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.

Bernardo Vicente is an economist and researcher deeply interested in the intersection of economics, technology, and culture. He holds a degree in business administration and accounting from Lisbon Polytechnic Institute, along with a specialization in business analytics. Driven by a desire to leverage technology for societal betterment, he has developed an innovative economic theory known as “Harberger Georgism.” Harberger Georgism builds upon the principles of Georgism and Harberger taxation, exploring how Web3 technologies can sustainably develop the digital era and enhance the physical world. This theory aims to potentiate development in the physical world using economic strategies. Currently, Bernardo volunteers as a researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, contributing his expertise to the advancement of blockchain technology. His work explores the teleology and utility of emerging technologies like NFTs and the metaverse, aiming to ensure their positive impact on society.

Connie Packer has previously served as the Vice President of the Mormon Transhumanist Association. As a leader within the MTA, she played a key role in guiding the Association’s activities and affairs, focusing on the publication of quality content related to transhumanism and Mormon Transhumanism. Packer helped to facilitate important processes like board member elections and charitable endeavors through initiatives like Kiva Micro Loans, which have collectively funded hundreds of loans to help lift people, improve their conditions, and help them reach their goals.

Evan McMullin (b. 1976) is an American politician, intelligence officer, and civic leader whose career has been defined by a commitment to democratic principles, moral courage, and service to the common good. Born in Provo, Utah, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, McMullin served as a clandestine operations officer with the CIA for over a decade, working in counter-terrorism and national security across the Middle East and North Africa. He later served as Chief Policy Director for the House Republican Conference before launching an independent presidential campaign in 2016, earning 21% of the vote in Utah and drawing national attention as a principled alternative to the major-party candidates. McMullin’s public life has centered on the defense of constitutional democracy and human dignity against authoritarian impulses. In 2021, he co-founded the anti-authoritarian organization Stand Up Republic, and in 2022 he ran as an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Utah, earning broad cross-partisan support. His advocacy consistently draws on moral foundations rooted in his faith, framing democratic participation and the protection of individual rights as ethical imperatives rather than merely political ones. McMullin’s career reflects a conviction that intelligence, courage, and moral clarity are inseparable—that the work of protecting human dignity requires both rigorous discernment and principled action. His willingness to challenge concentrated power and defend pluralistic institutions resonates with the Mormon transhumanist commitment to decentralized flourishing and the notion that genuine community requires consent, accountability, and the active participation of morally engaged individuals. In an era when technology increasingly mediates political power, McMullin’s insistence on transparency and ethical responsibility points toward the kind of stewardship that responsible technological progress demands.

Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) was an American religious leader, statesman, and farmer who served as the thirteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985–1994) and as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961). Born in Whitney, Idaho, Benson grew up on a family farm and carried a lifelong commitment to agrarian values, self-reliance, and public service. He served as a mission president in the British Isles and later as President of the European Mission following World War II, overseeing significant humanitarian and spiritual reconstruction efforts. Benson’s public career spanned both ecclesiastical and governmental spheres with unusual distinction. As Secretary of Agriculture, he advocated for free-market principles and became one of the most prominent Latter-day Saint voices in twentieth-century American political life. Within the Church, he served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for nearly two decades before ascending to the presidency, during which he placed particular emphasis on the Book of Mormon as a keystone of faith and a guide for modern life. Benson held a deeply integrative view of truth, insisting that science and revealed religion are not adversaries but complementary paths toward the same reality. “Truth is truth, whether labeled science or religion,” he affirmed—a conviction that frames inquiry and faith as close allies. He also taught that God works through human beings, especially those of good will, to accomplish divine purposes across history. These commitments—to the unity of truth, to divine collaboration with mortal effort, and to the ongoing work of human progress—resonate naturally with the Mormon transhumanist conviction that technology, science, and religious aspiration are all expressions of a single trajectory toward greater intelligence, creativity, and Godhood.

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.