A new article appeared this afternoon in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: “What Happened to Nephi at the Camp of the Broken Bow? A Book of Mormon Mystery,” written by Godfrey J. Ellis Abstract: Nephi started as the youngest son of Lehi and Sariah and ended up as the king or king-like leader of the Nephite nation. While he, in some sense, obviously grew into the role over time, there was likely some key time... Read more
I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow Americanos out there. And — why not? — I hope that all of you non-Americans have a good day, too! I published this article, entitled “The miracle of Thanksgiving pies,” in the 23 November 2017 issue of the Deseret News: “If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch,” the late American astronomer and science popularizer Carl Sagan once quipped, “you must first invent the universe.” As Americans... Read more
I published the Thanksgiving column immediately below in the 24 November 2011 issue of the Deseret News. Perhaps you might find something in it of value: Autumn harvest festivals were and are common across Europe, and, as every American schoolchild once learned, our modern Thanksgiving celebrations descend from a meal shared between Massachusetts Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621. It was not until Oct. 3, 1863, however, that a uniform national holiday was established by presidential proclamation. Writing well... Read more
I published the following column in the 14 November issue of the Deseret News: As we in the United States approach the national Thanksgiving holiday for 2019, it’s appropriate to consider things for which we should express our gratitude. Obviously, of course, there’s the good food that many of us will be eating. There are the family members with whom many of us will be gathering to share it. However, there is much, much more. Indeed, our reasons for gratitude are virtually... Read more
I’ve long felt that American Thanksgiving tends to be a somewhat forlorn and relatively neglected holiday. Falling between the fun of the costumes and candies and houses of horror associated with the entirely desacralized holiday of Halloween and the weeks of carols and festivities (and unrelenting commercialism) of the partially desacralized Christmas, it tends to be reduced to something of a poor relation — a day, merely, of family get-togethers and good traditional foods. Both of which, I hasten... Read more
Yesterday evening, we met friends for dinner at Maria’s Mexican Grill in South Jordan — this was our first time there, by the way, and, for whatever it may be worth, I thought my food was unusually good — and then we headed up together to Symphony Hall in Salt Lake City. We arrived early, for a discussion of that night’s program with the Symphony’s Assistant Conductor, Jessica Rivero Altarriba. As a special treat, though, she introduced the Utah... Read more
FAIR is a largely volunteer organization, and sometimes real life gets in the way of getting certain things done. I’m pleased, however, to see that this important presentation has finally gone up online: “Church Finances in Context: An Overview of History, Law, and Recent Controversies,” given by Aaron Miller at the 2024 FAIR Conference This session reviews the recent details and controversies regarding the finances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and discuss the legal, strategic, ethical,... Read more
For whatever it may be worth, today is the sixty-first anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And of the death of Aldous Huxley. And of the passing of C. S. Lewis. My life has been affected by all three of these men. The Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft wrote a book inspired by the coincidence of their deaths within hours of each other: Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C. S.... Read more
I liked this article in the Deseret News that was written by the invaluable Jacob Hess — and not merely because it cites, well, me: “‘I’m genuinely interested in your answers’: When pretended curiosity becomes a weapon to undermine faith: The image of an earnest truth seeker invokes feelings of reverence in modern society. Little wonder some have found ways to manipulate this trust to undermine and attack things they don’t like” I’m now something of a bona fide movie... Read more
By the way, Six Days in August is still playing in four or five theaters through this Thursday, and will survive in two more — in Pocatello and, I believe, in Kaysville — over at least this coming weekend. We’re also arranging some private showings. (My wife and I will be involved with one of those on Sunday next.) Final approval for DVDs and Blu-ray should come today, and we’re moving forward with plans for streaming the film. A... Read more
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