Some of you — especially you Cougar fans — might enjoy this latest instance of the now-venerable tradition of adding fake English subtitles to a scene from the (superb) 2004 German film about the last days of Hitler, Der Untergang (“Downfall”):   http://www.cougarboard.com/board/message.html?id=15286910   Here’s an item that will provide some background for those who live in bunkers:   “U of U’s Coach K explains why he canceled BYU, Utah rivalry game”     Read more

    We had the privilege of attending a very good funeral today — yes, a funeral can be “good,” in a way — for our dear friend Robert Cundick.   A grandson read the family-written obituary, which I commend to anybody who might be interested:   http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=robert-milton-cundick&pid=177213384&fhid=23305   The music, as you might have expected, was wonderful:  The prelude and postlude were played by Richard Elliott (including an organ version of “He is the Root and the Offspring of David,”... Read more

    Two important principles of scriptural interpretation are clearly stated or implied in today’s reading, 1 Nephi 19:   1.   As plainly shown in 1 Nephi 19:6, Nephi claims no infallibility for himself and no inerrancy for his writing.  Nor does the Book of Mormon claim inerrancy for itself.  Indeed, quite the contrary:  “And now,” says the revealed ancient “Title Page” to the Book of Mormon, “if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not... Read more

    Proof is only applicable to very rarefied areas of philosophy and mathematics. . . .  For the most part we are driven to acting on good evidence, without the luxury of proof.  There is good evidence of the link between cause and effect.  There is good evidence that the sun will rise tomorrow.  There is good reason to believe my mother loves me and is not just fattening me up for the moment when she will pop arsenic... Read more

    I’ve only been there once — and that was a fairly long time ago now — but it is, indeed, a wonderful place:   http://www.studioetquoquefide.com/2016/01/a-fountain-of-pure-water-lake-atitlan.html Read more

    And here, based on my image among certain critics, I thought this article was going to be about me.   Disappointing.   Still, even though it’s actually not about me, what it describes is pretty impressive.   http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2016/01/ligos_fascinating_trial_by_fake_data.html     Read more

    I won’t spoil the suspense.  But I will tell you that neither BYU nor BYU-Idaho ranks high in the “party scene” category.   I’m crushed.   http://www.businessinsider.com/safest-college-campuses-in-america-2016-1     Read more

    An item from the ever-insightful young movie writer for the Deseret News:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865644660/Pixar-Star-Wars-and-the-fans-themselves-Why-2015-was-a-good-verging-on-great-year-for-movies.html?pg=all#pFHK5v8O12KRg8Z1.01       Read more

    This is a really wise little piece — advertised as taking six minutes to read, although I think that’s a bit high — and it makes an excellent suggestion:   https://medium.com/@SeanBlanda/the-other-side-is-not-dumb-2670c1294063#.2qsy0c1ii   If only all the depraved idiots who disagree with me would read it and adjust their behavior accordingly!   Posted from Salt Lake City, Utah     Read more

    I like Jim Zogby’s comment that this generation is often talked about but seldom talked to:   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-zogby/muslim-millennials-views_b_8942060.html   Thanks to my friend and frequent BYU colleague Dr. James Toronto (formerly president of the Italy Catania Mission for three years and currently serving in Istanbul as president of the new Central Eurasian Mission), for bringing this to my notice.     Read more