Mormon
Unanswerable Mormon History Questions
I’ve been thinking about an alternative Mormon history. What if things had occurred differently. How would the Church be different today? Would there be fewer schisms? The original apostles were arranged in seniority by age. In 1838, Thomas B. Marsh was president of the Q12. As I’ve learned recently, he went after WW Phelps membership […]
Matriarchy and Patriarchy at Baptism
My brother called me up a few days ago and asked me if I would serve as a witness to his son’s baptism. Of course! I’d be honored. Then I realized why he asked me. Traditionally, it seems that grandpas serve as witnesses at LDS baptisms. But grandpa died a year ago. While I was […]
Father Forgive them…Not in Original Bible?
My wife gathered the family together to go over the 1st lesson of the new Home Study program earlier this week. (Note my previous post expressing mixed feelings about the 2 hours block cutting out half the lessons.) Anyway, for Christmas this year I got a copy of Thomas Wayment’s New Testament Study Bible for […]
Mixed Feelings About 2-hour Block/Pageants
I am probably in the minority. I think I’m going to miss weekly Sunday School. Having said that, I’m sitting here in the hall skipping Sunday School. So why would I miss it? I’ve taught gospel doctrine twice. It is one of my favorite callings. It helped kick start my gospel study and forced me […]
Is the Church Running Scared? (Plus Elizabeth Smart Notes)
The LDS Church has been subject to increasing leaks and protests lately. MormonLeaks has been publishing internal documents (some mundane, some embarrassing), and some people have been sneaking cameras into church to record Protest-imonies. Apparently Jeremy Runnells and Sam Young have had excommunication proceedings posted online as well. Is the LDS Church becoming even more […]
Please Give Me Advice for a Calling I Don’t Want
After a few pleasantries, including how busy my life is, here’s the gist of a conversation with a counselor in the bishopric. Counselor: Brother, the reason why you are here is that we have prayed on our knees, and the bishop feels inspired to call you to be the building coordinator. Now you don’t have […]
Things That Make You Go Hmmm…
Fair warning: this post is a downer. But first let me say how blessed I am. I was in a wreck last month and walked away with no injuries. Seat belts are awesome. I am grateful I wasn’t seriously injured. (My truck and laptop weren’t so lucky.) On the other hand, I’m sad. I just […]
Elder Oaks: Be One, Unless You’re Gay
I attended the “Be One” celebration last night at the Conference Center. It was truly an amazing service. I encourage you all to watch it. Gladys Knight, the Bonner Family, the Be One Choir, and all the performers were amazing. I got a little emotional as I listened to these wonderful black performers discuss the […]
A Couple of Interesting Sacrament Meetings
I’ve attended a couple of interesting Sacrament Meetings the past 2 weeks. In one, the bishop got up an asked a few rhetorical questions. “How would you react if the church suddenly asked for 20% tithing, rather than 10% tithing? What would be your reaction if the church suddenly said once/month home teaching isn’t good […]
Losing a Lost Tribe
The 2nd post ever on this blog was Why are the 12 Tribes of Israel important? I’ve seen some interesting documentaries, one from a Jewish-atheist journalist, Simcha Jacobovich asking Have the Lost 10 Tribes been found? (He thinks the answer is yes.) On the other hand, I just finished Simon Southerton’s book, Losing a Lost Tribe, and he […]
Mormon Heretic 