A sad Mormon-related story out of New Zealand:
“Kiwi-born mum dies giving birth to triplets”
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A nice essay in Meridian Magazine:
“Why the Arguments of ‘New Atheism’ May Sound Familiar”
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I don’t think, by the way, that I’ve been pushing Meridian Magazine enough:
It’s a treasure trove of interesting reading.
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I doubt that he would like to hear me saying so, but, in this extraordinarily interesting article, evangelical pastor Peter Burfeind gives a very Mormon-sounding answer to the question of the fate of those who didn’t hear the Gospel during their lifetimes:
If only he had worked into his discussion some mention of 1 Corinthians 15:29!
It’s interesting to see some contemporary mainline Christians coming around to something like the theology that undergirds Latter-day Saint temple work for the dead.
Sorry, but I mislaid my note. Was it Justin Martinez who brought this fascinating item to my attention? I really can’t remember. And I hate to fail to give proper thanks.
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A few days ago, I came across the crowing of an apostate former Mormon about the idiocy of those who persist in their silly conviction that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a genuine prophet of God. Perhaps his prime example, his Exhibit A, of asinine Latter-day Saint beliefs was the ridiculous story of the death of Shiz at the conclusion of the final battle of the Jaredites:
25 And when the night came there were thirty and two of the people of Shiz, and twenty and seven of the people of Coriantumr.
26 And it came to pass that they ate and slept, and prepared for death on the morrow. And they were large and mighty men as to the strength of men.
27 And it came to pass that they fought for the space of three hours, and they fainted with the loss of blood.
28 And it came to pass that when the men of Coriantumr had received sufficient strength that they could walk, they were about to flee for their lives; but behold, Shiz arose, and also his men, and he swore in his wrath that he would slay Coriantumr or he would perish by the sword.
29 Wherefore, he did pursue them, and on the morrow he did overtake them; and they fought again with the sword. And it came to pass that when they had all fallen by the sword, save it were Coriantumr and Shiz, behold Shiz had fainted with the loss of blood.
30 And it came to pass that when Coriantumr had leaned upon his sword, that he rested a little, he smote off the head of Shiz.
31 And it came to pass that after he had smitten off the head of Shiz, that Shiz raised up on his hands and fell; and after that he had struggled for breath, he died.
32 And it came to pass that Coriantumr fell to the earth, and became as if he had no life. (Ether 15)
How could Shiz, having just been decapitated, raise himself “up on his hands” and “struggle for breath”? Decapitation entails the instant cessation of all functions.
I couldn’t help but think of an article published back in the nineties by Dr. Gary Hadfield and mentioned again in this short article from Book of Mormon Central:
“How Could Shiz Move and Breathe After Being Beheaded?”
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