At the August 2014 FairMormon conference, historians Matthew C. Godfrey and Matthew J. Grow (both of whom work for the Church History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; see their biographies here) illustrated ways in which the ongoing Joseph Smith Papers project sheds light on the setting, origin, text, and interpretation of the revelations given to the Church in the early nineteenth century:   http://www.fairmormon.org/perspectives/fair-conferences/2014-fairmormon-conference/story-behind-revelations     Read more

    Of the many things that could be said about 1 Nephi 5, I choose to focus, today at least, on up and down.   In 1 Nephi 5:1, Nephi and his brothers come “down” from Jerusalem to the “wilderness” where his parents, Lehi and Sariah, anxiously await their return.  (Cf. 1 Nephi 5:5.)   In 1 Nephi 5:6, they’re described as having gone “up” to “the land of Jerusalem.”   Throughout these chapters, while the Lehite party is still in the vicinity... Read more

    C. S. Lewis once predicted that the day would eventually come when we would be ethically permitted to eat only cabbage — but, even then, only if the cabbage had been certified to have died a natural death.   That day may be almost at hand:   http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429097/you-are-immoral-if-you-eat-fish     Read more

      It’s a tad late, but I enjoyed listening to the very Christian 2015 Christmas message from Queen Elizabeth II, who will turn 90 on 21 April 2016:   https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/videos/10153862836414749/?pnref=story   Thanks to Anne Palmieri and Charles Steinman for alerting me to it.     Read more

    “Faith means belief in something concerning which doubt is theoretically possible.”  (William James) “Faith certainly tells us what the senses do not, but not the contrary of what they see; it is above, not against them.”  (Blaise Pascal) “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.” (D. Elton Trueblood)     Read more

      I’m inclined to agree with this prediction — “likely,” not “certain” — and I won’t be particularly unhappy if it proves correct:   http://fortune.com/2015/09/18/carly-fiorina-republican-vp/?XID=Fortune_OutBrain_MPW15   Posted from Cincinnati, Ohio   Read more

    Just a reminder that the year is almost over, and that only 2-3 days remain for tax-exempt charitable donations.  Under the tax laws of the United States, anyway.   I mention, again, three of my personal favorites — besides the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints itself, including its humanitarian efforts, the temple fund, the missionary fund, and so forth:   Operation Underground Railroad   The Liahona Children’s Fund   and, of course,   The Interpreter Foundation... Read more

    As if more were needed!   http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429019/donald-trump-character-republican-party   I’m looking across the Potomac River right now at the dome of the Capitol Building.  Out of sight to its left is the White House.  I don’t want to see Donald Trump taking up residence there.   I don’t expect that he will.  It’s not at all inconceivable, though, that he’ll seriously damage the Republican Party in his quest to move into housing that even he can’t quite buy.  ... Read more

    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429022/stabbing-intifada-palestinians-descend-depravity   I part company with many of my Israeli and pro-Israeli friends in my judgment that the Palestinians have very legitimate grievances against Israel.   I part company with all too many of my Palestinian and pro-Palestinian friends in judging that Palestinian responses have, in far too many cases, been immoral, extreme, indefensible, and self-defeating.  This new tactic of more-or-less random knife attacks is simply one more case in point.   My stance draws fire from people on both... Read more

    Just keep repeating to yourself “It’s all objective.  It’s all dispassionate.  It’s all objective.  It’s all dispassionate. . . . ”   http://www.vox.com/2015/12/24/10636608/hype-science-increase-bmj   Posted from Washington DC     Read more