I wish I could take credit for finding this, but the credit goes to Clean Cut. My favorite part is Tom’s reaction to the question, “100% Home Teaching: is it possible?”
The Passing of Richard Van Wagoner
This is a sad day for Mormon History buffs. I have just learned that Richard Van Wagoner passed away on Saturday. He has written several book on Mormon History. I blogged about his Sidney Rigdon book, and he recently completed The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young. Here is a list of some of his books. I’ll try to add more information as it becomes available.
I just spoke with Tom Kimball of Signature Books. Tom knew Richard very well since Richard had published several books through Signature. I understand Richard’s funeral on Saturday in Lehi, Utah. Tom expects Richard’s obituary will be available in the Salt Lake area newspapers in the next few days.
Fundamentalist Mormonism: More Diverse Than you Thought
Anne Wilde wrote the chapter on Fundamentalist Mormonism in Hamer/Bringhurst’s book Scattering of the Saints. I’ve always viewed Fundamentalist Mormons like an embarrassing relative, and I haven’t really wanted to learn much about them. However, Anne’s chapter was incredibly interesting, and I learned that Fundamentalist Mormonism is much more diverse than I realized.
Wheat and Tares
Wow. I’ve been blogging for nearly 3 years now, and last week was the most eventful week I have ever experienced. Some of you know about it, but some of you don’t. Two big things happened last week: (1) I was an unwilling participant in a Bloggernacle scandal, and (2) tomorrow is the official launch of a new blog called Wheat and Tares (though you can already see it today).
Coke, Rum Cake, and President McKay
I just started reading Greg Prince’s book, David O McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. It’s been a great read so far. Prince tells some interesting stories about President McKay and the Word of Wisdom.
What Do You Think of a Mosque at Ground Zero?
I was driving to work this morning and saw a billboard titled “Remember 9/11” with an image of the collapsed World Trade Center. In smaller print on the right, it said “”Stand up and be heard. No mosque at ground zero.” You can see the sign on a video at this website.
History of the Bickertonites
The Church of Jesus Christ (based in Monongahela, Pennsylvania) traces its roots to Joseph Smith. I previously discussed its most famous former member, rock star Alice Cooper. I thought I could give a bit more history of this church and discuss basic beliefs. Larry Watson wrote a chapter in John Hamer and Newell Bringhurst’s book Scattering of the Saints.
An Introduction to Shismatic Groups within Mormonism
John Hamer and Newell Bringhurst compiled many essays highlighting major Mormon schismatic groups that trace their founding to Joseph Smith in their book titled Scattering of the Saints. The book is a great read. It goes into quite a bit of detail of the major groups, but if you want a more comprehensive listing of Mormon Groups, Stephen Shields has a book listing approximately 400 schismatic group in his book Divergent Paths of the Restoration.
Helvecio Martins: First Black General Authority
Mark L Grover gave a fascinating biography on Helvecio Martins, the first black general authority in the LDS church in the latest issue of the Journal of Mormon History (Summer 2010.) Elder Martins was ordained to the Second Quorum of Seventy in 1990 under President Ezra Taft Benson. In 1995 he was released, and he passed away in 2005
Martins joined the LDS church in 1972 with his wife Ruda and son Marcus. Grover describes in detail race relations in Brazil. From page 36, Continue Reading »
Did Peter Get Demoted? Was James the Real Leader of Early Christianity?
I just finished the book Saint Peter: A Biography by Michael Grant. I think it is misnamed. I don’t feel like I know Peter any better, but it is a good book for learning about early Christianity. The author describes how tough it is to really understand Peter both at the beginning, as well as the end. From the Epilogue, pages 175-6,
Mormon Heretic 