Authors

Allen Hansen was raised in northern Israel within the LDS faith, an experience that has profoundly shaped his academic and personal interests. His interdisciplinary scholarship spans a wide range of subjects, reflecting his diverse background and intellectual curiosity. Hansen’s research interests are particularly focused on the intersection of Mormonism, Judaism, and Biblical studies, with a keen interest in late antiquity. He also has scholarly interests in journalism, as well as Eastern European and Middle Eastern studies. This breadth allows him to explore unique connections between seemingly disparate fields. Hansen also brings a practical dimension to his scholarship through interests in business management and positive psychology, both of which he frames through the lens of Zion — exploring how organizational design and individual well-being might serve a larger communal vision. This thread of his work aligns naturally with the Mormon Transhumanist Association's broader project of bridging faith and posthumanism.

Brigham Young (1 June 1801 – 29 August 1877) was the second President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the architect of the Mormon settlement of the American West. Born in poverty in Whitingham, Vermont, he had only eleven days of formal schooling but became an accomplished carpenter and craftsman. Young joined the Church in 1832 after two years of examining the Book of Mormon, and was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835. Following Joseph Smith’s assassination in 1844, Young assumed leadership of the Church and organized the epic westward migration. In 1847, he led the first group of pioneers 1,300 miles across the Great Plains to the Salt Lake Valley, declaring upon arrival, “This is the right place.” Nicknamed “American Moses,” Young supervised the overland trek of 60,000 to 70,000 pioneers and founded 350 to 400 settlements across the western territories. Four days after arriving in the barren Salt Lake Valley, he designated the exact location for the Salt Lake Temple. He established the Perpetual Emigration Fund, which helped some 30,000 immigrants reach America. Despite limited formal education, he founded the institutions that became Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. Young served as the first governor of Utah Territory from 1850. He practiced plural marriage, with at least 20 wives who bore him 57 children. At his death, he was the wealthiest man in Utah. His extraordinary organizational abilities and vision transformed a persecuted religious community into a thriving civilization in the desert.

Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) was an American farmer, government official, and religious leader who served as the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death. Born in Whitney, Idaho, Benson served a mission to Great Britain and later earned degrees in agriculture. He served as United States Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1961, the only Cabinet member to serve all eight years of that administration. He taught that God uses people of the earth, especially good people, to accomplish His purposes—a principle reflected throughout history and continuing today. His presidency emphasized the Book of Mormon and its role in bringing people to Christ.

John Taylor (1808–1887) served as the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 until his death. Born in Milnthorpe, England, he immigrated to Canada in 1832 and converted to the Church in 1836. Known as the “Champion of Liberty,” he edited several Church publications and served multiple missions to England and France. Taylor was present in Carthage Jail when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred in 1844. Shot five times, he survived and was thereafter known as a “living martyr.” He is remembered for singing “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” at Hyrum’s request shortly before the attack. As Church President, Taylor led the Saints during intense federal persecution over plural marriage. The Edmunds Act of 1882 forced him into hiding for the last years of his life, during which he established colonies of refuge in Mexico and Canada. He died on July 25, 1887, still maintaining his convictions about religious liberty.

Jordan Roberts, MD, is a physician, humanitarian, and bioethicist whose work bridges the intersections of clinical medicine, Mormon theology, and transhumanist philosophy. Born in Mesa, Arizona, to a Mormon mother and a Jewish father, Roberts grew up at a unique cultural crossroads that has informed his lifelong interest in the synthesis of diverse religious and scientific traditions. Roberts’s academic journey began at Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences. He subsequently received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix. Following his medical education, he completed his residency in family medicine at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. His professional background as a clinician is deeply intertwined with his philosophical pursuits, particularly regarding the ethical implications of emerging technologies and the moral imperative of life extension and health equity. In 2017, Roberts was appointed as the Chief Humanitarian Officer of the Mormon Transhumanist Association (MTA). In this leadership role, he focused on the practical application of transhumanist ideals—specifically the use of technology to alleviate human suffering and expand the reach of compassionate care. His vision of "Humanitarian Transhumanism" emphasizes that the transition to a posthuman or exalted state must be rooted in helping the needy among us. Roberts presented a compelling lecture at the MTAConf 2017 titled “The Evolution of Zion.” In his presentation, he explored the concept of Zion not merely as a historical or geographical location, but as an evolving socio-technical state. He posits that the religious mandate to build Zion is compatible with the transhumanist goal of using advanced science to create a society characterized by the absence of poverty, disease, and inequality. By drawing on his dual heritage, he often incorporates themes from both Jewish tikkun olam (repairing the world) and the Mormon pursuit of the New Jerusalem. Roberts remains an avid student of science fiction, philosophy, and the history of medicine. He served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil, an experience that helped shape his global perspective on public health and humanitarianism. Through his writing and speaking, Roberts continues to advocate for a future where technology and theology work in tandem to fulfill the highest aspirations of the human spirit.

Joseph Fielding Smith (1838–1918) was the 6th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving from 1901 until his death. He was the son of Hyrum Smith and nephew of Joseph Smith. Born in Far West, Missouri, Joseph F. Smith experienced the trials of early Church history firsthand. As a young child, he witnessed the aftermath of the Carthage martyrdom. At age nine, he drove an ox team across the plains to Utah with his widowed mother. At fifteen, he was called on a mission to Hawaii, where he had a transformative vision of the afterlife. He taught that Jesus’s work was not finished with his death and resurrection but continues until all who can be saved are redeemed. This expansive vision of salvation includes work for the dead and the promise that the faithful become saviors on Mount Zion alongside Christ.

Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) served as the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 until his death. He was the son of Joseph F. Smith, the sixth Church president, and the grandson of Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. By age ten, he had read the Book of Mormon twice. Smith served as an apostle for over 60 years, longer than almost anyone in Church history. He held positions as Church Historian, president of the Genealogical Society, and president of the Salt Lake Temple. As one of the Church’s most prolific writers, his works include Doctrines of Salvation , Essentials in Church History , and Answers to Gospel Questions . When he became Church President at age 93, he was the oldest person to assume that role. Though his presidency was brief, he led important administrative reforms that improved correlation of Church publications and brought the Quorum of the Twelve into more decision-making. He died peacefully on July 2, 1972, after attending church services that day.

Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805, in the quaint town of Sharon, Vermont. Emerging from humble beginnings, he would grow to become a prominent figure in American religious history. Joseph’s early years were characterized by an insatiable quest for spiritual truth, set against the backdrop of the Second Great Awakening. In the spring of 1820, at the tender age of 14, he experienced a miraculous visitation in which he beheld God the Father and Jesus Christ. This profound encounter set in motion a series of divinely orchestrated events, culminating in the translation of the golden plates and the subsequent publication of the Book of Mormon . Joseph’s steadfast commitment to his divine mission resulted in the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, marking the beginning of a new religious movement. Throughout his life, Joseph Smith faced tremendous challenges, including relentless persecution, violent mob actions, and unjust imprisonment. Despite these trials, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, guiding the Saints through adversity from Ohio to Missouri, and ultimately to the thriving community of Nauvoo, Illinois. In Nauvoo, he fostered a vibrant society, articulating profound doctrines about the eternal nature of families and the limitless potential of the human soul. Tragically, his life was cut short when he was martyred on June 27, 1844, in Carthage, Illinois. Despite his untimely death, Joseph Smith’s legacy endures, with millions of Latter-day Saints worldwide continuing to embrace the faith he restored.

Lorenzo Snow was born in Mantua, Ohio, to a family that prioritized education and faith. Although he initially aspired to a military career, a pivotal conversation with Apostle David W. Patten in 1835 turned his heart toward religion. He was baptized in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836 and soon dedicated his life to missionary service, preaching the gospel in the United States, Great Britain, Italy, and Hawaii. Ordained an Apostle in 1849, he later demonstrated exceptional leadership by establishing a successful cooperative community in Brigham City, Utah, blending his spiritual calling with practical industry. In 1898, at the age of 84, Lorenzo Snow became the fifth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His administration is best remembered for his response to the Church’s dire financial situation; following a divine manifestation in St. George, Utah, he fervently taught the Saints the importance of paying a full tithe. The members’ faithful response to this plea helped free the Church from debt and established a firm temporal foundation for the future. He served as President until his death in 1901, leaving a legacy of refined character and firm testimony of the gospel.

Martha Jane Horne Tingey (1857–1938) served as the second general president of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association (YLMIA) from 1905 to 1929. Born in Salt Lake City to Mary Isabella Hales and Joseph Horne, she was baptized at age eight by her father. She attended private schools and Deseret University, developing gifts in music and elocution. Tingey was called as second counselor in the YLMIA at age twenty-two and served in the general presidency for an extraordinary 49 years. During her tenure as president, the organization instituted yearly slogans, roadshows, the Beehive program, leadership week, and camps for young women. In 1922, she selected green and gold as the official colors. She authored a handbook for young Mormon women and declared: “My heart is with the Mutual Improvement work. I love the youth of Zion, and I am anxious that they may become a mighty army for righteousness in the kingdom of God.” Two of her counselors, Ruth May Fox and Lucy Grant Cannon, later succeeded her as YLMIA presidents.