*** Driving down from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, today, we took roads that I, at least, have driven only two or three times before — at the very most. And we made some interesting new discoveries, as well as visiting some familiar places. For one thing, we drove through Star Valley, Wyoming, a beautiful green place that first impressed me back when I was an early teenager. I wanted to see it again. In Afton, Wyoming,... Read more
*** A new article by the prolific BYU-Hawaii scholar Matthew L. Bowen went up earlier today in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: ““If Ye Believe on His Name”:Wordplay on the Name Samuel in Helaman 14:2, 12–13 and 3 Nephi 23:9 and the Doctrine of Christ in Samuel’s Speech” Abstract: The Semitic/Hebrew name Samuel (šĕmûʾēl) most likely means “his name is El” — i.e., “his name [the name that he calls upon in worship]... Read more
*** Brigham Young University’s College of Humanities can scarcely conceal its giddy joy at my long-awaited retirement from the active faculty: “Retiring BYU Professor Closes Teaching Chapter and Opens New Doors with “Witnesses” Film: Professor Daniel Peterson (Asian and Near Eastern Languages) is wrapping up his time at BYU, but his work continues as “Witnesses” hits theaters.” And, speaking of Witnesses, you can meet Camrey Bagley Fox, who played Emma Smith, at the 6:35 PM screenings... Read more
*** Well, yesterday (Wednesday, 30 June 2021) was my last day as a member of the active faculty at Brigham Young University. As I understand it, my retirement became effective at midnight, Utah time. (Which, coincidentally, is equivalent to midnight Montana time.) Happily, since I wasn’t scheduled to teach during the spring term and had no remaining committee assignments, I’ve been free to be up here at Yellowstone National Park. We had a good day yesterday along... Read more
I had a lot of work to do yesterday, so we got outside much later than I had hoped. Still, we did manage to see a multitude of elk, several bison (including a relatively newborn calf), and a black bear; to spend some very peaceful time looking over Flood Geyser (which kindly staged a small eruption for us at the end) and the Midway Geyser Basin; to explore Firehole River and Firehole Lake; to relax for a... Read more
*** I’ve been thinking of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon again today, Monday, 28 June 2021. (Some of you, of course, will perhaps be wondering whether I ever think of anything else. Trust me, though: I do. For example, I occasionally think of terrible drivers on I-15.) But, as I’ve mentioned here before, today was, very likely, the 192nd anniversary of the day on which David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery accompanied the Prophet... Read more
In all likelihood, today marks the 192nd anniversary of the experience of Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, David Whitmer, and Joseph Smith with the golden plates of the Book of Mormon, as well as with an angel and the confirming voice of God. If the Interpreter Foundation’s Witnesses film is playing in your vicinity, today — family night! — would be a wonderful day to see it while it’s still on theater screens, and even to bring friends and family... Read more
*** I had intended to write an extensive post on Sunday regarding the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his older brother, the Patriarch Hyrum Smith. Sunday marked the 177th anniversary of that horrific event. Alas, though, the day simply got away from me and I didn’t have time. But here are a quartet of items on the subject that you might belatedly find of at least some interest. The first of them was published... Read more
*** First, though: Sunday — tomorrow — marks the 177th anniversary of the murder of the Prophet Joseph Smith by a mob in Carthage, Illinois. I don’t think it morbid or expressive of a persecution complex but, rather, entirely fitting and appropriate to reflect for at least a few moments on that event and on the lives of Joseph and his brother Hyrum. Here is something at Meridian Magazine that can help you to do that: “Eyewitness... Read more
*** But, first: Especially for those of you in the Boston area and in the vicinity of Mesa and Gilbert, Arizona, don’t miss this weekend’s screenings of Witnesses! MESA! GILBERT! Do NOT miss this! Witnesses Film actor Lincoln Hoppe will be in theaters this weekend and will do Q&A with audiences after each of the following shows. PLEASE share this! His understanding of, portrayal of, and feelings for Martin Harris are something you truly should not... Read more
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