Paradise Lost

As has been happening for the past several weeks, my biweekly “Defending the Faith” column appeared today in the print edition of the Deseret News and, at the following link, in the online edition of LDS Living:

“The Excommunicated Apostle Who Continued to Share Powerful Witnesses of the Book of Mormon”

One of the Deseret News editors recently explained the rationale for the change in my publishing arrangements to an inquiring reader, who has now passed the explanation on to me:  “Dan will continue to appear in our print edition. Where he appears online depends on the column and the subject. We’re trying to use our various media channels to give him the most exposure that we’re able to.”

Well, I hope it works.

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“Ninety-five percent of the members in our ward have lost their homes,” said Bishop Robert Harrison of the Paradise 1st Ward, who, like his counterpart Troy Mattson, bishop of the Paradise 2nd Ward, lost his own home to the flames and who is staying with relatives.

“Here’s what Church members are doing after losing their homes to Camp Fire”

See this earlier article:

“‘It Was the Most Helpless I Had Ever Felt’: Latter-day Saint Couple Shares How Prayers, Promptings Helped Them Escape California Fire”

This is awful.  In a sense, it’s especially awful because we’re approaching the Christmas season.  Can you imagine this happening to you and your family?  At this time of the year?  Please consider making an exceptionally generous fast offering and contributing to LDS Charities.

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There are problems and challenges everywhere, and, wherever it can, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is trying to help:

“Sending Love and Relief to Drought-Stricken Farmers and Their Families: Australian volunteers get organised to make a difference”

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A four-minute video that’s related, in a way:

“Self-flying drones in disaster zones: BYU engineers help design safer structures”

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On a much brighter note:  Last year’s Christmas concert by the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square and their guests  will be broadcast on PBS in December.  These programs have been extremely well received:

From Broadway World:  “Sutton Foster And Hugh Bonneville To Join The Mormon Tabernacle Choir on PBS This Christmas!”

Christmas is a reminder that, however bad things may be, there is hope.