The Cultural Hall Podcast

Sean Donnelly is an Area Relations Manager based in SLC. He supports the teams in all aspects of public relations, government relations and communication efforts. He chairs the Africa government relations sub-committee in the USA. He is the managing editor of Africa Newsroom. Sean has lived and worked in 9 countries, and in prior life worked for a US listed company for 9 years in the UK office as a senior manager of large departments. He also spent 20 years in management consulting in diverse industries across Europe and Africa, focused mainly on executive development and organizational effectiveness, marketing and strategy and was running his own company. He served with his wife as mission leaders in Madagascar and interim mission leaders in the Congo. He is a fluent French speaker. He was a sought-after motivational speaker and later author of a top-selling personal effectiveness book in South Africa. He combines years of corporate experience with a strong academic understanding, he has an MBA from Bond University Australia. His outstanding competence is people leadership and organizational effectiveness in emerging market economies. He now has vast experience working in international areas and at headquarters for the Church. He joined The Church in 1983 and went on mission 11 months later to Switzerland, Geneva. He served as a Bishop at age 29, Stake Presidency, Mission President twice, Stake Audit Chairman etc. He has travelled to most of the countries in Africa many times, he understands intimately the socio-economic and political context, and most important how to work with the people and politics in Africa. He is married to Dianne, and together they enjoy nature conservation, wildlife photography, outdoors and life.

Kerry Muhlestein returns to The Hall for the third time with his latest book, The Easter Connection: Made Whole with God Through Christ. About the Book: From His agony in Gethsemane to His death on the cross, the Savior’s selfless acts in His final days in mortal life afford us an unparalleled gift: the opportunity for an eternity spent with those we love, most especially our Heavenly Parents. In this moving exploration of the biblical account of Holy Week, Dr. Kerry Muhlestein illuminates the powerful theme of eternal unification achievable only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This Easter, find the hope, healing, and wholeness made available through the incomparable sacrifice and Resurrection of the Savior of the world. Find Kerry Muhlestein’s other TCH interviews and books here: Episode 407 & I Saw the Lord: Joseph’s First Vision Combined from Nine Accounts Episode 490 & God Will Prevail: Ancient Covenants, Modern Blessings, and the Gathering of Israel           About the Author Kerry Muhlestein is a Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU with a Ph.D. in Egyptology and Hebrew Language and Literature from UCLA. He is the Director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project. He hosts the podcast The Scriptures Are Real. He is also the author of many books, including Learning to Love Isaiah, which helps us understand Isaiah in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon. He has also written extensively about the Abrahamic Covenant and the Book of Abraham. He has six children and one grandson.     *This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Kirtland Temple Purchased Frequencly Asked Questions   Sites were closed on March 5th and will reopen on March 25th to the public without cost. Talks began in June 2021 for the purchase, will remain a historical building Cleveland Ohio Temple announced in April 2022, located in Independence, Ohio Site preparation is underway. Community of Christ Q&A Full list of Properties and items The church was looking at the possibility of letting go one third of staff in 2025. Financial transparency with graphs! COC Employees were offered the option of a position in Independence, Missouri, USA, including a relocation package, or continued employment in their current location through September 2024 with a severance package at that time. The COC retains historic sites in Plano, IL, Lamoni, IA, and Independence MO.  The LDS church will provide the temple up to six times a year for meetings and gatherings. – What other groups will be allowed? – 2024 Mormon History Association in June.  Kirtland Temple Suit Brigham Young and the 12 wanted to sell the Nauvoo and Kirtland Temples to finance the move to the west. Temple belonged to Joseph Smith at time of death, ownership is disputed and the temple is sold on the steps of the courthouse to settle his debts. Sells for $150 in 1860 and it eventually gets sold to Joseph Smith III. Several people try to use/buy/sell the temple, but are prevented due to the cloudy chain of title.  JS III attempts to sell the temple again, but the RLDS presiding bishop sues him (as well as John Taylor) in 1875 and tries to argue that the temple belongs to the church because the deed is only good for the land under the temple. Judge dismissed the case, but indicated that the RLDS Church was the true successor of the Joseph Smith church because the LDS church had gone rogue, citing polygamy and Adam-God Doctrine.    Although ownership remained disputed, the RLDS continued to use it and make repairs. By 1901, the ownership of the temple was made clear under the doctrine of adverse possession (“squatters rights” – more than 20 years of use). Without this care, the temple would have likely fallen into disrepair. Fate of the Kirtland Temple Joseph Smith Papers Podcast Episode 7 Debunked that the temple was a stable for animals.  John Hamer presentation on evolution of LDS/COC temples.  Significant Nauvoo Properties  Red Brick Store (Reconstructed) – First Endowments  Mansion House – residence of the Smiths, entertained guests, briefly installed a bar. Nauvoo House – a commandment to build along with a temple.

Howard Parr worked as a photojournalist in the luxury watch industry for nearly a decade. He found a photography project featuring ovarian cancer survivors in partnership with top-Swiss brand Jäeger Le-Coultre. His painting and photography can be found in collections throughout the world. Howard is co-founder of an auto finance software company with his wife of 25 years, and co-founder of non-profit PeakU, mitigating dating and violence with a multi-level curriculum for elevating healthy relationships. He and his wife are grateful to live in Utah and enjoy Mountain biking, skiing and Hiking with their dogs.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints has acquired the Kirtland Temple, Nauvoo Mansion House, Red brick store  among other numerous artifacts for 192.5 Million Dollars   Our Interview with the Church History Sites Director Kirtland Temple Fan Fiction Episode 667 Cover Picture By John Hamer at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=221768  

Richard Bernard is an experienced teacher, speaker, and unabashed technology geek. Because of his dyslexia, Richard has struggled his entire life to find how to manage his time and to study and understand the scriptures. He found the answer in technology and came to see that what he learned is applicable to everyone. He loves technology and has been teaching its use since the mid-’80s. He and his wife, Amy, served a two-year service mission at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, helping missionaries to study the scriptures effectively. He is passionate about the Gospel Library and journaling and has been a guest speaker worldwide and a speaker at BYU Education Week and RootsTech. (thebusylatterdaysaint.com) Richard is a busy grandfather to 34+ grandchildren, from his late and current wives. He has had several careers including a professional musician with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and insurance salesperson, and an ASL teacher. He is currently serving an indefinite mission in the Priesthood Family Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the responsibility of helping members worldwide to engage in daily scripture study and to use the Gospel Library as a tool to enhance gospel knowledge. You can find out more about Bro. Bernard at thebusylatterdaysiant.com. * Have suggestions for future guests? Reach out at contact@theculturalhall.com * You Are Receiving Revelation, Now Act On It! By Loren G. Dalton * Stimulating More Personal Revelation With the Gospel Library App, interview on Leading Saints podcast * Join us on Patreon! He was called in April 2021 to serve an indefinite mission in the Priesthood and Family Department and speaks for ward and stake devotionals, family home evenings, youth conferences, Relief Society and Priesthood firesides, and one-on-one instructions on how to study the scriptures and incorporate the Gospel Library in their daily study. He can be reached at rbernard@churchofJesusChrist.org

  * Follow Cory K. Ward for temple/church building news * Check out the Granite Tabernacle in Sugar House, Utah * Join us on Patreon! * Leave a review on Apple Podcasts! * Email us at contact@theculturalhall.com * Thousands attend interfaith concert with Tabernacle Choir in Manila * Church music website received major update * Teachers can now take attendance in the tools app * Get your own copy of The Book of Mormon for Gen Z * BYU Women’s basketball guard Ari Mackey gets baptized * Steven Kapp Perry’s In Good Faith podcast * Estimated 20,000 attend CES date events * Church brings fresh water to Filipino community * Josh Holt Ep. 421 and 422 * Josh Holt sues Nicolas Madura over alleged trauma * New prison branch forms in Cape Verde * Jail branch president Jim Ep. 491 * New group photo of the 12 apostles available * 7-year-old performs anthem at BYU basketball game * List: 12 most religious states in America *

Zachary Wright was born in American Fork, UT. He served his mission speaking Spanish in North Carolina and the Dominican Republic. He currently attends BYU studying psychology, but loves writing, and studying LDS theology and history. His biggest desire is to help other people bring them closer to each other, and ultimately bring people closer to God. He has recently become a part of a new critical thinking podcast on FAIR called Me, My Shelf, & I, with fellow hosts Jennifer Roach and Sarah Allen.   * Find Zachary Wright at FAIR * By Study and Faith: Cognitive Dissonance on YouTube * Jennifer Roach The Cultural Hall Ep. 520 * Don Bradley The Cultural Hall Ep. 372 * Join us on Patreon! * Check out F.A.I.R (Faithful Answers, Informed Response) * Find Me, My Shelf, & I on Apple Podcasts * Join us on The Back Row!

IS GOD DISAPPOINTED IN ME? by Kurt Francom As early as Primary, you may have absorbed this confusing message: “God loves us…but He’s so disappointed in you.” For a religion that preaches hope, the message of “do more” often seems to win out. With so many programs, assignments, callings, commandments, standards, and honor codes, how can you keep up? The adversary highlights the shame you feel when you constantly fall short. Do you feel only heaviness as you consider the Latter-day Saint path to exaltation? How can God not be disappointed in someone like me? The gospel was never meant to be exhausting, and God has never been disappointed in you. God isn’t frustrated with you, and He isn’t looking to condemn you. Many are trying to gain strength by doing more, but true strength is found in turning to God. PURCHASE THE BOOK ABOUT KURT: Kurt Francom is the founder and executive director of Leading Saints and manages the day-to-day efforts of Leading Saints and is the host of the podcast. Kurt graduated from the University of Utah in 2008 with a degree in Business Marketing. He ran a web development company for 5 years before focusing on Leading Saints full-time. Kurt currently lives in American Fork, Utah with his lovely wife Alanna. They are blessed to have three children. Kurt has served as a full-time missionary (California Sacramento), as a bishop, 1st counselor in a stake presidency, and elders quorum president. Kurt Francom The Cultural Hall Ep. 226 Purchase your copy of “Is God Disappointed In Me?” by Kurt Francom Find out more about Leading Saints and the podcast at Leadingsaints.org Join us on Patreon! Email us your thoughts and suggestions at contact@theculturalhall.com *This post contains affiliate links.

Michael Austin is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. He is the author of 8 books, including Rereading Job, Buried Treasures, and, most recently, The Testimony of Two Nations: How the Book of Mormon Reads and Rereads the Bible.

Temple Open House begins Red Cliffs Utah Temple Open to the Media – January 29th  Led by Hugo Martinez and Tamara Runia Interior Photos Released – Saratoga Springs Twin Featuring the endangered plant, Dwarf Bearclaw Poppy Also Indian paintbrushes, cottonwood leaves, pomegranates and succulents Colors: Coral, purple, green, gold.  Open House – through March 2nd Temple Groundbreaking Knoxville Tennessee Temple January 27th Ceremony – meeting held in a meetinghouse. Local Television segment Temple Dedication Announced  Casper Wyoming Temple (Tentatively #196, 10th in 2024) Open House: August 29 to September 14, 2024 Dedication: October 13th by Quentin Cook Temple Rededication plans announced  Manti Utah Temple There will be one rededicatory session at 5pm on April 21st. Congregations within the temple district will have church services as normally held.  No dedicatory authority announced, therefore, it is likely open for Russell Nelson to come (family connections in the area).  Temple Renovation announced Orlando Florida Temple Will close in July 2024 for extensive renovations. Dedicated in 1994 Now a temple in Fort Lauderdale, Close to finished in Tallahassee, and announced in Tampa and Jacksonville.   Temple Groundbreaking Announced and Rendering Released San Luis Potosí México Temple March 9, 2024 by Sean Douglas (Mexico Area Presidency) Spanish Colonial design, off-white exterior and terracotta cupula.  Very similar design to the Cali Colombia Temple Temple Renderings Released Natal Brazil Temple Light colored Granite modern design single story temple with diamond shapes spire.  Teresina Brazil Temple Light colored Granite modern design two-story temple with arched window and trumpet shaped spire.  Temple Sites Announced 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Christians have always shared a fundamental belief in the connection between personal salvation and the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While having faith in and experiencing the atonement of Christ remains a core tenet for Latter-day Saints, some thinkers have in recent decades reconsidered traditional understandings of atonement. In Latter-day Saint Perspectives on Atonement, Deidre Nicole Green and Eric D. Huntsman edit a collection that brings together multiple and diverse approaches to thinking about Latter-day Saint views on this foundational area of theology. The essayists draw on and go beyond a wide range of perspectives, classical atonement theories, and contemporary reformulations of atonement theory. The first section focuses on scriptural and historical foundations while the second concentrates on theological explorations. Together, the contributors evaluate what is efficacious and ethical in the Latter-day Saint outlook and offer ways to reconceive those views to provide a robust theological response to contemporary criticisms about atonement. Deidre Nicole Green is Assistant Professor of Latter-day Saint/Mormon Studies at the GTU, where she offers courses on Christian theology and philosophy of religion. Her research focuses on constructive feminist theology and philosophy of religion, drawing on the thought of Søren Kierkegaard to respond to contemporary issues in these disciplines. She is co-editor with Eric D. Huntsman of Latter-day Saint Perspectives on Atonement. Prior to joining the GTU in 2022, Green was a postdoctoral researcher at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Brigham Young University. She has held research fellowships in Copenhagen and Zürich and conducted ethnographic research in Botswana, Rwanda, and South Africa. Eric D. Huntsman received his BA in Classical Greek and Latin from Brigham Young University and his MA and PhD in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the BYU faculty in 1994 in Classics and Ancient History, and then transferred to Religious Education in 2003, becoming a full professor of Ancient Scripture in 2015. From 2012 to 2012, he served as the coordinator of the Ancient Near Eastern Studies program in the Kenndy Center, and he has been serving as an associate director for academics at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies since 2022. His publications focus on the New Testament Gospels, especially John, and on the Infancy and Passion Narratives (that is, Christmas and Easter!). Eric serves in the Provo Temple and sings with the Tabernacle Choir, and he and his wife Elaine are the parents of two children, Rachel and Samuel. Get the book. This page contains affiliate links.  

Articles of News Below, but First: ANNOUNCING THE CULTURAL HALL BOOK CLUB! Our first meeting will be via Zoom in April, specific date TBD. That means you have plenty of time to read the book and get ready! It also means you have time to do the one required thing to be part of the discussion: BECOME A PATREON SAINT. Click Here to Purchase At One Ment by Thomas McConkie ABOUT THE BOOK: At the heart of the gospel is a radical message of hope: we are capable of unlimited development, of becoming even as Christ is. But what does this path of transformation look like and feel like in practice? For centuries, so much of Christianity has focused on what to believe. Thomas McConkie redirects this conversation to the simple but potent practices we can engage in body, heart, mind and spirit—awakening us to a greater measure of the Sacred right here and now. “At-one-ment” becomes a spiritual reality in which we can all participate, not just a historical event in which a select few believe. In a clear and elegant sequence, McConkie describes ancient and modern approaches to awakening the mind, purifying the heart and healing the body, as well as common challenges that come up along the way. Whatever the reader’s personal beliefs, this book is intended to complement their worldview and provide practical, actionable steps toward realizing a greater fullness of all that they are meant to become. Thomas has visited The Hall before! Check him out in Ep 246   Click Here to Purchase At One Ment by Thomas McConkie Now for Articles of News! * Utah Jazz trades have unintended consequences * Former BYU runners smash Olympic marathon trials * Conner Mantz on Instagram * Clayton Young on Instagram * Wall Street Journal article on marathon trials for Paris Olympics * Utah company provides thousands of white shirts for missionaries in Zimbabwe * DACA recipient who was stuck in Mexico now home in Utah * Church helps build nursing and midwifery center in Kurdistan * The Church and World Food Program collaborate in the Caribbean *

After his long and successful career as a coach and a high school administrator, Mark Hugentobler was “sentenced” to prison by his local school board. He became academy principal within the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah. Arriving at the “Island of Misfit Toys” he soon recognized that his perceptions of the prison system were completely inaccurate. He found a world without hope. He came to realize that the Department of Corrections was not, as most people think, doing all they could to help “correct” inmates. It became clear that the system was dysfunctional and was in fact helping inmates become better criminals rather than helping them become better people. He came to realize that most of those incarcerated there would readily receive help and wanted to change but could only do so by exercising extreme personal effort, overcoming countless obstacles present in the current system. He soon identified the vast, unexplored opportunities to help inmates: providing hope and purpose through education. He also gained the viewpoint of seeing prison life through an inmate’s eye, realizing the true story of life behind bars. During his eight years “down” he saw enrollment in the prison academy jump from 200 to nearly 1,200 students and enacted, firsthand, a model of the change that is possible in a broken system. If only someone would listen. All My Friends are Felons: Finding Hope For the Utah Department of Corrections All My Friends are Felons podcast Portia Lowder Episode 564 Travis Richey Episode 570 Join us on Patreon!   *This page may contain Amazon affiliate links.

* Visit Moody Gardens * Check out Opal Apples * Let us know what you think about Opal Apples! * Come watch Richie in Pirates of the Caribbean! * Peen State/Jerry Sandusky scandal fast facts * Church leader charged for not reporting abuse * Church calls charges against Stake President misguided * Church magazines are now available for free worldwide * Click HERE to manage your magazine subscriptions * Check out Storytime in the Gospel Library * Bishop Nick Jones Resigns from the pulpit in Sacrament Meeting * Former bishop Nick and wife Amanda Jones on the Mormon Stories podcast * First Presidency letter outlines schedules for Easter, Christmas * Church faces 3rd lawsuit over alleged misuse of tithing funds * Seminaries will soon add Life Preparation lessons * De-extinction plan for the dodo * Swinging ‘Mormon’ wives could be coming to Hulu * Walking in a Covenant Relationship with Christ: General Conference talk by President Emily Belle Freeman * Come at Richie! * Utah faiths say they won’t oppose clergy abuse reporting bill * New court filings detail Tim Ballard’s discipline with church * Date-night events coming to church-owned schools and institutes