Luke 14:25-33 Compare Matthew 10:37-38   This passage exhorts us to an interesting mix of prudence and absolute commitment.  I suppose that what makes such a mix possible is the idea that the decision to follow Christ should be a thoughtful, reflective, and serious one.   It’s reminiscent of the advice sometimes given to those considering marriage:  Keep your eyes wide open before the wedding, and half shut afterwards.   If you make a covenant, keep it.  If... Read more

    Here’s an interesting “exchange” between two respected Latter-day Saint academics:   http://www.wheatandtares.org/17915/richard-bushman-on-mormonism/   http://welcomingtheother.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-response-to-richard-bushman.html     Read more

    “I said to the almond tree, ‘Sister, speak to me of God.’ And the almond tree blossomed.” Nikos Kazantzakis (d. 1957), Report to Greco     Read more

    He’s a believer, but he demands no boycotts and doesn’t call for bombing the theater:   http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/07/23/3907718_review-a-mormons-perspective-on.html?rh=1     Read more

    Luke 14:15-24 Compare Matthew 22:1-14   When I hear occasional reports of multigenerational members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abandoning their covenants, cutting themselves off from the legacy of their ancestors, and rejecting their one-time faith, I’m afraid that I’m reminded of this parable.     Read more

    This is a fascinating find.   And one of the dates involved is of particular interest, from my point of view:   http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150724-Maya-hieroglyph-shrine-Tikal-Calakmul-Guatemala-archaeology-stele-discovery-Peten-epigraphy/   Thanks to Zander Sturgill for bringing the article to my notice.   Posted from Logan, Utah     Read more

    In honor of the Pioneer Day weekend, I post, yet again, a link to one of my favorite online videos.  It’s less than six minutes long, showing the determination of Latter-day Saints in Cameroon to make their way to the then newly-dedicated Aba Nigeria Temple:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf8xoDoj2jA   Every time I watch it, I’m moved.  I’m inspired — and  chastened — by their dedication, commitment, and faith.   Posted from Logan, Utah     Read more

    “ISIS and other extremist movements across the region are enslaving, killing, and uprooting Christians, with no aid in sight.”   http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/magazine/is-this-the-end-of-christianity-in-the-middle-east.html?_r=0   Posted from Logan, Utah     Read more

    The most recent Hamblin/Peterson Deseret News column is up:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865633247/Chimay-the-Lourdes-of-America.html?pg=all   Unfortunately, it’s incorrectly attributed to me alone, and identified as one of the “Defending the Faith” series — which is mine alone, and which appears weekly, on Thursdays.   I’ll try to get that corrected.   Posted from Logan, Utah     Read more

    “When love is not madness, it is not love.”  (Pedro Calderón de la Barca, d. 1681)   Do you agree?   I don’t.   Posted from Logan, Utah     Read more