I’ve just begun reading a new book by the Catholic New Testament scholar Brant Pitre, entitled Jesus and Divine Christology (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2024). Thus far, I like it very much and find it quite persuasive. I’ll write later, probably in a column, about his overall argument. Right now, though, I would like to share some amusing examples that he mentions of efforts to dispense with the purported miracle of Jesus walking on the water. The most obvious... Read more
I delivered relatively brief remarks at the August 2024 FAIR conference under the title “Appreciating Brother Brigham.” (Including the short Q&A session that followed, they lasted just slightly more than thirty-three minutes.) A video of my presentation has now been posted on the FAIR website, where you can watch and listen to those remarks if you’re brave enough to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE_zYtiKB_4 And, speaking of FAIR, they have put a very useful collection of links up on their website... Read more
A dominant (and gleefully received) narrative among some critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that the Church is in severe long-term demographic decline and, in particular, that it is hemorrhaging its youth. In this brief interview Elders D. Todd Christofferson and Clark G. Gilbert suggest that that dominant narrative cannot be sustained: “Video: Elder Christofferson challenges narrative, says Spirit working in youth: In new video, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Clark G. Gilbert discuss... Read more
It turns out that weather conditions in Utah and Nevada, where a great many Latter-day Saints live, help to generate the Santa Ana winds. And it is those strong, dry, and often warm winds that bear some significant degree of responsibility for the wildfires that are currently destroying substantial portions of Los Angeles: “What Utah has to do with Santa Ana winds — and California wildfires: Winds formed in the Great Basin blow toward the West Coast.” Which probably means... Read more
The other day, I saw myself characterized over at the Peterson Obsession Board as a very lonely and unpleasant old man. Curiously, though, I don’t actually feel old. However, I do admit to having published a column in Meridian Magazine the other day about a man who, some on the Obsession Board might contend, was an apparently kindred spirit — and who is undeniably quite ancient: “A Tear for King Herod” I haven’t watched American Primeval, and I very... Read more
I’d be safe and warmIf I was in L.A. California dreamin’On such a winter’s day Even at this distance, it’s excruciating to see what’s happening to Los Angeles. The sheer human suffering is awful. Several have died thus far, and thousands are homeless. A woman whom we’ve known since she was a little girl playing on the floor during sacrament meetings at her parents’ home in Cairo escaped with her family and the clothes on their backs; their large... Read more
My wife’s remarkable father turned ninety-eight at the end of December. Up to just a few months ago, he had been living on his own, in the house that he had shared with my mother-in-law until her death in 2013. He died at 9:30 this morning. He was ready, in fact he was eager, to go. But we will miss him very, very much. Posted just today, a new article in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and... Read more
Jonn Claybaugh kindly (and regularly) provides notes on the website of the Interpreter Foundation for teachers and students of the Church’s Come, Follow Me curriculum. This is the latest installment in his series: Come, Follow Me — D&C Study and Teaching Helps (2025): Joseph Smith—History 1:1–26 January 13–19: “I Saw a Pillar of Light” Also: Our friends at Scripture Central have created a new video that many, I think, will enjoy. Here is an initial glimpse at it, which... Read more
The Sunday School and personal study curriculum of the Church for 2025 will be turning in February to the translation of the Book of Mormon and to the Witnesses. Accordingly, the Interpreter Foundation is calling attention to materials that we’ve already prepared on the subject, which should be of use to teachers and students who are following the Come, Follow Me program. We hope that you’ll take a look at them and that you’ll spread the word. And more... Read more
This notice went out on the Witnesses Film Facebook Page earlier today: Hey, all you wonderful people! With this year’s Come, Follow Me gospel study centered on the Restoration, Church History and the Doctrine and Covenants, we wanted to remind everyone that in conjunction with the movies Witnesses and Undaunted, we did a series of short videos on the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon that address various questions that arise from the early history of the Church, and... Read more
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