Matthew 26:69-75 Mark 14:66-72 John 18:25-27 Compare Luke 22:56-72; John 18:15-18   In connection with this story, please read Elder Spencer W. Kimball’s defense of “Peter, My Brother.”   See, too, this discussion — and particularly, toward the end, the citation of John Hall’s argument that Jesus’s statement (that Peter would deny him) may not have been so much a prophecy as an order.     Read more

    The so-called “Wexford Carol,” which comes from Ireland’s County Wexford and which seems to date back to the twelfth century, may be among the oldest Christmas carols — and, thus, among the oldest pieces still performed — in the Western musical tradition:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b6URDdh_7A     Read more

    The most recent installment of the biweekly column that Bill Hamblin and I do for the Deseret News has just appeared:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643533/The-Nativity-according-to-Luke.html     Read more

    Jabra Ghneim has alerted me to this article and this book, which sound very interesting:   http://ldsmissionaries.com/powerful-convert-testimonies-from-sixty-different-countries/   And please remember AmazonSmile – This is a charitable giving program from Amazon.com. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, and select “Interpreter Foundation” as your charity, every time you make a purchase of everyday items, 0.5% of your purchase price will be donated to The Interpreter Foundation, at no cost to you. (This method is, obviously, not tax-deductible.) See more information about this program at this link.  ... Read more

    An interesting find, if it pans out:   http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/11/julius-caesar-battlefield-unearthed-southern-netherlands-dutch-archaeologists   I’m afraid, though, that it doesn’t paint Julius Caesar in the most attractive light.     Read more

    A wonderful Catalonian carol, performed by The King’s Singers in Salt Lake City’s Conference Center:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QESJjFGjPM   ¿Qué le daremos al Niño chiquitoCon que se pueda reír y alegrar?Un lindo ramo de hermosas naranjasCon verdes hojas y flor de ahazarTan ta, ran tánQue los higos son verdesTan ta, ran tánQue ya maduraran¿Qué le daremos, qué le daremos?Frum, frum¿Qué la daremos al Niño bonitoQué le daremos major para Él?Vamos a hacerle unas tortas muy dulcesDe Blanca harina, de... Read more

    Here’s a thrilling Nigerian carol, Betelehemu, sung in the original Yoruba by — of all people! — the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9gXWuqZcNw   Awa yo, a ri Baba gb’ojule (We rejoice for we have a trustworthy father) Awa yo, a ri Baba f’eyin ti (We rejoice for we have? a dependable father) (repeat) Ni bo labe Jesu? (Where was Jesus born) Ni bo labe bisi? (Where was he born?) (Repeat) Betelehemu iluwa la, (Bethlehem, city of wonder) Ni bo labe Baba o daju (That... Read more

    Come on.  There must be at least one of your children you’d be willing — perhaps even eager — to sell!   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643318/A-book-you-cant-afford-yet-cant-afford-to-miss.html?pg=all     Read more

    “Do not go where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson     Read more

    I’m very pleased to learn of this admirable effort, which was brought to my notice by Nicol Sorenson-Legakis:   http://www.people.com/article/american-muslims-raise-more-than-119000-san-bernardino-shooting-victims?xid=socialflow_facebook_peoplemagvnn           Read more