Science vs. Dogma: Biology Challenges the LDS Paradigm
Greg Prince
The following description was pulled from the University of Utah's Tanner Humanities Center's website and served as an introduction to a lecture given by Greg Prince on September 27th, 2017:
"Until the late 1960s, when the Stonewall Riots in New York City brought LGBT issues into the public square, the consensus among clinicians, scientists, legislators, and religious leaders was that homosexuality was either an unfortunate choice that could be unchosen, or a disease that could—and must—be cured. As the field of molecular biology matured, there was a spirited hunt for a genetic explanation for homosexuality—the “gay gene.”
In the short term, failure to find such a gene reinforced the “choice paradigm” of homosexuality. However, recent research has shown that a combination of genetic and (mostly) epigenetic factors act during fetal development to imprint sexual preference and gender identity indelibly within the brain. Prince argues that the “biology paradigm” calls for a reassessment of Latter-day Saint doctrines, policies, and attitudes towards homosexuality, all of which were built on a foundation of the 'choice paradigm.'
'Greg Prince’s unique perspective,' says Tanner Center director Bob Goldberg, 'combines scientific knowledge with humanistic sensibilities. This insures that his insights will offer new ways of understanding matters that touch us all.'"
Below is the video of Greg Prince's lecture at the Salt Lake City Public Library:
About Gregory A. Prince
Scientific researcher and historian Gregory A. Prince earned his graduate degrees in dentistry (DDS) and pathology (PhD) at UCLA. He then pursued a four-decade career in pediatric infectious disease research. His love of history led him to write three books, including the award-winning David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Most recently, he has published Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History.
Below you can also listen to his interview on RadioWest about his new book on the history of Mormons and homosexuality: