October 20, 2015

This is the clearest public statement from Church leaders on Kim Davis’ refusal to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples in Kentucky. Elder Oaks disagrees with Smith. She must issue the license. Take a look at this article which explains his position.  http://www.sltrib.com/home/3082891-155/mormon-apostle-oaks-kentucky-clerk-wrong   Read more

October 20, 2015

For those of you not living on the Wasatch Front, please know that winter began today. It has nothing to do with the calendar—it is a sixth sense that lets you know. I got up this morning and it was rather cold in the house. I wondered if the furnace would kick on and thought, “I might need a jacket today.” Once outside the air had a bite to it that was not there yesterday. Desert air like cold hands... Read more

October 19, 2015

In 1988, I was in the first full group at the Jerusalem Center. Opposition to the Mormons over the construction of the Center on the Mount of Olives had just begun to cool. Almost 30 years later, it is wonderful to read reports like this. Thanks to Haws Marble for passing it along. Enjoy! http://www.timesofisrael.com/at-brigham-young-center-free-concerts-and-remarkable-views-of-jerusalem/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0adeaba95a-2015_10_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0adeaba95a-50978757   Read more

October 19, 2015

I am confident that never before, in the history of the Tabernacle, has there been a more religiously diverse series of performers, not to mention audience that gathered last night on Temple Square. Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Baha’i, Sufi, various Native American, African, and many more faith traditions represented at the Parliament of the World’s Religions attended. It was the annual “Evening of Sacred Music” sponsored by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, The Parliament of the World’s... Read more

October 18, 2015

Mormonphobia. The fear of all things Mormon. Are the fears justified? It depends how one chooses to assess Mormonism. Consider Dan & Ron Lafferty. The Lafferty brothers were Mormons and were convinced they were prophets of God. They rejected the Bible and Mormon scriptures generally. They received their own revelations from God. Ron believed he was the Old Testament prophet, Elijah. Dan came to hate organized religion and to believe evil spirits were attempting to possess his body through his... Read more

October 17, 2015

Dearth: dry, parched, distressed, empty, in need of life-sustaining water and nutrients. The most prominent bookstores that serve Mormon readers are in a state of dearth. Let me explain. This week I received my fall catalog for books and merchandise (emphasis on merchandise) for sale at an LDS bookstore chain. Of course, this anticipates “the most wonderful time of the year!” No, that is not Halloween. Halloween and Thanksgiving have yielded way to Christmas in October. The lovely full-color gloss... Read more

October 16, 2015

Holy envy is a phrase coined by Krister Stendahl (1921-2008) who was Bishop of Stockholm (Church of Sweden), professor of divinity (Harvard), and master interfaith dialogist. Holy envy recommends that people of varying faiths, even rival faiths, may discover attributes and characteristics in each other’s traditions that merit emulation of the highest order, or holy envy. Searching for and identifying holy envy may be the noblest aspiration of interfaith engagement. The Parliament of the World’s Religions is now in full... Read more

October 15, 2015

Here is my prediction—for what it’s worth. I believe that the greatest announcement since the 1978 revelation on the priesthood is the lowering of the missionary age for women. This one modification to Mormon policy will shake the foundations of the Church for good. Here are four reasons, and there are many more, why I think this is case. First, it serves to level the playing field between men and women. Women are now closer to enjoying opportunities in their... Read more

October 14, 2015

In the late 1980’s, Boyd K. Packer spoke at the Missionary Training Center. He spoke of his desire that the missionaries would use their mission experiences to prepare them to raise children of their own. He said something to this effect, “Because of the wickedness of the world we are no longer on a level playing field. Therefore, the best parenting advice I can give you is this: Teach the Atonement of Jesus Christ more effectively than you teach the... Read more

October 14, 2015

I first taught the course Teachings of the Living Prophets to university students Fall Semester 1995. Jeanene Scott, Elder Richard G. Scott’s wife, had passed away just a handful of months earlier and his first talk in general conference after her death was the October 1995 conference. He spoke about trials we face when we’ve done nothing wrong. If you knew that he just lost his eternal companion you could more poignantly feel his yearnings and the pain associated with... Read more

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