Matt Roper calls attention to an interesting discussion by Jack Welch that demonstrates an area of remarkable sophistication and complexity in the Book of Mormon — which, we’re often told, was created on the fly by a virtually uneducated chucklehead with an undisciplined but unscrupulous imagination:   http://etherscave.blogspot.com/2016/01/for-what-crime-was-nehor-executed.html   And this is just the tip of the iceberg.   Posted from Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii (where there are very few icebergs)   Read more

    More detailed information has now been posted:   http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/events/2016-second-interpreter-science-mormonism-symposium-body-brain-mind-and-spirit/   Posted from Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii   Read more

      It’s fascinating to see how, in today’s reading (2 Nephi 27), Nephi takes the prophecy about Jerusalem in Isaiah 29 and “likens” it to his own people, the fate of the record that would become the Book of Mormon, and the latter-day Restoration (including details about Charles Anthon).   I need to be very brief tonight, and simply want to call attention to verses twelve and thirteen, which allude to the calling of the Three Witnesses and... Read more

    I’ve been treated, over the past day or so, to a previously unknown critic’s speculations about the true origin of the Book of Mormon, and doing so has put me in mind of this remark from Samuel L. Clemens:   All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.  (Mark Twain)   Ignore actual historical facts and previous scholarly work on the subject, invent bogus historical “facts” to taste, and present your theory... Read more

    “I strongly believe in the existence of God, based on intuition, observations, logic, and also scientific knowledge. “Science, with its experiments and logic, tries to understand the order or structure of the universe. Religion, with its theological inspiration and reflection, tries to understand the purpose or meaning of the universe. These two are cross-related. Purpose implies structure, and structure ought to be interpretable in terms of purpose. At least this is the way I see it. I am... Read more

    http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/494446/Mormon-religion-prisoner-British-UK-jail   “Mormons,” says the article, “tend to be pretty nice – in fact they are a bit bland.”  But, very plainly, we’re working on it!   Thanks to Kevin Taylor for bringing this article to my attention.   Posted from Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii     Read more

    Today’s reading, 2 Nephi 26, is a parade example of the clarity and plainness with which Nephi had promised to prophesy, for it is, indeed, very plain.  It outlines much of what will be unfolded, in terms of historical events, over the remainder of the Book of Mormon.   Three passages stand out for me today:   1.   He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto... Read more

    “If there were no God, there would be no atheists.”  (G. K. Chesterton)   Posted from Kaanapali, Maui, Oahu   Read more

    There is, unquestionably, much to like about this first Jesuit pope.  But there are also some legitimate grounds for concern.  Here’s an item about his recent agreement with the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Cuba, which has been generally received with great fanfare and even, in some circles, celebration:   http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/431266/two-brothers-pope-francis-and-chekhist   Posted from Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii   Read more