Program Chair Jeanne Murphey and co-sponsors Don Compier of the Community of Christ Seminary and Dan Wotherspoon of the Sunstone Education Foundation are pleased to announce the program for the first annual Restoration Studies / Sunstone Midwest Symposium. The symposium will be held this April 11-12 on the Independence, Missouri campus of Graceland University. Even though this is the first time we have held this event, the committee was flooded with proposals, many of which had to be turned away due to lack of available time slots. The committee believes that this is a sign that the interest is high and they think you will agree that this enthusiasm allowed them to assemble an exciting program.

(1) 5:30 pm — Exclusive Pre-Conference Screening of the new documentary film, A Mormon President.

This film by producer/director Adam Christing explores the earliest precedent for Mitt Romney’s failed 2008 run: Joseph Smith’s own third-party bid for the US presidency in 1844. Christing interviewed a number of historians including Roger Launius, Newell Bringhurst, Michael Quinn, Susan Easton Black, Richard & Claudia Bushman, Michael Riggs, Klaus Hansen and Todd Compton. The film includes historical re-enactments at actual historical sites including the Carthage Jail and the Red Brick Store and Mansion House in Nauvoo. While exploring the impact of Joseph Smith’s politics and teachings today, A Mormon President explores residual anti-Mormon feelings that linger in America today.

(2) 8:00 pm — Plenary Address by President Emeritus Wallace B. Smith of the Community of Christ.

President Smith will officially open the first annual Restoration Studies Symposium with his personal reflections on the path the Community of Christ has taken in his lifetime, along with his thoughts for the future.

Wallace B. Smith is a great-grandson of Joseph Smith Jr. and was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1978–1996. His tenure included the first ordinations of women to the priesthood and the construction of the church’s temple in Independence. Since his retirement, he has been the church’s emeritus president and has only rarely given public addresses.

(3) 9:30 pm — Opening Reception.

You are invited to attend an opening reception with refreshments, sponsored by Herald House and John Whitmer Books. Herald House will be debuting two new history titles this year: (1) Volume 1 of church historian Mark Scherer’s The Journey of A People: The Era of Restoration, 1820-1844, and (2) Zion the Beautiful Beckons Us On: A Story of Community of Christ. John Whitmer Books has a number of new titles including Homosexual Saints: The Community of Christ Experience, edited by William D. Russell, The Mormon Quest for the Presidency by Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster, and House of the Lord: The Story of Kirtland Temple by Barbara Walden and Lachlan Mackay.

(4) 8:00 am — Plenary Panel

"The Future Status and Use of the Book of Mormon in the Community of Christ."
Chair: Don Compier, Panelists: Mark A. Scherer, Dale Luffman, Sue McLaughlin, and John Glaser

Don Compier is Dean of the Community of Christ Seminary. He will chair the discussion and talk about the reception of the canonical status of the Book of Mormon in the contemporary ecumenical community.

Mark A. Scherer is church historian of the Community of Christ and Professor of History, Community of Christ Seminary. He will present issues raised by his critical study of the life and work of Joseph Smith Jr.

Dale E. Luffman of the Community of Christ’s Council of Twelve is an instructor of practical theology at the seminary. He will offer an appreciation of the scriptural authority of the Book of Mormon, which presupposes its emergence from and in a nineteenth-century US context.

Sue McLaughlin is Associate Dean of the Community of Christ Seminary and Professor of Christian Education. She will offer a feminist perspective on the Book of Mormon.

John Glaser is director of the Community of Christ’s Hispanic Leadership Project. He will discuss the ways that the use of the Book of Mormon has been harmful to the Hispanic and Native American Mission in the church.

(5A) 10:00 am — Concurrent Session

"Does Beelzebub Have a Body? The Corporeal Nature of Satan in Early Mormon Experience and Thought,"
Presenter: Alonzo L. Gaskill.

"‘Behold I Have Dreamed A Dream’: Dreams as Spiritual Gifts as Restored by Joseph Smith Jr.,"
Presenter: Mary Jane Woodger. Co-presenters: Megan Perkins, Craig Manscill and Kurt Laird.

Alonzo L. Gaskill is Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU and is the author of several books including, The Savior and the Serpent: Unlocking the Doctrine of the Fall. Although most Latter Day Saint traditions today envision Satan as a spirit, early Mormons like Joseph Smith, Newell Knight, Sidney Rigdon and Harvey Whitlock reported physical contact and attacks from the devil and other demons. The presentation will examine the implications these reports have for the understanding of the nature of Satan in Restoration theology.

Mary Jane Woodger is Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU and is the author or editor of a number of books, including Heart Petals: The Personal Correspondence of David Oman McKay to Emma Ray McKay. Megan Perkins, Craig Manscill and Kurt Laird are graduate students. These researchers have completed a systematic collection and study of dreams recorded in the life and teachings of Joseph Smith. Their presentation will examine how these exemplars have influenced LDS church members’ understanding and use of dreams ever since.

(5B) 10:00 am — Concurrent Panel

"The Spirituality of the Rising Generation"
Chair: Jana Reiss, Panelists: to be announced

The life worlds of today’s teenagers and young adults are vastly different than those of just a generation ago. They are deeply immersed in new technologies that give them unprecedented access to information and communication from across the globe. Exposed to a greater diversity of beliefs and postmodern sensibilities that question the very the idea of finding "Truth," young people today have greater freedom to explore, tinker, and "come of age" much later in life than was possible in their parents’ and grandparents’ generations. All these trends have naturally caused today’s young people to engage religion and faith in new and different ways, leaving traditional faith communities to struggle to adapt and to remain relevant.

This panel will explore the tensions and the opportunities presented by today’s changing social circumstances and religious trends. How seriously should traditional churches take developments such as the "emerging church" movement? How can churches relate better to the rising generation while still maintaining their core identities and connections with traditional members?

Jana Reiss is religion book editor of Publishers Weekly and the author of What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide.

(5C) 10:00 am — Concurrent Session

"The Rhetorics of Space(s), Place(s), and Time(s),"
Presenter: Graham Stott

"Utopian Vision and Prophetic Imagination: Reading the Book of Mormon in a 19^th Century Context,"
Presenter: Andrew Bolton

Graham Stott is Associate Professor of English at Arab American University in Jenin and holds a PhD from BYU. Looking at the Book of Mormon, Graham explores how we can conceive and talk of "sacred space" when the location of the religious experience is unknown.

Andrew Bolton of the Community of Christ’s Council of Twelve holds a PhD from the University of Wales and has written a number of books and articles on peace and justice issues. His presentation will draw upon parallels from Thomas More’s Utopia and other utopian literature to argue that the utopias and dystopias described in the Book of Mormon are firmly grounded in this tradition. Andrew contends that the Book of Mormon, when as an example of prophetically inspired utopian literature, has something profoundly important to say to those pursuing peace, justice and the cause of Zion today.

(6) 12:00 noon — Lunch Plenary Panel

"The Mormon Quest for the Presidency"
Chair: John C. Hamer, Panelists: Newell G. Bringhurst, Craig L. Foster, William D. Russell

Newell G. Bringhurst is Emeritus Professor of History at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California and co-author of new book, The Mormon Quest for the Presidency. Newell will briefly outline the bids of nine Mormons who ran for president prior to Mitt Romney, beginning with Joseph Smith.

Craig L. Foster is a researcher at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and co-author of The Mormon Quest for the Presidency. Craig will summarize Mitt Romney’s candidacy and will offer a conservative Mormon Republican perspective on why it failed.

William D. Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at Graceland University and has long been an active participant in the Iowa Democratic Caucuses. Bill will offer his assessment of Romney’s bid from a liberal Community of Christ Democrat’s perspective.

(7A) 2:00 pm — Concurrent Session

"Unfulfilled Prophecy: Comparing the Experiences of John Nelson Darby and Joseph Smith Jr.,"
Presenter: Michael Oiler.

"The Prophet and the Papyrus,"
Presenter: William D. Morain

Michael Oiler will explore the early nineteenth-century interest in unfulfilled prophecy and will consider John Nelson Darby’s creative solution in its European context. The presentation will contrast the contextual differences between Darby and Joseph Smith, and consider what circumstances appear to have given Smith greater freedom to innovate.

William D. Morain is the author of The Sword of Laban: Joseph Smith and the Disassociated Mind. Bill will argue that Joseph Smith’s reconstruction of the fragmentary pictures on the papyrus that became the Book of Abraham amount to taking the Thematic Apperception Test. For example, Smith’s reconstruction of "Facsimile 1" added a fearsome, sword-like amputation knife in a clear replication of the leg surgery he experienced as a seven-year-old.

(7B) 2:00 pm — Concurrent Panel

"The Diversity of Restoration Theology in the Centerplace"
Chair: Jason R. Smith, Panelists: David Howlett, Steven L. Shields, TBA

Jason R. Smith is a graduate student and the author of numerous articles on various expressions of the Latter Day Saint movement. Jason will talk about the theology of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), the Churches of Christ with the Elijah Message and other related groups.

David J. Howlett is a graduate student at the University of Iowa and a member of the Community of Christ who was raised Restorationist. David will talk about some of the historical tensions between the Restorationists and the Community of Christ.

Steven L. Shields is the author of Divergent Paths of the Restoration. He is a full-time minister for Community of Christ who was raised LDS. Steve will talk about the theology of the Cutlerites and other groups in the Independence area.

A final panelist, to be announced, will bring an LDS perspective to the discussion.

(7C) 2:00 pm — Concurrent Session

"Courage: A Liberal Journal Foreshadows RLDS Doctrinal Shifts,"
Presenter: William D. Russell.

"The Developing Ecumenical Impulses in the Community of Christ since the Presidency of W. Wallace Smith,"
Presenter: Dale E. Luffman.

William D. Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at Graceland University and was one of the founders of Courage. Bill will talk about the history of Courage and will examine the journal’s place in the theological shifts that transformed the RLDS church in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Dale E. Luffman of the Community of Christ’s Council of Twelve is an instructor of practical theology at the seminary. Dale will trace the initiatives of leaders who encouraged the church toward more intentional involvement in ecumenical endeavor. The presentation will consider the resistance these initiatives have faced and examine the results and future prospects.

(8A) 4:00 pm — Concurrent Panel

"Faith Development and the Restoration"
Panelists: To be announced.

The model of faith development presented by James W. Fowler in his classic study, The Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning, has helped many people from a wide variety of religious traditions better understand their own faith journey. It has been embraced especially by many who feel they have "lost" their faith or are struggling with changing understanding about their tradition’s sacred texts, teachings, leadership, and wider community. Panelists in this session will discuss aspects of faith development and how they might be applied in Restoration-tradition settings in a way to create a more comfortable place for people at all stages of their faith journeys.

(8B) 4:00 pm — Concurrent Session

"The Book of Mormon’s Origin: The Hill Cumorah or Dartmouth College?"
Presenters: Ronald Dawbarn and Margie Miller

"Joseph Smith’s Conferrence of Priesthood on Women: A Re-Appraisal,"
Presenter: Michael S. Riggs.

Ronald Dawbarn and Margie Miller are independent researchers who are both long-time pastors of Community of Christ congregations. They are collaborating together on a book and a CD-ROM which explores the origins and contents of the Book of Mormon. Their presentation will give a summary of their findings and will specifically examine connections people involved in the Book of Mormon’s production had with Dartmouth College.

Michael S. Riggs is a graduate student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a past president of JWHA. Mike will reexamine the contentions of scholars including Maxine Hanks and D. Michael Quinn, who asserted that Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo-era practices amounted to priesthood ordination for women. The presentation will argue that rather than operating with egalitarian motives, Smith was effectively widening priesthood blessings as a means to keep the practice of plural marriage secret.

(8C) 4:00 pm — Concurrent Book Panel

"Homosexual Saints: The Community of Christ Experience,"
Panelists: William D. Russell and contributors to the new book.

William D. Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at Graceland University and is the editor of a new collection of personal stories about the LGBT experience within the Community of Christ. The other panelists will include a number of authors who contributed essays to the book. The panel will debut the book’s contents and engage the audience in a discussion about the topic of homosexuality and the church.

(9) 7:30 pm — Concluding Plenary Address

"Critical Episodes in the History of the Prairie Saints since World War II,"
Presenter: Jan Shipps.

Jan Shipps is Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at IUPUI and the author of numerous books on Mormonism, including Sojourner in the Promised Land: Forty Years among the Mormons. Her upcoming book Being Mormon: Latter-day Saints since World War II will discuss the big changes in both the LDS and RLDS churches in the later twentieth century. In the concluding plenary address of the Symposium, Jan will discuss the transformation of the Community of Christ within the broader context of religion in the post-war world.

(10) 9:00 am — Post Conference Tour

A post-conference tour will explore the Community of Christ Temple Complex, including insider tours of the Auditorium and Temple. The tour will conclude in the Community of Christ Library-Archives, where church archivist Ronald E. Romig will open the vaults to show guests important historical artifacts, including the famous "Caractors" transcript and the seer stones owned by Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer.