The Wheatley Institute acknowledges with sadness the passing of Kate Holbrook and we express our condolences to her family and friends who feel her loss keenly. Kate’s inspiring capacity to convey the experiences and values of Latter-day Saint women was highlighted in a lecture she gave at the 2017 conference “My Grace is Sufficient: Latter-day Reflections”. The conference was co-sponsored by the Wheatley Institute, Religious Education, and the Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University.

Wheatley Institute Sponsors Conference

After COVID-19 delays, the educators involved in the 2019 Civic Education Program were able to complete their experience with the Wheatley Institute.

These findings hint at a generational transformation in how Americans relate to political legitimacy. Older Americans are unified in their faith in the Constitution. Middle-aged Americans are split by education, sorted into different legitimacy frameworks. And younger Americans are divided and diverse, with no dominant view and increasing weight placed on personal belief and public opinion.

"The Convention’s rules assumed that if you brought people together and had them listen to one another, they’d change their minds...The Framers became friends who were willing to engage in good faith negotiations and seek mutual accommodations for the sake of unity."

Utahns have a long tradition of showing up with compassion and caring for each other. We each have a role and a responsibility here. We can choose dignity over division. We can disagree better. We can heal together.