The debate of which this short article is a part has enormous implications for a whole host of fields, including even philosophy and theology:   http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2016/01/string_theory_has_failed_as_a_scientific_theory.html     Read more

    If you haven’t already seen it — and perhaps even if you have — consider watching this interesting documentary when you have 51 minutes and 27 seconds:   http://www.byutv.org/watch/90be2679-e6eb-4039-afa1-fee5477b0c20   Thanks to Anne Palmieri for reminding me of it.   (For the story behind the image of Martin Harris above, which has no direct relationship to the documentary but which, of course, features one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, see here.)     Read more

    New from Taylor Halverson, in the “Resources for Students and Teachers” section of the website of the Interpreter Foundation:   http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/1-nephi-12-14-nephis-grand-vision/     Read more

    Francis Beckwith and I aren’t always on the same page.  I readily acknowledge that, so nobody should feel compelled to announce it as a surprise discovery.  But he’s right on this issue, as on more than a few others:   http://www.thecatholicthing.org/2016/01/07/why-muslims-and-christians-worship-the-same-god/     Read more

    Today’s reading is 1 Nephi 15.   I’m pressed for time at the moment, and will need to limit myself to a very brief comment.  So I think I’ll concentrate on something quite small that struck me during this reading, in 1 Nephi 15:5:   “And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.”   One might... Read more

    Today we are afraid of simple words like goodness and mercy and kindness.  We don’t believe in the good old words because we don’t believe in good old values anymore.  And that’s why the world is sick. Lin Yutang     Read more

    I would like to call people’s attention to a Facebook group called The Ancient Temple: An LDS Perspective:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/552050204899532/?fref=nf   More than a few folks out there, I think, might find it of interest.     Read more

    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429171/never-enough-abortions-california   It’s a matter of priorities, I suppose.  The free speech of anti-abortionist activists is less important than the holy sacrament of abortion.     Read more

    You might have gotten the impression from my blog that I don’t really care all that much about sports.  After all, I seldom write anything on the topic.   You wouldn’t be far wrong, actually.  I don’t care much.   Oh, I like certain teams to win.  I’m happy, for instance, when I hear that BYU has won.  (I care about BYU.  It represents things that I believe in.)  And, if there’s any kind of a football game... Read more

    In 1999, my friend and long-time colleague at the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS), John A. Tvedtnes, presented this interesting paper at the first annual conference of what was then called the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research (FAIR), which was held in northern California:   http://www.fairmormon.org/perspectives/fair-conferences/1999-fair-conference/1999-early-christian-and-jewish-rituals-related-to-temple-practices     Read more