I wake up today with a feeling of deep foreboding, for today is the day on which — it seems likely — the Republican Party will be grievously wounded by surging Trumpism.  And the damage that will probably be done to American conservatism will be deep and lasting.   There is a chance that we’ll avoid these things, but the poll numbers aren’t encouraging.   Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve found the news almost unendurable.  Every... Read more

    During the first 13 centuries after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, no one thought of setting up a creche to celebrate Christmas.  The pre-eminent Christian holiday was Easter, not Christmas. Nancy Pearcey         Read more

    And I’m very happy about it:   http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640968-155/donald-trump-not-yuuge-among-mormon   My people are doing themselves proud on this.   Remember the supposed prophecy about the Mormons saving the Constitution when it’s hanging by a thread?     Read more

    I agree with this open letter by Brandon Stanton:   http://www.ibtimes.com/donald-trump-slammed-humans-new-york-journalist-brandon-stanton-open-letter-2336131     Read more

    Perhaps you’re already aware of this site.  But perhaps you’re not.   If you love temples, though, as I do, you’ll enjoy checking in on it from time to time.  And there’s a lot to explore besides the frequent updates:   http://www.ldschurchtemples.com     Read more

    Another part of the Church’s official 2016 Easter campaign:   https://www.mormon.org/easter/follow-him   Please share it.     Read more

  This is a very interesting place, and it may well be the right one:   Khor Kharfot: The Mormon Connection to a Muslim Land   If you would like to know more, here are some excellent resources:   S. Kent Brown, “New Light from Arabia on Lehi’s Trail”   S. Kent Brown, “Jerusalem Connections to Arabia in 600 BC”   S. Kent Brown, Peter Johnson, et al.  Journey of Faith (video)   S. Kent Brown and Peter Johnson, Journey... Read more

    It’s revealing, I think, how perfectly well Donald Trump fits into the world of Game of Thrones:   https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline/videos/10153435367316636/?pnref=story   I don’t watch the show, but I have a pretty good idea of what it is.   Thanks to Nicol Sorenson-Legakis — who says that she also doesn’t watch Game of Thrones — for bringing this wonderful little item to my notice.     Read more

    On 27 February 1933, an arsonist did substantial damage to the German Reichstag or parliament building.  A Dutch Communist confessed to setting the fire, although there is still serious dispute as to whether he was framed (and possibly tortured into confession), whether he acted alone if he did it, whether the Nazis did it themselves in order to manufacture a crisis, and so forth.  In any event, the newly elected German chancellor, one Adolf Hitler, lost no time... Read more

    Easter may seem boring to children, and it is blessedly unencumbered by the silly fun that plagues Christmas. Yet it contains the one thing needful for every human life: the good news of Resurrection. Frederica Mathewes-Green   Read more