Joanna Brooks on Mormon Identity in the 21st Century

On June 11, 2011, members of the Mormon Stories community held their 2nd regional conference in Salt Lake City. In this keynote address entitled "Mormon Identity in the 21st Century: Claiming and Belonging", professor and author Joanna Brooks explores a more expansive vision for Mormon identity. Joanna's vision is an inspiring one that will hopefully catch on:

“If you identify as a Mormon, I hear you. I recognize you. I claim you. I claim you gay or straight, liberal or conservative; white, black, brown. Perfect, imperfect, active, less-active, post-, present, literal, non-literal, agnostic, atheistic; your story matters. You belong. We are Mormons. We may be uncorrelated, but we are still Mormons. We are open. We are open to each other; we are open to difference. We are open to the beautiful and the difficult facts of our Mormon history, and we are open to the potential of Mormonism in the 21st century. Let’s see what beauty we can make of our Mormon identity together.”

Jason posted his comments and video link on his FB page and I think it is worth posting here too. It's very difficult for me to understand why the GOP is so ready to quote her "philosophies" and give such high esteem to her lack of humanity. Isn't the GOP the party with "morals"?. . .Interesting:



It is hard to imagine a more socially and morally destructive way of thinking than that altruism is evil; that the poor, disabled and weak are not worthy of love and should be left to die to make society stronger; and, that there is no higher virtue than selfishness.

Quotes by S

Scene: S and D playing with play dough before church. Soren made a pig and yelled, "Get your pig! Your baby beef pig!"

Scene: A loud Sunday afternoon, the kids are playing and D poured water on the carpet. S comes in and says, "D literally dumped it on the floor." (keep in mind he has just finish kindergarten).

Scene: We are in the car on our way to a barbeque in Alpine. The mountains are so close and lovely and S says, "next year for my Birthday when I'm sixty six I want to have my Birthday in the mountains".

Scene: S and his dad were on a walk and S began to whistle. Then he said, "look! I'm communicating with the birds!"

Scene: S and I have a little chat. I ask "when you're all grown up if have little boy of your own what do you think you'll name him?" Soren reply's "Thunder". What do you think you'll name a little girl?" I ask. He quickly said "Rose".


...He's awesome.