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Previous Posts
The meanings of Zion
This is the third post on Richard L. Bushman's Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2008). [See Part 1 and Part 2.] In Chapter Three, Bushman reviews the several meanings of the term "Zion" in LDS doctrine and thinking.
The Mormon sense of Zion has no real parallels in Protestant though
posted 11:00:37pm Jul. 29, 2009 |
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A statistical portrait of Mormons
The Pew Forum recently issued a detailed summary of survey information about Mormons gathered as part of a much larger survey of religious life in the United States. It is a very readable summary, noting that Mormons comprise 1.7% of adults in the US; 35% of Mormon adults live in Utah and 13% live i
posted 12:33:08pm Jul. 29, 2009 |
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July 24th: Pioneer Day in Utah
July 24th is a state holiday in Utah, designated Pioneer Day. It commemorates the entry of the first wagon train of Mormons into the Salt Lake Valley in the summer of 1847. They came down Emigration Canyon, somewhat north of the present I-80 corridor which comes down Parley's Canyon. Brigham Young w
posted 5:38:50pm Jul. 23, 2009 |
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Finding heretics in strange places
A very interesting post at Mormon Matters, reviewing a 1989 book titled "Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up?" The book was written by an attorney who grew up a Jehovah's Witness, then became an Evangelical Christian. That lasted until he conducted a thorough reading the original writings of the
posted 6:27:09pm Jul. 22, 2009 |
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Reason and revelation in Mormonism
This is a second piece on Bushman's Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2008). [See Part 1.] Every faith and denomination has an approach for balancing faith and reason. In Chapter Two of the book, Bushman briefly outlines the LDS approach.
The context, of course, is how a faith or den
posted 12:46:47am Jul. 17, 2009 |
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posted February 14, 2009 at 9:41 am
Wow…clever, funny (I think), and sad all at the same time.
the parallel is perfect, in my book….except that there really is no other to take HIS place….but then I’m still a couple.
posted February 14, 2009 at 11:42 am
I’m glad you liked the essay. If I had to pick my favorite section, it would be this:
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Other times I miss him so much my chest hurts. It had been love, after all. Not puppy love, but passionate life-changing love. Late night prayers, sharing every thought, every feeling. Trusting him with my life. For over ten years nothing, nothing at all, was more important to me. Now that it’s ended, the void feels nearly as encompassing as the presence once had.
posted February 15, 2009 at 1:15 am
Reminds me of this essay:
http://latterdaymainstreet.com/?p=116
posted February 15, 2009 at 11:17 am
Some days I curse you a blue streak, using your name in the most vile ways. But then, one never does that with those who don’t count; only the closest ones get the Full Monty.
Most of the time there is that strange remembrance like an adult has reflecting through his child’s eyes on Santa Claus, before an older brother took the charm away with a smirk that covered his own disillusionment. I guess that is growing up, to have one’s fond associations and memories torn away. Still, there are moments when the intimacy, even if it is a false one, rises up familiar, radiant and warm, as sun kissing the frozen garden where roses and tulips will soon be drawn forth.
While I miss that, and oh so very dearly. There is no return when the awakened mind as Adam after tasting the fruit of rational thought sees with his new found faculty. And so with deeply planted memories that can be stirred by beauty’s surface to be drawn into the sacred depths, I am drawn beneath the surfaces, be they named Buddha, or Jesus, or Mohammad, or Brahma, or ________. My rational mind can fade or be stricken dumb by the ineffable, be drawn through any gate or symbol to the centre.
And yet, one’s first love will always hold a special place, even when the magic of that talisman is spent, but for heart’s reminders in the warming days of early spring revisited.
posted February 16, 2009 at 2:03 am
Thank you for sharing this as I can completely relate.
I kind of feel like I’m going through a divorce with the church and my faith in Christ and deciding if I can forgive my ex even though I feel completely betrayed (by Prop8, by leaders, by people, and by church history). Some days I choose not to think about, some days I read everything I can, some days I miss the wackiness, some days I get angry, some days I go, and some days I am perfectly happy distancing myself.
So my faith is a big complicated mess actually that I don’t share with most people. But I still feel inclined to visit and make the all too classic Mormon small-talk steering away from all issues I have.