In recent years, Mormonism has been doing much better when talking about depression and mental health struggles, helping destigmatize them and encouraging its members to seek assistance. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's October 2013 General Conference address, "Like a Broken Vessel" spoke candidly about these topics, and the church's mental health section at LDS.org/mentalhealth is likewise open-hearted about depression and mental health illnesses, and also teaches us about ways we can compassionately interact with those in our families, wards, and circle of contacts who grapple with them.
In non-official LDS circles, the LoveLoud Festival (now a month away from its second event) has raised awareness about the suicide crisis among Utah teens and young adults, especially those who identify as LGBT+. LoveLoud's founder, LDS rock star Dan Reynolds of the band Imagine Dragons, has just this past week been featured in a full-length documentary, Believer (began June 25th on HBO) about his coming to awareness about the struggles of LGBT Mormons, and his energetic work in conceiving and organizing the first festival. We are grateful for both of these great developments.
Just as with every medical issue, though, it's important to explore as fully as we can the literature and scientific research surrounding it. And in the case of depression and suicide, as well as several other mental health issues, the findings don't present as clean a picture as most of us have about the efficacy and advisability of even short-time use of anti-depressants, especially among teens and young adults, as well as about long-term benefits for most everyone. The predominant treatment program for depression today is drug therapy (and LDS literature suggests it is in step with this approach), but many researchers are asking if that should be the case.
This episode features two important voices who are asking questions like this: Robert Whitaker, a celebrated journalist and author who focuses on science and medicine, and Jacob Hess, Ph.D., a mental health researcher and advocate for better discussions about topics about important questions such as "Should I begin taking anti-depressants?" Neither Bob nor Jared are anti- anti-depressants so much as pro- "informed consent." In this discussion, they overview much of the literature about and offer background into the paradigm shift that took place some thirty years ago when anti-depressant use began to soar, and they compare it with actual findings about both short- and long-term outcomes. They also share information about many factors that contribute to depression, anxiety, and several other mental health challenges and what research is showing about effective therapies that help with those either in combination with medication or without it.
The story they tell is fascinating, as well as difficult to hear but also hopeful. We hope you will pay close attention to this episode and share it with those you know who could benefit from hearing a wider view on today's understanding of the causes of many mental health struggles and prevailing treatment approaches.
The concept of "atonement" is powerful: being "at one" with God, others, and ourselves. But the panelists on this episode, Mark Crego and George Andrew Spriggs, along with Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, find the way it is usually talked about in Mormon and wider Christian circles to leave something to be desired. Too often the Atonement is seen through the lenses of various theories about "how" Christ's death reconciled us—with different answers even to what it reconciled us with. The Atonement is discussed as an event. Sure, it's one with eternal significance, but very often it is treated like an act that healed a rift (between us and God, or us and moral law, or us and justice) or that cosmically did "something" in the universe that allows us mortals to overcome our destructive tendencies and sins, with our job being to then "take advantage of” it or "qualify" so it can or will become active in our lives here and now or, at least, for us come judgment day.
But what would happen if atonement were thought about more as a concept than an event? Or even, perhaps, thought of as a powerful idea even without a Christian context? Can we allow the notion of peace and being "at one" with our highest self, others in our lives, or with whatever might be the Ultimate Reality in the universe call us into greater relationship, enabling a flourishing life with all instances infused with love? And if we go back to Christianity and the story and symbolism of Jesus Christ and the cross and how his mission was to draw all unto him (not “force,” but draw, attract, lead, counsel, coach) and the kind of relationality he experiences, can we re-enliven Atonement? Can we resurrect it in our lives?
This episode is long but always moving forward at a good pace. In it Mark and Dan propose various ideas and Andrew, the wonderful thinker and clarifier, reacts and pushes for greater clarification or offers where he finds the proposals lacking. In the mix of this, much is discussed, much laid out that typically escapes discussion. We think you'll very much enjoy this three-part podcast!
The concept of "atonement" is powerful: being "at one" with God, others, and ourselves. But the panelists on this episode, Mark Crego and George Andrew Spriggs, along with Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, find the way it is usually talked about in Mormon and wider Christian circles to leave something to be desired. Too often the Atonement is seen through the lenses of various theories about "how" Christ's death reconciled us—with different answers even to what it reconciled us with. The Atonement is discussed as an event. Sure, it's one with eternal significance, but very often it is treated like an act that healed a rift (between us and God, or us and moral law, or us and justice) or that cosmically did "something" in the universe that allows us mortals to overcome our destructive tendencies and sins, with our job being to then "take advantage of” it or "qualify" so it can or will become active in our lives here and now or, at least, for us come judgment day.
But what would happen if atonement were thought about more as a concept than an event? Or even, perhaps, thought of as a powerful idea even without a Christian context? Can we allow the notion of peace and being "at one" with our highest self, others in our lives, or with whatever might be the Ultimate Reality in the universe call us into greater relationship, enabling a flourishing life with all instances infused with love? And if we go back to Christianity and the story and symbolism of Jesus Christ and the cross and how his mission was to draw all unto him (not “force,” but draw, attract, lead, counsel, coach) and the kind of relationality he experiences, can we re-enliven Atonement? Can we resurrect it in our lives?
This episode is long but always moving forward at a good pace. In it Mark and Dan propose various ideas and Andrew, the wonderful thinker and clarifier, reacts and pushes for greater clarification or offers where he finds the proposals lacking. In the mix of this, much is discussed, much laid out that typically escapes discussion. We think you'll very much enjoy this three-part podcast!
The concept of "atonement" is powerful: being "at one" with God, others, and ourselves. But the panelists on this episode, Mark Crego and George Andrew Spriggs, along with Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, find the way it is usually talked about in Mormon and wider Christian circles to leave something to be desired. Too often the Atonement is seen through the lenses of various theories about "how" Christ's death reconciled us—with different answers even to what it reconciled us with. The Atonement is discussed as an event. Sure, it's one with eternal significance, but very often it is treated like an act that healed a rift (between us and God, or us and moral law, or us and justice) or that cosmically did "something" in the universe that allows us mortals to overcome our destructive tendencies and sins, with our job being to then "take advantage of” it or "qualify" so it can or will become active in our lives here and now or, at least, for us come judgment day.
But what would happen if atonement were thought about more as a concept than an event? Or even, perhaps, thought of as a powerful idea even without a Christian context? Can we allow the notion of peace and being "at one" with our highest self, others in our lives, or with whatever might be the Ultimate Reality in the universe call us into greater relationship, enabling a flourishing life with all instances infused with love? And if we go back to Christianity and the story and symbolism of Jesus Christ and the cross and how his mission was to draw all unto him (not “force,” but draw, attract, lead, counsel, coach) and the kind of relationality he experiences, can we re-enliven Atonement? Can we resurrect it in our lives?
This episode is long but always moving forward at a good pace. In it Mark and Dan propose various ideas and Andrew, the wonderful thinker and clarifier, reacts and pushes for greater clarification or offers where he finds the proposals lacking. In the mix of this, much is discussed, much laid out that typically escapes discussion. We think you'll very much enjoy this three-part podcast!
This episode wrestles with exclusivist claims in religion, including Mormonism, as well as in our psyches. How does the idea of chosenness, specialness, uniqueness, and being “right” or on the “true” path work in our minds and hearts in both positive and negative ways? Why do we want to cling to ideas that work to set us apart from others rather than unite us with the rest of humanity in struggling and wrestling with life's biggest questions? Why do so many of us focus on being "right" about the way things "really are" in the heavens? Does it make sense to skip the struggle of determining our own values and power in exchange for safety in some yet-unknown and indeterminate future?
Being "the one and only true church" has played a fascinating role in Mormonism and in the lives of its adherents. And because of the power of this idea, many of us struggle when we are presented with alternate views that challenge its exclusivist claims. Do we "dare" explore these other areas more? Do we answer this deep call within us to become our "own" person rather than remain safely in the Mormon (or whatever religion one associates with) current, moving steadily ahead toward goals we have been taught were certain to be achieved if we keep with the group?
In this Mormon Matters discussion, two wonderful LDS therapists, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen, join host Dan Wotherspoon for a deep dive into the dynamics of exclusivism as they play out in Mormonism and in the deepest parts of ourselves. How can we trust ourselves to venture beyond the stories and assurances we've been given and not become lost? Is it a wrestle that all of us must eventually take on in order to be psychologically and mentally healthy? Are there ways that we are seeing Mormonism change with regard to exclusive truth claims that open up our Sunday and other LDS spaces for genuine exploration and wrestling rather than primarily being dedicated to shoring up truth claims? Finally, what good is the idea that we know the "Truth" anyway? How well does it serve us and our souls? Are there other types of searches that are far more important to embark on than seeking to "have all the answers"?