Podcast appearances and mentions of margaret toscano

In our final conversation with Dr Margaret Toscano, we'll discuss the chapter in Sara Patterson's book, "The Sept 6 & the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism." Margaret will discuss her and her husband Paul's reaction to Sara's descriptions of them in the book. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/LqxYh6QHY3E Don't miss our other conversations about the Sept Six: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/sept-six/ Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Beyond the Sept 6 More than two decades after the events known as the "Sept 6," Margaret Toscano offers a candid look back, reflecting on the pain of excommunication, the evolution of her personal beliefs, and how she and her husband, Paul Toscano, hope to be remembered beyond that defining moment. Margaret highlights what she feels Patterson's book misses about her and others' journeys since 2003. Toscano reveals that her 2003 interview, featured in the book, captured a time of significant pain. Being kicked out of one's church, even for someone who might not be a "Believer," is deeply painful, particularly when it's tied to one's heritage and family, a sentiment she notes is also true for others like David Wright. She is proud of her ability to navigate that pain and notes the documentation of it in the book is important. Contrary to advice she received to simply "walk away" from Mormonism to heal, Toscano felt compelled to stay engaged. She identifies as Mormon, distinguishing this from being LDS (a member of the LDS Church), and views it as her ethnicity and heritage. This identity is crucial to her, and she has continued to write, research, and discuss Mormon issues, currently working on a book about Heavenly Mother.. Over the past twenty years, Toscano's spiritual journey has evolved. While not a "true believing Mormon," she has reached a point where she can openly say she is a Believer on some level, a stance she felt ashamed of years ago. Her ideas of God are complex and not aligned with traditional Mormon views, but she believes in God, an afterlife, and the soul. She describes herself as a "skeptic believer," a person who doubts everything but has also had experiences that affirm her faith. Crucially, she feels able to claim her spirituality openly, something she couldn't do as easily two decades prior. She asserts that being a scholar and an intellectual is compatible with having faith. A major point of reflection for Toscano is the legacy she and Paul desire. They explicitly state they do not want the September Six to be the sole definition of who they were. Margaret doesn't want to be remembered "simply as a dissident," nor does Paul want to be remembered simply as one of the Sept 6. Toscano highlights that Paul's faith journey continued significantly after 2007, when the book reportedly leaves him having lost his faith. Paul has since "found his faith again," seeing himself as a Mormon Christian with a deep testimony of Jesus Christ, which informs his interpretation of the Book of Mormon and his extensive writing. Margaret is immensely proud of Paul's intellectual output, which includes some fifteen books—theology, memoir, novels, essays, and more. She wishes for him to be remembered primarily as a "man of Mormon letters," an important Mormon intellectual, and a brilliant writer. As for herself, Toscano hopes to be remembered as an important Mormon scholar and a beloved teacher at the University of Utah, emphasizing her continued work and care for the Mormon community. She underscores the importance of remembering and being remembered, noting her critique that the book overlooks the continued contributions and experiences of many involved in the 1993 events, including her own work and relationships since 2003. Toscano also touches on the changes she's observed in Mormon studies and at the Sunstone conference, where she was a frequent participant for decades..

In our final conversation with Dr Margaret Toscano, we'll discuss the chapter in Sara Patterson's book, The Sept 6 & the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism." Margaret will discuss her and her husband Paul's reaction to Sara's descriptions of them in the book Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/M2F84YbczPg Don't miss our other conversations about the Sept Six: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/sept-six/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Does Excommunication work? It seems to have shut down both the Ordain Women movement and the Feminist Movement in 1993. What can people learn from these episodes to effect change in the LDS Church? Dr Margaret Toscano discusses lessons learned. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/8PydVPNg9jI Don't miss our other conversations about the Sept Six: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/sept-six/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Let's Talk about the Sept 6. We'll turn back the clock to 1993 and discuss the events that led up to the excommunication of 6 intellectuals in the LDS Church. Dr Margaret Toscano takes us through the important events of the Sept 6. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/qvjTdAs5uhU Don't miss our other conversations about the Sept Six: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/sept-six/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved  

Dr Margaret Toscano gives a review of "The Sept 6 & the Struggle for the Soul of Mormonism by Dr Sara Patterson. We'll learn what Margaret likes and doesn't like about the book. Check out our conversation... https://youtu.be/_ZgwEjJuzB8 Don't miss our other conversations about the Sept Six: https://gospeltangents.com/mormon_history/sept-six/ transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission transcript to follow Copyright © 2024 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved  

On another collaborative episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon join The Backyard Professor and very special guest, Margaret Toscano, as we dive into the Gospel Topics Essay titled, "Joseph Smith's Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women." In September 1993, six scholars were disciplined by LDS Church leaders because of scholarly works they published that pushed back on the church. Dr. Margaret Toscano's husband Paul was one of the September 6 and several years later, Margaret herself was also excommunicated. Margaret's essay's "Joseph Smith's Teachings on Priesthood, Temple, and Women": A Critique, takes a hard look at what the Gospel Topics essay says and more importantly, what it doesn't say. We're so excited to be able to share this absolutely enlightening conversation with the wonderful Margaret Toscano on such a pivotal and important topic. ***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast:If you would like to financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:https://www.mormonishpodcast.org/supportAlso at:PayPal: https://paypal.me/BiblioTechMediaVenmo: @BiblioTechMediaWe appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much!Contact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of Mormonish podcast, Rebecca and Landon are joined by the wonderful Dr. Margaret Toscano to talk about recent events involving women, equality, and who gets to sit on the stand in the LDS church.Social media is buzzing with the news that a decade old tradition of having women in leadership sit on the stand during LDS sacrament meeting in the Bay Area, came to an end abruptly with a cease and desist order from the church.Margaret shares her invaluable perspective on the ongoing struggle for equality that women in the church face, and the historical patterns she has observed.We were honored to have Margaret join us for this very important episode. Her knowledge and insights shed so much light on the bigger picture for all of us!How to Donate to Mormonish Podcast:We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! If you would like to financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:PayPal: https://paypal.me/BiblioTechMedia?cou...Venmo: @BiblioTechMediaContact Mormonish Podcast: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

Janice Allred wrote about God the Mother back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While she wasn't excommunicated in 1993, Janice Allred had a bird's eye view of  the Sept Six. In Sept 1993, 6 intellectuals were excommunicated or disfellowshipped from the LDS Church for writing and speaking about things the LDS Church apostles disagreed with. Both she and her sister Margaret Toscano received warnings from their bishops as Margaret's husband Paul was a member of teh September Six and excommunicated. Janice will share her memories of that important month in Mormon history. Check out our conversation.... https://youtu.be/qs9gIZSxiv8 transcript to follow Copyright © 2023 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission transcript to follow Copyright © 2023 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission

In this episode, the wonderful Margaret Toscano joins Latter-day Faith podcast host Dan Wotherspoon for a conversation about scripture in general, and the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament in particular. They discuss reasons why we should worry far, far less than Latter-day Saints normally do about whether the characters in the Bible and the events described therein actually happened. Margaret shares about her deep love for scripture, some of the ways she studies it, and the importance of our imaginations in our approach to it.  Dive in with them! It will provide a boost as we continue to study the Biblical text this year in Sunday School!

Happy New Year!We have a cracker to kick off 2022, in this episode, we are joined by the incredible Margaret Toscano, PhD.Margaret currently works as an Associate Professor of Classics & Comparative Studies in the Department of World Languages & Culturesat the University of Utah.Over the past several decades Margaret has published numerous scholarly articles about 'Mother In Heaven' and the roles of women in the church.Rather than embrace this scholarship the church choose to excommunicate Margaret for her scholarship. Boo.Some of Margaret's pieces include:- Her 1992 article “'Put on Your Strength, O Daughters of Zion': Claiming the Priesthood and Knowing the Mother,” from Women and Authority published by Signature Books.- Her recent article on “Joseph Smith, Women, Priesthood, and the Temple,” also published by Signature in their book on scholars responding to the Church's Gospel Topics essays.- 'Is There a Place For Heavenly Mother?'- 'Movement From The Margins: Contemporary Mormon Women's Visions of The Mother God'- Jospeh Smith's Teaching On Priesthood, Temple and Women'All of these articles can be found and downloaded from the following drive link:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Kn1b7R7ptHm5hXSMSP1eNkUxE2jutkVS?usp=sharingSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/priesthood-dispatches-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year!We have a cracker to kick off 2022, in this episode, we are joined by the incredible Margaret Toscano, PhD.Margaret currently works as an Associate Professor of Classics & Comparative Studies in the Department of World Languages & Culturesat the University of Utah.Over the past several decades Margaret has published numerous scholarly articles about 'Mother In Heaven' and the roles of women in the church.Rather than embrace this scholarship the church choose to excommunicate Margaret for her scholarship. Boo.Some of Margaret's pieces include:- Her 1992 article “'Put on Your Strength, O Daughters of Zion': Claiming the Priesthood and Knowing the Mother,” from Women and Authority published by Signature Books.- Her recent article on “Joseph Smith, Women, Priesthood, and the Temple,” also published by Signature in their book on scholars responding to the Church's Gospel Topics essays.- 'Is There a Place For Heavenly Mother?'- 'Movement From The Margins: Contemporary Mormon Women's Visions of The Mother God'- Jospeh Smith's Teaching On Priesthood, Temple and Women'All of these articles can be found and downloaded from the following drive link:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Kn1b7R7ptHm5hXSMSP1eNkUxE2jutkVS?usp=sharingSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/priesthood-dispatches-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona Givens recently resigned her position at BYU's Maxwell Institute under pressure from Church leaders over her speculation that the Holy Ghost might be Heavenly Mother. Dr. Margaret Toscano says this is an ancient Christian belief and wonders why Church leaders were bothered by Givens bringing it up.  Are Church leaders scared of Heavenly Mother? […] The post *Are Church Leaders Scared of Heavenly Mother? (Part 9 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

Dr. Margaret Toscano gives a summary of her essay in the “Gospel Topics Series” book edited by Dr. Matt Harris & Dr. Newell Bringhurst.  Toscano outlines 6 counterpoints to the Women and Priesthood essay. Margaret:  I'll quickly do my six areas where I think Joseph did confer Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood to women through their […] The post 6 Counterpoints to Women & Priesthood Essay (Part 8 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

LDS Priesthood encompasses both spiritual and ecclesiastical aspects.  Dr. Margaret Toscano compares and contrasts her position on female priesthood with that of Dr. Jonathan Stapley.  Where are they similar and where do they converge? Margaret:  Both Jonathan and I say, yes, if you look at 19th century views on the priesthood, not just women in […] The post Women's Spiritual vs Ecclesiastical Priesthood (Part 7 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

Given the mixed-gender makeup of the Quorum of the Anointed, if LDS women were granted priesthood office, would they be priests or priestesses?  Should they continue to be segregated by gender or combined into a single quorum?  Dr. Margaret Toscano sees advantages and disadvantages to both structures. GT:  We talked about priest and priestess, king […] The post Priests or Priestesses? (Part 6 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

The Quorum of the Anointed was a special quorum founded by Joseph Smith just prior to his death in 1844.  It was unusual in the fact that both men and women were members of the quorum.  Dr. Margaret Toscano discusses how this quorum should inform our understanding of women and priesthood. Margaret:  There's a book […] The post Quorum of the Anointed (Part 5 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

The Gospel Topics essay on women and priesthood references a 2014 talk by Elder Dallin Oaks.  Dr. Jonathan Stapley said this talk was groundbreaking by saying that women in the LDS Church exercise priesthood power as they perform their callings.  Does Dr. Margaret Toscano agree with that interpretation? Margaret:  First of all, the idea that […] The post Keys of the Priesthood appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

In a previous interview with Dr. Jonathan Stapley, he stated that when early Mormon women healed, it wasn't through Priesthood.  Dr. Margaret Toscano disagrees with Jonathan's position. Margaret:  I think that there's quite a bit of evidence to show that. Again, I think that the big difference [between Jonathan and me is how we connect […] The post Joseph's Statements on Women & Priesthood (Part 3 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

In our last conversation, Dr. Margaret Toscano explained what she liked about the Gospel topics essay on women and priesthood.  This time, Margaret will look at weaknesses of the essay. Margaret:  My general critique really centers around two things. On the one hand, I feel like that they're not willing to look at all of […] The post Critiquing Women & Priesthood Essay (Part 2 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

We're continuing our series on the “Gospel Topics Series” book, edited by Dr. Matt Harris and Dr. Newell Bringhurst.  Dr. Margaret Toscano is back to discuss the Gospel Topics essay on Women, Temple, and Priesthood.  We'll find out more of her background in writing the book and discuss the essay's strengths. Margaret:  I'm excited that […] The post Strengths of Women & Priesthood Essay (Part 1 of 9) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

    Aiming for Celestial Glory, Part 3 of Chapter 8 of Holy Priesthood Volume 3 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=124 Pages 124-130 We are all aiming at celestial glory. Don’t you know we are? We are talking about it, and we talk about being kings and priests unto the Lord; we talk about being enthroned in the kingdoms of our God; we talk about being queens and priestesses; and we [125] talk, when we get on our high-heeled shoes, about possessing thrones, principalities, power, and dominions in the eternal worlds, when at the same time many of us do not know how to conduct ourselves any better than a donkey does. (JD 6:166) Apostle John Taylor’s advice is just as appropriate for us today and particularly applies to those men and women who are continually clamoring for women to be ordained to the priesthood. Righteous LDS endowed and married women already have all the powers and blessings of Priesthood that they need. The problem is they don’t recognize and magnify what they have. Margaret Toscano, in her article entitled, “If Mormon Women Have Had the Priesthood Since 1843, Why Aren’t They Using It?”, answers her own question: Why aren’t women using their priesthood? Because they are prevented from doing so by the current policy of the church which many assume to be the will of God without examining the historical evidence or theological assumptions behind this policy. * * * While women do not need and should not ask permission from male leaders to use their priesthood in private ways or accepted venues, it is impossible for them to use it in visible ways or in official capacities without an acknowledgement of women’s right to priesthood. (Dialogue 27:2, Summer 1994, p. 224, 223) http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=30

  Governing the Church,Part 2 of Chapter 7 of Holy Priesthood Volume 3   Pages 98-103   Churches may grow, prosper, and do great missionary service in the name of Christ, but they may or may not be governed by Priesthood. They can lose it more easily than they gained it. When church leaders call people to hold offices in its organization, they may or may not be inspired to make those choices. Those calls to offices and missions usually come from the organization; the power and authority of Priesthood comes from God. Hence, there is usually an eventual separation between church and priesthood. Men are called to offices, but the gifts, powers, and revelations to magnify those callings come through the power of God. When the division between church offices and priesthood callings becomes too great, it becomes obvious–as Margaret Toscano stated: Some Mormon women want nothing to do with the hierarchal priesthood system that operates the [99] modern church. They see priesthood leadership as power-centered and corruptible. (“Put On Your Strength. . .” Women and Authority, p. 418)

Dr. Margaret Toscano has been studying Mormon history for 4 decades!  We will discuss her journey in and out (but still kind of in) the LDS Church and her writings that got her in hot water with LDS Leaders.  We’ll discuss her time as both a student and adjunct at BYU, her excommunication, and her […] The post *Arguing Against a Genderless God (Part 8 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

Dr. Margaret Toscano describes an answer to prayer, in which she found historical records describing Joseph Smith starting the Relief Society and organizing the women as a quorum of priestesses.  She describes how Joseph Smith’s theology of priesthood are larger than we have today.  We also discuss the Community of Christ revelation in 1984 in […] The post Turning the Key to a Relief Society Quorum? (Part 7 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

LDS Leaders often frown on popular speakers.  Why is that?  In our next conversation with Dr. Margaret Toscano, we’ll talk about how popular speakers create a problem for leaders who might not be so charismatic.  She thinks this lack of charisma leads to other movements, such as Denver Snuffer’s movement that has broken off from […] The post Why LDS Leaders Don’t Like Popular Speakers (Part 6 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

The fullness of priesthood, what does that mean?  In our next conversation with Dr. Margaret Toscano, we’ll talk about messianic, ecclesiastical, and charismatic priesthood.  These aren’t terms we typically talk about in the LDS Church, but Toscano believes they are outside of our traditional Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood terms. Margaret:  Then, in the same article, […] The post Charismatic, Ecclesiastical, & Messianic Priesthood (Part 5 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

If I do say so myself, I think Dr. Margaret Toscano gives one of the most insightful discussions I have ever had on priesthood power.  This is really an amazing conversation, and then she asks why women should be denied priesthood blessings.  Whether you support female ordination or not, this is an amazing discussion you don’t want […] The post Theological Case for Women & Priesthood (Part 4 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

In September 1993, six scholars were disciplined by LDS Church leaders over their writings.  Dr. Margaret Toscano’s husband Paul was one of these, although Margaret wasn’t excommunicated…yet. I joked with Dr. Margaret Toscano that she was September 6 and a half.  Margaret:  So in 1992-93, Elder Boyd Packer was really concerned. He told a group of Institute and Seminary […] The post An Excommunicated Believer (Part 3 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

Following her time as a student and teacher at BYU, Dr. Margaret Toscano had a bit of a feminist awakening.  What was it about BYU that led her to seek more about female spirituality?  Margaret:  I’m working like crazy to finish this master’s thesis. Then right about the same time that I finished the master’s […] The post Feminist Awakening at BYU (Part 2 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

Dr. Margaret Toscano is the Dept Chair at the University of Utah, but she got 2 degrees from BYU and taught there as well.  In our next conversation, we’ll learn more about her time at BYU, and see her perspective on male privilege for scholars at the university. Margaret:  I started out from BYU, but […] The post Toscano: From BYU to Utah (Part 1 of 8) appeared first on Gospel Tangents.

I am thrilled to have two wonderful scholars and friends, David Bokovoy and Margaret Toscano, join me this week for a discussion about scripture. So often while we are undergoing a shift of faith, tools and notions that were once extremely helpful and exciting can become stale to us, or even become a target of our scorn. Our new questions run up against old ways of seeing things such as scripture, and our old views don’t fare well under vigorous inquiry. This failure leads to several options, the most common two being abandonment of the thing and dismissing it altogether, or seeing if the assumptions we’ve previously held (most likely gained unconsciously) might be lacking. It is in service of this second option, and regarding scripture, that I convened this panel. What must we “unlearn” about scripture that might make way for it to become alive for us and possibly worthy of our engagement again? What assumptions do we hold at this day and time (and our particular location--geographically or within our religious tradition) that obscure for us the meanings the texts had for those when they were written, or that keep us from engaging scripture at levels much deeper than literal, historical, and moral instruction? How can study of sacred texts viewed through different lenses often lead us to greater appreciation of many of the authors’ brilliance, and serve as a catalyst for our own illumination and deeper experiences with the Divine? Margaret and David are wonderful guides for these kinds of inquiry and the potential benefits for us that come when we rethink scripture. Please listen in to our discussion and help continue it by reacting and sharing in the comments section! Links:  David Bokovoy, Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis - Deuteronomy (Kofford Books, 2014) Richard Rohr, What Do We Do With the Bible? (Center for Action and Contemplation, 2019)

Very few of us give deep consideration to the nature of scripture and how it should be read and understood. We grow up (or come to it during a conversion process) primarily with the idea that these are sacred texts that are inspired in a different way than any other writings, that God has gotten involved in their production to a special degree so that there is a high degree of reliability in what they they say. We have favorite ones, or others that we like because they sing to our hearts more than the rest. We enter into a religion and culture that already has a long history of interpretive readings of many scriptural passages and stories, and unless something really jars or fails to sit well with us, we hardly ever dive into interpretations that other traditions favor, and even less often do we look into the original languages in which the scriptures were written to see if the English (or whatever language we speak and read) misses certain things present to those native to that language. In short, while we may not be lazy in following the urging of leaders and teachers to read our scriptures, we are generally pretty lazy when it comes to thinking about scripture in general, and certain (sometimes troubling) passages in particular. In this episode, the first of several we hope to record and release in a series, we examine to some degree scripture as a whole, but then do deep dives into certain verses and passages that are often misread and misunderstood (or under-understood: they are far richer than we imagined!). With Mark Crego and Margaret Toscano as guides, along with Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, the discussions here focus on several scriptures familiar to Latter-day Saints (and some to other Christians, as well), and examine them from many different angles, each of them leading to richer, deeper understandings of the passages themselves, but also the ideas underlying them. The panel was surprised to discover how all of the ones they had chosen to talk about in this first episode ultimately converged into a wonderful theme: understanding better the nature of the love of God. Hear for yourself how they get to that topic every time, even as they are discussing scriptures that don’t on the surface or at least in LDS interpretive schemas usually center on the love of God. The scriptures talked about directly in this discussion are: John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” D&C 82:10, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect.” Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Plus tie-ins to many other scriptural passages.

Very few of us give deep consideration to the nature of scripture and how it should be read and understood. We grow up (or come to it during a conversion process) primarily with the idea that these are sacred texts that are inspired in a different way than any other writings, that God has gotten involved in their production to a special degree so that there is a high degree of reliability in what they they say. We have favorite ones, or others that we like because they sing to our hearts more than the rest. We enter into a religion and culture that already has a long history of interpretive readings of many scriptural passages and stories, and unless something really jars or fails to sit well with us, we hardly ever dive into interpretations that other traditions favor, and even less often do we look into the original languages in which the scriptures were written to see if the English (or whatever language we speak and read) misses certain things present to those native to that language. In short, while we may not be lazy in following the urging of leaders and teachers to read our scriptures, we are generally pretty lazy when it comes to thinking about scripture in general, and certain (sometimes troubling) passages in particular. In this episode, the first of several we hope to record and release in a series, we examine to some degree scripture as a whole, but then do deep dives into certain verses and passages that are often misread and misunderstood (or under-understood: they are far richer than we imagined!). With Mark Crego and Margaret Toscano as guides, along with Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, the discussions here focus on several scriptures familiar to Latter-day Saints (and some to other Christians, as well), and examine them from many different angles, each of them leading to richer, deeper understandings of the passages themselves, but also the ideas underlying them. The panel was surprised to discover how all of the ones they had chosen to talk about in this first episode ultimately converged into a wonderful theme: understanding better the nature of the love of God. Hear for yourself how they get to that topic every time, even as they are discussing scriptures that don’t on the surface or at least in LDS interpretive schemas usually center on the love of God. The scriptures talked about directly in this discussion are: John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” D&C 82:10, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect.” Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Plus tie-ins to many other scriptural passages.

Of course Mormonism is a religion. But do we always think about it through the lenses of such a big and diverse category? Among those who are born into and/or otherwise live and experience the world primarily through the lenses of Mormonism, most often their focus is on its "truth claims" as well as the pathway it lays out for "salvation—" And for them Mormonism and the LDS Church are mostly defined in terms of their community and the institution that sets forth its beliefs and practices, including administering its sacred ordinances. But like every other religion, Mormonism is more than just these things. It is a key element in identity formation; it articulates core spiritual and ethical values and suggests, either formally or through Mormon cultural influences, how its members should think and act about key matters of the day. In general, it is the primary contributor to the worldview that provides a sense of orientation and direction in what can often feel like an overwhelmingly chaotic world. In this two-part episode, religion scholars Laurie Maffly-Kipp and Doe Daughtrey, along with classics scholar Margaret Toscano, join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon in discussion of "religion" that opens our eyes to these larger categories and ways religions influence lives, and then discusses elements of Mormonism that these help illustrate. What can we learn and realize about Mormonism when seen through comparative lenses? How typical is Mormonism among other traditions in its historical and current-day wrestling with social and cultural issues such as gender, sexuality, race, scripture and sacred texts, women, and authority structures?

Of course Mormonism is a religion. But do we always think about it through the lenses of such a big and diverse category? Among those who are born into and/or otherwise live and experience the world primarily through the lenses of Mormonism, most often their focus is on its "truth claims" as well as the pathway it lays out for "salvation—" And for them Mormonism and the LDS Church are mostly defined in terms of their community and the institution that sets forth its beliefs and practices, including administering its sacred ordinances. But like every other religion, Mormonism is more than just these things. It is a key element in identity formation; it articulates core spiritual and ethical values and suggests, either formally or through Mormon cultural influences, how its members should think and act about key matters of the day. In general, it is the primary contributor to the worldview that provides a sense of orientation and direction in what can often feel like an overwhelmingly chaotic world. In this two-part episode, religion scholars Laurie Maffly-Kipp and Doe Daughtrey, along with classics scholar Margaret Toscano, join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon in discussion of "religion" that opens our eyes to these larger categories and ways religions influence lives, and then discusses elements of Mormonism that these help illustrate. What can we learn and realize about Mormonism when seen through comparative lenses? How typical is Mormonism among other traditions in its historical and current-day wrestling with social and cultural issues such as gender, sexuality, race, scripture and sacred texts, women, and authority structures?

Where would Margaret Toscano start if she was asked to reform the Mormon Church? Listen in as Margaret joins Bob, Chelsea, and Glenn to talk about gender roles, activism, the Ordain Women movement, faith, spirituality, LDS Temple ceremonies,  Heavenly Mother, whether or not there should be a separate priesthood for women, and a bunch of other really interesting stuff.

Margaret Toscano and Nancy Ross present their topic on August 2, 2013. [powerpress]

Margaret Toscano and Nancy Ross present their topic on August 2, 2013. [powerpress]

Margaret Toscano, Stephanie Lauritzen and Mary Ellen Robertson present their panel on August 1, 2013. [powerpress]

Margaret Toscano, Stephanie Lauritzen and Mary Ellen Robertson present their panel on August 1, 2013. [powerpress]

On June 11, 2011, members of the Mormon Stories community held their 2nd regional conference in Salt Lake City. In this panel presentation entitled Navigating an Open Approach to Mormonism, professors Margaret Toscano and Joanna Brooks, along with Carol Lynn Pearson, Jared Anderson and John Dehlin discuss inclusivity, openness, and an expended approach to Mormon identity, while also fielding practical questions from the audience.

Classics professor Margaret Toscano of the University of Utah discusses mythology and the film The Flying Serpent.

Classics professor Margaret Toscano of the University of Utah discusses mythology and the film The Flying Serpent.

Classics professor Margaret Toscano of the University of Utah discusses mythology and the film The Flying Serpent.