- Kerry William Bate on Thoughts on Future Projects: “George A. Smith is perhaps the most needed biography of an important nineteenth century Mormon figure. The Pusey Smith family biography was constrained by family timidity and lack of access to good resources (also by a format not lending itself to a full biography). Zorah Jarvis’s book was a strong family effort; given the tremendous resources now available George A. could get a terrific biography by a diligent researcher like yourself. I thought the Rey L. Pratt suggestion veery intriguing, too.” May 31, 11:50
- on Transportation Theory and Algorithmitizing Mission Assignments: “Having processed a few hundred missionaries through the ward or mission system, I noticed a pattern with some of them. They felt a compelling urge to study (and then did study) certain languages. They were often intrigued not just with the language but with the people and culture. A large percentage of the time, they were called to go there. I have counseled with young people to listen carefully and early to such promptings and then to act on them. I think the inspiration for a calling can truly involve not just the one issuing the calling but can come much earlier to the one who will be called. FWIW, I bombed the language test in 1975, I’m sure. I was so disappointed that I went to an English-speaking mission, even though it was in Australia. (I wanted to go to Russia, but that wasn’t an option then.) When I was set apart, I was told I was being sent there to bring a (singular) person into the gospel. That happened the last few weeks, and I’ve been connected with him in a great brotherhood ever since. (FWIW, I did end up serving in Russia many years later, to my astonishment and joy.) All that being said, I can for sure see AI producing a preliminary draft for mission appointments, like when I write a memo. ;-)” May 31, 10:16
- on Thoughts on Future Projects: “Thanks everyone for the input. Jonathan, that’s great advice. I think what I’m struggling with is that there are people out there who can do the projects, I’m just not sure if anyone is going to do them if I don’t. It seems like prioritizing the biographies is the way to go. Alan White, in addition to Lectures on Faith, there was a statement in marriage that D&C 132 replaced and then two John Taylor revelations that were published in several European edditions. As far as comparisons, in the introductions, I have a note for equivalent sections in the CoChrist D&C, Latter-day Revelation, and older editions of the D&C. I hadn’t planned on including things from non-LDS versions.” May 29, 18:42
- on Thoughts on Future Projects: “I would be interested in an annotated Doctrine and Covenants. The problem with publishing an independent Doctrine and Covenants is that it so much of it is based on stories not mentioned in the text, so you would have to have some form of introduction to each section. For the appendix, I wonder what you mean by sections that used to be in the D & C, since only the Lectures of Faith come to mind. Would you include comparisons ore even inclusions from other LDS denominations of the D & C? The Community of Christ for example.” May 29, 18:22
- on Thoughts on Future Projects: “St. George, Utah is named for George A. Smith. Similarly, the St. Joseph Stake (with its core in The Gila Valley in Arizona but went way out from there originally) was named for Joseph Smith Jr.” May 29, 09:28
