I’m not making this up:   http://www.sltrib.com/home/3075882-155/salt-lake-city-woman-is-first   (For those who may not recall, Kate Kelly founded “Ordain Women,” and was excommunicated in June 2014.)   To my untutored eye, at least, Ms. Kelly’s joining in the ordination suggests a rather different view of priesthood — whether that be Catholic or Latter-day Saint priesthood — than most Mormons (or most Catholics) hold.   Where, for example, did she obtain ordination such that she can transmit it to anybody... Read more

    I don’t think that I called attention to this nice piece by Neal Rappleye when it appeared back in August.  So I’m doing it now:   http://www.studioetquoquefide.com/2015/08/what-seer-stone-or-revelation-and.html#more     Read more

    Luke 19:41-44   When you visit the area of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which is utterly free of traces of the famous Temple of Herod, and when you see the massive stones crashed around the southwestern corner of the Temple platform, you realize something of the effort that the Romans made to ensure (though they didn’t know that they were fulfilling prophecy) that no stone of the Temple itself would be left atop another.     Read more

    “There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity.There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity.There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153)     Read more

    Matthew 21:1-9 Mark 11:1-10 Luke 19:28-40 John 12:12-19 Compare Matthew 21:14-16   All four New Testament gospels — the three synoptics and John — mention the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  It’s commemorated throughout much of Christendom on “Palm Sunday.”   Two observations:   1)  This event essentially forced the confrontation that would soon follow between Jesus and the rulers of Jerusalem.  They saw him as a menace to the fragile status quo.   2)  Contrast the... Read more

    I don’t think that the article really answers the question.   But it’s a sad story, in any case.  And the problem is one that must be solved, mostly by the Muslim community.  But governments in the West and elsewhere can’t simply sit back as if it doesn’t concern them:   http://www.ozy.com/true-story/why-2-normal-teens-joined-isis/61629     Read more

    I hereby express my enthusiasm for a possible Joe Biden presidential candidacy.   He would bring youth, diversity, and a fresh face into the Democratic competition — elements that are sorely needed.   And his history of fascinating comments, and the promise of many more, would provide excellent material for cartoonists, opposing political ads, and late-night comedians.   I’m guessing that his entry into the race would hurt Hillary far more than it would hurt Bernie Sanders; the Bernistas... Read more

      A document called “Letter to a CES Director” has been circulating for a while now.  Written by a young man who’s lost his testimony, it’s done substantial damage to the faith of a number of Latter-day Saints.  I regret that very, very much — and especially so because I don’t think the “Letter” does a remotely responsible job of addressing the issues.  In my judgment, it fails, painfully and comprehensively, to adequately engage the relevant evidence and arguments.... Read more

    What do you think?   http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/17/us/washington-football-coach-joe-kennedy-prays/   Of course, the fact that he walks to the center of the football field after games may be significant.  Why go to the middle of the field?  Can’t he pray somewhere else?   But then, isn’t that a good way to invite players from both sides to participate?  If he were to pray on his side of the field — say, in his team’s locker room or in his office —... Read more

    If you haven’t read this comedic masterpiece before, read it now:   http://www.jefflindsay.com/CultMaster.shtml   If you have read it before but you’re anything like me — I can’t walk by a television that’s showing Groundhog Day without stopping, standing for a while, then sitting down and laughing idiotically as if I’d never ever seen the movie in my life — you’re probably due for another round.     Read more