Evidence of dramatic climate change:   “Archaeologists find 300,000-year-old stone tools in Saudi Arabia: At the time, the Arabian Peninsula was a grassland dotted with lakes.”   A chilling prediction, if it’s accurate:   “We are heading for a New Cretaceous, not for a new normal”   But it’s not merely on Earth that things age and corrupt and perish:   “Astronomers witness slow death of nearby galaxy”   ***   One of the greatest of Latter-day Saint scientists,... Read more

    I share with you four additional passages that caught my notice in John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think (New York: Gallup Press, 2007):   When we asked respondents in 10 predominantly Muslim countries how they view a number of nations, the attributes they most associate with the United States are: ruthless (68%), scientifically and technologically advanced (68%), aggressive (66%), conceited (65%), and morally decadent (64%).  (84)   When Gallup asked... Read more

    On Tuesday, 25 September 2018, Royal Skousen spoke on the campus of Brigham Young University about the just-published two-book The Nature of the Original Language, parts 3 and 4 of volume 3 of the Book of Mormon Critical Text Project, in an event that was co-sponsored by BYU Studies and the Interpreter Foundation. The lecture included additional commentary by Dr. Stanford Carmack, Professor Skousen’s collaborator in authoring and researching these two new books.   The two new books are... Read more

    Here’s another pair of passages excerpted from the fascinating and very valuable John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think (New York: Gallup Press, 2007):   Why Do They Hate Us and Our Way of Life? This question, raised in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, looms large following continued suicide and other terrorist attacks and the dramatic growth of anti-Americanism.  A common answer from some U.S. politicians and experts has been:  “They... Read more

    A common notion among some critics of theism or religion is that, with our recent appreciation for how large the universe is and, accordingly, how small and seemingly unimportant our home planet is, the idea of a God who cares about us is simply no longer believable.   This idea can be discussed from a host of angles, but it’s important to know that the fact that Earth is very, very tiny relative to the overall size of... Read more

    Big news out of Church headquarters:   “Church Statement on Local Celebrations, Including Pageants: Conversations underway with local Church and community leaders”   “Church of Jesus Christ re-examining its 7 pageants: Hill Cumorah Pageant to close, Nauvoo Pageant will go on and Manti’s pageant may continue with changes, officials say”   I actually heard that this announcement was in the works at least a couple of weeks ago, and one of the reasons suggested for it was the idea that... Read more

    Here’s another trio of excerpts from the extremely interesting and valuable John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think (New York: Gallup Press, 2007):   Muslim attitudes toward the United States have been affected by what is perceived as America’s — and to a great extent Europe’s — “double standard” in promoting democracy: its long track record of supporting authoritarian regimes and failure to promote democracy in the Muslim world as it... Read more

    “President Nelson Dedicates Concepción Chile Temple: Latter-day Saint prophet completes South America ministry tour”   And, speaking of temples, please don’t forget the event that will take place on Saturday, 10 November 2018:   “2018 Temple on Mount Zion Conference Schedule”   ***   Something more to add to your already-bulging “Religion Poisons Everything” file:   “Church Donates $1.5 Million to the American Red Cross: Funds will help purchase 10 new Red Cross emergency response vehicles”   ***   Back... Read more

    Are you feeling complacent, safe, and secure?  If so, read this:   “The 18 Most Dangerous Volcanoes in the United States”   And maybe this, as well:   “2017 Mexico quake came from unexpected location, study says”   ***   An interesting dissent:   “What the Economic Models of Nobel Laureate William Nordhaus Say on Climate Change: The UN’s pessimism doesn’t jibe with these economic models.”   ***   Pretty cool, no?   “Astronomers Find a Cosmic Titan in... Read more

    In the aftermath of the horror visited on Saturday upon innocent Jewish worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, I think it worthwhile to call attention to a famous 1790 exchange between Moses Seixas, the warden of the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, and George Washington, the president of the United States of America.  President Washington’s letter has become something of a classic.   I reproduce them here with their original spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, and... Read more