We are in a time of profound divisions, where our religions and particularly our politics are tearing the very fabric of our society. How can we continue like this? How does our faith survive when so many within our religious communities are in conflict with each other? How do we heal this rift? In this […]
208: Healing Our Religious and Political Divides Read More »
We had yet another LDS General Conference this past weekend–the semi-annual tradition of listening to the talks that will inform our sacrament meetings as well as priesthood and Relief Society meetings for the next six months. Conference is a challenging time for many in faith journey originating in the Latter-day Saint tradition. While our Latter-day
207: Conference Challenges, Comments, and Connections Read More »
Each person’s life journey includes intense wrestles with the matter of “authority.” When we are young, we are in a position in which we must defer to another’s authority in order to survive. As we grow, we soon become self-conscious, taking into account how we are viewed by others. And in order to fit in,
206: How Is Our View of God Related to How We View External Authority? Read More »
In this terrific episode, Terri Petersen interviews Jana Spangler and usual LDF host Dan Wotherspoon about “mysticism.” The ultimate goal of their conversation was to take this word and topic and drop it down from the clouds (how many people imagine it) and into our lives here and now. Through great questions from Terri and sharing their personal experiences, Jana and
205: What is Mysticism? Can Mormons Be Mystics? Read More »
Loneliness has been on the rise for the past few decades and has reached epidemic status. A widespread sense of hopelessness, helplessness, and depression is also pervading today’s culture. We don’t know if anything can be done to save our world, nation, and communities, with many of us wanting to throw our hands in the
204: Responding to Today’s Loneliness Epidemic and Pervasive Sense of Helplessness Read More »
In this episode, Mark Crego, Dan Wotherspoon, and Terri Petersen explore how to approach the Doctrine and Covenants in this year’s Come Follow Me curriculum. Acknowledging both the inspiring and troubling aspects of these revelations and church history, they discuss how to navigate our faith journey while engaging in the complex and difficult texts. Sometimes verses in the D&C can be triggering. What
203: Navigating the Doctrine and Covenants in Sunday School Read More »
In this wonderful episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon introduces two powerful Mormon women who just happen to be single. They are Diana Brown and Mallory Everton, and they are now talking about many, many aspects of what that means on their podcast, “The Soloists.” In this conversation, they speak open-heartedly about their lives, including their feelings about how their paths
202: Navigating Life and Spirituality as a Single Woman in a “Family” Church Read More »
Doctrines that were set during the founding years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints enthroned as eternal many things that were true of life in those days but would later change. Among these was defining different roles for men and women, and also the priority of procreation. If families were going to
201: The Challenge for Churches in a Changing World Read More »
This episode features a wonderful conversation between LDF board member Terri Petersen and author Larry Jordan, who wrote the book, The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World detailing his spiritual journey from active but low-belief Christianity to more mystical understandings of Ultimate Reality informed mostly by eastern religious traditions. In many ways, the book is an attempt
200: What is “The Way?”—with author Larry Jordan Read More »
New Years season is fraught. It can mark new beginnings with fresh energy and purpose. But for so many of us who have been making and trying to keep resolutions, it can quickly become a downer as our determination and drive flounders and our old physical and mental habits and patterns reassert their power, leaving
