• The Lesser of Two Evils is… Evil

    by  • September 26, 2016 • 0 Comments

    It is a simple mathematical and logical proof that the lesser of two evils is still evil. If this seems doubtful to you, consider this illustration of the concept from the movie “Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World”, where the lesser of two weevils is, most obviously, still a weevil. One...

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    Merry CHRISTmas

    by  • November 30, 2015 • 0 Comments

    At this Christmas time the words of Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, are particularly moving and heartfelt. As recorded in the Gospel of John she said, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:24–27) His coming is the lynch pin, the crux,...

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    But the Sparrow Still Falls

    by  • April 20, 2015 • 0 Comments

    Tragedies abound. The inhumanity of men and women is broadcast continuously on the television, radio, and internet. Wars and rumors of wars (Mormon 8:30-31; D&C 45:26-27) are heard. Torture. Brutality. Violence. Horror. Pestilence. Famine. Sickness. Death. Where in all this unspeakable suffering is the presence of God? Where is any semblance of fair play...

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    The Gospel of Hope

    by  • January 27, 2014 • 0 Comments

    The classic question, and favorite of armchair psychologists everywhere; “Is the glass half full or half empty?” The correct answer is supposed to yield insight into one’s outlook on life, one’s personality, one’s soul. The true answer is neither, none of the above. The glass is always, and precisely, 100% full. Half fluid, and...

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    Walk in Faith, Be Believing, and Question Everything

    by  • December 9, 2013 • 0 Comments

    We walk through life by faith (2 Cor 5:7), seeing the truths of eternity only darkly (1 Cor 13:12-13). We are a people of faith. We are a people of questions. Any latter-day Christians without questions are not taking their religion seriously, thinking about it, or studying it as they ought. Questions are to...

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    Thee, Thou, and Thine – Jacobean English

    by  • November 25, 2013 • 0 Comments

    Why do we use the words thee, thou, and thine in religious worship and biblical studies? Common responses to this question range from their usage conveying respect, to the practice being an archaic remnant of speech used back in the day of the King James / Authorized Version’s translation. Unfortunately, these ideas are both...

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    The Constitution of the United States

    by  • October 14, 2013 • 0 Comments

    As Latter-day Christians, we believe the constitution of the United States was established by The Lord (D&C 101:77, 80). This does not, however, mean the constitution contains a fullness of the Lord’s views on government. While we believe the constitution was an inspired document, we also believe in continuing revelation. The heavens are not...

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    Laman and Lemuel Syndrome

    by  • September 30, 2013 • 0 Comments

    We all pontificate on the merits of Nephi’s actions and the skullduggery of his vile and lesser older brothers. Nephi was undoubtedly a great guy; he saw God (1 Nephi 11:27-33; 12:6; 2 Nephi 11:2-3; 31:17), spoke with the Lord (1 Nephi 2:19), ogled the mother of Christ (1 Nephi 11:14-15), and was not...

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    The Sabbath Yardstick

    by  • July 1, 2013 • 0 Comments

    We are commanded to remember the Sabbath day. The whole day, not just the Sabbath meeting. The Sabbath entails much more than just a few hours on Sunday. It is a day long event. How we observe and sanctify the Sabbath is a sign between the Lord and us of our sanctification by Him....

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    Messengers of Peace

    by  • June 17, 2013 • 0 Comments

    The Boy Scout program is promoting a new “Messengers of Peace” initiative consisting of three dimensions of peace: personal (harmony, justice, and equality), community (opposition to violence or hostility), and peace between man and its environment (social and economic welfare, relationship with the environment). Consider these three aspects of peace. In today’s world of...

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    West of Eden

    by  • June 10, 2013 • 0 Comments

    A sense of direction can be quite handy. It can keep you out of trouble in the mountains; it can prevent you from becoming lost, and it can help you return home safely. Direction can be determined by reference to the sun, moon, or stars. A lodestone, sunstone, or compass, have been historically used...

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    The Names of God – I AM

    by  • May 27, 2013 • 0 Comments

    In Exodus 3:13-15 Moses asks The Lord / Yehovah what he should tell the sons, or children, of Israel when they ask him what the name of God is. There is great importance paid here, and elsewhere in the scriptures, to the names of God. In Ezekiel 39:7 we are told, “I make...

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