If true, and unless there are mitigating circumstances — I confess that I find it difficult to imagine what they might be — this story is rather troubling:   http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/10/video-journalist-stoned-while-trying-to-film-muslim-no-go-zone-in-sweden/   Thanks to Darren Zechiel for calling it to my attention.     Read more

    Matthew 24:9-14 Mark 13:9-13 Luke 21:12-19 Compare Matthew 10:17-22; 24:24; Mark 13:22; Luke 12:11-12; John 14:26; 15:21; 16:2   These warnings strike me as more directly relevant, in certain respects, than they ever have been before at any point in my lifetime.   “False prophets,” love growing cold, iniquity abounding, divided families, hatred and contempt from “the world,” hostile governments and judges, members of the Church becoming “offended” (or, as at least one translation puts it, “falling away”)... Read more

    Today’s installment of the biweekly Hamblin/Peterson column has been published by the Deseret News:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640300/Californias-explicitly-Christian-heritage.html     Read more

    Matthew 24:1-8 Mark 13:1-8 Luke 21:5-11 Compare Matthew 24:11, 23-26; Mark 13:21-23; Luke 17:21, 23   In Matthew 24:3, the Greek phrase συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος  (“close of the age,” “completion of the age”) — αἰῶν (aion) is, obviously, the source of our English eon or aeon — could refer both to the overall end of the world and to the end of a particular period (even a particular “dispensation,” I suppose).     Thus, the prophecies of Jesus that... Read more

    I’m grateful to Renee Contreras De Loach for bringing this item to my attention:   http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/aug/03/how-to-stop-trolls-social-media   I couldn’t help but think, while reading it, of some of the genuinely unpleasant and very belligerent people I’ve encountered on message boards (when I still did message boards much), in really nasty (and almost always anonymous) emails (two episodes so threatening that I contacted the police), on Facebook, and occasionally in over-the-top comments to this blog.  (I haven’t banned very... Read more

    An official letter from the First Presidency:   http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-members-encouraged-assist-refugees     Read more

    Stephen Smoot comments briefly on a new book regarding a subject that has caused many to wonder:   http://www.plonialmonimormon.com/2015/10/book-review-evolving-faith-wanderings.html     Read more

    You’re probably aware of the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226).  But perhaps you’re not.  In either case, it’s a gem, well worth becoming acquainted with or, alternatively, reading again:   Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love,Where there is injury, pardon;Where there is doubt, faith;Where there is despair, hope;Where there is darkness, light;And where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master, grant that I may not so... Read more

    Ghoulish season’s greetings!   The brilliant young film writer at the Deseret News offers some tips that you might enjoy acting on this weekend:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640224/Halloween-watching-10-eerie-episodes-of-6The-Twilight-Zone7-available-to-stream.html?pg=all#KCtMrdAMBeh85KRj.01   Meanwhile, are you worried that your Halloween costume might offend some ideologue’s delicate sensibilities, or that your little boy’s or little girl’s outfit might not be politically correct?   The State University of New York at Geneseo is trying to help:   http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/10/30/suny-geneseo-has-hotline-offensive-halloween-costumes/74879654/     Read more

    Mark 12:41-44 Luke 21:1-4   It’s difficult for me to read these passages now without thinking immediately of James Christensen’s 1988 painting.  But it’s still under copyright protection.   One of the lessons of this wonderful little story is this:  We can all give.  In God’s eyes, from the perspective of eternity, it’s not the amount that matters, but the willingness to give.  And the degree of willingness to give.   Moreover, it’s not only about money.  Gifts... Read more