# From Mormon to Mystic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWx4Nz2y41I *Recorded: 2012* Kathy Wilson reflects on her journey from traditional Mormonism toward a broader mystical worldview, arguing that religious belief systems should be capable of expanding alongside scientific discovery. She finds alignment between Mormon doctrines—such as eternal progression, intelligence as "light and truth," and the metaphysical nature of restoration events like angelic visitations—and metaphysical concepts explored by scientists like Amit Goswami and Lynn McTaggart. Wilson praises the Mormon Transhumanist Association for thinking "out of the box" about resurrection, transfiguration, and the possibility of extending human life through technology, seeing these explorations as responsible engagement with Mormonism's more unconventional beliefs rather than passive acceptance of doctrine. ## Transcript WEBVTT 00:00:21.400 --> 00:01:08.700 Our next speaker is going to be Kathy Wilson, and she is going to be speaking on the subject. of From Mormon to Mystic. Kathy is an artist and has been an owner of several small businesses. Currently, she is the owner of Sego Art and Frame in Salt Lake City. She is the mother of five children and a grandmother. Her interests, other than the arts and humanities, are issues regarding well-being through understanding the health and evolution of the human body. Her community involvement includes politics, projects supporting the arts as well as organizing and fundraising for nonprofit and educational programs. Please welcome Kathy Wilson. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:29.680 Thank you. And thank you, Lincoln, for the energy, the intelligence, the determination you put into this organization, because it does make a difference. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:45.520 New, let’s see here, I’ll better start on the right page. Being a Mormon, Is a great way to grow up in the West, especially if the population is mostly Mormon. If you are not Mormon, then that is a story for another day. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:02:04.579 The many accounts of pioneers crossing the plains in hand carts with hand carts and covered wagons, following what they believe to be the will of God, gives one a sense of purpose, value and gratitude. for the lifestyle and the freedom made possible through their sacrifices. 00:02:04.899 --> 00:02:17.560 Those strong belief systems developed early on in one’s life taught through church history and doctrine, help to strengthen Mormon youth and assist young members to maneuver through sometimes very difficult times. 00:02:17.420 --> 00:02:39.860 But after reaching adulthood, however, and oftentimes before, it becomes obvious that life has more twists and turns, opportunities and pitfalls that present themselves than a limited belief system can satisfy. And in an ever-changing world, the doctrine of the Church has not changed all that much in almost two hundred years. 00:02:40.320 --> 00:03:02.599 Obedience to the leadership of the church is the guidance given to members to be in good standing. But obedience to what? the early leaders’ interpretation of the scriptures, the state president or the bishop’s latest admonition or a general conference speaker warning nonconformists nonconformists to comply with church standards. 00:03:03.260 --> 00:03:15.500 Many members at this point in their lives find that the patriarchal structure of authority in the church is just too controlling and does not allow for enough personal freedom of thought and belief. 00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:42.019 And as a Mormon woman, and also one who has always been curious about why some beliefs are more true than others I constantly have found myself analyzing everything about the Church, the one named after Jesus Christ, and the spirituality it professes to have a coroner on. The more I questioned the beliefs of my youth, the more I found myself drawn to the mysteries of the metaphysical. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:04:03.080 I realize now that everything, including the church, is evolving and that life is a more incredible experience than we have the capacity to comprehend. As limited as our understanding of the nature of things is, the possibilities for progression and evolution are endless. 00:04:04.099 --> 00:04:19.019 Eternal progression and intelligence are key Mormon concepts. My favorite scripture Is taken from Doctrine in Covenants 93. The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:34.520 How is intelligence both light and truth? What can be the progression of consciousness and the human body? And how does intelligence guide science and technology to make progression possible here on earth? and also eternally. 00:04:34.840 --> 00:04:52.440 The Mormon Trends Humanist Association is also interested in asking these questions, and they are not afraid to think out of the box. The search for knowledge and a quest for understanding the nature of spirit in the human body has made me a member and a supporter of the MTA. 00:04:52.320 --> 00:05:09.400 Transfiguration and the resurrection are a focus at the MTA membership as well as the search for the latest technological information justifying the Mormon beliefs that we are evolving into something else. perhaps even being able to reconstruct our bodies. 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:29.400 New and valid information can come from a variety of sources It can come from channel sources such as a patriarchal blessing, or one’s ability or gift to see or hear beyond the normal frequencies of the senses. New scientific studies and the media are great sources of information. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:40.160 Brian Greene’s books and his series on PBS explaining the nature of string theory, quantum physics and entangled particles. Are great examples of the latest scientific research. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:55.580 As new discoveries are being made in science and technology, and they are being made on an exponential rate, I feel that a belief system should be able to expand along with the ability to acquire new information. 00:05:55.900 --> 00:06:12.240 Although I believe most Mormon doctrine to be true, I also believe that there are In addition, thousands of sources for true and divine information about who we are, our bodies, science, and our future given to us on a regular basis. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:27.680 The concepts Of mystics and metaphysics fit very nicely with Mormonism. Christian teachings of the resurrection and the fullness of times are also metaphysical concepts. those that are beyond the understanding of modern physics. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:44.360 Joseph Smith was a mystic, as well as a channel for spiritual information. The very core of Mormonism is based on the story that Moroni, who lived on earth a thousand years ago, was able to reappear and guide Joseph to the golden plates. 00:06:44.440 --> 00:07:11.020 In 1829, according to Doctrine and Covenants 128 and the history of Joseph Smith, not only did John the Baptist reappear, but also Christ’s apostles, Peter, James, and John. They apparently had the responsibility to ordain Joseph and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods to the earth, and authorizing Joseph and Oliver to organize the new church. 00:07:11.020 --> 00:07:21.340 Non-believers deny that these things ever happened. Skeptics question them, and even believers admit that they are metaphysical in nature. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:34.560 The ninth article of faith reads We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He is yet to reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:08:09.220 I have wondered how God is to reveal this new information, and if it could be through the angels mentioned in Matthew. Chapter 1, verse 37. For the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him. And also in Doctrine and Covenants 128. And the voice of Michael the archangel, the voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of diverse angels. are to take part in the new dispensation initiated by the fullness of times. 00:08:09.539 --> 00:08:43.300 I have systematically and critically analyzed hundreds of channeled books and articles pertaining to the human body, consciousness, scientific principles, and the universe. All of this information claims to originate from spiritual sources, and much of it from Archangel Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Although the channels are not Mormon in most cases, I have found that there is little contradiction for the most part and very much alignment with Mormon doctrine. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:51.800 The law of relativity states that time is a function of space. Time, as we understand it, does not exist without accompanying space. 00:08:51.839 --> 00:09:10.240 If a whole is the sum of its parts, and if we are sum of the parts created by the Big Bang billions of years ago, then there should be Some connection back to the one. Things should still exist as a whole on some level or in some dimension. 00:09:10.040 --> 00:09:34.680 These concepts have raised some interesting questions for me. Could what we believe to be our individual thoughts be connected to a greater consciousness, and that collective consciousness be connected to something similar to the mind of God? Are we living in a dreamscape? And how do our basic heartfelt instincts of love, imagination and intent affect the reality that we experience? 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:55.560 Some scientists are interested in these questions also. By studying the effects of consciousness with those of Newtonian physics, Amit Goswami, a professor of physics at the University of Oregon, in his book the self aware universe, contends that consciousness is the force creating our universe. 00:09:55.880 --> 00:10:09.240 And in her book, The Field, Lynn McTaggart utilizes data and research of eighty scientists to describe a unifying force found throughout the universe. 00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:17.460 The constant flow of new data and discovery is leading the way to a greater understanding of the magnificent world that we live in. 00:10:17.780 --> 00:10:27.519 As science, research and technology are helping to explain the nature of reality, it is also helping humanity to understand the body and how to live a longer healthier and more productive life. 00:10:27.839 --> 00:10:54.560 The MTA represents some of the very best aspects of Mormonism, those of truth seeking, intelligence and faith in the future. Following the principles of a healthy lifestyle, we will soon be able to extend our lives by more than twenty healthy years. And technology is helping humanity accept the notion that we may become superhuman in the knots of our future and may be able to extend our lives indefinitely. 00:10:54.540 --> 00:11:04.860 The transformation of what we are and who we can be is now being realized and happening as we speak in more ways than we can imagine. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:19.019 Any questions? Okay. 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:57.500 On the aspect of life extension, and there’s a lot of talk about this making a superhero. Isn’t it very much possible that all of this, there’s nothing inhuman about that? everything that is limited to our lifespan has been much more due to our ignorance of the world and that must pursue further Of intelligences and the transhumanism that comes from it is exactly what we’re intending for. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:14.040 I believe that. The question was Is our own ignorance and level of understanding about the universe and our bodies and how we are evolving the limiting factor, basically? Is that what you’re saying? And I totally believe that. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:32.600 I believe that as we as our consciousness and our understanding and our ability to create and intend our bodies to evolve, it will happen because that’s the force that’s actually moving us in the right direction. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:36.920 Any other questions? Yes? 00:12:38.640 --> 00:12:49.280 collective consciousness are you what do you feel like in Mormonism the best impact away to that concept were you associated with 00:12:48.580 --> 00:13:00.540 A fullness of times in understanding that we are moving into a whole new awareness, and the fullness of times And you might call it the millennium, you might call it a lot of different things. But we are becoming more connected. 00:13:00.699 --> 00:13:21.520 The Internet technology is creating all of these different aspects to allow us to see a huge, huge picture. We cannot comprehend it at this point. We have to extend our ability to pull in all this information and comprehend it. And that’s our limiting factor at this point.