Folks, I’m very sorry to have taken off an entire month from my usual Internet activities. First I was in Paris — which sounds more exciting than it was — I was hanging out with my kids in the ‘burbs while my husband was running a Math conference. Then for the past week I’ve been volunteering at Camp Quest Switzerland (maybe you can find me on the team page if you look closely). There I had no Internet at all except for occasionally reading my email on my phone.
Starting this week, everything will be back to normal — I’ll go back to updating the sidebar widgets and Outer Blogness and the Mormon Alumni Association Books page. But for the moment, you’ll have to bear with me as I ease back into this week’s posts! And a big thanks to my cousin Aerin for keeping the place warm for me!
Many other people attended the Sunstone Symposium this past week. (I wish I could have been there, but one can only do so many things…)
In church fun, the person with Mormon in-laws has really gone to town this past week. Plus, we have a new hymn parody, new meanings of BOM, a possible new help-meet for the prophet, an awesome T-shirt, and the amazing things you can learn in Relief Society!!
In less-joking church-watch, we have an analysis of tithing doctrines, how continuing revelation ironically prevents updating policies, how the CoJCoL-dS could repent, Mormonism and obedience, and those pesky fossils! Plus, BYU gets a surprisingly high academic ranking for a school that expels students (and withholds their transcripts!) for changing religion. And, to be fair, some fun poked at Internet Mormons as well, including why they need to keep us apostates at bay.
In life journeys, we have tips for faith transitions, an interesting personal anecdote about learning to shun homosexually-headed families, what atheists believe in, some analysis of sticking with Mormonism even if you don’t believe the truth claims, and remembering a brother.
This week’s Godless Doctrine lesson covers one of the most famously crazy tales of the Old Testament (and that’s saying something). Not that the Book of Mormon is any more reasonable.
In random life stuff, it looks like Knotty is moving to Germany!! Very cool — I look forward to meeting her soon. Also, is it OK to divorce if you don’t hate your spouse?
And lastly, an interesting piece on Antartic ice.
Please enjoy these articles, and thanks for your patience during my vacations! 😀
Always happy to help, hope you had a good vacation! Everyone needs a break every once in awhile….