893: Mormon Stories Live! Celebrating Greg Prince Pt. 2
Mar 28, 2018
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Guest Greg Prince, a pediatric infectious disease researcher and author of books on Mormon history, discusses topics such as the need for positive changes in the Mormon church, redefining family and the challenges of traditionalism, addressing racism and equality within the church, the role of religion in experiencing God, challenges faced by Christian women in science, and anticipation for big changes and diversity in leadership.
Revitalizing the church requires local initiatives and individual efforts to recapture the enthusiasm and spirit of the past.
To restore the church, individuals must actively engage with their religion, understanding its teachings, and applying them to make a transformative impact on congregations and the entire church.
Deep dives
Importance of local initiative and recapturing the spirit of the church
It is crucial for the church to recapture the enthusiasm and spirit that existed in the past. This can be achieved through local initiatives and efforts of individual members. By making the congregations come alive again, showing enthusiasm, and taking ownership of their religion, the church can experience a revitalization. While top-down changes can also make a difference, recapturing the spirit and energy should start at the local level. It is a collective responsibility of the members to make a difference and reinvigorate the church.
The importance of owning and understanding one's religion
To make a positive change and restore the church, individuals need to own and truly understand their religion. Merely showing up to church is not enough; people need to take an active role in making their religion a vital force in their lives. This requires a deep understanding of the teachings and principles and actively applying them. By taking hold of their religion at an individual level, it can have a transformative effect on congregations and subsequently on the entire church. It is essential to move beyond passive participation and actively engage with one's religion.
The need for a broader definition of family
The concept of traditional marriage and family is not fixed or static throughout history. It has evolved and continues to evolve. It is important to recognize and embrace the diversity of family structures, such as single-parent households, grandparents raising grandchildren, and same-sex families. The nuclear family is not the only preferable or prevalent model. Within the Mormon Church, there is a pressing need to broaden the definition of family and embrace the changing dynamics of society. By valuing and supporting diverse family structures, the church can better meet the needs of its members and society at large.
The role of organized religion in enabling the encounter with God
Organized religion, despite its imperfections and the flaws of its leaders, plays a vital role in enabling individuals to have a meaningful encounter with God. While personal spirituality is important, it is within a faith community that the essence of religion is truly realized. A vibrant community of believers, where members interact, connect, and support each other, provides an environment for individuals to deepen their spiritual experiences. While institutional religions should be open to growth and change, the power of a well-functioning religious community should not be underestimated in helping individuals connect with God and find purpose in their lives.
These Mormon Stories episodes include our interactive Q&A with Dr. Greg Prince held at the Salt Lake City Community of Christ on March 17, 2018.
Gregory A. Prince earned his graduate degrees in dentistry (DDS) and pathology (PhD) at UCLA. He then pursued a four-decade career in pediatric infectious disease research. His love of history led him to write three books, including the award-winning David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Most recently, he has published Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History. Greg also has a new book that he is working on called “Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences: The Mormon Church’s responses to Homosexuality.”
We hope you enjoy these episodes as we celebrate Greg’s contributions to Mormon history!
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Part 1: Greg and John discuss contemporary Mormonism, including suggested improvements
Part 2: Greg fields questions from our live audience
Part 3: To end the evening, John asks Greg some final questions about truth claims of the Mormon Church
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