“The Language of the Spirit in the Book of Mormon”

It being Friday, a new article has appeared in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship.  It was written by Noel B. Reynolds:

“The Language of the Spirit in the Book of Mormon”

Abstract: This study provides students of the Book of Mormon with the first comprehensive analysis of the many ways in which the word “spirit” is used in that volume of scripture. It demonstrates how the titles “Holy Ghost,” “Spirit of God,” “Spirit of the Lord,” “Holy Spirit,” and “the Spirit” are used interchangeably to refer to the third member of the Godhead. It also shows that the Holy Ghost was understood to be a separate being. The analysis is thoroughly integrated with scholarly studies of references to the spirit (rûah) in the Hebrew Bible. The functions of the Holy Ghost are also identified and explained.

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It’s time, I think, for some news from the religious liberty front:

“How the Supreme Court’s sex discrimination cases could affect BYU and hundreds of faith-based colleges: A legal brief filed Friday from a diverse group of religious schools argues the cases threaten the future of faith-based institutions.”

“A Federal Court Strikes a Powerful Blow for Free Speech and Religious Freedom: Christian videographers will not be forced to produce videos of same-sex weddings.”

“Minnesota media mull over whether Christian video company can refuse to film gay weddings”

“This Kentucky printer won’t make gay pride T-shirts. Is sexual discrimination or religious freedom key?”

“Religious Freedom In Danger if China Prevails in Hong Kong”

“It’s Time to Fight for Global Religious Freedom: Religious freedom is not a privilege to be granted or denied by a State, but a fundamental human right.”

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And this story is, in its way, related:

“Miranda Devine slams Washington Post columnist: ‘if you’re conservative, you’re automatically a racist'”

It reminded me of this earlier story, from the recently withdrawn (and scarcely missed) presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY):

“Kirsten Gillibrand Compares Anti-Abortion Views To Racism: “I think there’s some issues that have such moral clarity that we have, as a society, decided that the other side is not acceptable,” the presidential hopeful said Tuesday.”

Some claim, quite unjustly, that concerns about religious liberty — and, even more specifically, discomfort with being dragooned into celebrating same-sex weddings — are merely masks for bigotry.  And now, apparently, at least one senator and one leftist columnist are claiming that opposition to abortion on demand is just a sly expression of white supremacist beliefs.  These are just further illustrations of the contemporary tendency to view disagreement with one’s Obviously True Opinions as proof of depravity.  It’s a sad and dangerous tendency.  It results, among other things, in such disgusting stories as this one:

“‘I Hope You Suffered’: Voices on Left Celebrate Philanthropist’s Death”

Posted from Park City, Utah