Two questions, actually. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
LDS Newsroom
- Manaus Brazil Temple Opens To the Public May 16, 2012
- Ground Broken for Provo, Utah’s Second Temple May 12, 2012
- Released for Mother's Day: Bible Video Depicts Mary, Mother of Jesus May 11, 2012
- Pacific Mormon Helping Hands Come to the Aid of Their Neighbors May 11, 2012
- Mormon Story: Journalist Describes It Well May 10, 2012
- Church Preserving Legacy of Historic Buildings May 10, 2012
- “Stately and Magnificent” Mormon Kansas City Missouri Temple Dedicated May 6, 2012
- Mormonism in the News: Getting It Right | May 4 May 4, 2012
- Political Neutrality: Whiteboard Animation 'Draws Out' Church Position (VIDEO) May 3, 2012
- Mormon Helping Hands: Fix Up, Clean Up, Build It in California and Hawaii May 2, 2012
Yearly Archives: 2008
To see ourselves as others see us
A sister in Relief Society told us this morning of having toured Salt Lake’s then-newly renovated Cathedral of the Madeleine Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Love and skepticism
When Christ was sending out his disciples to work as missionaries, he told them “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Latter-day Saints need to be wiser when dealing with the wolves among us. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Noah’s flood in light of the Restored Gospel
There was an interesting post in September 2007 about a Dialogue article discussing the usual interpretation of the flood of Noah as being scientifically implausible. A couple of comments touched upon, but did not fully explicate, the way that the scriptures of the Restored Gospel and other insights from Joseph Smith can suggest a more scientifically feasible interpretation of Noah’s flood. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Marriott, Again
I know we’ve had this conversation before, but . . . Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormons in the Military
About 15 years ago I wrote a short piece for a Sunstone Symposium panel on the topic of Mormons in the Military. It was focused on my personal experiences as a Latter-day Saint dealing with the armed forces rules on religion and the chaplains specifically. A number of things have developed since then, so it seems worthwhile to revisit the topic and elicit readers’ own experiences. 5 people like this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Sorting out the virtuous and praiseworthy: Incorporating the gospel-compatible elements of an existing culture
As the Church’s membership has become predominantly non-American and non-English speaking, the question of how to construct a Mormon ethnic identity within the wide variety of existing cultures worldwide has become a present concern for millions of Latter-day Saints. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
“Well Known Facts”
This week while we’re hearing lurid tales from Tom Green County, Texas, it is worthwhile to remember exactly how ugly were the lies once printed about our own people, some of them told unashamedly by federal appointees and officers of the 19th century court. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Why it’s unchristian to call Mormons “not Christian”
In his new book, Claiming Christ, Professor Robert Millet, in dialogue with Evangelical scholar Gerald McDermott about the commonalities and differences of Mormonism and the varieties of Evangelical Christianity, makes the observation that the notion of labeling Latter-day Saints as “not Christian†is a fashion that became widespread only about twenty years ago. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Integrating Elites into the Church
While watching last weekend’s General Conference, with the sustaining of President Monson and the calling of new people into Church leadership, one of the things I felt is how fortunate the Church is to have as its leaders men and women who have achieved significantly in many walks of life. This is in contrast to most other denominations, where people with these skills would be excluded from formal church leadership. For example, what other church has attorneys in its most senior leadership? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
What’s Wrong with Ancient Research in Mormon Studies
Mormon Studies has become a relic area for outdated ideas about texts and their transmission. That becomes clear in reading a number of contributions to Early Christians in Disarray: Contemporary LDS Perspectives on the Christian Apostasy (FARMS, 2005) Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Graven Images: The hunger for an authentic image of Joseph
Ardis Parshall has presented in previous postings “The CSI Effect and Mormon Historyâ€, 3/20/2008, and “And Yet Another Joseph Smith Photograph”, 4/1/2008, arresting images that have, at first glance, an arguable relationship to our known historical depictions of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but turn out, on further research, to have no chance of being what we wish they were. In commenting on Ardis’ second post (#14, #48), I pointed out the reasons why there are likely to be a great many old images that resemble our mental image of the Prophet, and why it would be extremely difficult to... Read more »
Introducing Raymond Takashi Swenson
To help us compensate for the shortage of lawyers at T&S, Raymond Takashi Swenson has agreed to guest blog for a week or two. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
No End to Race If You Could Hie to Kolob
This conference I didn’t much like the choir’s new tune for If You Could Hie to Kolob so I thought over the words instead. “There is no end to race” got my attention. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Hallmark of Monson’s Presidency?
“Change for the better can come to all. Over the years we have issued appeals to the less active, the offended, the critic, the transgressor — to come back. ‘Come back and feast at the table of the Lord and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the Saints.’ In the private sanctuary of one’s own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential. In this spirit, we again issue that heartfelt invitation. Come back, we reach out to you in the... Read more »
Sunday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread
As has become tradition around here, Times and Seasons is opening up a thread for comments and discussion, insights and observations, thoughts and questions, arising from Sunday afternoon’s General Conference session. Enjoy! Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Sunday Morning General Conference Open Thread
As has become tradition around here, Times and Seasons is opening up a thread for comments and discussion, insights and observations, thoughts and questions, arising from Sunday morning’s General Conference session. Enjoy! Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Thoughts on Hinckley and Monson
Since Kaimi was kind enough to link to it, I thought I’d elaborate a bit on some comments of mine which Peggy Fletcher Stack used in her excellent article summarizing the accomplishments of President Hinckley, and the opportunities and challenges facing President Monson. It would be interesting to hear more from some of the other sources she made use of in putting her piece together (Melissa Proctor, Ronan Head, etc.), but for now, here is at least a little bit the context of my remarks. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Saturday Afternoon General Conference Open Thread
As has become tradition around here, Times and Seasons is opening up a thread for comments and discussion, insights and observations, thoughts and questions, arising from Saturday afternoon’s General Conference session. Enjoy! Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Saturday Morning General Conference Open Thread
As has become tradition around here, Times and Seasons is opening up a thread for comments and discussion, insights and observations, thoughts and questions, arising from Saturday morning’s General Conference session. Enjoy! Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Martin Luther King in Deseret
On this 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, and in the pre-Conference blogging lull, perhaps there is room in your day to remember Dr. King’s visit to Salt Lake City. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
An Ethics of Teaching
I’m reading a short book that reviews what one might call the virtues of teaching: learning, authority, ethics, order, imagination, compassion, patience, character, and pleasure. Each virtue (which might be though of as an aspect of the character of an ideal teacher) is reviewed in its own chapter. The ethics chapter suggested an interesting question to me: Is there an LDS ethics of teaching that differs in any particulars from a Christian or secular ethics of teaching? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
And Yet Another Joseph Smith Photograph
The April 1st posting of this article may tempt you to think this is an April Fool’s prank. I wish it were. It is not. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Church Pranks
Cub Scout Pack meeting on April Fools day means we leaders will be having a little fun. All in good taste of course. The fake dog-doo will be moderate and restrained. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
History, apostasy, and faith-promoting rumors
Mormon belief in an early Christian apostasy suggests a couple of historiographic projects that are, I think, doomed to failure, but there might be an alternative Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
God as a Character in His Own Play
C.S. Lewis compared Christ’s birth to Shakespeare writing himself into one of his plays. He was attempting to explain the traditional Christian doctrine of the Incarnation. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormon Studies This Week
This is a big week for Mormon Studies on the Wasatch Front, with events at the University of Utah, Utah Valley State College, Westminster College, and BYU. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormon identity and culture
The following is part of a larger study on the concept of “gospel culture”, which I have been working on. In a previous post I presented the question “How American is the Church?”, which yielded very interesting comments. For the present post I excerpted some further parts on culture and Mormon identity, with various questions to the reader. 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Confessions of a News Junkie
Sunday morning. Clicked off This Week with George Stephanopoulos just a couple of minutes after clicking it on. Feeling especially weary of the twenty-four hour news cycle for some reason today… the relentless intensity, the insatiable talking-heads, and a seemingly never-ending electoral season. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
BYU: The Crimson or the Crimson Tide of the West?
Actually, it’s more like the Intermountain Cornhuskers, or the Mormon Maccabees Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Why Seek Ye the Living Among the Dead?
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Playing with Fire
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The Gospel of Kristine
As we’re all told in Sunday School, “Gospel” means “good news.” And it’s certainly good news that T&S emeritus (and current BCC) blogger Kristine Haglund is going to be taking over as editor of Dialogue. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Easter Weekend, by Eugene England
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The Three Trees: a Folktale for Good Friday
Once upon a time, three little trees stood in a forest high on a mountain, dreaming of what they would be when they were grown. 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
The CSI Effect and Mormon History
Television police dramas are so popular that they have come to influence the American legal system — or so say believers in the “CSI Effect.” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Is priesthood authority a historical category?
No, it isn’t. Which means that defining an early Christian apostasy as the loss of priesthood authority doesn’t tell us anything, even in a Mormon framework, about the apostasy as a historical event Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The God We Hold Hostage
The Garden of Eden story doesn’t have a point. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Twenty-Nine Palms Sunday
We worshiped as a family, at a natural altar of stones, on a snow-specked mountain side. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Woefully Arrayed
From the archives Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
116 Lost Pages and the Nature of the Atonement
The last two Sundays, elders’ quorum has been about Joseph Smith and Martin Harris losing the 116 pages. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Secular as Sacred
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the seemingly secular things that I’ve come to hold sacred, whether they be songs, books, films, works of art, or even places. My spiritual regard for these things is often rooted in my own experience, yet, I also believe that I’ve come to appreciate many of them in a spiritual sense because they broach truth in their own right. Brigham Young once said “The truth and sound doctrine possessed by the sectarian world, and they have a great deal, all belong to this church” (JD 11:375). Be the first to like. Like... Read more »
Rumor-Mongering: Joseph Smith Daguerreotype
The Church History Library/Archives staff have been hit with a wave of telephone calls today from Church members looking for confirmation of the latest rumor to hit the LDS fan rumor mill. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Missionary Loves His Twins, and Other Sunday Incidents
On the sweetness of Mormon life Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Substituting One Speculation for Another
Our Sunday School class opened this morning with a discussion of the “generals in the war in heaven” nonsense that the Church is trying so hard to quash. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Kosovo
When we arrived at church two weeks ago, everything looked normal. The building was clean and not a chair was out of place. 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Sunstone West
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, don’t forget to check out Sunstone West this weekend. Tonight’s program includes a showing of Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons, and tomorrow’s program includes a list of speakers and presentations on some interesting-sounding topics. I hope to see some of you there. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Missionary at Mass
My father used to point to the ceiling in our living room and claim he could still see a dent made by my head as I jumped up in excitement over discovering that my call was to the Switzerland Geneva Mission. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Forging a Life
Although she had immigrated to Boston, the story of Misha Defonseca didn’t get nearly as much press last week in the U.S. as it did in Europe, when she joined a long line of self-confessed fakes Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Literacy, Literalism, and the Isaiah Chapters of the Book of Mormon
One of the distinctive features of the Book of Mormon is its pervasive anxiety about literacy 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Missionary Photos
The Church says it intends to discipline the missionaries responsible for these photographs. Given that they appear to have returned from their missions, what is that discipline likely to be? Beyond that, while these pictures certainly aren’t respectful or in good taste, how many returned missionaries out there have similar sorts of photographs sitting in their picture albums at home? Might not want to upload those to Facebook or Flicker any time soon… 10 people like this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Discovering Nuance
A few recent comments over at BCC have elaborated on a theme that one hears from time to time on the internet: “I didn’t get the whole scoop on LDS history while I was in Primary.” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormons and Evolution
Elder Packer’s article in this month’s Ensign closes with some thoughts on Evolution that have the potential to stir up a debate on the issue within the Church after several relatively quiet years. 3 people like this post. Like Unlike Read more »
More Mormon Urban Legends?
How about the one about the frog in boiling water? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Christ is Lord; Audits are Inspired
On the sweetness of Mormon life– Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Quote that Wouldn’t Die
Remember that one about youth being generals in the war in heaven? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Nature and Doing Good
Among my many other vices, I like to read poetry. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Joy and Anguish
Should a psychologically healthy person be happy, cheerful, carefree? If you are not cheerful is there something wrong with you? Let’s see what Mormon scripture has to say. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
More depressing news
Today’s news carries a deja vu article: Surveys show high rates of depression in Utah, and some psychiatrists wonder if Mormon culture is part of the cause. (The story runs under a pretty direct illustration that shows an apparently depressed woman and a photo of the temple in the background.) Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Gertrud Specht
Gertrud Specht had been a searcher her whole life before she found what she was looking for Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Homeschooling Kindergarten
I’m frequently asked how to homeschool kindergarten, so I thought it might be useful to post it for future reference. 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Theology and the Public Square in Utah
The Salt Lake Tribune recently ran a column written by Grant Palmer arguing that Christian salvation turns not on the performance of ordinances but rather on an ethical life. Theologically speaking, the article (as Dave has pointed out nicely) is a pretty pedestrian, anti-sacramental, and essentially Protestant reading of the New Testament. The really interesting question raised by the article is not its theology, but rather what it is doing on the editorial page of an mainstream, secular newspaper. I think that we can safely dismiss the notion that the column was published because the Trib has taken it... Read more »
A Sample Of Mormon Donors
Mormons contributed to Mitt Romney’s campaign over the past year and half in some pretty eye-popping numbers (see, e.g., here and here). As such, I decided to comb through the campaign finance contribution records to see who exactly some prominent Mormons were donating to this past election cycle. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Apostasy is Back on the Bookshelf
Once upon a time, The Great Apostasy by Elder James E. Talmage was on every Mormon’s reading list. But somehow that topic went out of fashion for a couple of decades — no LDS books treated the subject and it received considerably less attention in General Conference talks. Suddenly, the Great Apostasy seems to be back. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Contra Dance (on the sweetness of Mormon life)
You remember that PBS special, where Givens kept talking about Mormons and dancing? The dancing bits got to my wife and me. We felt we were missing out on some good fun and our heritage. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology 2008 Program
SMPT is meeting at the University of Utah on March 27-29, and the conference program is now posted on the web. Featured speakers include Stephen T. Davis of Claremont McKenna College and Jad Hatem of Saint Joseph University, Beirut. The conference is free and open to the public. Davis will also deliver a Tanner-McMurrin Lecture at Westminster College that weekend. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Rock-Bottom Loser
An Onion article out today, like most good Onion articles, works off a premise that’s largely true. The headline reads “Rock-Bottom Loser Entertaining Offers From Several Religions” and the money quotes are: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Death before Dishonor: States of Grace review Part III
A Spartan mother would reputedly tell her son to come back from battle with his shield or on it. If he came back with it, the shield meant he hadn’t fled from the enemy. Shields were too heavy to scamper with. If he came back on it, the shield was his stretcher or his hearse. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Estupid Rules! States of Grace review part II (spoilers)
My Spaniard mission president was a puritan. “Obedezco pero no cumplo” wasn’t in his playbook. So my mission was pretty strict. Some of us missionaries objected–we were being forced to pay attention to the letter of the law instead of the spirit, the rules were mostly pointless anyway, sometimes they got in the way of doing good, etc. He broke out into English to make fun of us one time. “Estupid rules! Estupid rules!” He got us to laugh, which I guess was the point. Does States of Grace take sides between my mission president and his missionaries? We... Read more »
William F. Buckley dies
Bill Buckley died this morning. Farewell, happy warrior. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
States of Grace review (spoilers).
We finally watched States of Grace (God’s Army II). Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormons and the Pew U.S. Religious Landscape Survey
Pew has a new, comprehensive survey of American religion. Its gotten attention around the blogosphere (e.g..) and, I believe, has been linked on the side bar. At the suggestion of a reader, here’s your chance to comment or to highlight any details you think will be of interest. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Revisiting the Church’s Stance on Immigration
Just over a month ago, Kaimi posed a question asking how exactly our Latter-day Saint beliefs should translate into specific ideas on the issue of immigration. His blog post was provoked by press accounts of meetings that Elder M. Russell Ballard and other Church officials had just had with members of the Utah legislature from both parties. These sorts of meetings are nothing unusual; they’ve actually become a matter of tradition. Before each general session, party leaders in both the House and Senate meet separately with Church officials to discuss any issues of importance. What set these particular meetings... Read more »
The Church Historian’s Press and the Argument in Favor of Mordred
The Church issued a press release today annoucing the creation of a “Church Historian’s Press” to handle the publication of the Joseph Smith Papers. (The press release also mentioned “works related to the church’s history and growth.”) I am not quite sure what the rationale for this is. Previous volume of the papers were published by Deseret Book, which did a nice enough job, although of late the physical publication standards at Deseret Book have been falling. Perhaps the new imprint is to insure library quality production values. Maybe it just reduces administrative hassle to have the production done... Read more »
The Marc of the Beast
Times and Seasons welcomes its latest guest blogger, Marc Bohn. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Thomases
The name Thomas has a tortured history in Mormonism. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Sleepless
A medical bleg from a bloggernacle regular in need: My oldest daughter is expecting her third child. She has not slept (except for three hours) in twelve days. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Bloggernacle in the News
In the online Deseret News: “Today in the Bloggernacle,” with links to posts at BCC, Nine Moons, and Millennial Star. I’ve seen similar posts in recent weeks (such as here and here) under different titles but with the same format, so this appears to be a new regular feature. Just one more reason to check spelling and grammar before you hit the “post” button. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
From Theophany to Ritual
I thought that one of Richard Bushman’s most provocative arguments in Rough Stone Rolling was his interpretation of the temple endowment, and I’ve been surprised that it hasn’t generated more interest. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Samson
Regina Spektor’s contribution to the underrepresented lyrical genre of speculative historical romance suggests, from the perspective of Delilah, that the story could have ended differently: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Book Review: Bound on Earth
Angela Hallstrom’s debut novel, Bound on Earth, is worth reading. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Demographic Winter Bleg
I’m looking for more information about the people associated with the Demographic Winter film. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
By Common Consent
Earlier this month, Thomas S. Monson was set apart. This coming conference, church members will be asked to sustain him as President of the church. And members will almost certainly sustain him. But what if they didn’t? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Living with Another’s Agency
How often do you want to “fix things” for someone you love because you (think you) see so much more clearly than he does? 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
Great Sermons: Out of Obscurity
This talk was given early on in Elder Maxwell’s time as an Apostle and I think it is an excellent example of what I liked about him. “Granted, there is not full correlation among the four Gospels about the events and participants at the empty garden tomb. Yet the important thing is that the tomb was empty, because Jesus had been resurrected! Essence, not tactical detail!” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Why Did God Give Contradictory Commandments?
The temple treats the Garden story as a universal story. Whatever the reason for that, you can make a good case that in some sense each of us has been in the Garden and fallen. In fact, as we’ve discussed here before, making the Garden story a universal story can make sense of the contradictory commandments God gave Adam and Eve. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
More Blessed to Give
A few months ago I read Kate Braestrup’s excellent memoir Here If You Need Me, and I’ve been thinking about this passage ever since. My son Zach is the child of Unitarian Universalists, so naturally he didn’t know a lot about Jesus. But I heard a lot about Jesus at my Christian seminary, and a lot of it was pretty cool. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormon scholars dominate the Globe
At least, Melissa Proctor does. Today’s Boston Globe has a very nice article about her new Mormonism class at Harvard Divinity School, along with some good discussion about the trends in Mormon studies generally. Congratulations, Melissa! Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormon Law and Islamic Law
Mormonism, so goes a well-worn trope, is more into orthopraxis than orthodoxy. That is, we tend to care more about right conduct — e.g. loyalty to the kingdom, keeping covenants, following commandments, etc. — than right belief — e.g. the precise nature of divine progression or the correct location of Kolob. This raises the question, however, of why Mormonism hasn’t really developed any sort of a formal jurisprudence. Looking at church courts in the nineteenth century and comparing Mormon “law” to Islamic law sharpens the issues Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Interpretation: Latter-day Saint Perspectives
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A Presidents’ Day Poem
A poem for Presidents’ Day: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Little Zions
Today was our stake conference, and we had a visiting general authority: Elder Terrence C. Smith, one of the North American Area Seventies. His talk was one of the finest, most doctrinally insightful sermons I’ve ever heard at a stake conference. But what really caught me came in the first minute of his talk. He’s Canadian, specifically an Albertan, and he mentioned being from a little town “that’s probably 90% LDS.” That’s interesting, I thought. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Preaching to the Court House and Judging in the Temple
For the last year or so, I have been doing research on Mormon church courts in the nineteenth century. Until about 1900, it was expected that Mormons would not sue other Mormons in secular courts, but would take their disputes to their local bishop or high council. I’ve been looking at three inter-related questions: How did the Mormon court system develop, why did Latter-day Saints take civil disputes to church courts, and why did they ultimately abandon the church courts? I have now posted a more or less final version of my paper on SSRN, where you can down... Read more »
How American is the Church?
(The following is an excerpt from a larger study on the concept of “gospel culture”, which I have been working on. I hope that comments will help me correct and refine this aspect on Americanness). For the past few decades, in their efforts at internationalization, church leaders have stressed that this is “not an American Church”, but an international, universal Church. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Love on Campus
It’s just not what it used to be, even at the BYU, as shown in a day-before-Valentine’s-Day BYU NewsNet article, “The Evolution of Human Love.” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Did revelation cease?
It seems to me that Mormon discourse has two mutually contradictory ways of talking about revelation during the Middle Ages, and that neither view takes much notice of actual medieval views on the matter. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
How to Date Your Spouse
A fascinating New York Times article discusses recent psychological data: “Using laboratory studies, real-world experiments and even brain-scan data, scientists can now offer long-married couples a simple prescription for rekindling the romantic love that brought them together in the first place. The solution? Reinventing date night.” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Lincoln and the Will of God
The State of New Mexico officially recognizes Lincoln today. Our recognition doesn’t elevate him but it does elevate us. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Bruce Young on Christians, Romney, and Voting
A pro-Huckabee blog recently(ish) set out the (now somewhat dated) argument that (non-Mormon) Christians have a Biblical duty not to vote for Mitt Romney. In response, Bruce (husband of blog-butterfly Margaret) Young wrote a short rebuttal piece. (He’s also a BYU professor of some renown.) I thought the discussion might be of interest (to the T&S community), and so with the permission of Bruce and Margaret Young (have you asked her about her movie lately?), I’m posting it here. My response (to Pastor Haisty’s argument that, according to John the apostle, Christians should not wish someone who believes in... Read more »
The Childless Ones
We are reminded again of the importance of families to God’s eternal plan. We are reminded again that the Church teaches to the ideal, to the pattern, to the eternal. Those of us (men as well as women) whose lives do not — will not, cannot, in mortality — reflect the divine pattern are reminded again to turn to God for answers in our personal circumstances. Sometimes it helps to know that the saints, as well as a Heavenly Father, understand what is missing, and that we would mirror the divine pattern if only we could. Be the first... Read more »
Pagan Mormonism
Someone pseudonymmed Spengler wrote an anti-Mormon column too trifling to bother with until I was reminded that some people believe anything they read about Mormons. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Sustaining the Brethren
On the sweetness of Mormon life. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
A Poem and a Sermon
First, the poem: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Call for Papers
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Praising Righteous Gentiles
Now would be a good time to publicly recognize the folks at Evangelicals for Mitt, Jay Sekulow, Hugh Hewitt, John Schroeder at the Article VI blog, Kathryn Lopez, Glendon, and many, many others who went very far towards damping sectarian strife and saving Mormons from lapsing into a kind of counter-prejudice against evangelicals and Catholics. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Old Written Order of Things
The Presiding Bishopric’s Office used to publish a monthly magazine called Progress of the Church, filled with news and statistics and directives to Church leaders at the local level. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormons the most pro-life
Matt Evans has linked to a Life News report on exit polls showing that of all the Super Tuesday voters, Utah GOP voters were the most pro-life. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Should Mormons Hate Huckabee?
For the first time in American history, a Mormon had a serious shot of making it to the highest office in the land. But no more: Mitt Romney has pulled out of active competition for the Republican nomination and thus for the presidency. How should us Mormons feel about that? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Romney’s Out
Multiple sources report that Romney is getting out of the race today at CPAC. Pre-released announcement here: This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters… many of you right here in this room… have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country. I... Read more »
How to Bury a Prophet
The Marty Center at the University of Chicago has posted this interesting article by Kathleen Flake on President Hinckley’s funeral. Here is the money passage from the piece: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The role of individuality in narratives about Mormonism
Some conversations I’ve had in the past months have touched on the idea of individuality. The concept can play surprisingly different roles in people’s narratives about Mormonism. For instance, some good friends who I’ve known for many years are in the process of leaving the church. Conversations with them sometimes discuss the idea of individuality. I would paraphrase some of their assertions along these lines: “Aspects of church doctrine and culture — important among them, the multiplicity of rules on everything from earrings or tattoos to alcohol, tithing, church attendance, and so on — force a type of conformity... Read more »
Family History and Mormon Scholarship
I recently read an article on Joseph Smith’s legal battles in a well-respected Mormon history journal. It was interesting and well-researched. Its main thesis, however, was that certain previous authors about Joseph Smith’s legal troubles had been “lying” (the author’s word not mine) about his trials, and Joseph Smith could have avoided martyrdom by behaving with more integrity. I read a fair amount of legal history, and suffice it to say that these are not the sorts of arguments that one sees in say Law & History Review. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Perpetual Education Fund
Several of the saints at church Sunday said they’d donated to the Perpetual Education Fund in memory of President Hinckley. It put us in mind to do the same. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Telling the Untold Story
Last Saturday was the world premiere of Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons, at the San Diego Black Film Festival. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mothers Who Know: Homes and Temples
In her General Conference address last Fall, President Beck said, “Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109).” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
President Uchtdorf to First Presidency
That is all. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
President Hinckley and Mormon Memory
In Religious Literacy, Stephen Prothero considers the decline of religious knowledge in America, much of which relates to the failure of institutions (family, school, church, university) to maintain a “chain of memory” that transmits religious knowledge from one generation to the next. President Hinckley helped Mormonism avoid this failure. Mormon memory is alive and well. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Under-Appreciated Hymns
When in the sultry glebe I faint, or on the thirsty mountain pant, To fertile vales and dewy meads, my weary, wandring steps he leads. Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow, amid the cooling verdant landscape flow. 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
From the Archives: The Quandry of the Sugar Beets
I think that I have finally isolated the great symbol of a recent set of intellectual and spiritual quandaries that I have found myself working through of late. I am not talking about polygamy, Adam-God, or blood atonement. I have in mind an even more challenging remnant of our past: sugar beets. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Rape in Provo
90% of Provo rapes are not reported to the police. This is just one of many disturbing facts in a Deseret Morning News article about rape in Provo. (The article is a few years old according to its byline, but it showed up this morning as #3 on the “Most Popular Articles” list on the Deseret website — I’m not quite sure why.) According to the BYU police officer cited in the article, “most Provo residents are religious and have a tendency to stigmatize discussion of sexual assault and sometimes to demonize the survivor.” 1 person likes this post.... Read more »
Mormonism’s Poisoned Theodicy
Consider two theological claims. First, a severely mentally retarded child has her retardation because in the premortal world she was an exceptionally valiant spirit and her current disability means that all that was necessary was for her to receive a body and then go straight on to eternal exaltation, worlds without number. Second, in this life blacks were denied the priesthood prior to 1978 because they were not valiant in the premortal conflict with Satan. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Calumny May Defame
The wonderful folk at the Westboro Baptist Church have announced plans to picket President Hinckley’s funeral. These nutters — who are not affiliated with mainstream Baptists — are known for marching at U.S. soldier funerals with placards that read, “God Hates F***s.” Yesterday’s muddled press release (warning: the URL is itself offensive, and the press release is pretty bad) states that President Hinckley and Mormons generally are “ enablers” and announces that therefore, “Gordon Hinckley is in Hell.” Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
A Couple of Thoughts on President Hinckley
For some years, when I was a teenager and then a young man, I was convinced President Hinckley would die as a counselor in the First Presidency; that he would never become president of the church. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Praise to the Man Who Communed with Jehovah
President Gordon B. Hinckley died earlier this evening at age 97. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8) Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
“He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names”
A nadir of correlated Old Testament study arrives in Week 25, when the Sunday School manual directs all of one week’s attention to the book of Psalms. Even this attention is focused largely on a handful of bright pearls — the comforting lines of The Lord is My Shepherd, for instance; and an array of creative, not always convincing Messianic parallels in Psalm 22. The rest of the book remains criminally unexplored. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Teaching and Sentencing
Teaching is like sentencing. After all, we all know that sitting though Sunday School can seem at times like cruel and unusual punishment. Also, in both areas, we see the same sorts of arguments in play, about the appropriate balance between predictability and flexibility. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Call For Papers: Mormons in the Political Arena
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Madonna Moms and Book of Mormon Stories
Ensign art shows are themselves a kind of art. The whole is greater than the parts. The Ensign ran art shows in the last two Ensigns and this is my idiosyncratic critique.* Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Coase on Abortion
Estimates suggest that, on average, Americans behave as if they value a year of their life at, more or less, $100,000. This would put an average American life at a “revealed preferred” value of somewhere around $7 million. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Teaching the very familiar
The Elder’s Quorum this past Sunday was Lesson 1 from the Joseph Smith manual. It consists almost entirely of direct quotes from Joseph Smith-History, and it’s material that everyone in Elders Quorum has seen several dozen times. How do you go about teaching the very familiar? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
35 Years of the Mandatory Abortion License
35 years ago today the Supreme Court found a constitutional right to abortion, inagurating perhaps the most liberal abortion license in the West. 45 million have been aborted since. The number aborted each year has declined roughly since 1990 but around 1.2 million are still aborted each year. Roughly 10-15% of those aborted were past their first trimester. We’ve had a lot to say about abortion over the years. I’ve put together the links here. Talk is nothing in the presence of these dead, but it’s all we’ve got. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
From the Archives: Is it okay to be a pro-choice Mormon?
Are church members required to be pro-life? (That is, opposed to legal availability of abortion). Or may they be pro-choice — (in favor of allowing abortion under the law)? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
From the Archives: How Joseph Smith Restored Greek Religion
I’ve been thinking of late about immortality and Mormonism. My question is whether or not you can be a Good Mormon and a Good Homeric Hero. I am unclear on the answer, but Moroni and John Taylor seem to suggest that for at least one Good Mormon being a Homeric Hero was just fine. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Untold
Today is a good day to point out that the documentary Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons will be playing in the next few weeks at film festivals in Dallas and San Diego. And possibly more places, depending in its success at those festivals. This very worthwhile project is the product of lots of effort by Darius Gray and bloggernacle regular Margaret Young. Keep us all posted on the progress of your film, Margaret. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Shirlee, at Peace
Shirlee slipped beyond the veil January 16. In accordance to Shirlee’s wishes there was to be no funeral, only a graveside service. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
A humane approach to immigration
One thing that church leaders said in their recent meetings with state lawmakers: Let’s take a humane approach to immigration. The Deseret News reports that: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mormon Church and Utah Politics
Wilfried noted this article, which says, Before each general session, GOP and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate sit down separately with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints special affairs committee, a group made up of church general authorities, church public relations officials and their lobbyists, to discuss any items on the minds of both legislators and church leaders. Does anyone know what other groups legislators of both parties meet with, to discuss issues of concern? Do the GOP and Democratics leaders in South Carolina have combined meetings with the Southern Baptist Convention? Be... Read more »
Resolution No. 2
The Primary “Hello” song: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
If You Don’t Like Mormons, Mitt Flip-Flops
A Vanderbilt study suggests voters who are bigoted against Mormons are more likely to believe that Mitt Romney is a flip-flopper. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Have an Average Day
Read this (it’s short). Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
The Form of Mormon Temple Ceremonies
For a concrete idea of what Mormon temple services are like, comparing them with a Catholic Mass actually goes pretty far. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Mistrust and Verify
A reader asks me to expand on a recent comment regarding historians and histories of Mormonism. I do so realizing that it may wrongly be interpreted as personal; my purpose is to illustrate the causes for my earlier evaluation and to demonstrate the value of questioning claims that don’t quite “feel” right. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Dear Brandon Sanderson
A few months ago, Kaimi asked you a few questions about your experience as a Mormon author. You not only responded, but your answers were interesting and thoughtful. In fact, your answers suggested that you might just be the kind of author whose books I would enjoy. So I bought Mistborn. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Joseph Smith, Again for the First Time
Sometimes I have suffered from convert envy. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Utah Historical Quarterly: Utah War Issue
“One hundred and fifty years ago a federal army of nearly two thousand soldiers under the command of Col. Albert Sidney Johnston huddled in their makeshift quarters at Camp Scott near the ruins of Fort Bridger in southwestern Wyoming to wait out the bitter winter and prepare to march into the Salt Lake Valley later in the spring of 1858.” 1 person likes this post. Like Unlike Read more »
The Silent Core of Mormonism
Mormon theology and practice centers ultimately on the temple, and yet the temple is a subject on which Mormons are especially secretive and reticent. Therein lies one of the central ironies and challenges facing any Mormon trying to really explain how Mormonism works to an outsider. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
What is it about Mormons? Maybe history can teach us.
I first ran across Noah Feldman’s writing last year when I read his personal essay “Orthodox Paradox†in the New York Times Magazine. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
“This Thing Was Not Done in a Corner”
I was delighted when Noah Feldman accepted my invitation to give the keynote address at Princeton’s Mormonism and American Politics conference because I knew he’d offer a thoughtful and sophisticated outsider’s perspective on these issues. His latest NYT piece, a polished and updated version of his conference remarks, is even more that that, however. In challenging what Feldman calls the “soft bigotry†against Mormonism, still surprisingly so widespread, while at the same time effectively raising legitimate issues for Latter-day Saints to wrestle with themselves, Feldman’s piece does what few other articles on Mormonism have been able to do and... Read more »
The Greatness of Their Stumbling Block
And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning Second Nephi 26:20. This is another post about the Feldman article. But if you want to sing Feldman’s praises and take issue with his Mormon critics, go here. If you want to defend his observation that from the secular standpoint mainstream Christianity has its share of the... Read more »
The best article on Mormonism and politics that I’ve read all year
That’s faint enough praise for January 8th — but Noah Feldman’s recent New York Times article is strong enough that it would be a contender for that title, even in December. I already described the piece as “remarkable” in my sidebar link. I was surprised, though, to note the negative reaction the article has garnered in some Mormon circles. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Upstate New York Exists, so Mormonism Is True
You will recall that in July Atlantic bloggers Matt Yglesias and Ross Douthat agreed that the Book of Mormon was “a remarkably crude and obvious forgery.” To his credit, Ross Douthat later retracted the claim and promised, in effect, that he’d wade into the weeds of history, archaeology and comparative theology before he made judgments like it again. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Must Bishoprics Be in the Baby’s Blessing Circle?
Must the bishop be in each baby’s blessing circle? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Essential Differences
I recently read The Essential Difference: The Truth About the Male and Female Brain (Basic Books, 2003) by Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of psychiatry at Cambridge University. Anyone interested in the source and nature of gender differences (i.e., everyone) will find this an interesting book, and people with an interest in understanding autism are particularly encouraged to find a copy and read it. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Who Won?
Who won tonight? Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
An unfortunate typo
All of this to-do about Jesus and Satan being brothers is unfortunate, really. As far as I can tell, it’s all a misunderstanding based on a simple typo. Mormons don’t really think that Jesus and Satan are brothers. We think that Jesus and Santa are brothers! And what could make more sense than that, really? Look at all of the similarities: Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
An Al Smith Moment?
Here is my argument: Let us suppose that Mitt Romney does not become the next president. What will this mean for the Mormons? There about 5.7 million Latter-day Saints in America, which in a nation of more than 300 million makes us demographic chicken feed, but the question is important for what it reveals about the presidency and its relationship to American citizenship. You can read the rest of the argument here. What do you think? Too grim? UPDATE: The Salt Lake Tribune ran a shorter version of the article in today’s (1/6/2008) edition. FYI. Be the first to... Read more »
A Pleasant Surprise
It seems 2008 has delivered its first miracle — the new Joseph Smith manual. Who would have thought that a correlated manual could actually be interesting? That’s doubly rewarding as the new Joseph Smith manual will be with us for two years. A short write-up with several striking illustrations is posted online at the Church News. I’ll add a few things I noted while browsing through the manual on Sunday afternoon. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Blacks and the Priesthood, a Request to the Media
Generally speaking, when anyone wants an easy quote on the past racist theologies of Mormonism, they quote Bruce R. McConkie. I am one of those people who would like a clearer statement repudiating past theological justifications for the priesthood ban. On the other hand, I think that at times folks understate the extent to which they have already been repudiated explicitly. In August of 1978, two months after the publication of the revelation to President Kimball, Elder McConkie told an audience at BYU: Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or George Q. Cannon or... Read more »
On Cell Phones in Sacrament Meeting
Cell phones have arrived. Even in my semi-rural, blue-collar ward enough people have a cell phone now that one’s gone off every sacrament meeting for the last month. Be the first to like. Like Unlike Read more »
Conferences and Events
- Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR) Conference
- BYU Education Week
- BYU Idaho Education Week
- Sperry Symposium
- Utah State Historical Society Conference
- John Whitmer Historical Association Annual Meeting
- Association for Mormon Letters Annual Meeting
- LDS Semi-Annual General Conference
- Matthew Bowman: "Mormonism and American Progressivism"
- Samuel Morris Brown: "In Heaven as it is on Earth"
Calls for Papers
- Brazilian Mormon Studies Conference
- Colloque international sur le mormonisme (International Conference on Mormonism)
- LDS Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists
- Mormon Media Studies Symposium
- Sunstone Kirtland
- Sunstone West
- Sunstone Symposium: MORMONS AND MORMONISM AS A POLITICAL FORCE
- BYU Religious Education Student Symposium
- RESTORATION STUDIES SYMPOSIUM
- Claremont Mormon Studies Student Association