PROGRAMME AND ABSTRACTS - Università degli Studi di Messina

and Covenants is another scriptural text utilized by Latter-day Saints, which consists of
revelations and declarations of more modern origin. An additional compilation of scripture that
teaches about various aspects of this faith is the Pearl of Great Price. This book is comprised of
translations, revelations, and narrations of both modern and ancient accounts. The principles,
stories, and insights found in all three of these books, along with the Holy Bible, are regularly
studied by church members. Not only do church leaders and members teach from all four
books of scripture, but one of the church’s missions is to share these books with all people,
including those of other faiths. In an effort to provide greater understanding into how Latterday
Saints use these books of scriptures, this study examines how leaders of the Church of
Jesus Christ teach from the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and
the Pearl of Great Price. Semiannually, members of the Church from around the world gather
to hear instruction and counsel from church leaders in Salt Lake City, Utah, at General
Conference. Over a two-day period church leaders take turns speaking during four two-hour
conference sessions to all church members. These conference sessions are broadcast via
satellite, transmitted through the Internet, or viewed live from the conference center in Salt
Lake City. Each conference is comprised of talks from general authorities, which consists of
the first presidency (the president/prophet of the church and his two counselors) and the
quorum of the twelve apostles. Other general authorities and general auxiliary leaders beyond
these 15 leaders who regularly speak during this two-day period include members of the
quorums of the seventy and general presidencies who preside over the Relief Society, Young
Women, Young Men, Primary, Sunday School, and Bishopric organizations. Local or regional
church leaders are not asked to speak at these meetings. Following the conference, the speeches
are translated into more than 85 languages and distributed worldwide through church
magazines or in video and audio files online. The messages delivered by these leaders regularly
reference and are grounded in principles found in the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the
Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Using a content analysis, this study will
provide insight into the speeches delivered during the four main sessions of General
Conference over a five-year period and explore how church leaders regard the Book of
Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Holy Bible.
Specifically, this study will examine the books of scripture church leaders refer to most often
as well as what and how they teach from multiple scriptural texts. From this analysis, insights
into what church leaders teach members concerning the importance of the Book of Mormon,
the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price in relation to the Holy Bible will also
be discussed.
Tue 15 th , 9.20, Classroom 9
Ann af Burén, University of Södertörn, Sweden
Religion and Sexuality – Negotiating Islam and Homosexuality at the Borders of Europe
Turkey, through its geographical position in both Europe and in the Middle East, is not
separated from “western” societies and the concepts developed there. There is a longstanding
tradition of intercultural meetings, cultural appropriation, and reinterpretation in both directions
– processes that not only are reflected in religious affairs but also among groups of sexual
minorities. This paper explores in what way religion has shaped the notion of sexuality for
“homosexual” Muslims in Istanbul. My expectation is that by discussing these questions we
will not only learn about the local context, but also about the European situation, European
notions about religion and religious subjects and about sexuality and sexual categories,
whatever they might be.
57