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
- Concern Over Changes to Home Storage Centers Unnecessary June 17, 2013
- Social Media Gives New Twist to Tabernacle Choir’s 2013 Tour June 17, 2013
- Mormonism in Pictures: Temple Square Attracts Millions of Visitors | 14 June 2013 June 14, 2013
- Father's Day Video: Remember What It Takes to Be a Good Father June 12, 2013
- Church Providing Relief After Most Recent Oklahoma Tornadoes June 6, 2013
- VIDEO: Moore, Oklahoma, Woman Leaves For Mormon Mission in Wake of Tornado June 6, 2013
- Mormons Around the World: Country Newsroom Websites | 5 June June 5, 2013
- Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Donate Wisconsin Historical Marker June 5, 2013
- "On Faith" Column: Scouts Policy Should Be Seen for What It Is: A Reaffirmation of Core Values May 31, 2013
- Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right | 30 May 2013 May 30, 2013
“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
- LDS Semi-Annual General Conference
- Book of Mormon Lands Conference
- BYU Religious Education Student Symposium
- Reid L. Nielson: "The Latter-day Saints and the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair"
- Joseph and Marilyn Bentley: "Mormons and the Holy Land"
- Armand L. Mauss: "The Intellectual Journey of a Mormon Academic"
- Mormon Theology Seminar
- American Society of Church History Annual Meeting
- American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting
- Communal Studies Association Annual Meeting
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.