‘Mormon Land’: Are recent changes taking Latter-day Saints away from their communitarian roots?
(Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Young women in Ohio cook together. The church’s new program for children and youths encourages personal development through gospel learning, service, activities and personal development.
From its earliest days, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has emphasized community. But the global faith of 16.3 million members may be shifting somewhat from that collective approach.
Sunday services have been trimmed from three hours to two with a new emphasis on home-centered, church-supported gospel study. Scouting is on the way out, replaced by a more individualized program for young children and teens.
By most accounts, members are excited about and eager for the new direction, but could something be lost in the process? Matthew Bowman, head of Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate University, discusses that question and more in this week’s podcast.
Listen here.
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