On 14 January 2018, twelve days after the passing of Thomas S. Monson, the long-serving prophet-president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the remaining members of the church's highest quorums met together to set apart a new prophet-president, Russell M. Nelson, and to reorganize the First Presidency. In a move that surprised many, President Nelson selected Dallin H. Oaks as his first counselor and Henry B. Eyring as his second counselor. Eyring had previously been first counselor in the First Presidency under President Monson, and served alongside Dieter F. Uchtdorf as second counselor, who, with this change now moves back into his seniority slot within the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (which is currently a quorum of ten following president Monson's passing along with that of Elder Robert D. Hales a couple of months before.) Two days after the shuffle in the First Presidency, the three members of the First Presidency, with the apostles in the room but (except for one conducting a meeting) not speaking, appeared in front of television cameras, first within the Salt Lake Temple where each shared prepared remarks, and then thirty or so minutes later where they took part in a press conference.
In this episode, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, is joined by good friends and fellow church watchers Walt Wood, Rosalynde Welch, and Caleb Jones in a discussion of this new prophet, First Presidency, and role changes within the Quorum of the Twelve. What are their impressions of the two public events? The changes in assignments? This new leadership in terms of what they said and didn't say in their messaging about what had happened and how the church might move in response to certain areas of concern (as prompted by questions from the press)? The panelists share personal reactions to the news and news conference as well as speak to what they have been hearing among the various church constituencies of which they are a part--most particularly with regard to the reassignment of Elder Uchtdorf and its potential effects on the church, both external and internal. New leadership takes time to get to know, and the panelists share their intentions to be patient and attentive and thoughtful as they hear and sustain these leaders in their new roles. In what resources or impressions are they finding optimism and strength?
On 14 January 2018, twelve days after the passing of Thomas S. Monson, the long-serving prophet-president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the remaining members of the church's highest quorums met together to set apart a new prophet-president, Russell M. Nelson, and to reorganize the First Presidency. In a move that surprised many, President Nelson selected Dallin H. Oaks as his first counselor and Henry B. Eyring as his second counselor. Eyring had previously been first counselor in the First Presidency under President Monson, and served alongside Dieter F. Uchtdorf as second counselor, who, with this change now moves back into his seniority slot within the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (which is currently a quorum of ten following president Monson's passing along with that of Elder Robert D. Hales a couple of months before.) Two days after the shuffle in the First Presidency, the three members of the First Presidency, with the apostles in the room but (except for one conducting a meeting) not speaking, appeared in front of television cameras, first within the Salt Lake Temple where each shared prepared remarks, and then thirty or so minutes later where they took part in a press conference.
In this episode, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, is joined by good friends and fellow church watchers Walt Wood, Rosalynde Welch, and Caleb Jones in a discussion of this new prophet, First Presidency, and role changes within the Quorum of the Twelve. What are their impressions of the two public events? The changes in assignments? This new leadership in terms of what they said and didn't say in their messaging about what had happened and how the church might move in response to certain areas of concern (as prompted by questions from the press)? The panelists share personal reactions to the news and news conference as well as speak to what they have been hearing among the various church constituencies of which they are a part--most particularly with regard to the reassignment of Elder Uchtdorf and its potential effects on the church, both external and internal. New leadership takes time to get to know, and the panelists share their intentions to be patient and attentive and thoughtful as they hear and sustain these leaders in their new roles. In what resources or impressions are they finding optimism and strength?
In this follow-up episode to our early December shows titled "Mormons Encountering Death," former hospice chaplain and meditation and contemplation teacher Phil McLemore joins Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon for a deep dive into spiritual practices and insights that can help one prepare (and prepare now!) for our eventual death. Combining discussions of scripture, both Biblical and LDS, with training and sensibilities from contemplative traditions, the two speak directly to the causes of the fear and anxieties that often lead to our denying our mortality or refusing to consider the dying process and working toward it becoming less terrifying—and possibly even beautiful.
May these 90 minutes be a source of wisdom and potential comfort to you, as well as a spur to greater integration of death into our daily consciousness.
Bill Reel is widely known within the Mormon podcast world as a fellow traveler on the road many of us have found ourselves on--often quite reluctantly. At one time, we have thrived within Mormonism. It contributes greatly to our identity, and provides our primary social group. It helps shape our thinking and character in ways we don't often reflect upon. We have everything figured out. Our religious worldview tells us what's of foremost importance, and where various traps are that might lead us from the path God says we should follow. And then . . . a bump . . . a hiccup . . . a fact that shakes us or idea that once we truly examine it leaves us scratching our head. Things accelerate. If this practice or that idea are showing themselves to be something less that purely divine in origins, to have changed over the centuries, to have human fingerprints all over them, and we move into what many call a "faith crisis." And, now it dawns on us that we will have to decide things for ourselves. Those values we were taught and believe--were they truly the best ones (or the best ones for me), the ones that my spirit or temperament is meant to hold above other ones? What about this path? I see others traveling down different ones, should I explore it? And so on and so forth...
Bill and I, and so many of you, know this territory well. We've lived it. And we've faced it in different ways according to our experiences, temperaments, needs. But via moving into this complexity, for some of us, our continuing to live or push through the tensions and difficult processes of choosing (very reflectively) our own values have ultimately led to a newfound peace. It's not a "tensionless" peace, but we end up coming to find those places where ideas and personalities and practices rub against each other (and never fully come to make perfect "sense" according to our rational minds) to be important catalysts for growth and creativity and a newfound sense of purpose--and peace. One much sturdier and less susceptible to discouragement and despair when life does its "life-ing" and people do their "human-ing" and leaders and family members and friends shift or fail to shift in the directions we'd like them to.
I'm grateful that I got the chance to interview and have a great conversation with Bill. I know you'll find him very insightful, as well as vulnerable and relatable and good-hearted. He shares his journey with us--so far!--and reflects on faith development and shifts from ego-centrism and tribal thinking to a centering in a wider cosmos and valuing the gifts of every religious tradition, every person. Finally, in addition to talking about Mormonism as a wonderful workshop in which to all tensions to do their refining and expanding work, we discuss how he now views and "holds" his Mormonism (including addressing a shift--that many have noticed and talked about--in his podcast's tone beginning about two years ago) and how new understandings of myth and ritual and practice have helped him become re-centered in Mormonism, but far more "on his own terms." Bill is a wonderful teacher and person, and I trust you will all very much enjoy this episode!
Bill Reel is widely known within the Mormon podcast world as a fellow traveler on the road many of us have found ourselves on--often quite reluctantly. At one time, we have thrived within Mormonism. It contributes greatly to our identity, and provides our primary social group. It helps shape our thinking and character in ways we don't often reflect upon. We have everything figured out. Our religious worldview tells us what's of foremost importance, and where various traps are that might lead us from the path God says we should follow. And then . . . a bump . . . a hiccup . . . a fact that shakes us or idea that once we truly examine it leaves us scratching our head. Things accelerate. If this practice or that idea are showing themselves to be something less that purely divine in origins, to have changed over the centuries, to have human fingerprints all over them, and we move into what many call a "faith crisis." And, now it dawns on us that we will have to decide things for ourselves. Those values we were taught and believe--were they truly the best ones (or the best ones for me), the ones that my spirit or temperament is meant to hold above other ones? What about this path? I see others traveling down different ones, should I explore it? And so on and so forth...
Bill and I, and so many of you, know this territory well. We've lived it. And we've faced it in different ways according to our experiences, temperaments, needs. But via moving into this complexity, for some of us, our continuing to live or push through the tensions and difficult processes of choosing (very reflectively) our own values have ultimately led to a newfound peace. It's not a "tensionless" peace, but we end up coming to find those places where ideas and personalities and practices rub against each other (and never fully come to make perfect "sense" according to our rational minds) to be important catalysts for growth and creativity and a newfound sense of purpose--and peace. One much sturdier and less susceptible to discouragement and despair when life does its "life-ing" and people do their "human-ing" and leaders and family members and friends shift or fail to shift in the directions we'd like them to.
I'm grateful that I got the chance to interview and have a great conversation with Bill. I know you'll find him very insightful, as well as vulnerable and relatable and good-hearted. He shares his journey with us--so far!--and reflects on faith development and shifts from ego-centrism and tribal thinking to a centering in a wider cosmos and valuing the gifts of every religious tradition, every person. Finally, in addition to talking about Mormonism as a wonderful workshop in which to all tensions to do their refining and expanding work, we discuss how he now views and "holds" his Mormonism (including addressing a shift--that many have noticed and talked about--in his podcast's tone beginning about two years ago) and how new understandings of myth and ritual and practice have helped him become re-centered in Mormonism, but far more "on his own terms." Bill is a wonderful teacher and person, and I trust you will all very much enjoy this episode!
Happy New Year, Mormon Matters listeners!
To start 2018, I asked many of my friends if they would consider writing prayers for the new year or share favorite prayers they have gained strength from in the past. More than twenty responded!
Recordings of them reading these prayers are included in this three-part episode, along with brief introductions of each person and a bit of background about the prayer they wrote or chose to share. They are diverse, and range from prayers in pretty standard Mormon forms, to prayer-poems, and prose essays. The participants represent a variety of voices and perspectives: women, men, believers, agnostics/atheists, engaged Latter-day Saints, lapsed Mormons, and two women who are attending divinity school. All share one thing, though: They have been on marvelous, integrity-filled journeys with God/Spirit/the Universe. I know you will really enjoy getting to know them and their hearts in this intimate way.
Part 1 (Ep. 438) features prayers from:
Susan Hinckley, Eric Samuelsen, Lisa Scott, Rick Jepson, Sonja Farnsworth, Tom Kimball, Megan Kjar Christiansen, and Richard Ostler.
Part 2 (Ep. 439) features prayers from:
Laurie Lee Hall, Scott Turley, Gina Colvin, Scot Denhalter, Jody England Hansen, Stephen Carter, Merrie Smithson, John Gustav-Wrathall, Fiona Givens, and Joseph Stanford
Part 3 (Ep. 440) features prayers from:
Becky and Shannon Linford, Mark Crego, Katie Langston, Leon Maynard, Sydnie Olsen, Greg Olsen, Carol Lynn Pearson, and Dan Wotherspoon
Happy New Year, Mormon Matters listeners!
To start 2018, I asked many of my friends if they would consider writing prayers for the new year or share favorite prayers they have gained strength from in the past. More than twenty responded!
Recordings of them reading these prayers are included in this three-part episode, along with brief introductions of each person and a bit of background about the prayer they wrote or chose to share. They are diverse, and range from prayers in pretty standard Mormon forms, to prayer-poems, and prose essays. The participants represent a variety of voices and perspectives: women, men, believers, agnostics/atheists, engaged Latter-day Saints, lapsed Mormons, and two women who are attending divinity school. All share one thing, though: They have been on marvelous, integrity-filled journeys with God/Spirit/the Universe. I know you will really enjoy getting to know them and their hearts in this intimate way.
Part 1 (Ep. 438) features prayers from:
Susan Hinckley, Eric Samuelsen, Lisa Scott, Rick Jepson, Sonja Farnsworth, Tom Kimball, Megan Kjar Christiansen, and Richard Ostler.
Part 2 (Ep. 439) features prayers from:
Laurie Lee Hall, Scott Turley, Gina Colvin, Scot Denhalter, Jody England Hansen, Stephen Carter, Merrie Smithson, John Gustav-Wrathall, Fiona Givens, and Joseph Stanford
Part 3 (Ep. 440) features prayers from:
Becky and Shannon Linford, Mark Crego, Katie Langston, Leon Maynard, Sydnie Olsen, Greg Olsen, Carol Lynn Pearson, and Dan Wotherspoon
Happy New Year, Mormon Matters listeners!
To start 2018, I asked many of my friends if they would consider writing prayers for the new year or share favorite prayers they have gained strength from in the past. More than twenty responded!
Recordings of them reading these prayers are included in this three-part episode, along with brief introductions of each person and a bit of background about the prayer they wrote or chose to share. They are diverse, and range from prayers in pretty standard Mormon forms, to prayer-poems, and prose essays. The participants represent a variety of voices and perspectives: women, men, believers, agnostics/atheists, engaged Latter-day Saints, lapsed Mormons, and two women who are attending divinity school. All share one thing, though: They have been on marvelous, integrity-filled journeys with God/Spirit/the Universe. I know you will really enjoy getting to know them and their hearts in this intimate way.
Part 1 (Ep. 438) features prayers from:
Susan Hinckley, Eric Samuelsen, Lisa Scott, Rick Jepson, Sonja Farnsworth, Tom Kimball, Megan Kjar Christiansen, and Richard Ostler.
Part 2 (Ep. 439) features prayers from:
Laurie Lee Hall, Scott Turley, Gina Colvin, Scot Denhalter, Jody England Hansen, Stephen Carter, Merrie Smithson, John Gustav-Wrathall, Fiona Givens, and Joseph Stanford
Part 3 (Ep. 440) features prayers from:
Becky and Shannon Linford, Mark Crego, Katie Langston, Leon Maynard, Sydnie Olsen, Greg Olsen, Carol Lynn Pearson, and Dan Wotherspoon