In today’s reading, Mosiah 6, we learn that King Mosiah II himself worked as a farmer.   Which suggests that the Nephite society of this period in the Book of Mormon — corresponding to the Pre-Classic era — was quite different from the grandiosity of the largely Classic and Post-Classic ruins that dot Mesoamerica today.  It was a relatively humble and modest affair.  The vast Pre-Columbian temples that we often see in photographs and on tours, with their sculpted gods and... Read more

    “If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.” A. W.... Read more

    Mitt Romney has become perhaps the most vocal and prominent leader of the anti-Trumpist movement.   I heard this CNN story today when I was buying lunch at a McDonald’s in Pocatello, Idaho.  “I’ve lost a lot of respect for him,” the man standing beside me immediately remarked, indicating Romney.  I responded that I’ve never been prouder of Governor Romney than over the past few days.   Mr. Romney has been mocked and vilified in many quarters for... Read more

  By my count, today marks the 191st consecutive Friday — out of the 192.5 weeks since we decided to launch it — on which Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture has published at least one article.  Today we published two.  This is the second of them:   http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/see-that-ye-are-not-lifted-up-the-name-zoram-and-its-paronomastic-pejoration/   I’m beginning to suspect a pattern.  Every Friday, it seems, Interpreter publishes something.   Posted from Idaho Falls, Idaho     Read more

    http://scripturalmormonism.blogspot.ie/2016/03/assessing-argument-against-lds-belief.html   Posted from Idaho Falls, Idaho     Read more

  He’d better win, right?   ‘There WILL BE RIOTS’ – Trump threatens if he doesn’t get the nomination!   Posted from Idaho Falls, Idaho   Read more

  It’s Friday.  So, of course, Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture is in publishing mode:   http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/my-people-are-willing-the-mention-of-aminadab-in-the-narrative-context-of-helaman-5-6/   We hope that you’ll enjoy this article.   Posted from Idaho Falls, Idaho     Read more

    It seems to me that the distinction between a group that funds itself and a group that receives government money is crucial here:   http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mormon-scolded-christian-group-center-kansas-law-37703750   Now, you might say, simply being allowed to meet in a room at a public university constitutes a kind of taxpayer subsidy.  I see the point, but I don’t agree.  There seems to me a world of relevant difference between allowing a Republican or Democratic or socialist group (do I repeat myself?)... Read more

    Interesting reading from Book of Mormon Central on a long-controversial topic:   http://www.knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-white-and-delightsome-people       Read more

    An eloquent personal tribute from a friend of Stephen Webb, written for the superb magazine First Things, to which Steve was a frequent contributor:   http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2016/03/the-excess-of-stephen-h-webb   Many of us also considered Steve a (relatively newfound) friend.   We still mourn his passing, and we missed him deeply at the events connected with the Interpreter Foundation’s conference on science and Mormonism last weekend.     Read more