This post was prompted by a comment made by my brother over here. I understand that the way of God is one eternal round and that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But I don’t think those things mean what they seem to mean at face value. For two reasons: 1) If God is static, whence eternal progression?2) If the Gospel is static, whence the need for continuing revelation? Discuss. Read more

First, may I say that if our entirely scientific poll is any indication, then Mitt Romney will do more presidential damage than Hatch did. Mitt, the comeback kid, came from 8 votes back to win by 6. This week’s competition is the result of a special request. As you know, here at FPR, the customer is king. Historical Mormon Smackdown: Scriptural Bloodletter EditionWho is the less problematic scriptural holy warrior is the LDS Canon: Capt. Moroni or Joshua, son of... Read more

I promised that I would talk somewhat about temple work and the work for the dead from time to time. Today is such a time. This is less about work for the dead, so you know. The Adversary is at his most effective when he can get us to do the right thing for the wrong reason. If our outward appearance and action seem righteous, then we are less likely to question our inner beliefs and attitudes. In our church,... Read more

In a discussion with a BYU religion professor yesterday, he mentioned that he had been told by people at the Marriott School of Business that graduates from that institution are universally praised in all areas except one (I may be slightly exaggerating here). The one area in which the BYU grad is behind his fellow MBA’s? Handling Ambiguity.I wasn’t terribly surprised by the revelation. I don’t want to blame the “the brethren have spoken” mindset here, because I don’t believe... Read more

Now on a new day and time! This week’s contest is inspired by the news of late. Enjoy:Which recent presidential aspirer has done more to impact the perception of the Church: Mitt Romney or Orrin Hatch?Romney: “fixed” the Salt Lake Olympics, become a Republican governor in Mass, appears ambiguous on some key social issues, sure is purty Hatch: has been a senator for a long, long time; constantly appears on “talking-heads” type shows; pro-stem cell research/anti-flag burning; those awful, awful... Read more

Sorry for the sporadic posting of late. I’ve been busy. Also, I am still recovering from the results of the last poll. John Lee over Gary Gilmore? As other people have mentioned regarding other polls, I am beginning to suspect the tastes of our readership. Sure, Lee was pivotal in a minor event in Southern Utah a century or so ago. Gilmore only created a situation where W. could say, with a straight face, that he never executed an innocent... Read more

I am sorry for not getting any posts out this week. I’ve been busy. According the the poll, it turns out that there isn’t an unwritten order of things because Elder McConkie wrote it all down. This week, somewhat inspired by recent events, is a little different in that I am not sure if one of the participants is LDS (and five minutes on the internet didn’t help). Historical Utah Smackdown: Killer edition!Who is the more important executed Utah killer... Read more

So, last week we learned that, much as on the gridiron, it is the quarterback that has the influence, even though the running back does most of the work. But enough about that, on to this week’s event: Historical Mormon Smackdown: Hardliner editionWho is the more influential hard-line interpreter of current LDS orthodoxy: Elder Boyd K. Packer or Elder Bruce R. McConkie?Elder Packer has written and given several influential talks regarding what is and what ain’t orthodoxy and firmly implying... Read more

My father has never been antagonistic to the church exactly. For all intents and purposes, he appears to have been indifferent. He never objected when we went, attended when something important happened, and generally refrained from criticizing the aspects of it to which he objected. He has reportedly even told neighbors that if he was to join any church, it would likely be ours. We have had a whole slew of missionaries come through the house. Sometimes he has liked... Read more

So, it turns out that Orson Pratt is more influential than Heber C. Kimball. Take that Geoff and Jeff! On to the show!Who is the more influential LDS Athlete: Steve Young or Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin?Steve Young: star quarterback in the WAC, USFL, and the NFL; a scrambler leftie; didn’t go on a mission; seems to be a generally nice guy; took a long, long time to get married, causing some…um…speculation. Elder Wirthlin: played running back for the Utah Utes... Read more