The confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito begin today.
Author: Gordon Smith
Gordon blogged at Times and Seasons between 2003 and 2007. Further biographical information can be found here.
What’s in a name?
I am not Gordon Smith. My name is Doug. My father is Gordon. This is the story of why I am using his name.
Two Missionaries Shot in Virginia
Last night, two Mormon missionaries were shot in Virginia. Morgan Winslow Young of Bountiful, Utah and Joshua Heidbrink of Greeley, Colorado were shot, and Elder Young died.
Discarding Limbo
My mother was born to a Norwegian Lutheran, who feared for her infant children, lest they die prior to receiving the ordinance of baptism. I never knew my grandmother, but according to my mother, her fear was genuine.
Charitable Impulses in a Consumer Society
Start from the premise that we all want the world to be a better place. We want equity, justice, prosperity, security, etc. for everyone. Should we pursue those goals through our purchasing decisions?
Gordon: My Conversion
When I first learned that Joseph Smith had written more than one version of the First Vision, I understood completely. Like Jim, I have “any number of versions” of my conversion story.
Malcolm Gladwell on the Future of Religion
In its latest issue, Time magazine “assembled some of the smartest people we know to identify the trends that are most likely to affect our future.”
A Marketing Hypothetical
This season The University of Notre Dame has been airing a student recruiting advertisement called “Candle”.
Senator Hatch Takes Sin Money
A long time ago, when I was a practicing lawyer, I concocted a scheme with another Mormon lawyer to raise an investment fund targeted at companies that cater to vices. Alcohol, tobacco, p0rn, etc.
Harriet Miers
Last year, on November 2, I was still undecided about whether to cast a vote for George Bush.
Katrina Relief
I hope that each of us is praying and perhaps fasting for those who have been affected most directly by Katrina. As I thought about doing something more — specifically, donating to the relief effort — I wondered whether we could or should funnel donations through the Church. If not, what are the best options? Red Cross?
‘Til Death Do Us Part
When the topic turns to marriage, someone in Gospel Doctrine class inevitably refers with derision to that famous phrase from traditional marriage vows, “’til death do us part.” To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, “I do not think this [phrase] means what you think it means.”
Gossip is Good
So says the New York Times.
Thank you, Sister Murdoch
Sister Murdoch did not want to go on a mission, but she went anyway.
Searching the Scriptures
Several weeks back, I posted a short thing on Conglomerate and Blogcritics about my search for Harry Potter & The Half-blood Prince.
Mitt Romney for President?
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has presidential aspirations.
BYU Football
As many of you know, BYU’s football team has been in a bit of a slump for the past three seasons. I am very encouraged, therefore, by the new coaching staff’s innovative efforts to recruit new players. Watch out, Utes!
Temple Marriage Litmus Test
When I lived in Oregon, a member of my ward suggested a state-of-the-marriage litmus test for couples who had been married in the temple.
Working for the Church: Calling or Job?
The discussion below under my post on Kim Clark is evolving toward this topic, which I have wondered about for a long time. During my short stint teaching at the MTC just after my mission, all of the MTC instructors were invited to a meeting with a General Authority. He asked us, “How many of you view your work at the MTC as a calling?” Almost all of the hands in the room were raised.
Harvard Business School Dean Heads to Rexburg
Harvard Business School Dean Kim Clark is resigning to take over the Presidency at BYU-Idaho. See here and here. My impression from speaking to HBS faculty is that Clark has been a very effective dean, so this looks like great news for BYU-Idaho.