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Jon Huntsman, Jack Mormons, and the question of faith

This morning, while going through recent news articles tagged for their relation to Mormonism, I came across an article titled, “Is Jon Huntsman a Jack Mormon?” This was one of those articles I knew would be interesting from the get go. It didn’t disappoint.

Balancing faith and mental health

A young mother struggling with bulimia was asked one day by her therapist if she ever prayed. “She lived on a small farm, had a simple life and she was a wonderful mother,” said Michael Berrett, a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. “But she hated herself with a passion. She was throwing up five times a day.”

The surprising faith of 8 American presidents

Presidential religious lives are, for the most part, rather unremarkable--just like the majority of Americans they represent. As the 2012 presidential race, and especially the Republican nomination, dominate the news, the religion of the sometimes-frontrunner Mitt Romney continues to be an issue for many Republican voters. Americans have a hard time imagining a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a Mormon, as President. Yet Mormonism is, perhaps, the most American of all religions, founded by an American citizen and based on a sacred text that tells the story of God's work in the Americas. As many question Romney's religious heritage, it would be enlightening to look at eight presidents whose religious lives have troubled and fascinated Americans, or whose faiths may surprise us even today.

When faith and football don't mix

Where's the line between freedom of religion and the separation of church and state? It's a question many cities and particularly public schools have had to ask in the past few months. Most recently, a group of high school cheerleaders in Texas have come under fire for using biblical quotes and banners at football games. While the Constitution does support an individual's right to worship, it also frowns upon the state, or in this case a state-sponsored school, endorsing a religion. Thus, public schools must walk a blurry line between allowing participants to express personal beliefs without those beliefs being attached to the school as an endorsement.

Famous Latter-day Saints

Brad Wilcox and Amy H. White Address Faith and Happiness

Brother Wilcox and Sister White began by defining grace. Brother Wilcox told of a young girl that thought she must be perfect for Christ, but later understood that she is perfected in Christ. Members of the church often misunderstand the concept of grace.

Defending the Faith: Moral law is no product of evolution

In one of his dialogues, the Greek philosopher Plato cites his beloved teacher, Socrates, as saying that "philosophy begins in wonder." Plato's student Aristotle expresses a similar sentiment in his "Metaphysics": "It was their wonder, astonishment, that first led men to philosophize and still leads them."

Latter-day Saint Life

10 Scientific Tips for Finding Optimism in the Gospel

How strong is your hope for the future? Are you optimistic?

Ask a Latter-day Saint therapist: Can I overcome my eating disorder through faith alone?

By Jonathan Decker, LMFT

Editor's Note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author. Readers should consider each unique situation. This content is not meant to be a substitute for individual, professional advice.

David C. Dollahite

David C. Dollahite is Professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University where he teaches classes and conducts research on the links between religion and family life. He is Co-Director (with Dr. Loren Marks) of the American Families of Faith Project. He received the Eliza R. Snow Fellowship for his research on religion and family relationships and was an Associate Director of the School of Family Life.

10: The Strength to Forgive

Stories in this episode: Crishelle learns how to move forward after a deep betrayal causes her to question everything she once knew about her family; After a traumatic car accident, Kaitlyn discovers forgiveness is a process and not a one-time event; A very naughty puppy teaches Sarah the love and understanding that can come through Christ’s Atonement.