Mormon excommunication was not designed to happen this way, say scholars
Joseph Smith designed an innovative and humanitarian system of church discipline that protected the rights of the accused. So what happened? Two scholars explain. Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
April 24, 2021
A guest column by Isaac Barnes May and Samuel S. Wells
One of the striking things about the Helfer case is a debate over due process and transparency of church disciplinary councils. Since Helfer currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, there are jurisdictional questions about why her church court was convened in Kansas. Further, the hearing took place without Helfer because she would not turn off her cell phone, because it had notes that she intended to use during the proceedings. Latter-day Saint leaders seemed to fear she would use such technology to publicize the proceedings against her.
On Thursday night, writer and activist Terry Tempest Williams spoke on Zoom about her current work on climate change, wildfires and social concerns among the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williamsâ work focuses mainly on environmental concerns and social issues as she thinks through living life as ethically as possible.
Her numerous books, such as âRefuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Placeâ and âErosion: Essays of Undoing,â have won multiple awards, such as the Sierra Club John Muir Award and have been featured in The New Yorker and various literary magazines.
Williams is also the Provostial Scholar at Dartmouth College and the Writer-in-Residence at the Harvard Divinity School.
neutral by 2026 By 2026 we will prioritize aggressive reductions of our campus energy use and strive to offset or neutralize any remaining greenhouse gas emissions by investing in off-campus projects such as renewable energy. Harvard will engage its researchers and industry climate leaders to identify and, where feasible, invest in projects that credibly reduce emissions while providing other positive benefits for human health, social equity, and ecosystem health. As part of our climate strategy, our facilities leaders and building managers aggressively pursue energy efficiency. Explore our progress How are we addressing Scope 3 emissions? We are continuing our work to track and quantify the fossil fuel emissions associated with our supply chain for purchased goods or services that support campus operations. Once the magnitude of these so-called Scope 3 emissions are better known for areas such as food, air travel, and commuting, the University will set targets fo
The Atlantic. Senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Founding editor of
Wisdom of Crowds. (@shadihamid)
Casper ter Kuile, co-founder at Sacred Design Lab and Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. Co-author of “How We Gather” and “Care of Souls,” two reports profiling new forms of social and spiritual connection. (@caspertk)
Joseph Bottum, professor of philosophy and Director of the CLASSICS Institute at Dakota State University. (@JosephBottum)
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Kelsey Ogbewe, sophomore at Montgomery College in Maryland; writer and poet who writes about his past experiences with religion and on social justice issues. (@KOgbewe)
Reading List
Axios: America is losing its religion The accelerating trend towards a more secular America represents a fundamental change in the national character, one that will have major ramifications for politics and even social cohesion.
The Atlantic. Senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Founding editor of
Wisdom of Crowds. (@shadihamid)
Casper ter Kuile, co-founder at Sacred Design Lab and Ministry Innovation Fellow at Harvard Divinity School. Co-author of “How We Gather” and “Care of Souls,” two reports profiling new forms of social and spiritual connection. (@caspertk)
Joseph Bottum, professor of philosophy and Director of the CLASSICS Institute at Dakota State University. (@JosephBottum)
Also Featured
Kelsey Ogbewe, sophomore at Montgomery College in Maryland; writer and poet who writes about his past experiences with religion and on social justice issues. (@KOgbewe)
Reading List
Axios: “America is losing its religion” “The accelerating trend towards a more secular America represents a fundamental change in the national character, one that will have major ramifications for politics and even social cohesion.”