Accounting for the past week
Please note that this trip to Newport Beach and environs was entirely at our initiative. No tithe payers were harmed in the production of this vacation.
Don’t I already have trouble enough?
Of the policy of priesthood exclusion, David O. McKay wrote, “I’ve inquired of the Lord repeatedly. The last time I did it was late last night. I was told, with no discussion, not to bring the subject up with the Lord again; that the time will come....”
Brother Brigham
Despite their many disagreements, Brigham Young once made about Elder Orson Pratt: “If Brother Orson were chopped up in inch pieces, each piece would cry out Mormonism was true.”
Profanity and the so-called 'culture war'
"More culture war nonsense," wrote of friend of mine recently as a comment to a post I placed on Facebook.
"If your ears burn when you hear swear words, change the channel. No one is forcing you to watch."
Hurrah for Excommunication!
The Kingdom of God isn’t an open-ended debating society in which every doctrine is up for grabs, every commandment subject to focus groups and polling and negotiation, every policy a matter to be worked out by means of street demonstrations and town hall meetings.
On evaluating possibly jarring information
There are four books that I recommend as a kind of “basic packet” for people struggling with their testimonies, and I’ve explained that I think it important to preemptively strengthen faith as well as to fend off attacks, criticisms, or doubts.
The Jews of Greco-Roman Egypt and the Transmission of the Book of Abraham
"When it comes to explaining how an ancient copy of the Book of Abraham could have been transmitted into Egypt, we can, with a fair amount of confidence, position ourselves atop this evidence as a solid starting place to launch future investigations."
On Sexual Orientation, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Youth Suicide in Utah
According to a study, "LGBQ Latter-day Saints were lower in their suicidality and/or depression than LGBQ individuals of any other religion or no religion."
A River Ran Over Her
A genetic propensity runs in certain members of the family. We are deeply saddened, but we’re also happy at her deliverance and that she has, as we firmly believe, been welcomed by loved ones who went before.
Swimming In A Straight Line
Swimming in a straight line is easy when we’re just practicing in the pool. But when race day comes and that line is gone, we may have to stop and adjust every now and then to make sure we're still on course.
On booking the clown show
I'm frequently asked to speak to groups. I come fairly cheap, but I play hard to get.
Who is most blessed?
Do not regard afflictions as judgments of God, but look upon them as giving you an opportunity to develop your own nobility of character.