Exploring Conservative and Liberal Religion
Part one of a series exploring differences in conservative and liberal approaches to faith—considering especially the implications for Latter-day Saints.
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Author: Dan Ellsworth
Dan Ellsworth is a consultant and writer living in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dan serves on the Mormon Studies Council at the University of Virginia, and is a contributor to Interpreter and other groups dedicated to improving Latter-Day Saints’ understanding of theology and scripture.
Covid Peacemaking for Latter-day Saint Families
Many Latter-day Saint congregations have experienced deep conflict over our varied perspectives on COVID-19. This presents a teaching opportunity for Latter-day Saint families; the healing of divides in our congregations begins in each of our homes.
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A Call For Countercultural Christianity
In an age where Christians (and everyone else) tend to flow with the cultural current, the remarks of President Dallin H. Oaks on Friday at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville were striking in their departure from popular rhetorical trends.
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Understanding Demons
Popular culture often uses demonic themes for shock value, with many modern commentators denying the existence of Satan or demons outright. But believers benefit from understanding the reality of demonic influence, and clues to the nature of that influence are found in the demons’ own words in scripture.
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Our Deepening Divide Over Identity
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s remarks at BYU revealed an already-existing conflict over how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its critics conceive of identity. As prophets affirm repeatedly, our true identity existed long before any of our present experiences, and is remembered, more than discovered.
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The Middle Ground is Disappearing
As the doctrine of the “self-centered” West becomes increasingly distinct from the doctrines of the Restored Gospel, the faithful can no longer stay in a middle ground.
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The Seductive Deception of “Informed Consent”
In demanding activities we don’t always know exactly what we’re getting into. Thank goodness.
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Yes, We Really Do Need to Talk About Race
It’s not just folks on the political left who we’d love to go deeper in exploring meaningful questions. These are some of our questions for brothers and sisters on the political right as well.
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Honest Questions about Race for Fellow Disciples
An open letter to Pro-CRT Latter-day Saints at BYU and beyond—inviting a good-faith dialogue that honestly engages some of our meaningful disagreements.
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Easter is Reality
Many now believe that the more advanced your faith becomes, the less likely you are to embrace the literal realities of scripture. Jesus taught something far more exciting than that.
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A Response to Radical Orthodoxy Criticisms
Since the publication of “Latter-day Saint Radical Orthodoxy: A Manifesto,” a number of questions and concerns have arisen. I respond here to a few of the more prominent ones.
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Thou Shalt Not Whine
To complain is a normal human response to the difficulties of life. But Christians have in scripture a contrast between the spiritually-healthy practice of lament and the soul-corroding practice of murmuring.
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Intersectional Anger on the Left and Right
What’s helpful about intersectionality, and how it can also be harmful (on both sides of the political spectrum). This continues our series on anger in America today (See also “Anger and the Modern Prophetic Voice”)
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And Not One Soul Shall Feel Excluded
Principled inclusion can and should be a welcome part of Christian discipleship. But like all virtues, this one can be exaggerated to the point that it is no longer a virtue at all.
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Trauma in The Family of Abraham
The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac teaches obedience, but believers can benefit from wrestling with this text, as Jews have done for centuries.
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Creating Jesus in Our Image
In the perennial debate about the carpenter from Nazareth, it’s worth asking: Are we seeking after who Jesus is revealed to be—or who we personally wish Him to be?
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Anger and the Modern Prophetic Voice
Along with scientific and historical reasons for concern, the words of modern prophets have consistently warned about the destructive potential of unbridled anger.
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