The Elizabeth McCune Institute was created to help amplify voices of faith in the public square and help counter those that increasingly discourage their participation. In addition to providing a venue for thoughtful writing, we connect authors in supportive dialogue and sponsor research into media discourse around faith and religion. Our background as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints informs our focus and efforts.
- Research: We analyze under-recognized patterns in the way media depicts and portrays faith and people of faith. [Read more]
- Publication: We co-sponsor an online periodical where thoughtful voices of faith can proactively engage issues of importance in the larger national discourse. [Read more]
- Dialogue: We convene thinkers and scholars supportive of faith – especially those outside of a formal institution – to provide more encouragement and support for their public-facing work. [Read more]
During these turbulent times for our country, we believe it’s time to hear more – not less – from thoughtful people of faith, who can provide crucial perspective, encouragement and reassuring witness. If more of these voices are discouraged into silence, not only is their influence lost – but other voices are emboldened to dominate conversation in a way that threatens to silence even more people of faith. As Elder Quinton L. Cook has cautioned, “Silence allows the rhythm of negativity to continue unchallenged. This erodes the confidence of people of faith.”