The Week in Mormonism, 12/6/15: Joseph Smith Journals, context for The Policy
Top Stories
The Joseph Smith Papers Project has released Journals Volume 3. “[These journals give] an exhaustive account of the creation of the Council of Fifty organization and also Smith’s candidacy to be the president of the United States. It also elaborates on plural marriage practice, the growing political power of Smith and a number of controversial teachings.”
Rational Faiths posts three fantastic articles about the policy on children of gay parents. First, Brian Dillman looks at the Church’s treatment of LGBT issues over the last couple years. “We can tell by the leadership’s actions that homosexual people simply are not to be included or trusted in our day to day lives.” Next, Benjamin Kroll explains the parallels between the Church’s explanations for withholding priesthood and temple blessings from blacks, and rhetoric on homosexual issues today. Finally, Matt Mosman explains that since we don’t believe our leaders are infallible, disagreeing with them can be compatible with building the kingdom of God.
By Common Consent posts their 2015 book guide. And Salon interviews Johanna Brooks on Mormon Feminism — both her new book, and current events.
Other Links
- And Ye Took Me In.
- Twice rejected, Mormon family faces painful decision about resignation. “You can only be kicked down so many times before you get up and go in a different direction.”
- An apology from Sherri Park. “In 2012, my husband and I started Sit With Me Sunday to welcome LGBT Mormons to attend LDS Church meetings with an ally. We feel a need to apologize to all the people we invited to join us at church.”
- Peggy Fletcher Slack reports on the similarities and differences between Church policies for children of polygamists and children of gay parents.
- A Rhetoric of Indirection. What if directly obsessing about The Family is less effective at building strong families than focusing on personal scripture study, prayer, personal worthiness, temple attendance, etc.?
- Is the purpose of living the gospel to make more Mormon families, or to bring souls to Christ?
- The Scarlet Letter of Apostasy.
- Help Those Leaving the FLDS.
- Brother Jake gets a real web site to continue fighting anti-Mormon propaganda.
- The Shelf, a poem.
