Welcome, dear readers, to the Summer 2023 issue of SquareTwo! We have an outstanding issue for your reading pleasure.
First up, we have a very thoughtful essay on compassion by Brent Yergensen. Has the modern societal definition of compassion extended so far beyond what the scriptures hold that the Saints are viewed as lacking in compassion? And does this pressure Saints to compromise their values in a quest to be justified through claiming to be compassionate in the modern sense? Is the new compassion based in performance rather than adherence to revealed truth, and if so, can it realistically be called sincere compassion? We found ourselves thinking about this essay for a long time after reading it, and we think you will, too.
Second, Savannah Eccles Johnston points out that we fatefully overlook one of the core doctrines of the Restored Gospel: embodment. A deeper understanding of embodiment is critical in a day when many are fleeing or profoundly modifying their body. If bodies are not “meat cages,” but rather a prized gift, what changes? Among other things, Johnston believes it deeply changes our view of women, who are not trapping us in wretched prisons by giving birth to us, but rather performing noble, loving sacrifice to bring us to a higher level of existence. But there is much more the core doctrine of embodiment changes—read Johnston’s essay to explore more.
Third, we have an exciting and important piece by gifted CoJC playwright, Thomas S. Rogers. Rogers, of course, was the man who gave us the stunning play, “Huebener.” In this previously unpublished novel/play, Rogers explores the afterlife. In particular, he explores what reconciliation could possibly mean once our life is over, and the process by which it is to be pursued. He does this through the lense of a historical incident in which one of his forefathers was involved: the massacre of several “Gentiles” by Church members in the “Aiken Affair” of 1857. We were profoundly moved by this piece.
Fourth, Maggie Marchant and Jocelyn Wikle investigate college graduation outcomes for women who take time out of their studies to go on 18-month missions for the Church. Looking at BYU administrative data from 2012-2020, the authors compare outcomes to other female BYU students who did not go on missions, and to outcomes for female college students nationwide. They find both advantages and drawbacks, and discuss what school policies might mitigate the drawbacks.
Fifth, Michele Noel invites us to consider the work of Jacques Lusseyran, an amazing young French man who died young shortly after World War II. Through an accident while a child, Lusseyran was blind—and yet Lusseyran could see. Indeed, he was an important member of the French resistance during the war, and then was sent to a concentration after capture. What do we learn about light from Lusseyran? How can his insights help us today?
Sixth, we have a new review by our book review editor, Kent Harrison. This issue, Harrison takes a look at the new edited volume from Deseret Book entitled, Every Needful Thing. It contains reflections from Latter-day Saint women who have made their life’s work to combine faith and reason. Contributors include women such as Astrid Tuminez, Valerie Hudson, Jenny Hale Pulsipher, Ana Maria Gutiérrez Valdivia, Esohe Frances Ikponmmwen, and numerous others. Harrison finds a wealth of uplifting stories in these reflections.
Seventh, we have some thoughtful responses to our last issue’s Readers’ Puzzle on how our board and readers have taken President Nelson’s advice to heart and “let God prevail” in their lives. And we have a new Readers’ Puzzle as well—check it out!
Last, don’t forget our companion blog, The Latterday Crone, penned by our own V.H. Cassler which also features real-time commenting. Check it out for more of the SquareTwo experience you enjoy, now on a more frequent basis!
Enjoy this great new issue of SquareTwo!
Full Citation for this Article: Editorial Board, SquareTwo Journal (2023) "Editors’ Intro, Fall 2022," SquareTwo, Vol. 16 No. 2 (Summer 2023), http://squaretwo.org/EditorsIntroSummer2023.html, accessed <give access date>.
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