Category Archives: Scripture

“Have You Been Saved?”

Posted on February 17, 2012 by TT

To oversimplify things a bit, Mormon notions of salvation are more consistent with Paul, while Evangelical notions of salvation are more consistent with deutero-Pauline ideas.  In essence, Mormons, like Paul, believe that salvation is a future event; while Evangelicals, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine, Theology, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Nephi’s Vision as Tragedy

Posted on February 4, 2012 by aquinas

After viewing the vision of the Tree of Life, as Nephi calls it, the angel shows him a vision that seems to reach far beyond his initial petition.  Nephi reports that he sees multitudes of people, but it is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Apologetics Into Doctrine: Romney’s Impact

Posted on February 2, 2012 by mogget

It appears that Andrew Sullivan published something on Mormons yesterday.  How do I know this without reading Sullivan?  Because there’s a zillion Mormons responding to his comments at sites far removed.  In fact, there’s a bumper crop of Mormon apologetics … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Doctrine, History, Mormon Culture, Mormon Studies, Politics | 14 Comments

Constantine’s Sword

Posted on February 1, 2012 by mogget

Sitting near York Minster in England is the statue of Constantine shown below.  Notice the contemplative look on Constantine’s face as he examines his sword.  You’d think he’d never really seen it before!  Why?  Look again, at where the tip … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Personal Issues | 1 Comment

Nephi, Scrooge, and Knowing the Future

Posted on January 28, 2012 by aquinas

There I was, sitting in my usual seat in Sunday school, watching the instructor faithfully proceed through the lesson plan and observing, as I always do, the various comments made by fellow ward members.  The topic was Nephi’s Vision and … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Theology | 12 Comments

The Creation of American Ignorance

Posted on January 27, 2012 by mogget

Over on BCC, Steve P has posted a nice summary of an article in New Scientist which attributes the decline in scientific literacy in the US to three factors:  relativism in the academy, unserious journalism, and the illiteracy of Congress. … Continue reading →

Posted in Metaphysics, Scripture, Studying Religion | 3 Comments

Christianity 101, Book of Mormon Style 3

Posted on January 24, 2012 by mogget

So in this last week we, that is me and the 17-18 year old gentlemen I teach, were looking at the Tree of Life vision and Nephi’s interpretation.  As you know, our goal is to read the BoM and look … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Scripture, Studying Religion | 4 Comments

If the Book of Mormon is dull, the New Testament is duller

Posted on January 20, 2012 by TT

One recent, sympathetic critic called the Book of Mormon “dull.”  This is not a new accusation.  Mark Twain famously called it “chloroform in print,” and I don’t deny the charge.  Trust me, I’m quite aware of the boringness of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Book of Mormon, Scripture, Studying Religion, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Christianity 101, BoM Style 2

Posted on January 10, 2012 by mogget

Another little doorway into Christianity lies, I think, in the second of the three enumerated purposes of the BoM and particularly in the phrase I have underlined: that [the remnant of the House of Israel] may know the covenants of … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Scripture, Studying Religion | 3 Comments

Christianity 101, BoM Style

Posted on January 7, 2012 by mogget

Tis the start of the New Year, and therefore the start of a new lesson cycle for those of us who serve as teachers in church.  What to do, what to do, we think.  A class participant who is 48 … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Scripture, Studying Religion | 2 Comments