- SD on B. H. Roberts Beginner’s Guide Update: “Thanks for doing this, Chad. I look forward to reading it.” Mar 14, 06:49
- on A Review: Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity: “Thanks for pointing that one out, Jonathan!” Mar 13, 22:24
- on The Cost of Glory: How Eliza R. Snow Found Her Voice in the Refiner’s Fire: “Amen, Kent. While I agree with jks that it is good that Snow’s poetry is celebrated, there is so much more to celebrate out there alongside it! Also, like I hinted at in the OP, there is also so much more about Snow to celebrate as well. She was a powerful woman and I have really enjoyed perusing her discourse over the last year or so in connection with a couple projects and the event book review. By the way, have you read any of the recent poetry books that Greg Kofford Books published or the epic poem that UI Press published?” Mar 13, 22:23
- on The Cost of Glory: How Eliza R. Snow Found Her Voice in the Refiner’s Fire: “I have read most, if not all of ERS’ poetry—along with the poetry of many other LDS women of the 19th century, and I think our focus on Snow is a little out-of-balance. Other women LDS poets are comparable, and made important contributions. Snow failed in several areas—most notably in epic poetry—she tried 3 times to write an epic, but it was Hannah Tapfield King who finished the first LDS epic poem. Also, I think I would suggest that Sarah Carmichael’s poetry is more sophisticated, and she might be as well known as Snow if she hadn’t ended up in the asylum in Provo. I also like the poetry of Emily Hill Woodmansee, whose life is every bit as fascinating as Snow’s. We have a rich poetic tradition. We need to expand our attention beyond Snow.” Mar 13, 19:34
- on My Meeting with the Pope: “Rec911: A couple months John Mansfield: I actually thought about that. “What if I get these really neat pictures and everybody just assumes they’re AI?” More and more photos themselves aren’t going to cut it, and people are going to need to look at a third party source for confirmation (in this case the Vatican publishes the papal audiences, so anybody trying to bluff that they had an audience when they didn’t could get called out pretty quick, but not everything is like that). Imaginator: I mean, it was social science, not theology (the pope has his own theologians). And yes, at the COB they often have academics present to the Q12/FP/Presiding Bishop. Typically BYU profs I imagine, but I’m familiar with some cases where they had non-member social scientists present.” Mar 13, 18:47
- on My Meeting with the Pope: “Fantastic that the highest level of leadership in the Catholic Church is willing to engage on doctrinal research topics about their religion with a non-member. I wonder if our leadership would ever do the same?” Mar 13, 17:58
- on My Meeting with the Pope: “Second thought, that should have been first: This is really neat and thanks for sharing with the site’s readership. Unfortunate first thought: The photos above highlight a hazard of AI-generated images. Stephen C. frequently uses them at this web site, so I assumed the images were more imagining, this time of what it would look and feel like to sit down with Pope Leo, rather than actual photos. It took a bit for the context to correct the default that the images were the usual thing.” Mar 13, 14:56
- on What Did Church Lead You to Think About Yesterday, 3/8?: “Our Elder’s Quorum got into a substantial digression about valuing differences vs. valuing conformity, with the sense that the Church has shifted towards the former over time. How men should dress for church was used as an example. There was a strong consensus that we shouldn’t judge people for what they wear (which was probably good for our new convert to hear, given that he hasn’t adopted “the uniform” of a white shirt and tie). But then there was also a recognition that some people do have expectations, and we should be mindful of that, especially when passing the sacrament and such. I was impressed by the balance and generosity expressed. I only wish I’d thought sooner of C.S. Lewis’s line in the Screwtape Letters: “Without [the ceaseless labour of devils] the variety of usage within the Church of England might have become a positive hotbed of charity and humility.” It felt like Screwtape had been foiled this time. Lily, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. Caregiver fatigue is very real and has nothing to do with character–Jesus himself took breaks from his public ministry to refresh himself. Sometimes listening by the Spirit at church means knowing something doesn’t apply to you right now and you can tune it out. I hope you have a good friend you can talk about this with, and there’s no shame in getting help from a mental health professional. At the start of Jacob’s famous rebuke of the Nephite men in Jacob 2, he first apologizes to those who “have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.” And if that’s what they expected, then he must have been in the habit of giving more healing sermons than rebukes. I hope somewhere in all the “love your neighbor” someone is taking the time to say “God loves you.”” Mar 13, 12:03
- on My Meeting with the Pope: “Wow that is such a cool experience! How long in advance did this meeting get planned? I was a huge fan of Pope Francis. This new one seems pretty good as well.” Mar 13, 11:58
