A saint has to be a misfit. A person who embodies what his culture considers typical or normal cannot be exemplary. Martin E. Marty       Read more

    Today’s reading, Alma 20, relates yet another dramatic episode from the dramatic story of Ammon among the Lamanites.   The narrative is quite straightforward, but it illustrates very nicely the way in which a refusal to return enmity can actually disarm someone who has been an enemy for a very long time.  I would think that such forbearance works best with enemies whose hostility comes from misunderstanding, or from having been fed untruths over a lengthy period — as Lamoni’s father... Read more

    Thanks to Rodney Ross for reminding me of this truly remarkable and wonderfully well done photo essay from The Atlantic, showing sites (and sights) of the Normandy invasion that occurred 72 years ago today:   http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/06/scenes-from-d-day-then-and-now/100752/     Read more

      A few worthwhile articles on the continuing crisis.   For those who want to support Mr. Trump because of his good attitude toward the judiciary:   “Trump’s Outrageous Attack on Judge Curiel”   It’s painful to see people lined up to kiss the Leader’s ring:   George F. Will, “The Price Paul Ryan Has Paid”   Has Newt Gingrich — who hasn’t exactly covered himself with glory over the past few months — permanently destroyed his chance of becoming... Read more

    First of all, I would like to wish a blessed and happy Ramadan to any and all Muslims who might see this blog entry.  (And for that matter, I suppose, to everybody else.  Why shouldn’t everybody have a blessed and happy Ramadan?)   The sacred month of Muslim fasting and devotion and celebration began on Sunday evening.   Adam Trone has kindly brought this collection of Ramadan greetings, quotations, and messages to my attention:   http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/03/ramadan-mubarak-11-perfect-greetings-quotes-and-messages-for-the-holy-month-5920512/   It... Read more

    Do Mormons simply mirror the attitudes of their socio-economic peers in the United States?   There are certainly grounds for concern — there always are — that we’re not only in the world but too much of the world.  That’s a legitimate worry   Some recent numbers from the Gallup organization, however, plainly demonstrate that Mormons remain rather distinct, not only theologically but in terms of social attitudes:   http://www.gallup.com/poll/191903/religious-groups-disagree-five-key-moral-issues.aspx?g_source=Social+Issues&g_medium=newsfeed&g_campaign=tiles     Read more

    One of the best things that can be done in a war is to foment mutual mistrust within the ranks of an enemy.  There is always the real risk of losing genuine informants, of course, but to have members of the enemy force turn on one another will destroy morale, hinder communications, deplete their corps of enthusiastic fellow fighters, reduce tactical agility, and have many other highly desirable effects:   http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/06/isis-kills-dozens-its-own-in-hunt-for-spies.html?intcmp=hpbt2     Read more

    Some things should never be forgotten.   This day should never be forgotten, nor completely passed over without appropriate thought.   Here’s a short document from a very different time — you may listen to his actual voice here — when an American president could speak in a very different voice than would be permitted today:   Franklin Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer June 6, 1944 My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of... Read more

    And many of you are probably descended from them, too.  (So don’t feel too superior.)   http://www.realclearscience.com/articles/2013/07/17/old_arabic_texts_describe_filthy_vikings_106597.html     Read more

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/436222/david-french-not-running-president   Come on, Mitt.   Your country needs you.     Read more