moment. Right now.
As many already know, Barb and Steve Young were the keynote speakers at the Affirmation conference. Affirmation is a group comprised of “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals from every background and situation, united in the shared experience of a...
Family Home Evening on the Civil Rights Movement and its Ongoing Struggle
2 Nephi 26:33 “For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children on men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he...
Barb and Steve Young speak to LGBT Mormons
Even before he opened his mouth Steve Young spoke volumes with his very presence (and his speech was fine and entertaining). However, Barb brought down the house. She was effusive. She was both well-prepared and spontaneous. She has projected herself into the upper...
Turning The Tables: A Mile In Their Shoes
By Scott H. Note: This essay originally appeared on the blog, No More Strangers. Click here to read Scott's original post. “Mom! Hey it’s Steve, how are you?” “Steve! I’m doing well son, how are you? How is college? “Pretty good, pretty good. How is work? How is...
Tattling in Zion: Shall we Mend or Shall We Falter?
A few months back, a faithful friend had someone in her ward report her to the bishop for swearing on Facebook. It started to pick up around Wear Pants to Church Day; possibly because the event gave many Mormons a reason to start sharing their more unorthodox opinions...
For our daughter.
I have identified as a feminist since roughly my junior year of high school, but, for a long time (probably longer than I’d like to believe), I had an emotionally-based reaction to the concept of women’s ordination. While I can honestly say I’ve never been intimidated...
Of Pain And The Journey
I am not an expert on pain. I am not even sure I have a very high tolerance for pain. My experience has largely been within the protective circle of a loving family and the doctrines of the Mormon Church. I have never drunk alcohol. I have never had coffee but I...
Thoroughly Modern Book of Mormon
Thoroughly Modern Book of Mormon Having recently written a two-part article on the seemingly undeniable connections between the Book of Mormon and the ancient world, I thought it only fair to examine the flip side of the coin, and set forth evidence that the Book of...
Art, Nudity, and Modesty
One of my former wards met in an old prayer house in downtown Provo - it was incredibly unique. I have very fond memories of both the building and the people. The foyer was located in the center of the building and the hallways shot out from it. In that small foyer in...
Dear Mother, I Am Here
“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” ~ Joseph Smith, Jr. I’ve always maintained that I am no scholar. When I compose a blog post for Rational Faiths my contributions are primarily a product of fifty-plus years of living...
Testimony
Testimony by Peter van der Walt I was raised Calvinist in a middle-class family in South Africa during Apartheid. At a young age, I rejected the teachings of my church and lost faith in the deity it represented. I spent my youth exposing myself to a variety of...
The Problem with the Layman Confessor
(This post was co-authored by my husband, William John Silverman, Jr. This is something he and I have discussed together at great length, and the words here are a joint effort. You can check out William’s bio on our guest blogger page.) Let’s talk vulnerability. ...
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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