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 never had a problem finding a publisher before. If the book is all he says it is, why isn’t Deseret Book jumping on it? Why isn’t the Neal A. Maxwell Institute publishing it? I’m really curious.
Blog Archives
Is the Gospel really good news?
I receive a daily mailing from a fundie Protestant pastor that details every story that day that he feels is important for Christians to know about. Today’s mailing included such items as: Earthquake Shakes Chile’s Capital, Dengue outbreak in Argentina now ‘epidemic’, Mother kills son with a bullet to back of head at Florida shooting range, and, to my surprise, Gay marriage’ in Iowa more damaging than a 500-year flood! Pretty grim stuff. The pastor calls his daily post All The Good News OF Bible Prophecy. Huh??? Why is any of this stuff good news? I guess, from the...
Moving along on both tracks
Well, my latest ponderings. Your feedback will be welcome.
How much truth is too much?
It may be that some of you caught the excellent article in Monday’s USA Today titled “How Much Truth Is Too Much?” It can be found at: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/forum_commentary/index.html Here is a fellow who struggled with his Roman Catholic church’s treatment of the sex-abuse scandals, and finally left the communion, going to Eastern Orthodoxy. A point he makes — he acknowledges problems in Orthodoxy, too, but the need for the institution of the church is greater than his need to uncover all of his church’s flaws. I wonder if we all should stop criticizing people who insist that every flaw...
The Lord’s University Strikes Again
Once again, the Lord’s University, BYU, is embroiled in a controversy regarding censorship and the essential values being taught there. A student entered into a photographic exhibition head shots of gay and straight students at BYU. They were paired — one gay and one straight — without identifying which was which. There was no nudity, no bare chests, no nothing, just head shots. BYU decided the display had to come down. Several thoughts occur to me.
California’s Prop 8 and the triumph of lunacy
Well, it’s time for the non-Mormon blogger to chime in on Prop 8. As some of you know, I live in the San Diego area. I, along with the rest of my compatriots here, have been inundated with pro- and anti-Prop 8 propaganda. We must protect traditional marriage! (What the heck is that, anyway?) We must protect the rights of gays to marry! (Where is *that* right spelled out?) There was too much dreck for anybody to possibly sort out. Here’s the irony. At its heart, Prop 8 wasn’t about gay marriage at all. It was about how we...
Coming to Zion, tembling all the way
I am painfully aware that I haven’t posted anything in a long time. Sigh, too much to do, not enough time to do it all. And with Sunstone coming up, I’m dashing about getting ready to make my way to Zion from sunny southern California. There is a certain madness in this year’s trip. Something inside of me desperately wants to move from San Diego to Salt Lake City. I will be looking seriously at housing opportunities. My friends all think I’ve gone crazy. How can I leave paradise for life behind the Zion Curtain? Here’s the odd thing...
The Future of Mormon History
This past Thursday, Claremont College hosted a very good panel discussion with Richard and Claudia Bushman and Richard Turley on the future of Mormon history. I asked Claudia if she would e-mail me a copy of her talk, and whether I could distribute it. Here it is, unedited, but with the typical Claudia Bushman flair, at the end, pure poetry. I hope you enjoy it.
Geraldine Ferraro and the Mormons
No, I don’t have any profound knowledge about Mormonism and Ferraro, but the recent uproar over her comments about Obama have raised a question in my mind. First, a word about race, Mormonism, and America. Like it or not, race is still an issue in almost everything we do. We can’t seem to break free of it. Ferraro said, in effect, that if Obama were white, he wouldn’t be where he is in the race. Consider the possibility that: a) she’s right, and b) the Bible says that “the fool uttereth all his mind.” The evidence that...
My Open Letter to Glenn Beck
Well, I’m back after a bit of an illness. I don’t know if this post will generate any interest, but I thought I’d share it. A Letter to Glenn Beck February 29, 2008 Dear Mr. Beck: First, let me tell you that I am not a regular viewer of your program. My politics is to the left of yours, and so I naturally gravitate toward other broadcasters. You make no bones about being a conservative. I appreciate this openness.
The Deconstruction of Mormonism
I am trying to keep to a once-a-week blog post, generally on Sunday evening. The passing of President Hinckley is surely sad news for all Latter-day Saints, and for many of us outside the Church who have followed his career. I suppose everyone expects Pres. Monson to become the new Prophet, although this is tradition more than a hard and fast rule.
JS and MLK — Blood Brothers?
This is the first in my posts with the title “The Continuing Crisis.” Each will discuss issues that either are, or should be, front and center in Mormonism today (at least in my opinion…) Imagine my surprise when I learned that Martin Luther King Jr. died at the age of 39! This Monday is a holiday celebrating Dr. King. Another young man lost his life at about the same age — Joseph Smith, Jr. Both had a dream, both were either loved or hated by the people. Both based their beliefs in religion. Both died martyrs. My question: would...
The Continuing Crisis
Well folks, this is my first post in this community. I’m glad to be here. Those who know me will recognize the title of this entry — it’s an ongoing series of posts I’ve sent over the years, documenting the angst of a Jewish fellow living hip-deep in Mormondom. I plan to post once a week, with a new column on The Continuing Crisis. I do look forward to seeing many of you here, commenting, criticizing, etc. Best.
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