As Sunstone editor and general ringmaster/wrangler for Sunstone symposiums, I’m always very excited to discover new and insightful voices–and doubly so when it’s a relatively young voice. Working with Rick Jepson (29) on the cover article for the November 2005 issue has been a great pleasure, and I feel very privileged to have a role in introducing him to the wider Mormon world.

The article, “Godwrestling: Physicality, Conflict, and Redemption in Mormon Doctrine,” is exciting to me on several levels. It works as a strong exposition of the Jacob and Angel wrestling story, containing much fun background and an overview of how that story has been treated by biblical scholars and cultural critics. But it also offers fresh insights as Jepson, who competes actively in “submission-style” wrestling, applies his own ideas and stories from friends and wider wrestling lore. It does well in drawing the physicality of Joseph Smith and Mohammed and other religious figures into the discussion. It soars as a theological treatment of the body/spirit connection and how extreme exertion can be life transforming. We also get to learn a lot about wrestling in general. But best of all, through wonderful poetry and reflection about how the “wrestling posture” involves an embrace even as one does battle, Jepson offers a wonderful metaphor for how we as Latter-day Saints might better engage both church and God.

I highly recommend this article to you and encourage an active discussion of it here on the blog.

Dan Wotherspoon