Pride

So like millions of others, I watched Manti Te’o on the Katie Couric Show yesterday. And, I suppose, like millions of others, I came away with mixed feelings. I thought he came across as a very nice, polite, soft-spoken guy. He seemed quite sincere. I can’t quite assess truthfulness because it is clear he did [...]

Marie Antoinette couldn’t get her head around the concept that peasants might resent a lack of bread. I mean, look at her bedroom! So, eventually, her head was forced to observe the resentment in a more detached manner. The Versailles life-style was unsustainable, even if the people living in Versailles thought they could stall the [...]

“I stood amazed at the furor I had unwittingly caused.”  Amelia Bloomer When I first heard about the group All Enlisted organizing women to wear pants to church on Sunday, December 16, I was of two minds.  On the one hand, who cares?  Pants aren’t against the rules anyway, and I see lots of women wearing [...]

Well, not really. However, with recent reports that the US birthrate has fallen to a level not seen since 1920, one starts to speculate. As Pew’s research organization reports: “The U.S. birth rate dipped in 2011 to the lowest ever recorded, led by a plunge in births to immigrant women since the onset of the [...]

Rumors of a widescale Mormon fast prior to the presidential debate were rampant on Facebook and even in some news articles.  I particularly enjoyed Pat Bagley’s cartoon on the topic.  In light of the much touted debate bounce that has resulted in a game-changer according to recent polling, I wonder if some of those faithful [...]

Sometimes Wednesdays call for a little light-heartedness and the perils of parenting make good fodder.

Previously I noted similarities between Jesus’s teachings and Buddhism.  I recently travelled in India and toured the Vishnawara temple in Varanasi.  On the upper floor, there are Hindu sayings and scriptures carved with illustrations that give worshippers thoughts to ponder as they meditate and pray at the shrines of the gods.  Many of these sayings [...]

One of the striking things about the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon is that it appears that both Nephi and Lemuel claimed them for support. As you read through 2 Nephi chapters 17 and 18 you are hitting a favored text of those who claimed that Jerusalem had nothing to fear. When Nephi [...]

We believe in diversity.  Accepting others is virtuous.  God is no respecter of persons.  After all, diversity creates more equality for everyone, and communities with a varied background certainly have advantages over homogenous provincial groups with unquestioned assumptions. Maybe not. From a 2007 article about the pitfalls of increased diversity through social progressivism: Harvard political [...]

Recently, Professor Ralph Hancock wrote a critique of Joanna Brooks’ memoir Book of Mormon Girl and specifically a criticism of what he termed “Mormonism Lite,” which is equated with a liberal set of political ideals.  In his latest missive, Prof. Hancock calls out Wheat & Tares along with ByCommonConsent and Times & Seasons: In particular, [...]

A few days ago a friend sent me a long and specific email detailing how I had messed up. I value his opinion, so I read carefully. I had to agree with many of the points that he made. I had messed up. I began considering ways to make it right and I was back [...]

Today’s guest post is by Wayfarer. Joseph Smith approached both Helen Mar Kimball (14 years old) and Nancy Rigdon (19) to join him as his celestial wife, using in both cases the promise of exaltation if complied with, and something quite onerous if not.  Neither woman/girl wanted to accept the ‘principle.’  Helen Mar received a [...]

Today’s guest post is from A Friend.  In light of the recent Prop 8 decision in California, the church issued the following statement: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regrets today’s decision. California voters have twice determined in a general election that marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a [...]

There have been many analogies to illustrate the different types of Mormons:  Iron Rod vs. Liahona Mormons, Adam types vs. Eve types, TBMs vs. Liberal or Cafeteria Mormons.  All of these analogies are trying to illustrate that there are very vocal, orthodox, unquestioning members, and there are also members who are unorthodox in how they view things, ask [...]

Is morality subjective or objective?  Is there a universal morality?  Are all “current” moralities subject to later correction?  Morality is often confused with the “norm” or unquestioned cultural assumptions or personal beliefs and preferences.  This is apparent to us when someone else’s view of “morality” clashes with our own or when we view opinions from past [...]

I recently read an excellent OP on By Common Consent by Brad titled Notes Toward a New Vision of the Prophet.  I’ve always had some contradictory thoughts about JS, and I’m not sure this changes them. JS does seem to be a megalomaniac and opportunist to me, someone who became increasingly blind to the consequences [...]

On August 6, 2009 I introduced myself to the bloggernacle with the introduction Unleashing the Analyst. A Personal Story. It is a story about me, my faith journey to that point, and some of the positions I had at that time. The real revelation in the story (even if only for myself) was the unboxing [...]

Just a few random thoughts today about some things I like Jon Huntsman More Now I have to admit, even though he is dead last in the polls, I have appreciated that Huntsman sounds like he knows what he is talking about and, more importantly, doesn’t need constant adult supervision every time he opens his [...]

I can remember making 3 bets in my life — all the result of foolish pride leading me astray. Barely above the age of accountability at the time of the first bet, I was sitting in my kitchen while my mother gave me a haircut when she made some terribly offensive remark about how cute [...]

OK, I started with the title “Why LDS Men Suck,” which I don’t in fact think at all, but it’s really easy to get that impression sometimes, especially in contrast to the praise heaped on the women in the church.  I have met a few rare LDS men I couldn’t stand, but on the whole, [...]