Event Archive
April 28, 2024, Mark Wrathall
“Faith vs. Belief”
Mark Wrathall was a member of the Berkeley Ward in the 1990s while working on his doctoral degree in philosophy. He is at present Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow and Tutor of Corpus Christi College.
March 24, 2024 “Palm Sunday Musical Devotional”
A special evening of music and the spoken word, making Palm Sunday a truly memorable beginning to Holy Week. Unique musical performances and readings, including an orginal parable written and read by Carol Lynn Pearson (available here), and poetry by Eric Jepson (available here), all centered around Christ.
Triumphal Entry, oil on canvas by J. Kirk Richards, 2019
March 10, 2024 “American Zion: A New History of Mormonism”
American Zion aims to tell the story of how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints evolved from a family faith to a global denomination. It emphasizes how the faith tradition was shaped by a series of culture wars, both internal and external, that in turn reveal much about American religious history writ large. Benjamin E. Park is an associate professor of history at Sam Houston State University and co-editor of Mormon Studies Review. His previous book, Kingdom of Nauvoo: The Rise and Fall of a Religious Empire on the American Frontier, won the Mormon History Association's Best Book Award and was optioned for a feature film. His new book, American Zion: A New History of Mormonism, was published in January 2024.
February 18, 2024 “India and the ongoing restoration”
India, the birthplace of several of the world’s religions, is also the location of Latter-day Saint history from the 1840s to today. Taunalyn Ford has been a student of that history since she first visited India in 1986. Her years of further travel, study, oral history research and current work as a historian for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have convinced her that, “the Restoration is an ongoing process.” In this fireside she shared how the story of the Ongoing Restoration in India illustrates the saying “it’s always 1830 somewhere in the Church,” and what the implications of that message are for Latter-day Saints today.
January 28, 2024 “This Perfect Atonement”: The Savior’s Redemptive Work in the Doctrine and Covenants
Dr. J.B. Haws, professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU, and the newly appointed Executive Director of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, spoke on This Perfect Atonement: The Savior’s Redemptive Work in the Doctrine and Covenants.
November 12, 2023 After the Apostles: The End of the New Testament and the Beginning of the Church
Dr. Jason R Combs, an associate professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, spoke about his book Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints, focusing on developments in the second century that laid the foundation for Christianity today, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-say Saints.
October 8, 2023
Discovering a World of Faith: Commonalities and Distinctions
Peggy Fletcher Stack, a senior religion reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune, spoke about her book A World of Faith, which introduces to children and adults the remarkable diversity of faiths around the world.
September 24, 2023
Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change: Latter-day Saint Resources & Opportunities
Dr. George B. Handley, professor of environmental humanities at Brigham Young University, spoke about how members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can pay attention to and care for the creation.
August 27, 2023
The Law of Love
A Devotional with Steve Young
Steve Young spoke about his book The Law of Love, demonstrating how loving as God loves — seeking another’s healing, expecting nothing in return — is a simple principle with profound, life-changing implications.
July 13, 2023
A Conversation with Authors of The Book of Mormon: Brief Theological Introductions
(l-r) Dr. Kimberly Matheson and Dr. Sharon Harris spoke about their books on Enos / Jarom / Omni and Helaman, respectively.
June 22, 2023
And There Was No Poor Among Them: Toward a More Expansive Restoration
In this fireside chat, Dr. Ward discussed the premise of his book, namely that one of the most significant ideas of the restoration is the concept of a covenant community called Zion that is based on principles of love, sacrifice, equity, and justice.
This fireside chat was not recorded.
April 7, 2023
Good Friday Fireside
At this Good Friday fireside, Carol Lynn Pearson shared her poem entitled “Holy Week,” Dr. Deidre Nicole Green gave a devotional address, and members of the Berkeley 1st Ward gave several musical numbers.
March 17, 2023
A Conversation with Authors of The Book of Mormon: Brief Theological Introductions
(l-r) Adam Miller, Joseph Spencer, Rosalynde Frandsen Welch, and Deidre Green spoke about their books on Mormon, 1 Nephi, Ether, and Jacob, respectively.
March 19, 2023
Radiant Mormonism Fireside Honoring Dr. William Parmley
The Council honored Dr. William Parmley for his lifetime contributions to the medical profession and, with his wife Shanna, to the church. The evening featured music, reflections, and a Q&A with Dr. and Sister Parmley.
December 6, 2022
”Joy Enfleshed”: Dr. Deidre Nicole Green's
Welcome Lecture at the Graduate Theological Union
Dr. Deidre Nicole Green was welcomed as Assistant Professor of Mormon Studies at the Graduate Theological Union. Please enjoy this recording of Dr. Green's welcome lecture entitled "Joy Enfleshed."
October 23, 2022
Kristine Haglund - Paradox and Atonement: Eugene England’s Complicated Discipleship
Noted Mormon historian and cultural commentator Kristine Haglund spoke on some of Eugene England’s contributions to LDS thought and theology.
July 31, 2022
An Evening with Phil Barlow
Phil Barlow, Associate Director of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, spoke and answered questions in this fireside.