We are making some changes to our website, and as a result of that, I haven't been able to get the agenda for the Conference on the web site yet. I don't want to wait any longer to let you know who will be speaking. Here is a list, with a short version of their bios

GRANT PALMER – Grant is the author of An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (Signature Books, 2002) and The Incomparable Jesus (Kofford Books, 2005). He has also penned articles for the Salt Lake Tribune, Sunstone Magazine, The John Whitmer Journal and the Midwestern Journal of Theology. He retired in 2001, after thirty-four years of teaching and counseling for the LDS Church (C.E.S.). He and his wife Connie live in Sandy, Utah. They like to travel and enjoy raising homing pigeon and parakeets. The title of his presentation is: “The Best “Ah-Ha” Moments While Researching Mormon History”.

TOM DONOFRIO – Tom was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. He served a 2 year mission in Tempe, Arizona where he returned to live. Tom was a Church employee for 10 years as an HVAC tech. Tom terminated his employment and later resigned his membership in the Church in 2002. He has an AAS in technology, holds national certifications in commercial and industrial refrigeration, His title is “Book of Mormon Tories, Part Deux. American Colonial Influences in the Book of Mormon”.

WADE WILSON -- Wade grew up in the church in Utah, and his family came from multi-generational pioneer stock. Although church was devastatingly boring, he remained faithful and served a mission so as not to be labeled “unworthy.” After receiving his endowments in a temple session that was both horrifying and disappointing, he was “deployed” to Germany as part of “god’s army.” Wade was wounded by a fiery dart from Satan and had to come home early from his mission due to sickness. Not having" sufficient faith" to be healed and lacking regenerative powers, Wade’s mission was cut short. Although “honorably” discharged from service, Wade found it difficult to be considered equal amongst his brethren who had served “full missions.” He will tell us the steps he went through to regain some form of sanity and how he has dealt with his PTSD.

SUE EMMETT - Sue grew up in Portland, Oregon in a very devout, deeply involved Mormon family. The descendant of famous Mormon pioneers, she was steeped in the “special heritage” her family shared– which only added to the pressure she felt to be a perfect Mormon girl and woman. Sue graduated from BYU with a degree in Psychology, but instead of building a counseling career, she married in the temple and became the mother of 7 children. Sue will speak about “Issues of Church vs. State in The Military, the Congress and our Public Schools”. Be prepared for some shocking information you had no idea was pushing right up against our constitutional and civil rights -- and the ways in which Mormonism is leaning more and more to a Dominionist approach to politics.

LORI FAZZINO – Lori has a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she is continuing her doctoral work -- and has had a special interest in the consequences of leaving a religion because of her own history in a Fundamentalist congregation. Her research interests span across several sub-fields of sociology including culture, religion, social movements, and mental health. She gave a presentation to the St. George Post-Mormon Group and comes highly recommended. Lori will concentrate on the fall-out from leaving controlling religions and the tools we can use to get through the maze.

Don't hesitate to write me if you have any questions. You can also reserve your room a Doubletree Suites (formerly Embassy). 801.359-7800.

Sue
Conference Chair
sue97062@aol.com