What is the precise nature of Mormon liberalism?
Apocrypha, Bible, and the Status of Scipture
Consider the following two scriptures about the scriptures:
Meal Deals
I’ll admit it: I really am more likely to bring my scriptures to church if I know I’ll get a cookie for it.
Snippets
I’ve been thinking lately about a few conference talks. For a variety of reasons, Elder Nelson’s talk from last fall, Jesus Christ, the Master Healer, has been especially on my mind this Easter season. Let me share a few snippets.
Alternate Voices
One of the more interesting pieces that I have read on Mormon intellectual life is Armand Mauss’s essay “Alternate Voices,”Sunstone April 1990. The article was written in response to a General Conference sermon by Elder Oaks of the same name. (Also worth reading here.) Brother Mauss’s article in its entirety is reproduced here with the kind permission of Sustone and Brother Mauss.
The Life and Times of Carol Armga
I’ll introduce our newest guest blogger by letting her introduce herself.
Chapel Seating
As a new member and as a missionary, I usually sat near the back of the chapel.
“One afternoon in Amarillo”
If I ever to write a country-western song about religious epistemology, I will call it “One afternoon in Amarillo.”
New York snow this time of year, there’s nothing more beautiful
I visited an old love this weekend, almost a year after we parted. I found her more beautiful than ever, and we spent a wonderful few days together before saying goodbye again.
Contention
I love the book of Fourth Nephi in the Book of Mormon, especially this verse: “And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.”
“God being with thee when we know not”
Sunday afternoon I found myself reading the Oxford Book of English Verse (the Quiller-Couch edition in honor of a great advocate of the Inner Temple), and I read the following:
The Sabbath as “Family Day”?
Are we losing the battle for Sundays?
Out of Africa
Nathan (enters, stage left): “Tell Simon that America is part of Texas!”
Over Two Million
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “as of December 31, 2004, there were 2,267,787 people behind bars in the United States.”
Arguments and Authority
The March 2006 issue of The New Era features an article on the Lord’s prayer, wherein we can read the following:
Spring Has Brought Us Such a Nice Surprise!
Check out the new online Mormon-themed narrative arts magazine at popcornpopping.net.
“There is nobody against this—nobody, nobody, nobody, but a bunch of mothers!”
Jane Jacobs passed away today in Toronto. She was 89 years old.
The Puzzle of Blasphemy
In one of its fitful bursts of faux-oracular prose, the Supreme Court once declared that the U.S. Constitution knows no blasphemy.
The Rhetorical Burden of Authority
Authority is a key concept in Mormonism.
A Primary Primer
I haven’t been in Primary very long, but it has been long enough to notice this: most adults could benefit from a few simple ideas that will make them much, much better at teaching a group of children.
Earth Day and the Church
Today is Earth Day. A number of denominations have given their support to environmental issues, encouraging their members to be sensitive to the protection of the environment. This not only pertains to the major (and controversial) topic of climate change and global warming, but to all the small things people can do daily to save energy, sort waste, recycle, be attentive to what we purchase…
Sunday School Lesson #17
Lesson 17: Deuteronomy 6; 8; 11; 32: 1-4, 15-18, 30-40, 45-47
Puritanism without Calvinism
Three of the best books that I have ever read on Mormonism are not about Mormonism at all:
The KJV: A Sealed Book?
I’ve been teaching the second half of the Old Testament in Institute this semester. The KJV is a terrible obstacle to understanding the scriptures.