http://www.breitbart.com/california/2015/11/23/muslim-group-hosts-interfaith-panel-xenophobia/   Posted from Marbella, Spain     Read more

    If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.  (Frank A. Clark)   The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.  (William Blake)   Posted from Marbella, Spain     Read more

    http://www.today.com/news/no-less-american-you-muslim-woman-fires-back-donald-trump-t57796   http://magazine.good.is/articles/muslim-marine-has-the-perfect-response-to-donald-trump   First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—  Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—  Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. (Pastor Martin Niemöller)  ... Read more

    Here’s a Deseret News column that I published on Thanksgiving Day last year, 2014:   Many years ago, a friend (now deceased) told me about a very high-ranking Church leader (also now deceased) who had been asked to address a group of local senior service missionaries and their wives at their annual Christmas dinner.   As the program proceeded, various stories were related to illustrate the great things that this group of devoted volunteers had accomplished during the... Read more

    Michael De Groote has kindly brought this intriguing article to my notice:   http://www.theatlantic.stfi.re/science/archive/2015/10/the-most-interesting-star-in-our-galaxy/410023/?sf=lrebok   Posted from Marbella, Spain     Read more

    I know a pair of relatively young Muslim parents from Egypt who studied at BYU and who have chosen to remain to live and work in Utah.  I think very highly of them.  They’re fine people, gentle and good people, and assets to our valley.   I’ve just learned that a fellow student at the school that their (cute) little girl attends recently called their daughter a “terrorist.”   The family are upset.  And I’m ashamed that such a thing happened... Read more

    I like a stroll on the beach as much as anybody, and we’ve done a bit of that here.  But the real point of coming to southern Spain was to spend some time poking around the remnants of the Islamic golden age in al-Andalus.   On Friday, as I’ve already noted here, we visited the very ancient mountain town of Ronda.   On Saturday, we went to Córdoba, where, after parking in a structure located right by a... Read more

    The Church issues a statement on the issue:   http://www.ldsliving.com/Church-Responds-to-Speculation-About-Shorter-Sunday-Block/s/80640?utm_source=ldsliving&utm_medium=email   Posted from Marbella, Spain     Read more

    This is a chance for members of the Church to join in proclaiming the message of Christ’s birth for Christmas:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642256/LDS-Church-to-release-A-Savior-is-Born-Christmas-initiative-on-Nov-29.html?pg=all   I’m intending to participate in the effort, and I encourage you to do so, too.   Posted from Marbella, Spain     Read more

    Here’s a column that I published in the Deseret News on Thanksgiving 2013:   It’s the season of Thanksgiving, and, so, minds like mine turn naturally to etymology, to word origins. Please be patient. There is method in my madness.   The origin of the word “religion” is obscure, and has been much debated. But all suggestions for it seem to agree that remembrance, an awareness of dependence and obligation, is at the core of what it means... Read more