In parts 2 and 3 of this 3-part series: Part 2: Tom Kimball (with support from Dan Wotherspoon) takes us through the “Stages of Faith” from an LDS perspective, and Part 3: Tom and Dan both share with us a bit about their journeys into stage 4, including their attempts to work with their respective bishops to baptize (Tom) and ordain (Dan) their sons while in stage 4. To listen directly to episode 2, click here. To listen directly to episode 3, click here.
Mormon Stories Book Club
015: Mormon Stages of Faith Pt. 1–An Introduction to Fowler’s “Stages of Faith”
January 21, 2006
By John DehlinIn 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: The psychology of human development.” In episode 1, Dan Wotherspoon outlines the basics of Fowler’s “Stages of Faith.” To listen directly to this episode, click here. To comment on this episode, please click here.
God’s Army II – States of Grace has been re-released in Salt Lake City!!!!! One week only. Also to be released in Las Vegas & Phoenix/Mesa, AZ.
January 19, 2006
By John DehlinDear Friends, For the large number of you that contacted us after missing STATES OF GRACE due to the incredibly busy holiday season – IT’S BACK FOR ONE WEEK ONLY! PLEASE FORWARD THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. OPENS FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 at: THE GATEWAY IN DOWNTOWN SLC JORDAN COMMONS IN SANDY CINEMARK 24 IN WEST JORDAN THE MEGAPLEX AT THANKSGIVING POINT CARMIKE WYNNSONG IN PROVO It also opens: FEBRUARY 3 IN LAS VEGAS, and FEBRUARY 10 IN MESA & PHOENIX, ARIZONA We will be taking this film to theaters across the country, therefore the DVD is not even scheduled…
013-014: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Parts 2 & 3
January 19, 2006
By John DehlinParts 2 and 3 of my interview with Todd Compton entitled “An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy” have now been posted to the Mormon Stories podcast. To comment on this podcast, please proceed to the LDS Liberation Front post for this podcast. To launch the podcasts directly from this blog: Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 3 We hope you enjoy, and look forward to your thoughts and feedback!!! John Dehlin
012: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Part 1
January 17, 2006
By John DehlinIn part 1 of a 3 part series, we interview Todd Compton about the basics of polygamy in the Mormon church. Todd Compton is the author of the book In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith. To launch the podcast directly from the blog, please click here. To comment on this podcast, please post comments directly to the corresponding post at the Latter-day Saint Liberation Front.
Stepping away for a bit….feel free to submit your story in text or audio form
December 25, 2005
By John DehlinFor a gaggle of personal reasons, I need to step away from the blog for a bit…..and I will miss all of you while I’m away (yes….all of you). To all my readers/listeners–you are dear, dear people. I hope to keep in touch (I’m NOT taking a sabbatical from email). LDSBlogs.org…..feel free to de-list me. I won’t be hurt by it (since I got to initiate it). You guys have been really cool/supportive, and I am very grateful for all of your kindness and sincerity. And please know that this has nothing whatever to do with our recent exchanges. I…
My Challenges to the Bloggernacle for 2006
December 22, 2005
By John DehlinIt’s been 5 months or so since I entered the bloggernacle with a huge thud. Since then, I’ve tried to be a bit more focused, and constructive in my comments and contributions to the Bloggernacle, but I know I still have a long way to go. Bet even though I’m a bit more experienced and realistic than I was 5 months ago, I still have grander aspirations for the Bloggernacle than what it seems to be offering today–and so I want to humbly issue a few friendly challenges to the Bloggernacle in 2006. Here goes:
The Best of Lowell Bennion Quote #001
December 21, 2005
By John DehlinI am a big, big fan of Lowell Bennion, even though he was a bit before my time. I’ve decided to post a quote from Brother B. now and again–to help express not only his, but my views on the gospel. I hope you enjoy. From “The Best of Lowell L. Bennion: Selected Writings 1928-1988″, Edited by Eugene England, p. xxiii “Learn to like what doesn’t cost too much. Learn to like reading, conversation, music. Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking. Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills. Learn to like people, even though…
Preparing for the “Polygamy Podcast”
December 16, 2005
By John DehlinOK…I’m ready to do the “Polygamy Podcast.” My plan is the following: I’d like to use as a framework for the podcast this collection of facts I’ve assembled–all drawing from Church or primary sources. The purpose of the podcast will be to lay out these basic facts–in other words, “Mormon Polygamy Facts That Cause LDS Folk to Struggle” I’ve sent the link to FAIR, and have asked them (for a 2nd time) to provide any and all additions/corrections that they feel are relevant. I have sent out an invitation to FAIR for their top polygamy expert to come on the…
The Bloggernacle Needs More Podcasts
December 16, 2005
By John DehlinOK….I’m just gonna say it. THE BLOGGERNACLE NEEDS MORE PODCASTS. I have created training on the basics of creating a podcast called Podcasting 101. You can access it here. I’m willing to help anyone interested get started. I have described my technical setup here. WE NEED MORE VOICES!!!! Please join in the audio conversation….and vodcasts are soon to come!!!!
Mormon Stories — Catching Some Heat
December 9, 2005
By John DehlinWe’re catching some serious heat over at Latter-day Saint Liberation Front. I must say it’s strange and saddening to be reviled by folks on both sides of the aisle. I guess what keeps me going is a few friends/supporters on both sides as well. One thing’s for certain–these are the times when you find out who your friends truly are. John
The Polygamy Thing
December 7, 2005
By John DehlinOK…..my polygamy article is now ready as well. You can acccess it here. Please read what I’m trying to do here before you comment.
Joseph Smith, Peep Stones, and Treasure Digging
December 7, 2005
By John DehlinI am working to create a list of the “Top 10 Toughest Issues in Mormon History“. My first document on “Joseph Smith, Peep Stones, and Treasure Digging” can be found here. My goals in this project are very simple:
Protestor/Disturbance During Tonight’s LDS Christmas Devotional
December 4, 2005
By John DehlinTonight, right at the beginning of President Hinckley’s welcome for the 2005 LDS Christmas Devotional, a woman came out of the audience and started to shout something at President Hinckley. The security guards quickly subdued her, and led her away. You can actually view the disturbance here: http://www.byu.tv/ on December 4th at the 5:59pm time code (Internet Explorer required for this viewer). You’ll see her come out at the bottom left corner of the window right before President Hinkley begins his welcome, and you’ll see the security guards swarm her, and subdue her. Scary/sad. John
A Primary Source for Joseph Smith’s 1831 Plural Marriage Revelation?
December 2, 2005
By John DehlinI’m looking for hard evidence of Joseph Smith’s 1831 plural marriage revelation. There are lots of anti-Mormon sites that mention it, but I’m looking for non-anti-Mormon primary sources. Some leads might be: Can anyone confirm this quote from Widstoe’s book? “The evidence seems clear that the revelation on plural marriage was received by the Prophet as early as 1831″ (John A. Widstoe, Joseph Smith-Seeker After Truth, p.236). Can someone confirm this from a primary source? Joseph F. Smith, the sixth president of the church, once stated: “The great and glorious principle of plural marriage was first revealed to Joseph Smith…
Podcasting 101 — Please help!!!
November 27, 2005
By John DehlinFor a graduate class I’m taking, I had to create some training, so my colleague and I created training on “Podcasting 101“, or how to listen to, and create a podcast. I would love it if some of you could go through the training (should take less than an hour) and provide me with feedback. Once you are done, you should know how to both listen to, and create, a podcast of your own!!! The main page has a list of requirements, but at a minimum, you must have some type of Internet web site where you can FTP files…
Why people leave the LDS Church, and what we can do about it
November 24, 2005
By John DehlinRecently a stake high councilman came to me very concerned about a family that had just decided to leave the church, and have their names removed from the records. He and his wife were desperate to know how to counsel this family–one of the best and brightest in their stake. To help, I came up with this screencast (for Internet Explorer users) and this one for everyone else. The basic premises are–1) you can’t help them if you don’t know what they’re going through, and 2) you can’t help them by making them a “project”. For those of you with loved…
011: Finding our Way Back Home Pt. 2
November 24, 2005
By John DehlinIn part 2 of this interview, we continue our conversation with “Serenity Valley” and “Roasted Tomatoes”–a young LDS couple living in the San Francisco Bay area, and creators of the LDS Blog “Latter-Day Saint Liberation Front“. In this episode, Serenity and RT discuss her ultimate return to Mormonism, the impact it has had on their marriage and family, and conclude with a very candid and somewhat courageous discussion of their testimonies–some of which can safely be considered “non-mainstream” or alternative within the LDS paradigm. Click here to listen.
Feedback from Our Listeners
November 18, 2005
By John DehlinA recent post in the Bloggernacle inspired me to put up a page of comments from my listeners. I definitely feel like a novice in the radio/interview arena…and it pains me to hear my own voice….so I totally understand the comments (though I do wish they would send me feedback on how to improve). All that said, I do feel like we need:
010: Finding our Way Back Home Pt. 1
November 17, 2005
By John DehlinOver the past few months, I’ve developed a friendship with several members of the LDS “Bloggernacle”–including a young couple known as “Serenity Valley” and “Roasted Tomatoes”. This wife/husband pair live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and run a blog called, “Latter-Day Saint Liberation Front“.
False Dichotomies: The worst our church has to offer?
November 16, 2005
By John DehlinMy sister just pointed me to this article by Joseph Fielding McConkie entitled: “Two Churches Only”. While I can’t argue technically or doctrinally with anything Bro. McConkie writes, I have always felt that this type of “false dichotomy” represents the worst thinking and teaching our church has to offer.
Multimedia Representation of LDS Stake Growth
November 16, 2005
By John DehlinFrom Guy’s Blog, there is a really interesting multimedia representation of LDS Stake growth from 1830 to 2004. This is the type of stuff I’d love to help organize in the bloggernacle, to enhance today’s conversation and cummunity with additional content to inform and inspire the masses.
Self-Hosted Blog Software Smackdown: The Big 3 Reviewed
November 14, 2005
By John DehlinI thought my homies in the bloggernacle would appreciate this article. It basically reviews the 3 top options for self-hosted blog software. I hope you enjoy!
Mormon Stories Frapr Map
November 13, 2005
By John DehlinOK…I’m jumping on the Frapr bandwagon. Any of you Mormon Studies listeners/bloggers out there who are interested, please feel free to annotate yourselves geographically on our new Frapr map. It would be fun to know who some of our listeners are. After all….”It the community, stupid!!!”
Mormon Studies Wiki Makes Progress, Undergoes Restructuring
November 11, 2005
By John DehlinHey! An update on the Mormon Studies Wiki. We’ve made some good progress as of late, including… We now have 12 registered contributors! Wooo hoo!!!! Cleaned up the home page, including a navigation menu, and a logo!! The Table of Contents is looking good, and pages for most of the topics have been created and are ready for content. The race page is really starting to be fleshed out!!! One member has started both a timeline page, and a “who’s who” page. If you are interested in participating, just create an account, log in, go to the table of contents,…
Please help us promote God’s Army 2 (al la Blair Witch Project)–A historical bloggernacle opportunity
November 9, 2005
By John DehlinAs some of you may have gathered, I feel like ‘God’s Army 2 – States of Grace‘ is a critical movie for the Mormon culture/community. It explores race, forgiveness, redemption, religion, and just plain humanity in a way I haven’t experienced in a long, long time. The bloggernacle buzz has begun, including: My podcast interview w/ Dutcher yesterday, over on SunstoneBlog.com M* has released a very interesting interview w/ Richard today But we (in the bloggernacle) can do more. Nay….we must do more. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see if we could join together in the bloggernacle to collectively promote…
“God’s Army 2: States of Grace”–Simply Stunning
November 7, 2005
By John DehlinI know, I know. You think I’m overdoing it. But I’m not. At the risk of building it up too much and spoiling it for the rest of you, "God’s Army 2 – States of Grace" is nothing short of amazing. This movie hits hard and deep. It pulls no punches, and it touches on several of the most poignant issues in Mormon history, doctrine, and, most importantly, culture. I plan/hope to interview Richard Dutcher tomorrow (if we can pull it off), so stay tuned, but please consider going out to the movie theatre over the next few days, and…
Mormon Studies Wiki Now Released!
November 5, 2005
By John DehlinOK….the Mormon Studies Wiki is now released. You can access it at this URL: http://www.mormonstudieswiki.org This project is not to "compete" with the FAIR wiki, but to be complimentary to it. To me, the 2 major differences are: Audience: In terms of writing style, we are targeting the average 18 year old LDS person. We are not seeking to write technical, academic prose, but instead accessible prose, in very plain language….telling the stories on each of these issues at a high level, assuming minimal prior knowledge. Neutral Position: While I’m sure the majority of those who participate in this project…
“Coase’s Mormon Penguin” — Or “How to REALLY Turn the Bloggernacle Into Something Fantastic”
November 1, 2005
By John DehlinIn my day job, I work for one of the world’s leading zealots for openness–especially as it relates to educational content. Last year, Dr. David Wiley asked me to read an article entitled "Coase’s Penguin, or, Linux and The Nature of the Firm" by Yochai Benkler (since this article was published in the Yale Law Review, I thought there might be a SMALL chance that some of you lawyer-types in the bloggernacle might be a bit interested). Anyway, this article explains why initiatives like Linux, Wikipedia, Slashdot, and the Open Directory Project have been so successful. If you don’t know…
009: Inside the Mind of a Mormon Apologist Pt. 3
November 1, 2005
By John DehlinIn this concluding episode (part 3 of 3), we interview with John Lynch, Chairman of FAIR–the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. Within the segement, John Lynch discusses the most common issues faced by FAIR, and assesses (in his view) which issues do and do not have merit. John also discusses how members of the Church should treat those struggling in their faith. Finally, John Lynch provides some thoughts/insight into some of President Hinckley’s more controversial responses in his media interviews over the past several years (including Larry King Live, L.A. Times, etc.). To listen directy to the podcast, click…
008: Inside the Mind of a Mormon Apologist Pt. 2
October 25, 2005
By John DehlinIn part 2 of this 3 part series, we interview John Lynch, Chairman of the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), a volunteer group dedicated to Mormon Apologetics. In this episode, John Lynch discusses the top issues bubbling up to FAIR these days, the realities of LDS leadership, the distinction between “good” and “bad” apologetics, the growing problem of “Internet Mormonism”, and answers the question as to whether or not Mormon apologetics is a gateway to apostacy. To listen, click here.
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