Some non-LDS friends invite you over for dinner on Sunday. Gospel conversation is unlikely. Do you go? Why or why not? If not, how do you respond?
How, if at all, is it different than inviting or being invited on Sunday to dine with LDS friends?
Can I Get an Amen?!
Sometimes I feel that LDS sermons book reports Sacrament Meeting talks come a little short, whether in enthusiasm or mental stimulation or whatnot. But I guess it all depends on what you’re comparing it to.
Saints and Soldiers on Hulu
Among the LDS films worth watching is 2003’s Saints and Soldiers. I’m sure it’s been discussed around the Naccle several times, so google if you’re interested. I liked the film. And now you can watch it for free, from Hulu.com. Direct link
Take your tithing and have a kegger, thus saith the Lord?!
In spite of the prophetic statement in D&C 89 that the Word of Wisdom was given because of conditions particular to our own time, many LDS read it back into the scriptures in one form or another. “Wine,” for example, only means “grape juice” or some such. I view these historically inaccurate statements as attempts to legitimate or rationalize the Word of Wisdom. For myself, I keep the Word of Wisdom because I believe that it is God’s will for me, and I have covenanted to keep it. (Sidenote: Interesting paper on the authority of doctrine.) Historically speaking, however, several things are fairly undisputable regardint the use of alcohol in the Old Testament. Continue reading “Take your tithing and have a kegger, thus saith the Lord?!”
A Brief Apologia for Going to Teach in the Religious Education Department at BYU
A commenter on another post said “To think that a couple years ago I envisioned myself wanting to work in the BYU Religious Department. For some reason however, I see myself more and more hoping to never do so. Hopefully smb is right and this will pass with the next generation.” I’m not picking on him, it’s a common enough sentiment, but he reminded me of this. Continue reading “A Brief Apologia for Going to Teach in the Religious Education Department at BYU”
More Resources!
A few more useful things for Bible and ANE study have appeared up recently, and are worthy of notice. Continue reading “More Resources!”
Scattered thoughts on CES, nuance, gray areas, and teaching Institute
This post is a response of sorts to posts and comments here, here, and here.
Since much of this is anecdotal and based on my own experiences, I need to explain what those experiences are. I grew up outside Utah, attended early-morning seminary, and then Institute, but only during my freshman year (not at BYU.) I’m currently a Bible-oriented graduate student and a volunteer Institute teacher with several years of varied teaching experience. The students I’ve had are probably atypical in that they have always been college students or graduate students (mostly the latter) and returned missionaries (very often). Continue reading “Scattered thoughts on CES, nuance, gray areas, and teaching Institute”
Priesthood, Temple, and Semantics
Most people know that in our current arrangement, young men tend to receive the priesthood at age 12, when they are ordained to the office of Deacon in the Aaronic priesthood. This has been the case only since the 1880’s or so, according to this fascinating Journal of Mormon History article. (That page it opens to isn’t blank. You just have to scroll to see the text.) Continue reading “Priesthood, Temple, and Semantics”
Armaund Mauss Interview
No, not here. Over here. Good stuff, go read it. (T&S had a similar interview in 2004, part one, part two.)
“For Mormons, living in a certain way is more important than believing in a certain way. We can infer much more about what or who a person is from what he does than from what he believes (or claims to believe) ”
“Speaking differently to different audiences does not necessarily imply contradiction. We do it all the time. When we talk among our friends about what goes on in our families, we are not likely to provide the same details or explanations as if we were talking within the intimacy of the family circle.”
“It seems that for mainline Catholics and Protestants, all extra-biblical ideas are forgivable as long as they embrace a Trinitarian deity, but Mormons can’t be permitted their extra-biblical ideas and still be part of the Christian ‘family.'”
“Sociologists who have studied NRMs and their critics have long since realized that apostates are among the least reliable sources of information and understanding about a religion, since they always write in an exposé mode to vindicate their own change of feelings.”
Some Notes on Reading Hebrew (and Greek)
I taught Old Testament in Institute last semester, but we only did Genesis. I’ll try to post some thoughts on that at a later time. We’re continuing with the OT, and adding something new and spicy; students who come 30 minutes early will also be learning some Biblical Hebrew. Continue reading “Some Notes on Reading Hebrew (and Greek)”