“The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; we are the favored people that God... Read more

    This trip represents at least the fourth time that I’ve driven by Cahokia, not far from St. Louis, without having the time to stop at the site.  I’ve always been in a hurry to reach somewhere else.  It’s becoming a real frustration.   I thought I had it worked out for this trip, but factors beyond my control robbed me of my discretionary time at point in the trip where I planned to use it.   So this... Read more

    Heber C. Kimball told a story of Joseph’s being reduced to tears at a little girl’s simple faith.  “He was gentle to children,” remembered George Q. Cannon, “and universally won their love.” When Martin Harris lost 116 manuscript pages of the translation. Joseph’s mother recalls his reaction: “‘Oh, my God!’ said Joseph, clinching his hands. ‘All is lost! All is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned—it is I who tempted the wrath of God.’” “He wept... Read more

    This is a potentially very important phenomenon, and our policy makers and strategists should be studying it:   http://www.vox.com/2015/9/21/9365953/isis-defections   I couldn’t help but think, at one point in the article, of the purported pirate announcement “The beatings will continue until morale improves.”   Thanks to Jabra Ghneim for calling this to my attention.   Posted from Nauvoo, Illinois     Read more

  “This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them.”   So spoke the Prophet Joseph Smith as he surveyed the residential area of the Nauvoo Flats, as well as the Nauvoo Temple (still under construction), from the bluff on Mulholland Street.  It was about 6:30 AM on 24 June 1844, perhaps a hundred yards from where I write now.   “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter;... Read more

    Joseph Smith’s sincerity appears in the incidental glimpses of him that we obtain from many of his contemporaries.  Here, for example, is the account given by Joseph’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, of the baptism of her husband: On the morning of the sixth day of [April], my husband and Martin Harris were baptized. When Mr. Smith came out of the water, Joseph stood upon the shore, and taking his father by the hand, he exclaimed, with tears of... Read more

    It’s science!   https://blogs.chapman.edu/press-room/2015/09/16/chapman-university-publishes-research-on-attractiveness-and-mating-in-national-study-of-americans/   Posted from Liberty, Missouri     Read more

    Ben Carson is a very good man, by all accounts.  This, however, was not his finest hour:   http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/muslim-shouldnt-elected-president-says-gop-candidate-carson/   I understand his concerns.   But I absolutely don’t believe that there should be a religious litmus test for the American presidency.   (It would be rather difficult for me to do that, given that, very recently, some were insisting that people of my faith deserve second-class status in American public life.  And, until very recently, I’ve always... Read more

    Renee Contreras De Loach kindly called the item above to my notice.  (I haven’t located the ultimate source.)  Very interesting, particularly in view of where I’m sitting right now.   She appended this comment:   Population center of the U.S. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Independence MO literally becomes the center place?For 4 decades the “center” has been in Missouri. In 2010 the census named Plato MO, located 213 miles SE of Independence.   Posted from Liberty, Missouri  ... Read more

    Liberty Jail [was], for a time, a center of instruction. The eyes of the saints were turned to it as the place whence would come encouragement, counsel—the word of the Lord. It was more temple than prison, so long as the Prophet was there. It was a place of meditation and prayer. A temple, first of all, is a place of prayer; and prayer is communion with God. It is the “infinite in man seeking the infinite in God.”... Read more