Baylor history professor Tom Kidd critiques a claim recently made by Glenn Beck — a claim that presumably reflects Beck’s Mormon faith (although Professor Kidd neither mentions that fact nor alludes to Mormonism at all): The Constitution “Divinely Inspired”? Ben Franklin Answers However — whatever Brother Beck may or may not hold, precisely — Professor Kidd’s discussion of Benjamin Franklin’s attitude toward the Constitution conforms quite nicely (in at least this Mormon’s judgment) to what Latter-day Saint leaders have... Read more

    http://www.sltrib.com/news/3557905-155/landmark-new-mosque-planned-in-salt     Read more

    A really good article — meaning, among other things, that I enthusiastically agree with it — by my friend Ben Huff:   Utah Transcends Political Tribalism     Read more

    Jacob 2 is a remarkable document, and it’s our reading for today.   This isn’t the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last, that my strict rule of being concise and of focusing on one or two or three items, but no more, will cause me regret.  But, realistically, I know that I simply don’t have the time to give any chapter the time and attention that it deserves.   So, for now, I’ll write about just... Read more

    I had the unique and enjoyable opportunity this morning of offering the invocation at the opening of today’s session of the Utah State Senate.  (The kind invitation for me to do so originated with Senator Margaret Dayton.)   I stayed for a while in the Senate chamber thereafter, and particularly enjoyed watching the vote on Senate Joint Resolution 2, which was sponsored and introduced by Senator Alvin Jackson.   I had imagined that I was perhaps the only person... Read more

    A very good article from Taylor Halverson:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865648373/Teaching-faith-and-science-to-children.html     Read more

    Contrary to my reputation in some circles, I’ve never favored nor enjoyed no-holds-barred internet fisticuffs.  Nor have I ever supported personal attacks.   People who really know me, I think, will have no problem believing that, in fact, I’m very far from the image of the mean-spirited attack dog that some cherish of me.   I do believe that frank disagreement and honest argument are necessary on occasion.  I don’t attack other faiths — I have a long... Read more

    http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/02/23/iraqi-kurdish-troops-rescue-swedish-teen-from-islamic-state0.html?intcmp=hplnws   I very often find myself admiring the Kurds.  In a just world, there would be an independent Kurdistan.     Read more

      In today’s reading, Jacob 1, the torch is passed.  Not quite to a new generation, but to Nephi’s younger brothers, Jacob and Joseph.  They had never known Jerusalem, but had been born during the journey down the Arabian coast to the New World.   There is a division, at the death of Nephi, between the secular government, which is granted to one line of men, and spiritual leadership, which continues within the family of Lehi.  Whereas Nephi had exercised... Read more

  No doubt some of you are aware of John L. Sorenson, the dean of Mesoamerican-oriented Book of Mormon research, and of his work.  A dear friend of mine and my wife’s, John is now solidly into his nineties.   Here’s a nearly two-hour interview with him about his life and his research that was recorded just a few weeks ago.  I’m very pleased that this has been done:         Read more