Editor's Blog
This interview was conducted with Lincoln Cannon, the co-founder, director and president of the Mormon Transhumanists.
H+: How long has there been a ‘Mormon Transhumanist’ group, and how many members are there?
Lincoln Cannon: The 14 founding members of the Mormon Transhumanist Association adopted a constitution on 13 May 2006. We incorporated in Utah of the United States on 4 August 2006, and received 501c3 nonprofit status, effective the same date. We affiliated with Humanity+ (formerly the World Transhumanist Association) on 6 July 2006, and remained affiliated until Humanity+ terminated all affiliations on 6 April 2010. Today, the Mormon Transhumanist Association consists of 116 members, with approximately 41% living in Utah and 90% living in the United States. The purpose of the Mormon Transhumanist Association is to promote the Transhumanist Declaration and the Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation (see reference below).
H+: Tell me a bit about yourself.
LC: I was born and raised in a Mormon family and served a mission to France for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the largest Mormon denomination). I am married with Dorothée Vankrieckenge, a French national, and am father to three bilingual children. I am the Director of Web Systems at Merit Medical, a manufacturer of single-use medical devices. I hold a master’s degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Brigham Young University.
H+: Is the Mormons religion compatible with transhumanism?
LC: Most Mormon Transhumanists consider our religion to be remarkably compatible with transhumanism. We consider Mormonism to be a religious transhumanism. Eternal progression is a central doctrine of Mormonism. Basically, the idea is that we have all existed in some form or another into the indefinite past, that we have been and are progressing toward becoming like God in a creative and benevolent capacity, and that we should each help others do the same into the indefinite future. Mormon scripture asserts the work of God to be that of bringing about immortality and eternal life, and invites us all to participate in that work.
Mormon scripture also situates us in the “Dispensation of the Fullness of Times”, when God is accelerating the work, inspiring us with greater knowledge and endowing us with greater power in preparation for the prophesied millennium, a time of transfiguration, immortality, resurrection, renewal of this world, and ultimately the discovery and creation of worlds without end. Early Mormon prophets, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, suggested that we would begin performing the ordinance of transfiguration before the millennium, and that immortals would begin performing the ordinance of resurrection during the millennium.
H+: Are there Mormons in innovative science and engineering fields?
LC: There has always been a strong strain of pro-science sentiment among Mormon authorities. Brigham Young declared that “true religion is a science” and “our religion will not clash with or contradict the facts of science in any particular”. I know of Mormons that are doing innovative work or advanced studies in the areas of robotics (Scott Howe at NASA), artificial intelligence (Mike Sellers at Online Alchemy), neuroscience (Michael Ferguson at University of Utah), oncology (Cory Funk at University of Illinois), computational mathematics (David Bailey at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), and environmental engineering (Roger Hansen at US Bureau of Reclamation).
Some claim that Utah has led the United States in per capita production of scientists. Here’s a list of relatively well known Mormon scientists (see reference below). In addition, here’s a list of inventions that purport to be associated with Mormons (reference below). And here’s a list of relatively well known Mormon engineers and inventors (reference below). Mormons’ success in science and engineering stems, at least in part, from the highly positive position that our religious tradition and the contemporary LDS Church have taken on education.
H+: Is there a tradition of Mormons writing science fiction?
LC: Mormons have been remarkably influential in the science fiction trade. The most well known are probably Orson Scott Card, author of Ender’s Game, and Glen Larson, creator of Battlestar Galactica and Knight Rider.
H+: Describe how the Mormons view the afterlife, and how that fits into transhumanism.
LC: Mormons typically believe that, after death, we continue to exist spiritually while awaiting the resurrection, when we will regain physical bodies. Unlike some Christians, Mormons tend to have highly positive perspectives toward physical bodies, valuing them as empowering tools in our progress to become like God (who, according to Mormon scripture, also has a physical body). Furthermore, Mormons tend to believe that, subsequent to transfiguration or resurrection to immortality, we will continue to enjoy the Earth, renewed and glorified, prior to repeating the process of creating new worlds. These ideas illustrate that, on the whole, Mormons have a more concrete vision of the future than do most religious traditions, and focus less on a temporary spiritual afterlife than on an eternal physical renewal and glorification of life. This resonates strongly with immortalist strains of transhumanism. In summary, creative benevolent posthumans may qualify as God, particularly from a Mormon Transhumanist perspective. 76% of Mormon Transhumanists identify as theists, and many of the others think God just doesn’t exist yet.
H+: Are Mormon Transhumanists into immortality and extended lives?
LC: 80% of Mormon Transhumanists strongly or somewhat agree that it would be a good thing if people could live in good health for hundreds of years or longer. This reflects Mormon scripture, which includes prophecy of a day of transfiguration when mortal lives will be as the age of a tree; there is no death; and we are changed in the twinkling of an eye. According to one recent study, Mormon men live 10 years longer than other US white males, and Mormon women live, on average, 5 years longer than other US white females. Some of this is probably attributable to Mormons’ code of health, known as the “Word of Wisdom”, as well as emphasis on family relations and education. Transhumanists interested in “living long enough to live forever” may be wise to consider the benefits of the Mormon lifestyle.
H+: Are their passages in the Book of Mormon that are ‘transhumanist’?
LC: Sure. Here are a few of my favorites:
2 Nephi 9: 10-13 teaches that death is an “awful monster”
Alma 11: 44-45 teaches that immortals are embodied
Alma 60: 20-23 teaches that God will not deliver us from death unless we use the means provided
3 Nephi 28: 1-12 teaches that, all else being equal, those who desire not to die are “more blessed” than those who desire to die
Other Mormon scripture, particularly the “Doctrine and Covenants,” is more heavily transhumanist. And there are speeches from prominent Mormon authorities, such as Joseph Smith, that are also more heavily transhumanist.
H+: If you could create a Mormon futuristic transhuman utopia, what would it look like?
LC: Mormon cosmology, as articulated in Mormon scripture, includes the idea that God, in whom we should all participate, creates worlds without end, heavens and glories without end, each according to the desires of its inhabitants, according to that which they are willing to receive. While I do not subscribe to mere moral relativism, I do value this idea of an indefinitely broad and deep cosmos, organized and reorganized in a perpetual work to fulfill desires, wills and laws, overcome conflicts and tensions, and provide time and space enough to explore ourselves and each other, and experience a full measure of our creative capacities. Something like that, in my estimation, is godhood, so far as I can imagine it.
In a not so distant time and place, and more importantly for now, we have actual lives, communities and environments to improve. We need more and better food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, education and healthcare; and it must come in sustainable ways. Technology is our power to do this, if we’ll use it wisely, ethically, charitably. I hope Mormon Transhumanism will help motivate such behavior.
H+: Do Mormon Transhumanists have different ethics than other transhumanists? What is your position on stem cell research? Gay marriage? Smart Drugs? In-vitro babies? Euthanasia?
LC: The ethic of Mormon Transhumanism is best described in the Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation which may be compatible with the ethics of many forms of secular transhumanism. The MTA has no position on stem cell research. The LDS Church likewise explicitly has no position on stem cell research. Mormon politicians tend to support legislation on behalf of stem cell research. The MTA has no position on gay marriage. While most Mormons are antagonistic to gay marriage, Mormon Transhumanists tend to have more favorable perspectives toward homosexuals. For example, 50% of the members of the MTA strongly or somewhat disagree with the statement that “marriage should only be between a man and a woman.” 56% of MTA members strongly or somewhat disagree with the statement that “Mormon doctrine cannot accommodate homosexuality”. The MTA has no position on smart drugs. Mormons tend to embrace the ethical use of traditional non-recreational drugs — and medical science generally. Because of Mormon interest in education and personal improvement, I imagine smart drugs will be used by many Mormons if and when they become commonplace.
The MTA has no position on in-vitro babies. 98% of Mormon Transhumanists somewhat or strongly agree that “people should have a right to use technology to extend their . . . reproductive . . . capacities . . .” I personally know many Mormons that have benefitted from in vitro fertilization and other reproductive technologies. Mormons like to make babies, and most of us seem to have nothing against using technology to help out. The MTA has no position on euthanasia. Personally, I agree with the notion that life is sacred, and that we should be doing all we can ethically to extend and enhance life; however, I acknowledge there are horrible situations that may justify assisted suicide.
References
Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation
Mormon Inventors and Engineers
See Also
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13 Comments
I’m sorry, what?
This doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. “Mormon Transhumanism”? That reads exactly like “Liquid Fire” or “Grounded Aviation”.
This comes off as more of a PR stunt than anything.
I thought transhumanism was religiously independent? I’m pretty disappointed h+ even entertained the idea of this article.
The new militant transhuman rationalists: Our knees jerk at an accelerating rate!
There are religious people, Mormons and many others, who anticipate, support, and put faith in our neohuman future. I believe there are a great many more people from many religions who will do the same when they are put in contact with transhumanism. H+ can be an important organization to reach these people, even as it remains religiously independent, and composed predominantly of atheists.
Mormons, unlike other christians, don’t worship a 2,000 year old male virgin. They reportedly teach that during Jesus’ earthly life, he had three wives; so he must have had some game going for him.
I’ve never heard it taught by members of the LDS church that Jesus had three wives. It’s my understanding that there is no official teaching of the LDS church that Jesus was married, though a number of leaders have expressed the idea. It is not often brought up in conversation, but I think a belief that Jesus was married is pretty common among Mormons.
I’m really not sure where the “three wives” things came from – having a pretty good understanding of LDS doctrine, I assure you it’s not something that’s ever been taught in any official or unofficial manner. That’s one I’ve never heard that one before, and I can’t think of any point of LDS doctrine that would even hint that this wold be the case.
However…
Although it is absolutely not specifically taught LDS doctrine, the idea that Christ must have been married is a logical extension of several points of doctrine that are clearly and directly taught:
(1) Christ role, as our savior and only perfect exemplar of how we are to live our lives was still subject to the commandments that the rest of God’s children are subject to. The obvious scriptural example of this is Christ’s baptism, as described in Matthew 3:15 –
(KJV) “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”
(NLT) “But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.”
(Weymouth) “Let it be so on this occasion,” Jesus replied; “for so we ought to fulfill every religious duty.” Then he consented;”
(2) Baptism is a requirement for us to return to God’s presence. It washes away our individual sins and gives us the ability overcome the impact of ‘Original Sin’ and through the grace offered to us through Christ’s atonement, enter into God’s Kingdom after this life.
As God’s “Only Begotten” – Christ’s unique position of being both mortal and God – he was the only mortal not subject to the repercussions of Original Sin and likewise not subject to the wages of personal sin. So why was He baptized? He needed it because God’s plan requires it of everyone. To ‘fulfill all righteousness’ Christ had to submit to be baptized.
(3) Mormons believe that in order to attain the highest degree of salvation, a series of ‘covenants’ must be made and kept throughout the remainder of their lives. These covenants are made during the sacred rituals that Mormons conduct in their temples. The most significant of these covenants occurs when a man and woman are sealed together in an eternal marriage. Man cannot be saved without woman, and vice versa.
The logical extension of specifically taught LDS doctrine is that just as Christ had to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness, he likewise must have also been married and sealed eternally to a wife.
Just to reiterate/clarify – this point is not one that would be taught in any manner or preached in any sermon, but I don’t see how a temple-attending Mormon could come to another conclusion.
Worship in LDS temples is primarily about making eternal covenants. But a secondary role is to broaden the spiritual and doctrinal knowledge of temple attendees. This includes coming to an understanding of points of doctrine that are left up to individuals explore for themselves as they contemplate the symbolism, ritual and covenants made in the temple. Such points of doctrine are among the ‘mysteries of the Gospel’ referred to by Paul. An understanding of the necessity of Christ’s marriage is one of these mysteries…
Hmmm i’m in two minds about this – on the one hand, these guys could be useful for propagating transhumanist ideals
HOWEVER
We’ve GOT to remain religiously independent, otherwise there’s no point to any of this and the transhumanist movement will slowly become chained with the ridiculous irrational beliefs and trappings that any religion holds. I don’t think it’d sit at all well with most free-minded transhumanists that only 56% of these Mormon Transhumanists think it can accomodate homosexuality.
That means a staggering 44% think homosexuality shouldn’t be allowed at all! And these are the pro-transhuman mormons, who knows what the hardcore mormons think!
This is a deeply troubling indication of an ideological movement which is ALREADY entrenched in inequalities and irrational segregation of humankind – and with 116 members, it’s barely at the embryonic stage…
There are some who call themselves “Mormons” who do not adhere to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Be careful what you accept in the name of Mormonism, especially when it is attached to any other philosophy. The Church does NOT teach that Jesus was married. Some feel that He should have had that benefit, but there is no documentation, or clear indication either way.
The gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon establishes clearly that God Himself ordained marriage as the sacred union between one man and one woman for the purpose of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man(kind), who are the spiritual children of our Heavenly Parents.
God’s plan for us individually and collectively is so much grander than we can fathom. If everyone were to practice homosexuality, we would cease to exist in short order. It is a death sentence, spiritually and physically. It is forbidden by God because it is not good for us in this life or in the life to come. The most serious sins apply to those that curtail life: murder and sexual immorality. We can’t argue with what our Creator has given as immutable law without tremendous suffering. The lessons of Sodom and Gomorrah warrant our attention, always and forever.
This article was forwarded to me by an atheist, who praises the enlightened state of it’s author. However, as a “Mormon” in good standing, I must say there are many inconsistencies, and he does not represent Mormonism well at all.
Well, your comments have certainly damaged any chance the Transhumanists Mormons had of actually joining the greater H+ community. There was always an enormous divide to bridge and your homophobic mystic-religious stance is just repulsive to transhumanists. I hope that Lincoln and other “Transhumanist Mormons” quickly email in and distance themselves from your superstitious primitive notions, your Sodom and Gomorrah talk really nauseates me. Actually, now that I have heard from you what real Mormons are about, I am absolutely convinced that Lincoln and his group should just abandon Mormonism entirely and become transhumanists. By the way, I really resent the Mormon Church for devoting their time and cash to passing Prop 8 in my state of California, and I hope that bigoted work you did comes back in the future to bite you in the ass.
Why should anyone care?
Why should anyone care?
People, take these comments with a heavy dose of salt. Obviously you are going to find more educated and less educated members of any religion, people who are on the progressive end of the spectrum and die-hard conservatives. There are ignorant atheists and ignorant Mormons, and a whole lot of other persuasions in-between. Both traditional religionists and secular humanists/atheists view each other with suspicion, and rightly so, considering past history. The MTA stands right in the middle of these groups and is trying to demonstrate that there is a lot of common ground and potential for mutual benefit. It’s natural for both more traditional Mormons and more traditional atheists to be suspicious of these efforts, so don’t fly off the handle if you hear bigoted statements from a less-enlightened Mormon, or a less-enlightened atheist, for that matter.
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