Welcome to Doves and Serpents, the home of a community of people who, until the summer of 2010, had nowhere to rest their heads. We’re a diverse group of guys and girls who are – or have been – connected with the LDS Church (Mormons), but feel compelled by the breadth and wonder of the world to take our search for meaning beyond the terms that we’ve inherited from that culture.

If you’re Mormon, or Evangelical Christian… Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist or anything else: we’re glad you’ve found our little part of the internet. We wouldn’t call it a ‘corner’: we hope that you’ll find that from this place, paths diverge in all directions. Please take part in the discussions you encounter here: but be prepared to meet others with radically different views. You’ll be challenged, but, equally, we hope you’ll feel appreciated for your own perspective and experience.

From the LDS ‘Articles of Faith’, we agree that ‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.’

You’ll find regular columns on each day of the week. Go ahead, and click on the navigation bar above to see the various sections that we have to share.

Spend a little time with us, or a lot. We’re here to talk, and we’ve got all night.

The Team

 
You’ll find lots of people here at D&S – but let’s introduce you to a few of the regulars.

	Andy is a student of Literature, a runner, a trainee father of two little girls, and a film fanatic. His birth certificate seems to show that he's English, but he's spent years of his life in Oregon and Australia, and considers the world just-big-enough-a-playground for his time on earth. A few of his favourite things: an old manual typewriter, a volume of poetry by Whitman or Auden, and having an evening in to watch a Woody Allen film with the people he loves most.
	Brent is a business professor. His wife, Heather, is the real blogger in the family (see her bio below). He hasn't put in enough time to become really good at any video games, although thanks to his three kids, he's an above-average Mario Kart Wii player. He likes good food, but lives in a small town without many good food options. He enjoys debating religious and political issues, reading and writing short stories, playing Scrabble, and hanging out with his wife and their three kids.
	Claire is a saver - of worms at risk of drying out on sidewalks, of items that should have been put in the recycling bin, of bungled dinner attempts, of women's visions of their futures. She is also a collector- of trivia, of old letters, of creative efforts of her children, of small objects related to her childhood, and of other sentimental minutia- both actual and ephemeral. In the spirit of saving, Claire will be hosting a weekly column on her efforts--and yours--to save the world. Twelve brown paper lunch bags are her first secret weapon. See the archive here or join us at 12 Lunches to join the current conversation. Claire can be reached at claire@dovesandserpents.org.
	Ed is a liberal Protestant who worships like a Jewish Rabbi who is dressed up like a Mormon with no place to go. Ed listens to jazz records, plays a rock guitar and sings the blues. He reads ancient history, 19th Century American lit and the worst-written pulp fiction imaginable. He'll watch any movie by Hitchcock, Wells, Bergman or Allen at least once, as well as any MGM musical, pre-70s film noir or any Warner Bros cartoon. After turning 50 Ed S intends to never act his age ever again.
	Erin writes from deep in the heart of Texas, though she's a midwestern gal through and through. A teacher and writer by trade, she also enjoys tap dancing, eating Indian food, swimming, and practicing the same six guitar chords over and over. Two children, one chronic illness, a rotating cast of cats + lots of felt birds keep her company. She loves a good book, a wide hammock and rollicking conversations with friends about faith, pop culture, family, and life.
	Heather says: "I'm a mom of three who sometimes drive me nuts despite being genuinely great kids. I love my job as an education professor and confess that I often run to my office to hide from the demands of family and kids. In my spare time, I read everything I can get my hands on. I don't cook, bake, sew, can, store, crochet, knit, quilt, garden, stamp, decoupage, make macrame owls, tole paint, or scripture chase and don't feel an ounce of guilt about it."
	Heidi has a reverence for books and music that most people reserve for church. She believes in Wallace Stevens, Marilynne Robinson, Zadie Smith and Leo Tolstoy. Arcade Fire, The White Stripes, The Velvet Underground, Miles Davis and Madonna have written some of her favourite hymns. She now feels guilty about the hundreds of writers and bands she didn’t mention. She is an American living in England with her husband and three children. Everyone in her house has big feelings and strong personalities. Sometimes people pay her to write. Most of her days are spent doing yoga, cooking, walking, reading and listening to music.
	This bhakti girl is deeply committed to bare feet, liberation, and trying to tame her wild monkey mind. Laurie spends her days pretending to get work done as a yoga teacher and studio owner, photographer, dog walker, and chauffeur. She loves all things that point to the moon, is drawn to Buddhism like a magnet, and actively pursues Al Green's famous lyrics of love, peace, and happiness. She's over the moon for Hafiz. Laurie is blessed with a super cute and sexy husband, 3 crazy kids, and a couple of fluff balls who keep her balancing on her yoga toes. She reserves the right to change her mind whenever it pleases her. (And sometimes even when it doesn't.) Be warned - she is very fond of parentheses.
	In the real world, Mel is a recovering worry-wart, recurring runner, and road tripper extraordinaire. In addition to her career in public relations, she honors her titles of Punk Rock Girl to a witty husband and Meanest Mom Ever to four spunky children while amusing them with her loud laugh, bleeding heart and festive spirit. Hot baths, cheesy fondue and her beloved patent leather boots make her world go round. An eternal optimist, she is firmly convinced chocolate will be served on Judgment Day. In the virtual world, Mel manages The Wayfarer, the Monday gathering spot for discussions related to exploring the world. Nothing makes her day better than when the virtual and real worlds collide, so feel free to drop her a line at mel@dovesandserpents.org.
	Doves and Serpents alum Matt was the creator of Cipher on the Wall, a series that explored the realm of mind, memories and dreams. You can find a full archive of posts here.
	O’Q, another Doves and Serpents alum, is a man of many wishes. He is a lover, a laugher, a lawyer, a clown. He’s a father to three, a husband to one, a friend to many. Even though O’Q lives in the real world, he spends much of his time within the rambling, meandering restlessness of his over-active imagination. He grew up in the Midwest and now resides in the desert. When he is not lawyering, he is an amateur photographer, a sub-par guitarist, a wannabe writer, and the guy who will always try to make you laugh. Read O’Q's hilarious and immensely popular ‘Mormon Fakebook’ series, here