“Vox Populi and Vox Dei”

Last updated on: September 2, 2021 at 12:01 am By Dan Peterson

*** I’m late in calling attention to this, but a new article — this one by Dr. Alan Goff — has gone up in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: “Vox Populi and Vox Dei: Allusive Explorations of Biblical and Book of Mormon Politeias” A review of David Charles Gore, The Voice of the People: Political Rhetoric in the Book of Mormon (Provo, UT: Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Brigham Young University, 2019). 229 pp. $15.95 (paperback). Abstract: David Gore’s book The... Read more

The King, the Maiden, and the True Successor to Joseph Smith

Last updated on: August 29, 2021 at 1:04 pm By Dan Peterson

*** This parable, from the Philosophical Fragments of Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), has long been a favorite of mine: Imagine there was a King who loved a humble maiden. She had no royal pedigree, no education, no standing in the royal court. She dressed in rags. She lived in a hovel; she lived the ragged life of a peasant. But for reasons no one could quite figure out, the King fell in love with this girl in... Read more

Witnesses, Long Boat Rides, and Other Wonders

Last updated on: August 29, 2021 at 1:03 pm By Dan Peterson

*** In case anybody out there might be interested, this new article of mine was published yesterday in Meridian Magazine: “Observing Hugh Nibley” *** The latest of Kyler Rasmussen’s Bayesian essays appeared yesterday on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: “Estimating the Evidence Episode 8: On Very Long Boat Rides” And so did a a substantially updated essay from Royal Skousen: “Update of the Pre-Print of A Discussion of the Book... Read more

“For the Salvation of Zion”

Last updated on: August 27, 2021 at 10:16 am By Dan Peterson

*** Some new items were published earlier today (Tuesday) on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: “Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me Lesson Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 36 (D&C 94-97)” Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 36 “For the Salvation of Zion”: D&C 94-97 The Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 36, “For the Salvation of Zion” on D&C 94-97, featured Mark Johnson, Matthew Bowen, and Martin Tanner. And now... Read more

Discipleship and the Academic Disciplines

Last updated on: August 24, 2021 at 11:10 am By Dan Peterson

*** I was very pleased to read the remarks delivered by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland at BYU’s annual University Conference yesterday. (Although now retired from BYU, I was invited to attend. Instead, though, I was with the world’s cutest 4.5-year-old at the Butterfly Biosphere and the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point, in Lehi, Utah. Wonderful places.). You can watch a video of Elder Holland’s speech and read its complete text at “Elder Jeffrey R.... Read more

Two sketches toward an autobiography

Last updated on: August 24, 2021 at 11:04 am By Dan Peterson

Written separately, so with some overlap: (1) My wife and I lived for roughly four years in Egypt, in a southern suburb of Cairo called Ma‘adi that lies on the east bank of the Nile River. We didn’t plan to be there so long; it simply worked out that way. We were doing reasonably well financially, partly because of the remarkable generosity of my brother in connection with the family business and partly because my wife,... Read more

“Could a Loving God Allow Such Suffering?”

Last updated on: August 21, 2021 at 4:17 pm By Dan Peterson

This article of mine was published yesterday, I believe, in Meridian Magazine. It was actually inspired by certain responses to a blog post here. “Could a Loving God Allow Such Suffering?” And this little essay, not by me, went up on the website of the Interpreter Foundation earlier today: Book of Moses Essays #69: Moses Witnesses the Fall: (Moses 4) “Stand Ye in Holy Places, and Be Not Moved” (Moses 4:29–31) *** And... Read more

“Are Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban regime headed to Utah?”

Last updated on: August 21, 2021 at 4:19 pm By Dan Peterson

*** The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your... Read more

“Better Kingdom-Building through Triage”

Last updated on: August 20, 2021 at 4:41 pm By Dan Peterson

*** A new article, written by an author whose name is a hiss and a byword among decent people everywhere, has appeared in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: “Better Kingdom-Building through Triage” Abstract: We are called to take the Gospel to the entire world, but our numbers are few and our time and resources are limited. This is where cold calculation can help. A field-surgical technique pioneered during the Napoleonic Wars of the... Read more

“What’s the Point of a Prophet Who Already Agrees with You?”

Last updated on: August 20, 2021 at 4:44 pm By Dan Peterson

*** A friend called this afternoon from Orlando, Florida, to make me aware of this: https://deseretbook.com/p/witnesses?variant_id=194869-dvd I’m delighted to see the ad campaign beginning so soon. I still hope, of course, that you’ll be able to see the film on a big screen — whether again or for the very first time. But opportunities to do that are rapidly disappearing. So order your copy soon! *** This was a real shocker to me... Read more