Sep 3, 2019
Latter-day Faith host Dan Wotherspoon goes solo
this week to talk about some of the dynamics he sees at play in
today's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Specifically,
he utilizes the language of paradigm shifts to try to make sense of
this current period, arguing that what we see fits the pattern
often found when an all-encompassing vision of "the way things are"
(a very strong, well-articulated paradigm that a majority of people
think, react, and think out of) begins to show its limits when it
can't any longer reach and satisfy the curiosity and priorities and
values of people who have begun to operate from a different
paradigm. Ideally, this is a natural process and does not have to
fraught with conflict, with the result being the instantiation of a
new paradigm that honors and builds on the strengths of the
previous one even as it shows how much "more" can be discovered and
explored via the new one.
What cracks are beginning to show themselves in today's current LDS
paradigm? What is happening to reassure members of the church that
today's paradigm can explain and still inspire, protect, and bring
peace at this time. What things are signaling that the current
reactions are not at all satisfactory, and that the paradigm needs
expanding to accommodate new data, events, trends, discoveries, and
enrichments? If someone is experiencing tension with the old
paradigm but does not want to abandon it or the church it
dominates, what can they do to assist in a smooth transition from
the one to the other? What are some of the values and methodologies
and blessings that lie at the core of the new paradigm?
This presentation is intended as a beginning to a discussion and
does not pretend to be polished and well-articulated. Observations,
hunches, sensibilities, and hopefulness are its hallmark, and Dan
invites you all to suggest, challenge, tweak, and in any way you'd
like become an active voice in identifying the issues and assisting
in making a stronger case for the needs showing themselves in
today's church dynamics. Or, again, fight back. Propose alternative
visions that frame things differently. However you react, please
share!