The Book of Mormon as Narrative

January 27, 2012 | 3 comments
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The Book of Mormon as Narrative

This is the third post in a series taking a broad view of the Book of Mormon (first, second). In this post I will discuss aspects of narrative encountered in the text. Not all scripture is narrative: consider the lengthy legal codes in the Torah and the moral exhortation found in James. Not all historical accounts are in the form of a narrative, although most history books written for the popular market are narrative histories. Most novels are in the form of a narrative, including historical fiction, which adds authorial speculation to large chunks of authentic history, often mixing... Read more »

Snow, Citizens, and Stewards

January 26, 2012 | 8 comments
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It has recently been announced that Steven E. Snow will replace Marlin K. Jensen as the new Church historian. Elder Jensen has been a wonderful historian for our church, bringing both compassion and honesty to the work.I expect this good work will continue under Elder Snow’s direction. I am curious... Read more »

Exploring Romney’s Tax Return

January 25, 2012 | 15 comments
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Like most people who've looked at Romney's return, I have to say: there's nothing terribly interesting there. Okay, let me walk that back: there's a lot of hugely interesting things, if you're interested in all the many ways a person can earn income, and all the many forms a taxpayer... Read more »

Exploring Mormon Thought: Prefaces

January 25, 2012 | 18 comments
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Exploring Mormon Thought: Prefaces

A close reading of Blake Ostler’s work is timely, and I’m happy to do it alongside of Adam Miller. I’ve left mostly to Adam’s post last week to state... Read more »

MLB Hall of Fame and Soccer Draft Updates

January 25, 2012 | 6 comments
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MLB Hall of Fame and Soccer Draft Updates

I’ve been a bit remiss in keeping up with my interest (OK, perhaps mania) with Mormons in sports. Baseball selected the newest members to the Hall of Fame early... Read more »

Institute Report: Genesis Week 2

January 24, 2012 | 9 comments
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Institute Report: Genesis Week 2

I was gratified to see most of the class come back, but we’ll see if it happens again. (Update: Here’s the tentative syllabus for the next few weeks.) I... Read more »

A Romney Tax Return Placeholder Post

January 24, 2012 | 19 comments
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Right now, I have 200+ pages of Mitt Romney’s 2010 tax return clogging up my work printer. He’s a Mormon, it’s a tax issue, I’m a tax guy, so... Read more »

Literary BMGD #5: Trials

January 23, 2012 | 2 comments
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The story of Lehi’s family and their travels to the promised land perhaps reaches its height in the crisis point during the storm while they are on board the... Read more »

Romney’s Taxes and The Clueless Media

January 22, 2012 | 85 comments
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Dear Media, Read more »

The Standard Packet, the Book of Mormon, and Critical Thinking at BYU

January 20, 2012 | 23 comments
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The Standard Packet, the Book of Mormon, and Critical Thinking at BYU

Perhaps due to the authoritarian structure of the Church, students at BYU (more than elsewhere?) come to college expecting Pure Truth to be bestowed by The Authorities (i.e. professors) on... Read more »

The Scholar of Moab: Believing Bees

January 20, 2012 | 3 comments
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The Scholar of Moab: Believing Bees

“Belief” is more like an armchair anthropologist’s naive explanation of what’s going on with religious people than a description of what actually happens when someone sits in a pew... Read more »

Exploring Mormon Thought: Signs of the Times

January 19, 2012 | 36 comments
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Exploring Mormon Thought: Signs of the Times

 Do Mormons do theology? Sure. Do they do theology qua theologians? Not really. Read more »

Mitt Romney’s Tithing Problem (?)

January 18, 2012 | 74 comments
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Mitt Romney’s Tithing Problem (?)

ABC broke the news: Mitt Romney has donated millions of dollars worth of stock to the Mormon church. SEC filings disclose that a Bain partner donated $1.9 million of... Read more »

The Scholar of Moab: Interviduality

January 17, 2012 | 24 comments
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The Scholar of Moab: Interviduality

How many am I? Read more »

Institute Report: Genesis, Week 1

January 16, 2012 | 19 comments
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Institute Report: Genesis, Week 1

If there’s sufficient interest,  I will post some general notes, handouts and materials here instead of mailing out everything to my class. Handouts are pdf format and have live... Read more »

Literary BMGD #4: On the Latter-day Dispensation

January 16, 2012 | one comment
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From a literary point of view the second part of Nephi’s vision, his vision of the future, is very like an epic. It covers a broad sweep of human... Read more »

BMGD #4: 1 Nephi 12-14

January 16, 2012 | no comments
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Note that I will not be posting notes for lesson #5; I’m taking the week off.  (Notes for lesson #6 should be right on schedule, however.)  Also note that... Read more »

Times and Seasons’ 2011 Mormon of the Year: Jimmer Fredette

January 15, 2012 | 13 comments
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Times and Seasons has selected Jimmer Fredette as Mormon of the Year for 2011. James Taft “Jimmer” Fredette began 2011 leading BYU’s basketball team to the NCAA championships, leading... Read more »

The Book of Mormon: What has it done for you lately?

January 12, 2012 | 29 comments
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Julie is posting detailed commentary and Kent is providing literary reflection; I’m afraid all I have to offer on the Book of Mormon is general observations. This week let’s... Read more »

Sex-Ed and Social Justice*

January 10, 2012 | 30 comments
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***WARNING: This post mentions sex. I use the word a lot in this post. If that makes you uncomfortable, this may not be the post for you.*** Over the... Read more »

Literary BMGD #3: Hymn of Praise

January 9, 2012 | 5 comments
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While perhaps not the most important symbol in the Vision of the Tree of Life (1 Nephi 8-11), the Iron Rod may be the one that has received the... Read more »

BMGD #3: 1 Nephi 8-11; 12:16-18; 15

January 9, 2012 | 15 comments
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This isn’t a lesson; it is the notes from which I will prepare a lesson.   Read more »

Book Review: Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism

January 7, 2012 | 2 comments
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Book Review: Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism

“If Pratt wanted to leave for posterity a record of his apostolic role in providential history, he also wanted to leave for futurity the story of the flesh and... Read more »

Scripture Unchained: A New York Institute Announcement

January 7, 2012 | 13 comments
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Scripture Unchained: A New York Institute Announcement

After taking off 18 months or so, I’m returning to teaching Institute in my free time. Beginning January 12, 8 PM in the Union Square chapel of Manhattan, I’ll... Read more »

Kiewit Power Constructors Co. Gets ‘Jimmered’

January 6, 2012 | 4 comments
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Case Background: Kiewit Power Constructors Co. contested a National Labor Relations Board decision to reinstate two fired electricians for threatening workplace violence.  Kiewit Power had warned the electricians that their breaks... Read more »

Post Holiday Reflections

January 6, 2012 | 41 comments
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I enjoyed the holidays this year, but I am glad they are over. The tree is no longer shedding needles in our living room, and the few lights and... Read more »

Which Book of Mormon?

January 5, 2012 | 17 comments
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The flurry of posts at T&S and elsewhere around the Bloggernacle is a reminder that 2012 is Book of Mormon year in Gospel Doctrine class. Which Book of Mormon... Read more »

Theotokos: Seed

January 3, 2012 | 9 comments
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Theotokos: Seed

(Part 3 of 4. Read the first parts here and here.) Once a year, right before our Christmas dinner, I practice the fine art of pomegranate seeding. If I’d... Read more »

Literary BMGD #2: The Pilgrims’ Hymn

January 2, 2012 | 8 comments
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In looking for a literary work to go with the second Gospel Doctrine lesson this year, I was struck by some of the parallels between what Nephi experiences in... Read more »

BMGD #2: 1 Nephi 1-7

January 2, 2012 | 29 comments
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Again, this isn’t a lesson. It is the notes from which I will prepare a lesson.  Sorry it is so long. (The rabbit trail of the week was related... Read more »

WELCOME

Times and Seasons is a place to gather and discuss ideas of interest to faithful Latter-day Saints.

Notes from All Over

  • Doubt and the Creed(James)
  • Uh oh — four out of five ESPN pannelists see Jimmer as the most disappointing rookie of the year so far.(Kaimi)
  • Jay Leno sued over Mitt Romney joke (Dave)
  • Funeral potatoes in the New York Times. (Kaimi)
  • Everybody must get Stone. (Kaimi)
  • Jana Riess on Mormon midrash (Dave)
  • Reflections on the “Homefront” ads.(Julie)
  • “the evangelical log flume of fear”(Ben S.)
  • “modesty is not defined by, or even primarily about, how much of one’s body is covered. It is about comportment and behavior”(James)
  • “Caring for people comes first and foremost in Mormon culture, and it is this principle in the Mormon curriculum that instructs the values of Mormon men.”(Kathryn)
  • And the Geek Shall Inherit the Moment?(Sam)
  • Francis Beckwith: “Is it Better to be an Adulterer than a Mormon?” (Dave)
  • Jim F. on Mormon intellectuals(James)
  • At First Things: “Mormonism Obsesssed with Christ.” Best press we’ve had all year. (Dave)
  • Get Religion on NYT on LDS doctrine (Dave)
  • NYT on LDS doctrine (Dave)
  • SC Mormons welcome GOP spotlight on faith(Alison)
  • Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel – Then Why Not Every Man?(Alison)
  • Liberals vs. Conservatives(James)
  • Sacrament meeting: “normally sounds like somebody Tasering monkeys in a parking garage”(James)

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