The session "Singing the Same Tune" examines the similarities and diversions in the religious music traditions of the Mormon and Protestant communities. Despite a strong historical connection in nineteenth century America and a commitment to the moral teachings and saving power of Jesus, differences in doctrine and practice have complicated the relationship between Mormonism and Protestant Christianity."
Bio
Eileen Guenther
Eileen Guenther has held leadership roles in the American Guild of Organists for many years. She has served as dean of the Washington (D.C.) Chapter, and was chair of the 1982 AGO National Convention in Washington. As a member of the AGO National Council, she has been councillor for organizational concerns, councillor for professional development, and vice president. She is a national and international organ recitalist and has performed in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. She is featured on recordings with Etherea Records, the U.S. Air Force Orchestra, Vista Records (London), and Foundry Records. For many years, Eileen Guenther was the host of an award-winning radio program, The Royal Instrument, broadcast on Washington's WGMS.
Dr. Guenther is associate professor of church music at Wesley Theological Seminary and professorial lecturer in music at the George Washington University. At Wesley, she teaches music and worship courses, conducts the Chapel Choir, and serves as director of Oxnam Chapel and the Summer School program. As an extension of her music ministry, Dr. Guenther leads workshops nationally for musical and denominational organizations. She has just returned from conducting at her third General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
Kristine Haglund
Kristine Haglund is the current editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, a current or former permablogger at By Common Consent and Times and Seasons, and noted Mormon historian and cultural commentator. She has suggested that the "experience of independent Mormon publishing sector [can provide] . . . a potential model" for members "at a moment where new kinds of assimilation are called for."
She has an A.B. from Harvard in German Studies and an M.A. from the University of Michigan in German Literature.
Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of a sect closely related to it (e.g., the Community of Christ). The Mormon religion was founded by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have received an angelic vision telling him of the location of golden plates containing God's revelation; this he published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon. Smith and his followers accepted the Bible as well as the Mormon sacred scriptures but diverged significantly from orthodox Christianity, especially in their assertion that God exists in three distinct entities as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Mormons also believe that faithful members of the church will inherit eternal life as gods. Other unique doctrines include the belief in preexisting souls waiting to be born and in salvation of the dead through retroactive baptism. The church became notorious for its practice of polygamy, though it was officially sanctioned only between 1852 and 1890. Smith and his followers migrated from Palmyra, N.Y., to Ohio, Missouri, and finally Illinois, where Smith was killed by a mob in 1844. In 1846–47, under Brigham Young, the Mormons made a 1,100-mi (1,800-km) trek to Utah, where they founded Salt Lake City. In the early 21st century, the church had a worldwide membership of nearly 10 million, swelled yearly by the missionary work that church members, both men and women, are encouraged to perform.
