Transhumanist Holy Week: Holy Monday
Caleb Jones is a speaker and thinker deeply engaged with the intersection of Mormon theology, transhumanism, and intergenerational connection. His work focuses on the spirit of Elijah, as referenced in Malachi, and its implications for creating faith-based connections across generations, both living and deceased. He advocates for a broader interpretation of this principle, extending it beyond traditional temple work to encompass a reconciliation of ancient wisdom with modernity. ¶ Jones draws upon G.K. Chesterton’s concept of the “democracy of the dead” to frame his exploration of tradition and remembrance. He posits that our ancestors, through their artifacts and influence, continue to participate in the present. He sees the redemption of the dead through these artifacts—books, music, laws, traditions—as a collective human endeavor involving various disciplines such as literary scholarship, archaeology, and religious studies. ¶ His perspective emphasizes the importance of engaging with the past to inform and enrich the future, particularly within the context of Mormonism and its emphasis on family history and genealogical work. Jones champions seeking a healthy balance and ongoing reconciliation of the hearts and minds of the dead and dying with the hearts and minds of the living, to redeem rising generations.
“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:1-3)
Anointing asks what our tools are being dedicated to serve.
This story carries imagery of women having authority as they served and anointed Jesus. Martha acts as a deacon at the dinner (prototyping early Christian deacons like Phoebe) and Mary anoints Jesus’ feet—an act Jesus would later (in likeness) perform on his disciples. Women lead the way here in service and ritual.
How can we dedicate and ordain our tools to be used in ways worthy of Christ?
The Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation affirms: “We believe that scientific knowledge and technological power are among the means ordained of God to enable such exaltation, including realization of diverse prophetic visions of transfiguration, immortality, resurrection, renewal of this world, and the discovery and creation of worlds without end.”
Anointing and ordaining, whether via tools to make a meal or with our own bodies, is how we dedicate that which is of importance. To what end are our tools and technologies ordained or put to use? How is the use of our tools and technologies being lead by women? Do they allow women to have authority and autonomy? And is our use of tools worthy of Christ?