Mormon Identities - Who We Are, What We Believe, and How We Live

Few life challenges strike parents more deeply than disabilities or struggles faced by their children. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are becoming more and more common in the Church, as they are in the general population. Join us for this episode as Tina Dyches, a professor of counseling psychology and special education; Robyn Anderson, a private therapist and resource coordinator; and Elaine Huntsman, the mother of a son with autism; talk about the challenges---and joys---of raising and working with special-needs children. Listen also as they discuss how wards can support families in their efforts.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, everyone is a teacher. In this episode, Eric Huntsman talks to the Sunday School general president, Russell Osguthorpe, and Brigham Young University linguistics professor Dallin D. Oaks, who was recently released as a ward Gospel Doctrine instructor. This episode addresses the objectives and challenges of the Sunday School program, the importance of teaching in general, and this year’s course of study on the New Testament.

Mormon Identities is a show about who we are as Latter-day Saints. But while the restored gospel of Jesus Christ defines who we are as members of the Church and works to unite us despite our personal differences, other factors continue to shape who we are as individuals and groups even within the Church. Join us for the episode “What Makes a Mormon?” which was taped as the inaugural episode of the new Mormon Identities. Our host, Eric Huntsman, talks first with Camille Fronk Olson, associate chair of BYU’s Department of Ancient Scripture, who begins our discussion by focusing on the fundamental beliefs and practices that make us Latter-day Saints. Sociologist Marie Cornwall then discusses what kind of external factors---cultural, family, and demographic---make us not only a religion but also a people. Finally, Alonzo Gaskill, associate professor of Church history and doctrine, reflects on the process of conversion and embracing a new identity, citing his own experience coming into the Church from Eastern Orthodoxy.

Latter-day Saint teaching stresses the importance of caring for our bodies. As we start a new year, many of us make resolutions to improve our diet and exercise programs, but we are not always successful at following through. Join host Eric Huntsman as he talks with Phil Allsen, a professor of exercise science, and Patrick Steffan, an associate professor of psychology, as they discuss not only the principles of good exercise and diet but also ways for improving our motivation while improving our health, quality of life, and even relationships.

A major component of our identity as Latter-day Saints is our possession of and approach to an expanded canon of scripture. Emeritus professor of ancient scripture and noted author and scriptorian Joseph McConkie joins our host, Eric Huntsman, for an interesting discussion of LDS scripture and interpretation. Among other things, Brother McConkie makes suggestions for understanding the Bible and other scripture by following the example of Joseph Smith as he was tutored by his experience studying, translating, and teaching the scriptures.

As we complete this year's study of the Old Testament, join us for this interesting interview with Camille Fronk Olson, author of Women of the Old Testament. Our host, Eric Huntsman, asks Dr. Olson about the writing of this interesting and richly illustrated volume, probing into the examples of both familiar and not-so-familiar Old Testament women. Whether married or not married, with or without children, wealthy or poor, all of these women had challenges and all of them exhibited great faith. Join us for this discussion to see what lessons we can learn from them for today's world.

In this episode, Gaye Strathearn, associate professor of ancient scripture at BYU, and Alonzo Gaskill, associate professor of Church history and doctrine and author of The Nativity, join our host, Eric Huntsman, to discuss the biblical story of Christmas. They discuss the similarities and differences between the narratives of Mattew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 and end by focusing on the vital truths that these accounts share with each other and Book of Mormon prophecies of Jesus’ birth. Listen to this episode and discover how the scriptural account is sometimes different than the scenes we imagine. You can also read Brother Huntsman’s December 2010 Ensign article on the same topic by going to http://lds.org/ensign/2010/12/glad-tidings-of-great-joy?lang=eng.

Join us for this interview with Laura F. Willis, author of Christmas with the Prophets. This interesting, richly illustrated holiday book examines the Christmas traditions and teachings of each President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Willis shares some of her favorite and inspiring stories about the prophets, focusing on how they each taught of the importance of our Savior’s birth.

Tune in this week for the latest episode of Mormon Identities. Dr. Eric Huntsman is joined by special guests Robyn Anderson and Katy Steed to discuss some of the joys, challenges, and solutions the Holidays can bring families with autistic and other special-needs children. Check schedule for exact times.

Paul on the Atonement