I recently received an email asking “if the LDS Church has an official (or unofficial) Social Doctrine, similarly to other churches”. In this and many areas, the Church has little in the way of an official position, and this wisely allows for a rich and diverse discussion among Mormons about how the Gospel should shape our participation in society and politics. I am excited to see such a discussion of Mormon perspectives on war and peace is being planned for this spring, sponsored by Claremont Graduate University and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame. Paper proposals (in the form of an abstract and CV) are due next Wednesday, September 1st. The full Call for Papers, with submission details, is posted at Juvenile Instructor.
LDS Newsroom
- Mormon Helping Hands Assist in Maryland Park Cleanup (Photo Essay) May 23, 2012
- Faith Leaders Gather in Pacific Over Freedom of Religion May 22, 2012
- Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right | May 21 May 21, 2012
- Church Honored in Spain for Blood Drive Promotion May 18, 2012
- Mormon Leaders Discuss Helping Hands Efforts With Connecticut Governor May 18, 2012
- Like Jabari Parker, Thousands of Mormon Youth Attend Seminary May 17, 2012
- British Singing Sensation Katherine Jenkins to Perform at Pioneer Day Concert May 17, 2012
- Manaus Brazil Temple Opens To the Public May 16, 2012
- Connecticut and Indiana Mormon Temple Renderings Released May 16, 2012
- Ground Broken for Provo, Utah’s Second Temple May 12, 2012
“War and Peace in Our Time: Mormon Perspectives” Proposal Deadline Sept. 1
3 Responses to “War and Peace in Our Time: Mormon Perspectives” Proposal Deadline Sept. 1
Conferences and Events
- Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology Annual Meeting
- Duck Beach Mini-Conference
- Seminar on B.H. Roberts’ "Seventy’s Course in Theology"
- Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) Conference
- BYU Education Week
- BYU Idaho Education Week
- Sperry Symposium
- Utah State Historical Society Conference
- John Whitmer Historical Association Annual Meeting
- Association for Mormon Letters Annual Meeting
Calls for Papers
- The Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology
- Brazilian Mormon Studies Conference
- Colloque international sur le mormonisme (International Conference on Mormonism)
- LDS Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists
- Mormon Media Studies Symposium
- Sunstone Kirtland
- Sunstone West
- Sunstone Symposium: MORMONS AND MORMONISM AS A POLITICAL FORCE
- BYU Religious Education Student Symposium
- RESTORATION STUDIES SYMPOSIUM
Yea, Ben, I think the church is pretty supportive of ward parties, but I’d call it policy rather than doctrine. ;D
The purpose of the Church is to provide for the opportunity for a [peace] or pure offering to the Lord; while we live in this world filled with ungodly abominations. The Words of Jesus in the NT are filled with the implication that social doctrines exists. His appearance before Pontius Pilate indicates that He did not want to take sides, because He spoke of the Will of God, Father in heaven to the Jerusalem Temple Priesthood.
Joseph Smith’s revelations are filled with embryonic social doctrine, especially the Articles of Faith. I believe Joseph would have lived much longer had he not expressed his interpretation of it for his political platform in his run for the US presidency. Nothing stirs the neighbors more than the knowledge that you are increasing in numbers and possibly might have a better social doctrine.
The Claremont Graduate program for Mormon studies is a good place to start. I have attended many of their presentations and this one on war and peace I certainly do not want to miss. President Hinckley during the April Conference in the year of the start of the Iraq War addressed that conference with the title “War and Peace”. It was a look at the nature of politcal power in times of war.
With Jesus, Christ at the head of our Church; Mormons are more likely to be entrepreneurs than proponents for social doctrines. When we belief that we are at the receiving end of God, our Father’s gifts; it is easier to exploit rather finding other social doctrines.
“I have attended many of their presentations and this one on war and peace I certainly do not want to miss.”
This may help me decide my conference schedule.