Adam asked [in a comment lost, alas, when we changed software] if suing the church might place one in the category of “groups that oppose the church.” He raises a question which, I think, does not have a yes-or-no answer. (more. . .)
Author: Kaimi Wenger
Kaimi is a fellow who blogs every now and again, usually when he should be working.
Golden
Why are we Mormons so damn intrigued by J. Golden Kimball?
Bloggernacking
A few recent highlights: -Lisa at FMH writes a Feminist Polygamy Manifesto — don’t miss it. -Aaron at BoH: Faker or fakir? -Bloggernackers (heart) Elise Soukup: DMI, Mormon Stories, and a nice interview at M*. –Chloroform in print on iPod. -DMI wants to start a discussion group about whether discussion groups are permitted. Clearly he has forgotten “the first rule of discussion groups is you do not talk about discussion groups . . .” -Reminder: Volunteers sought to participate in polygamy . . . survey. -Finally, if you like your navel-gazing with a healthy dose of snark, you may want to look at a relative bloggernacle newcomer, doubtless administered by famed ‘nacle urban-legend-buster arJ.
Drat! They’re on to us!
From the informative and helpful New Zealand Cult List
Maggie Gallagher’s tautology
Over at Volokh, Maggie Gallagher makes the curious argument that society needs marriage because without marriage, people would be having children out of wedlock.
Our Enemies List
Like Nixon, Times and Seasons maintains a detailed “enemies list.”
Mormons Pick Nominees, Part II
First it was Ginsburg.
From the (off-site) Archives: Mormons and the ACLU
Over two years ago, I posted a series of posts on reasons to support the ACLU, and whether a Mormon could or should support the ACLU, on my personal blog. The discussion that ensued was one of the contributing factors to the formation of Times and Seasons. Given that the conversation around here turns to this topic from time to time, I thought it might be useful to move that set of posts over here. They are lightly edited for context and updating. (For the original posts, see here and here.)
Gene England and the Securities Act
The name of Eugene England is known among two different (if sometimes overlapping) population groups: Mormon studies scholars, and securities lawyers.
Numbers
I I had to bet on one thing showing up in general conference, Elisabeth, I’d bet on numbers.
Legislatures, Courts, and Gay Marriage
When the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gay couples had a constitutional right to marry, conservative commentators excoriated the court for usurping — critics claimed — the rightful role of the legislature.
The Myth of Religious Liberty as a Precondition for the Restoration
It’s a message you’re likely to hear every Fourth of July, and many times throughout the year as well: The Restored Church could only have been restored in America, the land of religious liberty.
President Monson’s timely message
It’s always a bit of a booster shot for me, testimony-wise, when I see things like this month’s Ensign message. In an article that appears to have been prepared long before Katrina was around, President Monson delivers a message that is tailored for members dealing with grief and loss.
Breaking my back just to know your name
Those of us who live a peripatetic (peripathetic?) life come to know the Elders’ Quorum Moving Company pretty well.
Guest blogger: Carrie Lundell
I’m happy to announce that Carrie Lundell will be guest blogging with us. Carrie is a blogger who has fashion sense (and heaven knows that the bloggernacle could use as much fashion sense as it can find!). Her prior bloggernacle contributions, including “What does an LDS woman wear to a cocktail party?,” have been very well received. Carrie holds a BA in Fashion Design from BYU. She has worked as a children’s clothing designer for Rosetta Millington and for Old Navy, and she currently works as a designer for C.I. Castro, creating the “Sorbet” line of little-girl’s clothing in a job that allows flexibility for time with her family. She also does freelance styling. Carrie is married to high-powered lawyer (and budding natural law theorist) Todd Lundell, and they have one daughter, Lucy, with another daughter due on August 19th. Carrie has spent most of her church career in the Young Women’s organization. She loves Sour Patch Kids, hates cleaning her apartment, and dreams of the day when she will escape New York and return to the West.
Interracial Marriage
A commenter at Approaching Zion suggests that interracial marriage is wrong. The commenter, a critic of feminism, lists as one of the harms of feminism was that it “encourages single men to marry outside their race and culture.” What exactly is the status of church doctrine on interracial marriage, anyway?
New York, New York
Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today. . . Yes, it’s officially my last day on the job today. On Friday, we leave town.
Four foot tall, flightless birds at the South Pole
We saw March of the Penguins on Thursday. It was great.
Judicial Activism
A fascinating op-ed in the New York Times discusses the idea of “judicial activism.” The authors suggest that one measure of activism is the amount of times a judge votes to invalidate legislation passed by Congress. Using that measure, they write that: We found that justices vary widely in their inclination to strike down Congressional laws. Justice Clarence Thomas, appointed by President George H. W. Bush, was the most inclined, voting to invalidate 65.63 percent of those laws; Justice Stephen Breyer, appointed by President Bill Clinton, was the least, voting to invalidate 28.13 percent.
Iago and Godly Creativity
Early last year, I discussed an idea that I called “the Iago problem.” I argued that one answer to the question “why are there no Mormon Shakespeares” was that church members may lack the skill to breathe life into a truly evil character like Iago. Recently, I rethought the question. And now, I’m not sure that the Iago problem is really much of a problem.
The next Supreme Court justice
Danithew is wondering when we’re going to begin idle speculation about who might replace Justice O’Connor. We’re happy to oblige him.
Two mites.
Due to an unmentionable poop incident (click on the link if you’re very brave), FMH Lisa may be needing a new washer. At the very least, she could use a few new cleaning supplies. So if you’ve got a spare dime, consider sending Lisa a Paypal.
Thoughts on the Nature of Christ
We are encouraged to study and ponder the nature of God. Spencer W. Kimball wrote that “to know God, one must be aware of the person and attributes, power and glory of God the Father and God the Christ.” (Faith Precedes the Miracle at 86). Along those lines, this post proposes a theory on the nature of Christ.
Guaranteed Salvation?
A friend just forwarded me this one, a little discussion (rhyming, no less) about the intersection of law practice and exaltation. Some of the theology may be a bit speculative, but the last line is quite accurate.
And a Little Child shall lead them
Yesterday, I had the kids at work.
Mormon Makeover Shows
It seems that for every conceivable social malady, there is an equal and opposite makeover show.
A Most Remarkable Puzzle
My mom just e-mailed me this one. It’s a fun little puzzle, though it took me a little longer than I expected to track down the last few.
Around a blog
The Coalition of Former T & S Guest-Bloggers has added another strong member to their ranks. Yes, Elisabeth Calvert Smith (she of the famous spiritual securities-law analogy) is now blogging over at M*. Her first post is a clever LDS take on Aerosmith’s “Love in an Elevator.” It’s an interesting enough read that I’m definitely looking forward to reading Elisabeth’s LDS interpretations of “Walk This Way,” “Rag Doll,” and “Dude Looks Like a Lady.”
Darfur redux
Nick Kristof’s recent column discusses the continuing problem of systematic rape and ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region in Sudan, Africa. (Warning: The column is about the continuing genocide, and Kristof’s descriptions are about as graphic as a family newspaper gets).
The Gospel Benefits of Divorce (or, Why I Wish Divorce was Easier in Latin America)
The requirement of legal marriage is often a big hurdle for investigators in Latin American countries. The reality is that a large percent of the populace lives in common-law marriage. And it is often difficult, and expensive, to change their status. I can’t count the number of times I taught a family on my mission, only to have their unmarried state end up as a fatal hurdle to their joining the church. One thing that I picked up from teaching families in was a healthy appreciation for the gospel benefits of readily available divorce.