an online journal of religion and politics
Title: Moth and Rust: Mormon Encounters with Death, Edited by: Stephen Carter, Published: Signature books, 2017, Pages: 257 Genre: Narrative Non (mostly!) Fiction ISBN: 978-1-56085-265-0 Price: 23.95 When Devery Anderson at Signature Books contacted me and asked me if I would like a review copy of “Moth and Rust: Mormon Encounters with Death,” he did not […]
One of my favorite scriptural phrases comes from Philippians 2:12, where Paul counsels the saints to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” For me, Paul’s counsel provides one of the most fundamental reasons not to judge others: we have our own problems to worry about. In my previous post, I referenced a […]
April 19, 2015, marks exactly 30 years since Bruce R. McConkie, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died. I realize that he said some pretty controversial stuff. I know that he insulted people who believe in evolution, I know that he compared people who leave […]
In my previous post, I began a conversation about Mormon pride. I would like to continue from a different angle. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was born into persecution. From the moment its founder Joseph Smith, Jr. claimed to have received a vision from God, a wall of persecution stood in his […]
The Thieves of Summer by Linda Sillitoe and Cynthia Sillitoe Published by Signature Books, 2014 218 pages, Paper binding ISBN: 978-1-56085-227-8, Price: $21.95 On April 7, 2010, Linda Sillitoe, one of the great voices of Utah and Mormonism, passed on to the next world. Sillitoe was a poet, an author, a journalist, and a renowned […]
David Hayward at nakedpastor.com wrote a short blog post a few weeks ago that hit home. I have read several things Hayward has written. He provides a wonderful religious perspective on a host of issues, and I think we could all learn something from him, regardless of our spirituality or religious affiliation. As a member […]
I think about a lot of weird things. When I was younger, I actually kept a list, which I kept adding to, of different “theories.” They were not conspiracy theories but simple questions regarding things real and fictional. Sadly, I cannot remember most of them; although, I do remember that at least one of them […]
When one stake president takes a temple recommend from a member of the church for the same thing that another stake president finds no problem with, it begs the question, “Who is really in charge?” But it’s not just stake presidents; many bishops have gone one way or the other, too. For the last several […]
It has been a rough week for many church members in the Mormon community. Even attempts to control my passion when posting links to articles seem to have failed. One person called me anti-Mormon. I have never once spewed hate toward the Church that I love. I have never uttered a single anti-Mormon sentiment. […]
I can’t help it. I cannot keep quiet. But I should preface this post with something reaffirming in an attempt to protect myself from some kind of backlash. I have a solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which fullness I believe one finds in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I […]
I am an emotional person. In fact, I sometimes allow my emotions to control me, and that often leads me in the wrong direction, leaving me with regrets great and small. One emotion I keep to myself in most company (close family the only exceptions) is sadness. While I cry, and I have cried often, […]
The Jesus Christ that I read about in the scriptures always taught a doctrine of inclusion. Here are some of the things that He said or that were said about Him: Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. – Matt 19:14 Thou shalt […]
