Bristlecone Firesides

Isabella Errigo is a grad student at Brigham Young University studying the effects of mega-fires on aquatic ecosystems. She joins Abbey and Madison around the fireside to talk about science, activism, and spirituality.

Faith-based Earth stewardship in Utah may be undergoing a transition. The last few decades have been spent focusing on asking what our tradition has to say about how we can make it through the growing climate crisis. We have collected a robust foundation of statements from Church leaders and Scriptures on caring for the Earth. We have found leaders and created great content that reconnects us to the Earth and inspires us to live more simply. But is it enough? What do we do next? What do we build on this foundation?

In this episode, Terri tells us about the spiritual and ecological value of Utah’s wilderness and what she has learned over the decades of working with SUWA and other organizations that defend sacred landscapes.

When put back into his historical context, Jesus becomes a radical and wild figure. In modern times, Jesus has been overly domesticated and stripped of his color, culture, and humanity. Brother James Jones and Brother Derek Knox of the Beyond the Block podcast join Abbey and Madison to talk about the wildness of Jesus Christ.

Within the Latter-day Saint community, Queerness is the issue of the times. How both the institution and the community respond to the question of Queerness will largely determine the trajectory and success of the LDS Church and the broader Mormon project into the next century.

“Sacrificing all things” ahead of time and living a life of non-attachment might be the only way to truly lay hold of every good thing.

The Allegory of the Olive Tree, found in Jacob 5 in The Book of Mormon, tells the story of an olive tree that became sick and lost its goodness. The Lord of the Vineyard, an allegorical stand-in for God, is an unscrupulous gardener and desperately tries anything and everything to save the tree. The Lord of the Vineyard ultimately saves the tree by grafting in branches from wild olive trees which sustain the ailing tree. This allegory demonstrates that there is saving power in wild things and that God is an ego-less worker who will try anything and everything to save us.

Joining the Fireside today are Andy and Shawn Howell, the adventurous husband and wife duo who have taken seriously the joy of the natural world. Both as a couple and as individuals they are climbers, mountaineers, canyoneers, hikers, kayakers, mountain bikers, and everything else. As parents, Andy and Shawn have brought their children into their adventurous lifestyle. Whether it’s dissecting snakes at the park, handling tarantulas, or learning how to take safe risks, Andy and Shawn have intentionally stoked a wildness in their kids instead of teaching it out of them. And through this wildness, their kids have taught them to let go and enjoy what is.