Sic et Non

    It seems that I'm going to be giving a fireside in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday night.   The time I've been given, tentatively, is 6 PM.  I don't know if that's right, though -- it seems a bit early -- so so, if you're in the area and thinking of attending, you might want to watch this space for a possible correction or to make inquiries with knowledgeable local leaders to get better information.  (It may be a simple ward youth fireside, so there may not be … [Read more...]

    In honor of the Christmas season, I published a column this morning on the deity of Christ.  The Deseret News gave it a curious title; I'm not exactly sure what the title means.  But I stand by the article.   It will be attacked by the usual suspects.  They will point out that this 730-word newspaper column didn't address x, failed to respond to y, and avoided the topic of z.  Oh well.   Posted from Orlando, Florida.       … [Read more...]

    Readings -- lots of them! with choices! -- for the second Wednesday of Advent:   Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall … [Read more...]

      I'm very, very sad to hear this.   I've been a fan of Ravi Shankar for most of my life.  When I was a teenager, I even used to go to sleep to recordings of his music.   Posted from Orlando, Florida.     … [Read more...]

    Well, the BYU Fall Term of 2012 is coming to an end.  I'm more or less done with my Arabic 490R readings class, though I'm absolutely awash in papers and final examinations from Middle East Studies - Arabic (MESA) 250 ("Introduction to the Religion of Islam") and MESA 467R (a course on the Qur’an in English).   I'm beginning to gear up for the 2013 Winter Term, when I'll again be guiding a readings course (Arabic 490R), as well as teaching MESA … [Read more...]

    The brilliant young film writer for the Deseret News has contributed an article on "Why Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings succeeded as an adaptation."   It must be genetic.   Posted from Orlando, Florida.     … [Read more...]

    Readings for the second Tuesday in Advent:   Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every … [Read more...]

      I'm quite happy about this -- not least because, when it's completed, I won't have to send my students to the Salt Lake Valley any more to visit a mosque -- and wish Utah County Muslims well.  Heck, I may even donate a little bit, if I can.   I had heard about some opposition to the mosque, and had feared that it might be substantial.  But, as things turned out, there seems to be no really serious community resistance.  I'm proud of … [Read more...]

    Readings for the second Monday in Advent:   The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them … [Read more...]

    Just a reminder of what I expect to be a really fun tour of England (focused on English history and literature and on LDS history in England):   http://www.cruiselady.com/tour-details.cfm?t=204   I plan to be there.     … [Read more...]