Sunstone Magazine
Summary: The mission of the Sunstone Education Foundation is to sponsor public forums for expression of views on religion, religious culture and Mormonism. Under the motto, "Faith Seeking Understanding," we examine and express the rich spiritual, intellectual, social, and artistic qualities of Utah’s religious culture as well as contemporary life. We encourage honest inquiry and responsible exchange of ideas in a manner respectful of all people and that which they hold sacred. In the SunstoneClassic podcast, we will feature each week a presentation given at a previous Sunstone symposium.
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Podcasts:
George R. Compton believes that the eventual legalization of polygamy is inevitable, and the Utah legislature recently took a giant step in that direction by voting to stop prosecuting polygamy as a felony. In what ways would the legalization of polygamy be useful to current American culture? This episode presents Compton’s fascinating article as narrated …
The latest LDS Handbook update about transgender members shows promise for the future but also has some theological and scientific problems. Blair Ostler talks with philosophy professor Kelli Potter about the complexities of gender and how it can affect LDS theology and practice. Listen to this episode here.
For more than a century, Mormonism has been married to the Republican Party, conservative political values being preached unapologetically from both the general and ward pulpit. But a rift seems to be occurring between the two, as evidenced by LDS senators Mitt Romney and Mike Lee voting on opposite sides of the recent impeachment. In …
Samantha Richardson transitioned to being a woman in her 40s, and—to her great surprise—the Utah ward she moved into immediately embraced her. In this episode, Blaire Ostler and Richardson talk about the recent additions to Handbook 1 regarding transgender people, and how they impact those, like Richardson, who want to be a part of the …
Brittney Hartley sees a huge gap between the colorful world of Mormon academia and the average church member. In this episode, Jaxon Washburn talks with her about the book she published to fill that gap and how it can steer LDS Church members away from fundamentalist thinking. Listen to this episode here.
Emma Smith has long remained an important, and sometimes controversial figure in Mormon history. Bryan Buchanan and Lindsay Hansen Park are joined by Emma’s biographer, Linda King Newell to learn more about this fascinating woman. This episode also features historian Christopher C. Smith. Listen to this episode here.
Ryan McKnight and Ethan Dodge believe that the LDS Church would be a better place if it were transparent about its finances and policies. Toward that end, they have established MormonLeaks which releases internal documents and recordings from the LDS Church. John Larsen interviews McKnight and Dodge about some of the surprising results of their …
During his years of watching the ex-Mormon community, John Larsen has seen an interesting pattern. As they leave the LDS Church, ex-Mormons often accidentally deprive themselves of emotional and psychological benefits to which Mormonism doesn’t have exclusive claim. What are these benefits, and how can ex-Mormons reclaim them? Listen to this episode here.
Marta Vázquez came to the United States from Honduras at 17 years old, pregnant and with a small daughter in tow. Her goal was to join the U.S. Army. Now she is an advocate for asylum seekers in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Vázquez talks with Sara Bybee Fisk about her fascinating life. Listen to this …
Could returning to church actually be a sign of significant spiritual growth for post-Mormons? Or would they just be sucked back into the cultural ailments they were trying to escape in the first place? Stephen Carter argues that eventually returning to church is essential—but for reasons that would surprise both orthodox Mormons and post-Mormons. Listen …
If you think safety is expensive, try… creating a bank? Things were just getting good in Kirtland until the Saints tried their hands at banking, or anti-banking. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the Kirtland Safety Society and how the attempt to form a Mormon bank didn’t turn out so well. Listen to …
Are LDS borderlanders the only ones who can slow down, or even stop, the Pride Cycle as described in the Book of Mormon? Stephen Carter thinks so, because they’re the only ones who have been both inside and outside the “technology” of the LDS Church. With a few tips from Jesus, Stephen thinks borderlanders can …
The stresses of race, patriarchy, politics, and sexual shame all contributed to the collapse of Laura Ruiz’s marriage. Cristina Gonzalez Cole talks with Ruiz about her journey. Listen to this episode here.
Imagine if the Book of Mormon were 116 pages longer. That’s what Don Bradley has been doing for the past 15 years as he has reconstructed what might have been in first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript that Martin Harris lost. Jaxon Washburn interviews Bradley about his methods and findings. Listen to …
Although an advocate for LGBTQ equality, John Larsen doesn’t believe the LDS Church can bring that community into full fellowship without dismantling its doctrine. In this episode, he lays out his argument and then calls for responses to it, hoping that there is indeed room for LGBTQ equality in the LDS Church. Listen to this …
