New, and novel, in Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture:
“Joseph Smith’s Universe vs. Some Wonders of Chinese Science Fiction”
I’m continually amazed at the sheer productivity of the Interpreter Foundation. And there are some intriguing things — even fun things — on the way.
Really. Please, if you haven’t done so in a while, go onto our main website and spend some time looking around.
***
Thus far, June has been many things. Among them, unfortunately, is that it has been a month of losses.
Charles Krauthammer’s death is, in my judgment, a major bereavement. He was one of my very favorite political commentators:
And, of course, there have been significant losses in the Mormon community, as well, including the composer Crawford Gates and the scholars Stephen Robinson and John Tvedtnes — irreplaceable voices, all of them:
“John A. Tvedtnes (1941-2018)”
“How Hill Cumorah composer Crawford Gates saw music through spiritual eyes”
Certain very hostile critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to the death of John Tvedtnes with their customary gracelessness. Here’s a reply to one of them:
“In Defense of the late John Tvedtnes”
***
Margaret Dayton, a friend and neighbor who attended the funeral services for Steve Robinson today, passed this on to me, which appeared on the back of the funeral program:
Maranatha: A Prayer for the Second Coming
poem by Stephen E. Robinson, 2002
The path for some is never lighted,
Their love poured out all unrequited,
And wrongs they suffer never righted
— ’til Shiloh comes.
Some promises remain unspoken
To faithful hearts who lay all broken;
Instead of coins, they get a token,
— ’til Shiloh comes.
Some old wounds are never healed
While answers sought, but not revealed,
Leave God’s purposes concealed
— ’til Shiloh comes.
Some noble souls seem quite forsaken,
Their dreams and hopes like plunder taken,
Their lotted hearts left hungry, aching
— ’til Shiloh comes.
From such pains, Oh God, keep me secure
But if not, through Hell let me stay sure,
And in the dark, let me endure
— ’til Shiloh comes.
Immediately following the poem, there appeared this note at the back of the program:
Shiloh came for Steve
June 17, 2018
I pray God’s blessings upon Steve Robinson, Crawford Gates, and John Tvedtnes, as well as upon Charles Krauthammer, who wasn’t sure that God exists. I trust that Brother Krauthammer has been very pleasantly surprised.
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