Advancing Mormon Scholarship
Donation protected
I remember vivdly my first faith crisis. It began with the rather sudden realization that what I had been taught as a child stood the chance of not actually being true. This instigated a scrupulous look into Mormon history and theology as well as a period wherein I attended multiple churches.
I recall during this period reaching out to my seminary and institute instructors. Unfortunitally I found that most of them lacked the ability to answer my questions or even to relate to my experience. In many cases I simply lost interest in their lectures.
I do not believe my experience to be an isolated incident. Members of the church require academic answers to questions of history and theology. It is my hope to be a part of this effort by joining Mormonism’s academic conversation. It was this conversation, specifically those parts offered by Terryl, Fiona Givens and Richard Bushman that secured my faith. I hope to be a voice for generations of Mormons in the future and provide, through written text and classroom instruction, the meaningful and academic answers other Mormon youth will need to navigate through their personal faith crises.
To this end, I had plans to attend Claremont Graduate University which fosters a unique hub of Mormon Scholarship. I was accepted and was granted a partial Fellowship of twelve thousand dollars per year, as well as an additional grant of eight thousand dollars from the Howard W. Hunter Foundation. Unfortunately my cost of housing and the remaining tuition still amounts to roughly eighty thousand dollars for the completion of the Master’s program. I cannot justify taking out a loan for the remaining amount, as it would not be in the best interest of myself or my small family.
I cannot overstate my gratitude for any contribution you would be willing to make. Attending graduate school at Claremont represents a unique opportunity to fufill my personal dream and join the ranks of Mormon scholars.
Please help me in my effort to secure the faith other church members as well as continue the effort of bringing Mormon thought into the acedemy.
Here is a few link to Claremont's Mormon Studies program-
http://claremontmormonstudies.org/
Included on this page is an endorcement of the program by Elder Jeffery R. Holland as well as a link to the Mormon Women Oral Histories Project.
I recall during this period reaching out to my seminary and institute instructors. Unfortunitally I found that most of them lacked the ability to answer my questions or even to relate to my experience. In many cases I simply lost interest in their lectures.
I do not believe my experience to be an isolated incident. Members of the church require academic answers to questions of history and theology. It is my hope to be a part of this effort by joining Mormonism’s academic conversation. It was this conversation, specifically those parts offered by Terryl, Fiona Givens and Richard Bushman that secured my faith. I hope to be a voice for generations of Mormons in the future and provide, through written text and classroom instruction, the meaningful and academic answers other Mormon youth will need to navigate through their personal faith crises.
To this end, I had plans to attend Claremont Graduate University which fosters a unique hub of Mormon Scholarship. I was accepted and was granted a partial Fellowship of twelve thousand dollars per year, as well as an additional grant of eight thousand dollars from the Howard W. Hunter Foundation. Unfortunately my cost of housing and the remaining tuition still amounts to roughly eighty thousand dollars for the completion of the Master’s program. I cannot justify taking out a loan for the remaining amount, as it would not be in the best interest of myself or my small family.
I cannot overstate my gratitude for any contribution you would be willing to make. Attending graduate school at Claremont represents a unique opportunity to fufill my personal dream and join the ranks of Mormon scholars.
Please help me in my effort to secure the faith other church members as well as continue the effort of bringing Mormon thought into the acedemy.
Here is a few link to Claremont's Mormon Studies program-
http://claremontmormonstudies.org/
Included on this page is an endorcement of the program by Elder Jeffery R. Holland as well as a link to the Mormon Women Oral Histories Project.
Organizer
Taylor Kerby
Organizer
Mesa, AZ
