Kristine Haglund

Kristine Haglund was editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought in 2009–2015, is a current or former essayist at the weblogs By Common Consent and Times and Seasons, and noted Mormon historian and cultural commentator. She has suggested that the "experience of independent Mormon publishing sector [can provide] ... a potential model" for members "at a moment where new kinds of assimilation are called for." She has an A.B. from Harvard in German Studies and an M.A. from the University of Michigan in German Literature. As part of her application for the editor position at Dialogue, Haglund wrote, "Many, many people long for a way to acknowledge the flaws of the church, to think and speak critically about silly aspects of our culture, and assess the inevitable mistakes of human leaders trying to interpret God's will, while still affirming the essential goodness of Mormonism. I've battled through some of the big issues—gender roles, homosexuality, intellectual freedom, historiography—and managed not just to stay in, but to stay happily."

The September Six and the Evolution of Mormon Magisteria

In 1997, Stephen Jay Gould published a short essay aimed at limning the conflict between science and religion, particularly with respect to the question of evolution as the mechanism of generating life on Earth. In…

Ministering

How to Build a Paradox: Making the New Jerusalem

“Who Shall Sing If Not the Children?” Primary Songbooks, 1880-1989

In 1989, the Primary Association released a new songbook for Mormondom’s children, its first since 1969. Evaluating it for a professional hymnody publication, one reviewer commented: “This handsome volume’s 8V2 x 11″ pages exude a special kind of coziness…. The plentiful decorative illustrations use pastel colors exclusively—and so, in their way, do most of the songs…. [F]or every song about a specifically Mormon doc trine or practice, at least four would fit into practically any Christian, in deed any civilized context.”

The Best Place to Deal with Questions: An Interview with Brady Udall

Kristine: As you well know, Mormons are always interested in famous Mormons’ relationship to the Church. From what I’ve read, it seems that you like the Church, like Mormons, but never were really a believer, never “gained a testimony,” in the vernacular.

Brady: That’s right. I grew up in the Church, went on a mission. I’m proud to be a Mormon. I did what you’re supposed to; I prayed and hoped to be a believer, but it just never took.

To Bless and Sanctify: Three Meditations on the Sacrament

Kris Wright, Baking a Sacrament Prayer
Matthew Bowman, This Is My Body: A Mormon Sacrament
Kristine Haglund, Holy, Holy, Holy

Mormon Authoritarianism and American Pluralism

Russell: I wanted to start off this conversation by asking David about the subtitle of his book, “How Religion Unites and Divides Us.” That concern over unity and division has been a serious one for the Mitt Romney campaign. He’s made efforts to bridge divides in order to make his candidacy appealing to a particular segment of conservative Republican primary voters who, generally speaking, have not looked well upon Mormons.

Conference Reports: Editor’s Introduction

The many recent conferences on Mormonism, or sessions at larger conferences that deal with Mormon issues, show that Mormonism has become one of the hotter topics in the academy today—in part because Mormonism is such…

Developing Integrity in an Uncertain World: An Interview with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife

Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is an LDS, licensed psychotherapist specializing in relationship and sexuality counseling. In addition to her dissertation research on women’s sexual ity and desire in long-term relationships, she has taught college level human sexuality courses, as well as community and internet based relationship and sexuality workshops. Her clinical work focuses primarily on helping individuals and couples achieve greater satisfaction and passion in their emotional and sexual relationships.