(Part I of this series is here.) Cloisters When my friend Robinlee and I visited the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, California, we happened on two statues–one of St. Francis of Assisi and the other of St. Clare. Most Christians are familiar with St. Francis’s life and words. We sing his poem, “All Creatures of our God and King”, which celebrates nature as God’s grand cathedral. St. Francis and his chaste friend, Clare, began new orders for monks and nuns... Read more
I began my Halloween by reading the much talked about article in Meridian Magazine–a terribly unfortunate piece which characterized “liberal Mormons” thus: Liberal people had been to Europe and let you knew it. They had Continental tastes, exposure to the latest fashions, and eagerly embraced whatever was new and exciting. They were the daring crowd, the ones who were unafraid to live life on the edge. Bohemians, free thinkers, beatniks, hippies—all prided themselves on being open to take risks and... Read more
A certain woman had a son. They were not wealthy, but she had given him her time. She had worked with him through his schooling and had helped him understand the things which he did not. She had gone to battle for him when he did mischief and begged those who expressed disappointment, “This is my son. He is a good kid. Don’t make him feel like he’s not.” And behold, there came a day when she knew in a... Read more
I once learned how to play several stanzas of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody. I played them over and over. But then the music got hard. It would require work to get the next part, and I wasn’t willing to practice THAT much. I gave up. I am able to play hymns now, but not much more. I thought about my regrettable unwillingness to learn the “hard parts” as I attended Douglas Bush’s funeral in the Provo Central stake center, which houses... Read more
Black History through Film and Fiction Yes! I will propose it. Add or critique. I’m open! Film: Roots Fiction: The Slave Dancer Film: Amistad Fiction: Something on Nat Turner Film: Diary of Miss Jane Pittman Fiction: Beloved Film: Eyes on the Prize (one of the series) Fiction: Souls of Black Folks Film: Rosewood Fiction: Shurtleff’s _Dred Scott_ Film: To Kill a Mockingbird Fiction: Their Eyes were Watching God Film: Red Tails Fiction: Triumph: Story of Jesse Owens Film: 42 Fiction:... Read more
Fourth grade can be terrible. Not only do you get introduced to hard math, but all the kids start experimenting with identity and control. In my fourth grade class, a particular girl was in charge. Of everything. If she liked you, she would call you to tell you what color of dress to wear. (Yes, this was in the days when girls always wore dresses.) Sometimes, she would test your loyalty. She did this to my classmate, Laurie. She told... Read more
Holy Sonnets: Death, be not proud BY JOHN DONNE Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery. Thou art... Read more
Who are the three women in J. Kirk Richards’s painting of the lepers? They do not appear in early drafts of the painting, but clearly balance the men on the other side of the cave in the final draft. The brilliant Maxine Hanks sees them as the three Marys–those three who are mentioned in John 19:25 as being present at the crucifixion (and in some modern readings, also present at the resurrection): “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus... Read more
Part I: Caves A year ago, I visited J. Kirk Richards’s studio. I saw a large, mid-creation painting. A few of his students had worked on the piece, filling in the details. It was clear that this work represented a community in an enclosed area, but I couldn’t guess who they were. The suggestion of Christ outside the cave was just a suggestion. What was the Savior doing? In the early rendition, there were no women behind Jesus, but there... Read more
Dear Lord, I am about to enter the world-wide internet, where good people can use fake names and say awful things. As I click on the icon, I ask for your blessings. Let me not be taken in by any trolls. Erase my fantasies of hiring a computer geek to hack into their email and send thousands of messages about losing weight by eating only raspberries and holding a sanctified piece of granite. Bless me to recognize the trolls and... Read more
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