Human Perfection - Philip Barlow (12

Acknowledgment of the conference participants and the speaker's current emotional state.
Mention of the last session of the conference and appreciation for learning from colleagues.

Dolly the Sheep:
  - World’s most famous sheep, known for being the first mammal cloned from a single adult somatic cell via nuclear transfer.
  - Noted that Dolly had three mothers:
    - One provided the egg.
    - Another provided DNA.
    - A third carried the cloned embryo to term.   - Contextual comparison with historical horrors:
    - The bombing of Hiroshima at the end of World War II.
      - Immediate destruction of 90% of the city and over 80,000 instant deaths.
      - Long-term consequences due to radiation exposure.

The duality of the events (the birth of Dolly and the bombing of Hiroshima): triumph in scientific achievement vs horror in human destruction.
Observation of theologians recognizing that capabilities attributed solely to God (creation, alteration of life) are also achievable through human endeavors.
Reflection on human autonomy leading to moral dilemmas: destroying and creating life.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
- German pastor, theologian imprisoned and executed by the Nazi regime.
- Resided in Tegel prison and Flossenbürg concentration camp before his execution. - Writings during imprisonment highlight a dual perspective on faith and life devoid of direct divine intervention: - Initial letters to family show optimism about release. - Letters to friend Eberhard Bethke reflect despondence about the condition of humanity and the relevance of God in modernity.
Bonhoeffer’s belief that humanity must learn to live without perceivable divine assistance because of increasing secularization.
Key existential questions arising from his situation: - "Where is God in a world marked by suffering and evil?" - The distinction between living with and without God.

Bonhoeffer's theological journey characterized by: - Formulating thoughts on a “religion less Christianity.”
- Analyzing the inadequacy of established religions against modern challenges. - The need for a new kind of faith that transcends traditional frameworks. - His reflections suggest that the quest for perfection and true virtue might distance one from real-world ethics and values.
Comparison of his theoretical frameworks to contemporary thinkers like Charles Taylor, who also assess the shifting paradigms surrounding faith and society.

Addressing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in the secular age:
- Historical emergence of questions of authenticity and relevance in spiritual practices.
- The shift from "Which church is true?" to the inquiry of "Why church?" as reflective of a growing secular society.
Task for modern Latter-day Saints: Consider how to cultivate human perfection in an increasingly skeptical world.

Emphasis on the witnessing and experiencing of virtues rather than merely theoretical discussions.
Reference to Immanuel Kant and his critiques of moral embodiment in the form of love.
The challenge posed by contemporary distrust towards institutions, including religious ones, and their representatives.
Encouragement for church members to identify and aspire toward virtuous exemplars (saints or leaders) in modernity, aware of their fallibilities.

Acknowledging the problematic nature of perfection as a goal due to subjective interpretations.
Ludwig Binswanger’s dual worlds:
- Exterior/objective world: All that exists externally (people, systems, the natural world).
- Interior/subjective world: Personal values, beliefs, and internal constructs that shape one’s view of the external world.
Encouragement for Latter-day Saints to seek best efforts without succumbing to unhealthy perfectionism, - Risks of perfectionism: - Self-righteousness, anxiety, mental distress (e.g., scrupulosity).
Scriptural sources underpinning LDS notions of perfection: - Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount: "Be therefore perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." - Joseph Smith’s teachings on theosis: Encouraging divine nature participation and growth toward perfection.
Redefinition of perfection as a process of becoming rather than achieving flawlessness: - Telos in Koine Greek: Suggests wholeness, the end goal, or purpose of existence.

Exploration of perceived traits among admirable persons within LDS contexts: - Referenced the Encyclopedia of Mormonism: Common virtues like obedience, humility, and mercy are highlighted.
Notable absence of other virtues such as: - Integrity, creativity, courage—raising questions about the community's ideal characteristics.
Possible Nietzschean critiques of these virtues and their implications for personal authenticity and self-empowerment.

Discussion around historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, who provided a unique perspective on virtue within American identity.
- Franklin's autobiographic virtues illustrate a multifaceted understanding of moral character beyond contemporary religious frameworks: - Notable omissions of virtues like faith, sacrifice, charity, compassion, etc.
Reflection on the need for moral illustrations drawn from history and contemporary figures, prompting a re-examination of leaders' roles and their perceived infallibility.

Perceived authority of church leaders: Issues surrounding the misguided expectations of infallibility.
- Importance of distinguishing between leaders’ positions and personal moral standing.
Insights from Joseph Smith on authority, priesthood, and the nature of dominion: - Call for righteousness in leadership and relationships.
Seven Suggestions for Engaging with Church Leaders:
  1. Embrace the healthy dynamics of tension.   2. Reject the notion that perfection means personality and character cannot coexist.
  3. Accept hagiography as a complex, often flawed reflection of virtue.
  4. Understand power dynamics in relationships with authority.   5. Build confidence and trust with church leaders as a reciprocal relationship.
  6. Follow leaders as a means to connect with Christ rather than placing them as ultimate authorities.   7. Utilize love as a foundational epistemology in understanding and engaging with leaders and community members alike.

Acknowledgment of secular achievements and wisdom derived from diverse perspectives—including secular and religious figures.
Warning against relying solely on humanity without recognizing inherent transcendent values.
Reflection on self-transcendence as a defining characteristic of humanity.
Emphasizing the significance of exemplars in navigating moral complexities amid urgent societal demands, such as resistance against injustices embodied in various historical and contemporary movements.

Advocacy for maintaining diverse exemplars reflecting transcendent values from both religious and secular domains.
Encouragement to consider the complexities of virtue as they relate to urgent social contexts, emphasizing the need for thoughtful understanding and reflection in pursuing one's spiritual and moral journey.