Podcasts about lds institute

Note: This interview is a remastered version of episodes 1013-1016 with David Bokovoy done in 2018. In these highly-anticipated episodes of Mormon Stories Podcast, we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard University, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. He is the author of 2 books including Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis-Deuteronomy, dozens of articles, and was a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson. This interview focuses on David's personal faith journey, including his fascinating story of falling in love with the Hebrew language and deeply studying the Bible—to forgoing a possibly more lucrative academic career to move to Utah to teach in the Church Educational System. Episode Show Notes YouTube Link Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

Have you ever wondered what life as a Mormon is like? In some ways it is similar to how traditional Christians experience their faith life. In other ways it is vastly different. In the next few episodes, we will explore the core experiences of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. The Church Is Central to Life Mormons call it simply “The Church” - as if it is the only oneShorthand for the entire history, doctrine, practice, and organization of the LDS ChurchMormons don't just “go to church” - for active members, it is their lifeImmensely dedicated to the ChurchSignificant investment of time, money, energy, and loyaltyThe reason → faithful Mormons believe that their church is the only true church on earthThe very church Jesus foundedThe only vehicle through which salvation can be achievedWithout its teachings, ordinances, and authority, no one can get to the highest level of heaven. How the LDS Church Is OrganizedThe LDS Church has almost 7 million members in the USLocal unit of organization = the “ward” 300 people or so living near each otherAlmost 13,000 wards in US5 to 12 wards make up a larger region called “stake”The Church is led from Salt Lake City by a large staff of administratorsAt the top of the hierarchy are the “General Authorities”. LDS believe → their Church is led by living prophets who speak and act for GodThe supreme leader = President of the Church, known also as “The Prophet.” Assisted by two counselors; these 3 make up the First Presidency. Policy is set by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with 1st PresidencyThese 12 - like the President - hold their positions for life. These men are held in high esteem by church membersActive Mormons decorate homes with portraits of the PresidentPeople reverently share personal encounters they have had with apostles and prophets.General Authorities include other groups that implement church policy regionallyUnder them, LDS Church is governed by network of managers & career bureaucratsUltimately, the LDS Church is administered by the power of the priesthoodMormons consider this to be the authority to act in God's nameHow Members Experience the LDS ChurchDay in, day out → a Mormon's life & relationships center around the local ward they attendBut much of LDS life is experienced in relation to the Church as a whole. Church holds General Conference every spring and fall. Local ward meetings are canceled on those weekendsMembers encouraged to watch ConferenceEagerly anticipate what new changes the Prophet will introduceMany LDS young adults will attend a church-owned college (BYU, etc)The Church Education System runs classes for high school and college studentsTypically at buildings adjacent to schools. High school students attend “Seminary”College students go to the “LDS Institute of Religion” LDS Welfare Services provides material help for people during times of need. Many members will interact with Welfare Services either as a volunteer or as a recipientThe Local CongregationTypical ward = 300-400 members (not all active) Unlike traditional churches, every LDS ward has set boundariesMembers have no choice but to attend the ward in which they liveLDS ward is similar in many ways to any local churchWeekly meetings / programs for various age groupsClasses for childrenGroups for young men / young womenAdult groups for men / womenProvides a close-knit...

The Jesus We Need to Know. S Michael Wilcox. ACU Sunday Series. Watch the entire speech at- https://youtu.be/HdAjWRMN5vc This selection was edited by ACU. See the entire speech on YouTube. Latter Day Wisdom 2.24K subscribers 4,345 views. Jun 16, 2022 Talk for educational purposes and spiritual enlightenment. To God be the glory! ►Subscribe to Latter Day Films: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4mT... ►Subscribe to Latter Day Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd2s... ►Subscribe to Latter Day Scriptures: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCVt... ►Subscribe to Latter Day Wisdom: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshp...  Michael Wilcox received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, to China, to Church history sites, and beyond. He has served in a variety of callings, including as bishop and counselor in a stake presidency. He has written many articles and books, including House of Glory, Sunset, 10 Great Souls I Want to Meet in Heaven, Twice Blessed, and Finding Hope. He and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

God's Many Voices (Pt. 2) — A Conversation with Michael Wilcox https://youtu.be/S_xmLBfPZMs 1,544 views Sep 26, 2021 Faith Matters Foundation This is part 2 of our discussion with Michael Wilcox that we're calling God's Many Voices. If you haven't heard part 1 yet, we'd encourage you to go back and listen to that episode, which was released last week as episode #85. In it, Brother Wilcox shared with us why he's spent so much time with the ideas and in the holy books of other religions. In this part, we actually got to dive into a few of these books, and he shared several of his favorite passages with us. Some of the books we got to spend a little bit of time in were the Analects of Confucius, the Bhagavad Gita, the Qur'an, the Dhammapada, and the Tao Te Ching. It was so fun to get to spend this time with Brother Wilcox and to hear some specifics of what he's learned from various faith and wisdom traditions around the world. We were reminded of Joseph Smith's words: “one of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.” Michael Wilcox received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion, adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, China, Church history sites, and many others. He's also written several books. He and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

God's Many Voices — A Conversation with S. Michael Wilcox https://youtu.be/uZsEHzgNSZA Faith Matters Foundation This week, we were honored to bring back Michael Wilcox for one of the most interesting discussions we've ever had. We've discovered, as we've gotten to know him, just how well-versed he is in all world religions, not just in Latter-day Saint theology. We're breaking this episode into two parts — in this first part, Brother Wilcox explains why it is that he's spent so much time with the ideas and in the holy books of other religions. To give you a little preview, in his words: “God has been speaking to his children all the time. Every way he can, everywhere…I can hear (his voice in) the voice of a sage, or a philosopher or a poet or playwright. God's voice is like an orchestra. We believe in a God that is speaking all the time, everywhere, every way he can.” And in the second part, which we'll air next week, we actually get into some of his favorite ideas and passages from books like the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, and several others — it's remarkable to see how some of the most beautiful ideas really echo so strongly in some of our own cherished beliefs. Many of you are already familiar with Brother Wilcox, but to just give a little background — he received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, China, Church history sites, and many others. He's written several books and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

God's Many Voices (Pt. 2) — A Conversation with Michael Wilcox https://youtu.be/S_xmLBfPZMs 1,544 views Sep 26, 2021 Faith Matters Foundation This is part 2 of our discussion with Michael Wilcox that we're calling God's Many Voices. If you haven't heard part 1 yet, we'd encourage you to go back and listen to that episode, which was released last week as episode #85. In it, Brother Wilcox shared with us why he's spent so much time with the ideas and in the holy books of other religions. In this part, we actually got to dive into a few of these books, and he shared several of his favorite passages with us. Some of the books we got to spend a little bit of time in were the Analects of Confucius, the Bhagavad Gita, the Qur'an, the Dhammapada, and the Tao Te Ching. It was so fun to get to spend this time with Brother Wilcox and to hear some specifics of what he's learned from various faith and wisdom traditions around the world. We were reminded of Joseph Smith's words: “one of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.” Michael Wilcox received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion, adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, China, Church history sites, and many others. He's also written several books. He and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

God's Many Voices — A Conversation with S. Michael Wilcox https://youtu.be/uZsEHzgNSZA Faith Matters Foundation This week, we were honored to bring back Michael Wilcox for one of the most interesting discussions we've ever had. We've discovered, as we've gotten to know him, just how well-versed he is in all world religions, not just in Latter-day Saint theology. We're breaking this episode into two parts — in this first part, Brother Wilcox explains why it is that he's spent so much time with the ideas and in the holy books of other religions. To give you a little preview, in his words: “God has been speaking to his children all the time. Every way he can, everywhere…I can hear (his voice in) the voice of a sage, or a philosopher or a poet or playwright. God's voice is like an orchestra. We believe in a God that is speaking all the time, everywhere, every way he can.” And in the second part, which we'll air next week, we actually get into some of his favorite ideas and passages from books like the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, and several others — it's remarkable to see how some of the most beautiful ideas really echo so strongly in some of our own cherished beliefs. Many of you are already familiar with Brother Wilcox, but to just give a little background — he received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, China, Church history sites, and many others. He's written several books and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

This week, we were honored to bring back Michael Wilcox for one of the most interesting discussions we've ever had. We've discovered, as we've gotten to know him, just how well-versed he is in all world religions, not just in Latter-day Saint theology.We're breaking this episode into two parts — in this first part, Brother Wilcox explains why it is that he's spent so much time with the ideas and in the holy books of other religions. To give you a little preview, in his words: “God has been speaking to his children all the time. Every way he can, everywhere…I can hear (his voice in) the voice of a sage, or a philosopher or a poet or playwright. God's voice is like an orchestra. We believe in a God that is speaking all the time, everywhere, every way he can.” And in the second part, which we'll air next week, we actually get into some of his favorite ideas and passages from books like the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, and several others  — it's remarkable to see how some of the most beautiful ideas really echo so strongly in some of our own cherished beliefs.Many of you are already familiar with Brother Wilcox, but to just give a little background — he received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, China, Church history sites, and many others. He's written several books and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

Why Weepest Thou? — A Conversation with S. Michael Wilcox. ACU Sunday Series.  Watch the entire interview at- https://youtu.be/BK3pHzJs0Zg Faith Matters Foundation We recently read a wonderful book by S. Michael Wilcox called What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him. In each chapter of the book, Brother Wilcox explores a question Jesus asked in the scriptures. One in particular stood out to us; it was the question “Why weepest thou?” and in the corresponding chapter, Brother Wilcox explores the role that trials play in our lives. He sat down with us to talk about that chapter, and shared what he's learned as he's gone through his own adversities, including the deeply felt loss of his wife, Laurie. To give you just a little more background on Brother Wilcox — he received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, to China, to Church history sites, and many others. He's written several books and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children. We felt honored to share this time with Brother Wilcox, and we hope you get as much out of this conversation as we did.   About the Book- What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him by S. Michael Wilcox From a young age and throughout His ministry, Jesus Christ asked questions: deep questions, thought-provoking questions. He asked questions of future Apostles and the Samaritan woman, of those who didn't believe and those seeking miracles. We often think of our relationship with God in terms of us being the questioner approaching the great Answerer. But what if He is actually the great Questioner, and we are intended to wrestle—not to receive the answers from Him, but to give them? Bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox teaches, "How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, as well as revealing ourselves to ourselves." Over time, Wilcox has also learned, "If I am the Answerer and God the Questioner and I can answer His questions with thought and devotion, then my own inquiries to Him are significantly diminished." As you explore these short yet profound questions, you'll learn more about the Savior and more about yourself, discovering personal answers along the way. Purchase the book at https://deseretbook.com/p/what-seek-ye-how-the-questions-of-jesus-lead-us-to-him?variant_id=185456-hardcover Or your favorite book seller.

Why Weepest Thou? — A Conversation with S. Michael Wilcox. ACU Sunday Series.  Watch the entire interview at- https://youtu.be/BK3pHzJs0Zg Faith Matters Foundation We recently read a wonderful book by S. Michael Wilcox called What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him. In each chapter of the book, Brother Wilcox explores a question Jesus asked in the scriptures. One in particular stood out to us; it was the question “Why weepest thou?” and in the corresponding chapter, Brother Wilcox explores the role that trials play in our lives. He sat down with us to talk about that chapter, and shared what he's learned as he's gone through his own adversities, including the deeply felt loss of his wife, Laurie. To give you just a little more background on Brother Wilcox — he received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, to China, to Church history sites, and many others. He's written several books and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children. We felt honored to share this time with Brother Wilcox, and we hope you get as much out of this conversation as we did.   About the Book- What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him by S. Michael Wilcox From a young age and throughout His ministry, Jesus Christ asked questions: deep questions, thought-provoking questions. He asked questions of future Apostles and the Samaritan woman, of those who didn't believe and those seeking miracles. We often think of our relationship with God in terms of us being the questioner approaching the great Answerer. But what if He is actually the great Questioner, and we are intended to wrestle—not to receive the answers from Him, but to give them? Bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox teaches, "How we answer those questions tells our Father in Heaven much about us, as well as revealing ourselves to ourselves." Over time, Wilcox has also learned, "If I am the Answerer and God the Questioner and I can answer His questions with thought and devotion, then my own inquiries to Him are significantly diminished." As you explore these short yet profound questions, you'll learn more about the Savior and more about yourself, discovering personal answers along the way. Purchase the book at https://deseretbook.com/p/what-seek-ye-how-the-questions-of-jesus-lead-us-to-him?variant_id=185456-hardcover Or your favorite book seller.

We recently read a wonderful book by S. Michael Wilcox called What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him. In each chapter of the book, Brother Wilcox explores a question Jesus asked in the scriptures. One in particular stood out to us; it was the question “Why weepest thou?” and in the corresponding chapter, Brother Wilcox explores the role that trials play in our lives. He sat down with us to talk about that chapter, and shared what he's learned as he's gone through his own adversities, including the deeply felt loss of his wife, Laurie.To give you just a little more background on Brother Wilcox — he received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land, to China, to Church history sites, and many others. He's written several books and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.We felt honored to share this time with Brother Wilcox, and we hope you get as much out of this conversation as we did.

Join me for this episode with Jacob Moench as he shares his incredible journey from a BSA recruiter to an LDS Institute teacher all the way to a business owner! You won't want to miss this incredible, inspiring story! Also, don't forget to join my text community at 810-202-0177! Sponsor Links: https://www.hepiusmed.com/ https://powered-by-pod-decks.peachs.co/a/dalton-jensen --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dalton-jensen/support

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

Join us now as we interview David Bokovoy - one of Mormonism's leading Bible scholars. David has an MA from Brandeis University in Jewish Studies and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East. He worked for the LDS Church Education System for 18 years, was chaplain at Harvard university, and taught LDS Institute at Harvard, Wellesley, and MIT. Author of 2 books, dozens of articles, and a co-founder of the Mormon Interpreter with Daniel C. Peterson.

A live panel with five theologians about angels in Judaism, Mormonism, and "Angels in America." (Recorded at Berkeley Rep May 14, 2018 and co-produced with the Graduate Theological Union) Moderator: - Robert A. Rees is the director of Mormon studies at the Graduate Theological Union. Dr. Rees has taught at UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Berkeley, and was a Fulbright Professor of American Studies at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. Rees has taught classes in Mormon studies at the GTU since 2010, and has published widely on Mormon and religious studies, as well as on issues of politics, culture, literary studies, and gender and sexuality studies. Dr. Rees served as director of continuing education in the arts and humanities at UCLA, where he was also assistant dean of fine arts and director of the UCLA-Cambridge Program and the UCLA Royal College of Art and Royal College of Music programs in London. Long active in interfaith work, Rees served as president of the University Religious Conference at UC Santa Cruz and, more recently, on the board of the Marin Interfaith Council. He is the cofounder and vice president of the Liahona Children’s Foundation, a humanitarian organization that addresses malnutrition in the developing world. Bob is a key member of the Bay Area Mormon Studies Council, which is working with the GTU and the wider Mormon community to establish an academic chair in Mormon studies at the GTU. Panelists: - Kathryn Loosli Pritchett is a writer living in Oakland, California. A journalist for many years, she is currently working on a novel inspired by her 19th century Mormon polygamous ancestors. She currently serves as a leader in the Oakland, California Stake Relief Society (the Mormon women’s auxiliary). Together with her husband M.J., she developed and teaches a course on Women in the Mormon Church for the LDS Institute of Religion in Berkeley. - M.J. Pritchett is an attorney practicing law in San Francisco, California. He served as the Bishop (pastor) of the Oakland First Ward congregation (which meets adjacent to the Oakland Temple) for a 5 year term in the late 1990s. MJ served a two-year mission to South Korea in 1976-77. For the past ten years he has taught an evening course on various theological, cultural and historical topics related to Mormonism at the LDS Institute of Religion in Berkeley. - Naomi Seidman is Koret Professor of Jewish Culture at the Graduate Theological Union, NEH Senior Fellow and a Guggenheim Fellow. Her recent book, The Marriage Plot, Or, How Jews Fell in Love with Love, and with Literature, includes a reading of Angels in America as an expression of the persistence of the genealogical impulse in post-traditional societies. - Daniel Matt, one of the world’s leading authorities on Kabbalah, has been featured in Time Magazine and has appeared on National Public Radio and the History Channel. He has published over a dozen books, including The Essential Kabbalah (translated into seven languages), Zohar: Annotated and Explained, and God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony between Science and Spirituality. Recently, Daniel completed an 18-year project of translating and annotating the Zohar. For twenty years, Daniel served as professor at the Center for Jewish Studies, Graduate Theological Union, in Berkeley. He has also taught at Stanford and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Daniel lives in Berkeley with his wife Hana. Get tickets to the show at www.berkeleyrep.org

In this edition of Mormon Stories we visit with Roger Hendrix - possibly the highest ranking and most well-connected LDS church leader interviewed on Mormon Stories Podcast to date.  In these 5 episodes we cover his experience growing up in the LDS Church in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, his ascent through church leadership including time as a CES Director, Bishop, Stake Presidency Member, Mission President, and serving for 18 years as a Trustee on the board of the Deseret Trust Company(called to the position by President Gordon B. Hinckley).  Throughout this series Roger provides fascinating commentary on top church leadership, the changes he's seen in Mormon culture and policy during his lifetime, and rare insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church. Included throughout the interview are interactions Roger had with church leaders such as Paul H. Dunn, Ezra Taft Benson, Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dallin H. Oaks, Gordon B. Hinckley, and more. We will be interviewing Roger Hendrix for a few more hours in the coming week.  If you have any final questions for Roger, please post them below. ________________________ Part 1: Roger discusses his early life as a Mormon including his bout with polio as a child, how he compensated for his illness as a teenager, straying from the church for a time, returning to the church after being inspired by an LDS Institute class, and his decision to serve an LDS mission. Part 2: Roger joins the Church Education System (CES), ultimately becoming director of the LDS Institute at the University of Southern California.  He also shares his interactions with numerous general authorities including Paul H. Dunn, Boyd K. Packer, Ezra Taft Benson, Henry Eyring, and Jeffrey R. Holland, among others. Part 3: Roger ascends through high-level LDS church leadership callings including Bishop and Stake Presidency Member, culminating in a call to serve as mission president in Chile. Roger discusses in detail what it was like to serve as a mission president in Chile in the 1990s. Parts 4-5: Roger begins this segment discussing the vetting process he went through after returning from his mission presidency as he was offered a position as an area authority (which he ultimately turned down).  We then discuss Roger's call to serve on the Deseret Trust Company Board of Trustees by LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.  We discuss in detail the purpose and inner workings of the Deseret Trust Company, and its interactions with Ensign Peak Advisors Inc., the Deseret Management Corporation, and the LDS church.   In these two parts Roger provides important insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church

In this edition of Mormon Stories we visit with Roger Hendrix - possibly the highest ranking and most well-connected LDS church leader interviewed on Mormon Stories Podcast to date.  In these 5 episodes we cover his experience growing up in the LDS Church in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, his ascent through church leadership including time as a CES Director, Bishop, Stake Presidency Member, Mission President, and serving for 18 years as a Trustee on the board of the Deseret Trust Company(called to the position by President Gordon B. Hinckley).  Throughout this series Roger provides fascinating commentary on top church leadership, the changes he's seen in Mormon culture and policy during his lifetime, and rare insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church. Included throughout the interview are interactions Roger had with church leaders such as Paul H. Dunn, Ezra Taft Benson, Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dallin H. Oaks, Gordon B. Hinckley, and more. We will be interviewing Roger Hendrix for a few more hours in the coming week.  If you have any final questions for Roger, please post them below. ________________________ Part 1: Roger discusses his early life as a Mormon including his bout with polio as a child, how he compensated for his illness as a teenager, straying from the church for a time, returning to the church after being inspired by an LDS Institute class, and his decision to serve an LDS mission. Part 2: Roger joins the Church Education System (CES), ultimately becoming director of the LDS Institute at the University of Southern California.  He also shares his interactions with numerous general authorities including Paul H. Dunn, Boyd K. Packer, Ezra Taft Benson, Henry Eyring, and Jeffrey R. Holland, among others. Part 3: Roger ascends through high-level LDS church leadership callings including Bishop and Stake Presidency Member, culminating in a call to serve as mission president in Chile. Roger discusses in detail what it was like to serve as a mission president in Chile in the 1990s. Parts 4-5: Roger begins this segment discussing the vetting process he went through after returning from his mission presidency as he was offered a position as an area authority (which he ultimately turned down).  We then discuss Roger's call to serve on the Deseret Trust Company Board of Trustees by LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.  We discuss in detail the purpose and inner workings of the Deseret Trust Company, and its interactions with Ensign Peak Advisors Inc., the Deseret Management Corporation, and the LDS church.   In these two parts Roger provides important insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church

In this edition of Mormon Stories we visit with Roger Hendrix - possibly the highest ranking and most well-connected LDS church leader interviewed on Mormon Stories Podcast to date.  In these 5 episodes we cover his experience growing up in the LDS Church in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, his ascent through church leadership including time as a CES Director, Bishop, Stake Presidency Member, Mission President, and serving for 18 years as a Trustee on the board of the Deseret Trust Company(called to the position by President Gordon B. Hinckley).  Throughout this series Roger provides fascinating commentary on top church leadership, the changes he's seen in Mormon culture and policy during his lifetime, and rare insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church. Included throughout the interview are interactions Roger had with church leaders such as Paul H. Dunn, Ezra Taft Benson, Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dallin H. Oaks, Gordon B. Hinckley, and more. We will be interviewing Roger Hendrix for a few more hours in the coming week.  If you have any final questions for Roger, please post them below. ________________________ Part 1: Roger discusses his early life as a Mormon including his bout with polio as a child, how he compensated for his illness as a teenager, straying from the church for a time, returning to the church after being inspired by an LDS Institute class, and his decision to serve an LDS mission. Part 2: Roger joins the Church Education System (CES), ultimately becoming director of the LDS Institute at the University of Southern California.  He also shares his interactions with numerous general authorities including Paul H. Dunn, Boyd K. Packer, Ezra Taft Benson, Henry Eyring, and Jeffrey R. Holland, among others. Part 3: Roger ascends through high-level LDS church leadership callings including Bishop and Stake Presidency Member, culminating in a call to serve as mission president in Chile. Roger discusses in detail what it was like to serve as a mission president in Chile in the 1990s. Parts 4-5: Roger begins this segment discussing the vetting process he went through after returning from his mission presidency as he was offered a position as an area authority (which he ultimately turned down).  We then discuss Roger's call to serve on the Deseret Trust Company Board of Trustees by LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.  We discuss in detail the purpose and inner workings of the Deseret Trust Company, and its interactions with Ensign Peak Advisors Inc., the Deseret Management Corporation, and the LDS church.   In these two parts Roger provides important insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church

In this edition of Mormon Stories we visit with Roger Hendrix - possibly the highest ranking and most well-connected LDS church leader interviewed on Mormon Stories Podcast to date.  In these 5 episodes we cover his experience growing up in the LDS Church in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, his ascent through church leadership including time as a CES Director, Bishop, Stake Presidency Member, Mission President, and serving for 18 years as a Trustee on the board of the Deseret Trust Company(called to the position by President Gordon B. Hinckley).  Throughout this series Roger provides fascinating commentary on top church leadership, the changes he's seen in Mormon culture and policy during his lifetime, and rare insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church. Included throughout the interview are interactions Roger had with church leaders such as Paul H. Dunn, Ezra Taft Benson, Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dallin H. Oaks, Gordon B. Hinckley, and more. We will be interviewing Roger Hendrix for a few more hours in the coming week.  If you have any final questions for Roger, please post them below. ________________________ Part 1: Roger discusses his early life as a Mormon including his bout with polio as a child, how he compensated for his illness as a teenager, straying from the church for a time, returning to the church after being inspired by an LDS Institute class, and his decision to serve an LDS mission. Part 2: Roger joins the Church Education System (CES), ultimately becoming director of the LDS Institute at the University of Southern California.  He also shares his interactions with numerous general authorities including Paul H. Dunn, Boyd K. Packer, Ezra Taft Benson, Henry Eyring, and Jeffrey R. Holland, among others. Part 3: Roger ascends through high-level LDS church leadership callings including Bishop and Stake Presidency Member, culminating in a call to serve as mission president in Chile. Roger discusses in detail what it was like to serve as a mission president in Chile in the 1990s. Parts 4-5: Roger begins this segment discussing the vetting process he went through after returning from his mission presidency as he was offered a position as an area authority (which he ultimately turned down).  We then discuss Roger's call to serve on the Deseret Trust Company Board of Trustees by LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.  We discuss in detail the purpose and inner workings of the Deseret Trust Company, and its interactions with Ensign Peak Advisors Inc., the Deseret Management Corporation, and the LDS church.   In these two parts Roger provides important insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church

In this edition of Mormon Stories we visit with Roger Hendrix - possibly the highest ranking and most well-connected LDS church leader interviewed on Mormon Stories Podcast to date.  In these 5 episodes we cover his experience growing up in the LDS Church in Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, his ascent through church leadership including time as a CES Director, Bishop, Stake Presidency Member, Mission President, and serving for 18 years as a Trustee on the board of the Deseret Trust Company(called to the position by President Gordon B. Hinckley).  Throughout this series Roger provides fascinating commentary on top church leadership, the changes he's seen in Mormon culture and policy during his lifetime, and rare insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church. Included throughout the interview are interactions Roger had with church leaders such as Paul H. Dunn, Ezra Taft Benson, Boyd K. Packer, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dallin H. Oaks, Gordon B. Hinckley, and more. We will be interviewing Roger Hendrix for a few more hours in the coming week.  If you have any final questions for Roger, please post them below. ________________________ Part 1: Roger discusses his early life as a Mormon including his bout with polio as a child, how he compensated for his illness as a teenager, straying from the church for a time, returning to the church after being inspired by an LDS Institute class, and his decision to serve an LDS mission. Part 2: Roger joins the Church Education System (CES), ultimately becoming director of the LDS Institute at the University of Southern California.  He also shares his interactions with numerous general authorities including Paul H. Dunn, Boyd K. Packer, Ezra Taft Benson, Henry Eyring, and Jeffrey R. Holland, among others. Part 3: Roger ascends through high-level LDS church leadership callings including Bishop and Stake Presidency Member, culminating in a call to serve as mission president in Chile. Roger discusses in detail what it was like to serve as a mission president in Chile in the 1990s. Parts 4-5: Roger begins this segment discussing the vetting process he went through after returning from his mission presidency as he was offered a position as an area authority (which he ultimately turned down).  We then discuss Roger's call to serve on the Deseret Trust Company Board of Trustees by LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.  We discuss in detail the purpose and inner workings of the Deseret Trust Company, and its interactions with Ensign Peak Advisors Inc., the Deseret Management Corporation, and the LDS church.   In these two parts Roger provides important insight into the financial workings of the LDS Church

Natasha Helfer Parker interviews Duane E. Jennings on the topic of his extensively researched volumes, Stumbling Blocks & Stepping Stones, where he examines the history in Mormonism in regards to the theological and social messages focused on LGBTI+ members. His work and attention to detail is impressive. And his goal is to embolden dialogue so that we can reach a point where this population is not excluded as it is presently from the faith community, rituals, traditions, lifestyle trajectories and even the very plan of salvation.  DUANE E. JENNINGS was born in Mount Pleasant, Utah, and raised in Salt Lake City in a devout LDS family. His parents stressed scripture study, prayer, and meditation as the source of revelation and personal growth. This active mind-and-spirit approach to religion may be attributed to living in an LDS community situated between the University of Utah and Westminster College. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in English and history, and a secondary education teaching certificate (junior high and high school), as well as graduating from the LDS Institute of Religion at the University of Utah. He served his mission in South Africa. ​Duane has been aware of his sexual orientation since about age fourteen and, after confronting what seemed to be the contradictions between being a devoted Latter-day Saint and his sexuality, embraced these contradictions and has transferred his energies into harmonizing the two. He has held leadership positions in the Salt Lake Chapter of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons and in 1996 received the Mortensen Award, Affirmation’s highest award for excellence in continual service. ​Duane has also represented Affirmation at the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, which supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in religion. In addition, he edited and published the Salt Lake Affirmation chapter’s newsletter for over 10 years, and was religion/spirituality editor and writer (1994-1996) for The Pillar magazine (Utah’s LGBT Magazine (published from 1993-2007)).  In 2000 Duane worked with an Episcopal minister and Metropolitan Community Church ministers and together started what has become the annual Pride Interfaith Service that kicks off the annual Utah Pride events each June. ​A sixth-generation Mormon, Duane proudly claims his spiritual place in creation and his relationship with God, in spite of limitations in religious traditions, including Mormonism.

The Rev. Dr. Fatimah Salleh began life as Muslim, converted as a teenager to the LDS Church, served a mission, taught LDS Institute and then, responding to a call, she attended Duke Divinity School.  Following a period of discernment, she was recently ordained a Baptist minister. Her call to ministry is part of a colourful journey into finding a God for all and for the least.  God is too often the product of a White Western Patriarchy and as a Black, Brown women whose spiritual life was percolated in the intersection of different faith traditions Fatimah is passionate about  preaching a God that holds, loves and ministers to everyone.

GR Gordon-Ross served as bishop for 6 years in Lawrence, Kansas. He was raised in Kearney, Missouri and was converted to the Church in 1994 because of his influence from a childhood friend. He served a mission in Russia and later married his wife whom he met at LDS Institute. He is self-described as a non-orthodox bishop which he credits to much of his success. Leadership Principles The Power of Delegation (32:13) Allow those you call to exercise their own leadership talents How to help auxillairy leaders to exercise autonomy in their callings (34:23) Setting Expectations (37:33) Leadership requires personal sacrifice (39:40) You cannot come together as a cohesive unit if there is a belief or view that one person does all the work Willingness to Serve (42:00) Arrive early and be willing to stay late to clean up after every church activity Be a leader and not a calling (45:30) Listen (45:53) Make sure that all opinions in a council setting are heard and valued Be Yourself and Don’t Be Afraid to Adapt to Local Needs (49:10) Be yourself, be human, don’t be afraid to make mistakes Links: Making Right Choices, by Elder Richard G. Scott

Skip to Main ContentSearch This Site: Main Navigati2014 McMurrin Lecture on Religion and Culture with Kathleen Flake "The LDS Intellectual Tradition: A Study on Three Lives"April 11, 2014 Symposium: "Faith and Reason, Conscience and Conflict: The Paths of Lowell Bennion, Sterling McMurrin, and Obert Tanner"April 12, 2014  McMurrin Lecture: In her lecture, Flake defines an intellectual as one who loves and is committed to the life of the mind, one for whom thought is both a delight and a necessity, a source as well as means for human flourishing. This does not mean a life without conflicts, as illustrated by three intellectuals - Lowell Bennion, Sterling McMurrin, and Obert Tanner. Flake will consider their intellectual lives in relation to the religious culture from which they came. Doing so will tell us something about whether there is a Mormon intellectual tradition and, if so, what are its distinctive features. Kathleen Flake holds the Richard L. Bushman Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Virginia. She is the author of The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle (University of North Carolina Press, 2004). Professor Flake has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, Lily Endowment, Pew Charitable Trusts, and American Philosophical Society.  She has held office in the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, and the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion. Frequently invited to comment on Mormonism in the news, she is also a panelist for the Washington Post/Newsweek "On Faith" blog.   Symposium: Mormonism is often seen as a religion of conformity, with a hierarchy in tight control of members’ beliefs and behavior. Yet this perspective misses a rich tradition of intellectual independence and principled dissent. With an eye to the present and future, the Tanner Humanities Center will offer a unique symposium on the lives and legacies of Sterling M. McMurrin, Obert C. Tanner, and Lowell L. Bennion. Their stories reveal the tensions between faith and reason, conformity and dissent. This symposium will mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Obert C. and Grace A. Tanner Humanities Center. Panels include “Challenge of Conscience: Sterling M. McMurrin” (9:00-10:30 AM), with Bob Goldberg (Chair), Jack Newell, James Clayton, and Brian Birch; “Challenge of Loyalty: Lowell Bennion” (11:00 AM-12:30 PM), with Irene Fisher (Chair), Greg Prince, Tony Morgan, Sam Allen, and Emma Lou Thayne; and “Challenge of Faith: Obert C. Tanner” (1:30-3:00 PM), with Greg Thompson (Chair), Kent Murdock, Bob Goldberg, and Grethe Peterson. A concluding panel, titled “Public Men and the Challenge of Their Private Worlds” (3:30-5:00 PM), will focus upon the personal, intellectual, and working relationships that existed among these men, with panelists Linda King Newell (Chair), Carolyn Tanner Irish, Ellen Bennion Stone, Charlotte Hansen Terry, and Bill McMurrin.             These three intellectuals who shared a determination to act were rooted in Mormonism, but possessed distinctive visions that penetrated beyond their treasured religious heritage and drove them to embrace—and respond to—the pressing social, cultural, and political issues of their time.  With mutual respect, but using distinctive methods, Tanner, McMurrin and Bennion shared a passion for justice and impatience with racial discrimination in their church and across American society.  At various points in their careers, they served the LDS Church, the University of Utah, their state, and the nation in pursuit of their visions of a more enlightened and humane society. Pursuing justice and adhering to conscience brought its own rewards, but also exacted a cost. As Director of the University of Utah’s LDS Institute of Religion, Lowell Bennion chafed at supporting church authorities in their denial of the priesthood to African American men.  Largely over this issue, he surrendered this post, swallowed his disappointment, and vigorously channeled his religious instincts into serving the needy in Salt Lake City.  Sterling McMurrin chose to proclaim himself a heretic and relished that identity, but lost friendships and some sense of community. Obert Tanner, a closet skeptic, muffled his doubt and kept his silence to play prominent roles in the life of his country, state, and city. Symposium speakers and panelists will not only examine the specific, contemporary impacts of Lowell Bennion, Sterling McMurrin, and O.C. Tanner, but also consider their enduring legacies on the issues facing the Mormon Church today: the inclusion of women more fully in church leadership circles, the need to face painful facets of church history more honestly, the challenge of retaining the engagement or affiliation of socially and culturally liberal members and young adults, the quest to understand the effects of new technologies on Mormon practices and beliefs, and other concerns of our time. A concluding panel will focus upon the personal, intellectual, and working relationships that existed among these men.  The Tanner Center is partnering with the College of Humanities, Smith-Pettit Foundation, and Michael Morris to bring you this event.