On the BBC, there is a great series of Art documentaries entitled ‘Imagine’. Alan Yentob, a Television Executive, presents them and in the most recent, …
Is Morality Universal?
Is morality a social construct or is it universal, transcending time and culture? Or is it a little bit of both? Read on to find …
Conflict, peace and peacemaking. The LDS difference.
I was looking at a news item. Canadian School of Peacebuilding Research studies verify what experience tells us: the majority of Christian congregations endure internal …
Perspective
Everybody blogs, right? Why not me? Looking for my niche, my angle, and the one thing that seemed to make me stand out in my …
A British Thanksgiving (on the Down-Low)
This is kind-of an impromptu post and so I hope you can forgive the intrusion. But, I love Thanksgiving.
Is New Moon the New Cool? -By Amita Benedetti
For anyone vaguely familiar with the Latter-day Saints, the many parallels between the Twilight Saga and the Church’s theology will be apparent. As a mother …
10 LDS Things I’m Thankful for
Thanksgiving is, IMO, the perfect holiday: good food, a day off work, and no presents to worry about. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted …
Hate Crimes up for Gays, Religious
So, what do you make of this? This AP article says that Hate crimes up against gays, religious groups – “Overall, the number of reported …
Elder Holland Publicly Denounces Past Racist Teachings by LDS Church Leaders
“One clear-cut position is that the folklore must never be perpetuated. … I have to concede to my earlier colleagues. … They, I’m sure, in …
Musings on Modesty & Mormonism
Today’s guest post is from Reuben Collins who also blogs at Single Speed.
Finding Meaning in Suffering: Part 1
Two of the writers I have come to admire most over the last year have both said that they do not believe all suffering is …
Michael Smith Suspended for Iran Comments
Ok, I am when someone who get bothered when someone makes disparaging comments about another ethnic group. Fox suspended LA Clippers announcers Ralph Lawler and …
Time to Study The Old Testament…Again – Part 2, The Books
In this part 2 of the Studying the Old Testament series, we will discuss the books of the Old Testament, how they were organized, different …
Death to the World!
In my endless search for connections between faith and music, I came across a stark and beautiful sight last month. First of all, I finally …
Romantic Paternalism
Mormon Matters welcomes our newest guest poster. Kate Kelly graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Political Science. She served a mission for …
Agency and the Plan of Salvation
Before the world was, so say the prophets and prophetesses, our spirits dwelt in a heavenly sphere. As the world was to be made, the …
A Bloggernacle Church Handbook of Instruction
Just recently I was re-reading an essay by Eugene England entitled ‘On Finding Truth and God’. It has been something that has helped me deal …
Utah Happiest State in Nation
Andrew Ainsworth did a post back in March wondering if Mormon Culture is Depressing Utahns? If we can blame depression on Mormon Culture, apparently it …
To Those Struggling In Their Faith
There are many within Mormonism who struggle daily with their faith. They have been exposed to historical information they were not aware of, they were …
What is the Final Destination for Apostates and Ex-Mormons?
I’ve always taken it as a given that Mormonism’s view of the afterlife shuffle has always been more universalizing than most of the other alternatives. …
Historicity Redux
Here’s an article from a recent Mormon Times: http://mormontimes.com/studies_doctrine/research_discoveries/?id=11607 I was intrigued by this story. John L. Sorenson has lots of books in print. He’s …
Time to Study the Old Testament……..Again – Part 1 – Introduction
As part of the four-year LDS Sunday School study cycle, it is time to open up that voluminous book known as the Old Testament. Many …
The Gay Rights Paradox
Today’s guest post is by John G-W. LDS Church spokesman, Michael Otterson, downplayed the significance of the LDS Church’s public backing of gay rights legislation …
Whether by my own voice …
My word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is …
Carthage Conspiracy
*Note–This was posted this morning. Due to a technical glitch, it was erased. Some comments may have been erased from this morning as well. I …
Levi Savage, William Kimball and the Mystery of Redemption
At the outset I should state that I do not think this is a very good title, but it is the only thing I could …
Freedom and Honesty
I was reading and I came across the following, years ago, and then again recently. We need complete freedom to express our honest feelings [to …
Women’s Studies at BYU: Parity or Parody?
When I first discovered that BYU had announced the closing of their Women’s Research Institute, I was appalled, as were many interested parties both on …
Eternal Progression and The Evolution of God
As part of a discussion group, I have been reading Robert Wright’s The Evolution of God. My group isn’t anywhere near finished (the “heart” of …
The Whole Enchilada
Guest post by Paul Swenson So what? So, what if I’m one of those cafeteria Mormons?
Similarities between Lehi and the Lemba
The History Channel has a show called “Digging for the Truth.” In season 1, they did an episode called “The Lost Tribe of Israel”, which …
“Knowing” It All
Mormons love to use the word “know.” We say we know God lives. We say we know that Jesus is the Christ. We say we …
Secular Learning and ‘Correlation’
In a 1926 Improvement Era the M.I.A. reading course included four books: ‘The Book of Mormon, 50c; by mail, 60c. Prophecies of Joseph Smith and …