“I think the act of reading imbues the reader with a sensitivity toward the outside world that people who don’t read can sometimes lack. I know it seems like a contradiction in terms; after all reading is such a solitary, internalizing act that it appears to represent a disengagement from day-to-day life. But reading, and particularly the reading of fiction, encourages us to view the world in new and challenging ways. . . .  It allows us to... Read more

    A nice discovery, announced just yesterday in Israel:   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4734069,00.html     Read more

    You can watch Jenny Oaks Baker’s video performance of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” — a part of the Church’s “A Savior is Born” campaign — here:   http://www.jennyoaksbaker.com/videos/     Read more

    I still vividly remember the exquisite thrill that went through me when, many years ago, I first heard Es ist ein Ros entsprungen.  The sheer beauty of it entranced me.     I love the melody.  But I also love the lyrics, the message.  And, alas, I’ve never seen an English translation that does them justice.   But here, anyway, is a nice version of the piece by a German quintet:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA4pBDNZDx0     There was a time when... Read more

    Luke 22:24-30 Compare Matthew 19:28; 20:24-28; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:41-45; Luke 9:48; John 13:4-5, 12-17   These apostles were good men.  Their selection and their subsequent biographies demonstrate that.  But they still had problems with their desire for approval and status.   Surely the battle against our own egos is among the hardest we face.  Even when we do good things, and even when we do self-denying things, it’s difficult not to want our goodness, our humility, our... Read more

    http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/12/02/israel-to-honor-late-world-war-ii-veteran-who-protected-jews-at-nazi-pow-camp/?intcmp=hplnws   I hope that Roddie Edmonds does receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.  His was an act of astonishing courage.     Read more

    Jonah Lomu had been a great player for the legendary New Zealand All Blacks rugby team.  He had also joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2012.   After a long illness, he died suddenly of cardiac arrest in November, at the age of forty.   Here is a BBC video from a public memorial service for him, in which other former (and, I think, current) All Blacks perform the haka in his honor:   http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-34960710... Read more

    For your Christmas pleasure (and for my own):   https://vimeo.com/111557798     Read more

    Are you in need of something to help you be more humble?  Try this:   http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2015/12/the_astounding_truth_about_the_hubble_telescopes_most_famous_image.html   And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.  And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many.  But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my... Read more

    Matthew 26:21-25 Mark 14:18-21 Luke 22:21-23 Compare John 13:21-30   Somebody evidently needed to play Judas’s part in the drama of atonement and salvation.  For that matter, I suppose that somebody needed to play Satan’s part, as well.   However, neither of them will be rewarded for fulfilling these roles.   Likewise, in order for this mortal probation to be complete there must be betrayals and unkindness.  But those of us who do such things should expect no thanks... Read more