So says a court in Arkansas. I know lawyers are necessary, but since when do they believe they can determine the answer to longstanding theological, historical, and sociological questions? Oh well… I guess the next time someone asks if Mormonism is Protestant you can cite actual legal precedent when saying…
LDS Temple Rejects (TW continues…)
On the morning of the wedding, we determined to sleep in a little bit. We were planning to meet April and Susan at the Hobbs’ house, and we wanted to wait until we were sure that Brother and Sister Hobbs were gone to avoid crossing them and dealing with whatever…
How are the Mormons like the Jews?
It seems like whenever we talk about Mormons as a people and a culture, the first discussion point is always “How are we like/unlike the Jews?” It’s very natural for Mormons to see the parallel with this fellow tribe. It just hit me recently, though, that this connection might not…
The Dreadful Dinner (TW continues…)
When we got to Rex’s parents’ house, the three boys immediately rushed upstairs to put their backpacks in Jared’s room. Rex’s mother met us in the entryway and took my jacket. “Hello, Lynn,” she said, “It’s nice to see you again.” Then she yelled up the staircase, “You boys come…
We All Could Kill Children But What About God?
On the occasion of Ronan’s remembrance of the Coventry bombing, I am exploring theodicy with Jon and Right Trousers. I would agree with Right Trousers that the choices of the survivors can give meaning to the suffering of the victims. At least, we are taking responsibility for our actions. But…
Estimating the cost of bad investments, or how much did the Church lose on you?
The NYTimes recently mentioned the Fermi game of figuring “ballpark” estimates of real-world numbers for questions you, at first glance, think of as un-estimatable – for example, how many piano tuners are there in Chicago? Though I am generally bad at math (and shun it), I like this game, and…
Don’t Lie to Letterman, McCain
From Andrew: “You may get away with lying to the rest of us, but this man is powerful enough to expose you – and ridicule you. Here’s another surreal moment in a campaign where pop cultural figures are standing up to raw lies and power as effectively as the MSM….
One Man Against the Machine
If only one gay Mormon child hears him then it will have been worth it. No More Goodbyes!
Remembering a Convert
As a child, I admired Brother B. He was a member of our ward. Back then Brother B. must have been in his fifties. He was naturally self-confident and projected authority in an understated sort of way. Late in life, Brother B. had switched careers to become a natural healer….