I published this article in the Provo Daily Herald back at the end of January 1999: When the typical American thinks of Christianity, he or she usually visualizes a religion of western Europe and the New World. If we consider the issue for a moment, however, we must realize that Christianity is actually a Near Eastern religion. Its spread into Europe and especially into the New World came relatively late. Indeed, Christian missionaries were preaching in Africa,... Read more
I published this column in the Provo Daily Herald back in March 2001, but I remain skeptical still today of theories that purport to explain everything on the basis of scientific reductionism: Of the three thinkers who have most influenced the modern world – Darwin, Freud, and Marx – only Darwin has entered the twenty-first century with his reputation more or less intact. Indeed, an ambitious new movement claims to have explained all the patterns of human... Read more
Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, is often mocked and derided as gullible. But there are clear indications in his biography that he could be rather skeptical, just as we would expect from the respected, successful frontier farmer and businessman that he was. A few more notes from Susan Easton Black and Larry C. Porter, Martin Harris: Uncompromising Witness of the Book of Mormon (Provo: BYU Studies, 2018). Professors Black and Porter are occasionally... Read more
I would like to call your attention to an upcoming visit to Egypt that will run 20-30 November 2020: “Ultimate Egypt Interpreter Foundation Tour” The Interpreter Foundation and Cruise Lady are pleased to present this ULTIMATE EGYPT tour! It includes Old Cairo and the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel as well all the main highlights of Egypt. We have THE top Egyptian guide, HANY TAWFEEK to provide the history of Egypt and elaborate on all the sites.... Read more
But, first, a new item on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Science & Mormonism Series 1: Cosmos, Earth, and Man Questions and Comments about Evolution Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article by David M. Belnap originally appeared in Science & Mormonism Series 1: Cosmos, Earth, and Man (2016). Abstract: David Belnap, professor of biochemistry and biology at the University of Utah, answers questions about evolution that commonly come up in discussions among Latter-day Saints. *** ... Read more
I published this column back in the late 1990s, in the Provo Daily Herald: In a world filled with violence, poverty, suffering, illness, accidental death, disappointment, frustration, and hatred, pessimism is an ever-beckoning possibility. And, for some, pessimism shades eventually into utter despair, hopelessness, and cynicism. In the long term, the secular or naturalistic worldview actually has little else to offer. As one American philosopher put it, the things that matter most will ultimately be at the... Read more
Yes! Today is Palindrome Day! It’s 02/02/2020 or o2o22020 — which, when read backwards, is 2020/02/02, or 02022020. (Personally, I didn’t need reminding about Palindrome Day, but somebody did remind me this afternoon, coincidentally but precisely at 2:20 PM.) Somewhere, I’m told, there’s even a huge football game being played to mark the occasion. Is there any conceivable way that the final score could be 22 to 2? That would be a nice touch. But don’t let... Read more
Here are some new items on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Come, Follow Me — Study and Teaching Helps: Lesson 6, February 3 – 9: 2 Nephi 1-5 Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon Lesson 6 “We Lived after the Manner of Happiness” 2 Nephi 1-5 This Interpreter Radio Roundtable for Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon Lesson 6, “We Lived after the Manner of Happiness” on 2 Nephi 1-5 involved Terry Hutchinson, John Gee, and Kevin Christensen. It was extracted from the 12... Read more
I found these quotations in Brent L. Top, What’s On the Other Side: What the Gospel Teaches Us about the Spirit World (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2012). I believe that Brigham Young had at least one near-death experience — possibly including one when he was suffering from Rocky Mountain fever during the 1847 pioneer trek to the Great Basin West. That would obviously mean that he was speaking from direct personal experience: I can say with... Read more
In a previous post, I wrote briefly about William F. Buckley’s role in putting together a unified and rather successful American conservative movement out of very disparate elements. He was certainly not the only person involved — Robert Taft, Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and others played vital parts — but he illustrates the important service that a public intellectual can play. (The great Milton Friedman also played a crucial part.) Donald Trump has done a very great... Read more
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