Narrating Violence: Stories We Tell (and Don’t Tell)
While violence, such as that this weekend, is certainly senseless, we must try our best to explain it so that we can take a holistic approach to reducing violence and build durable peace.
Category: Climate & End Times
Unraveling Trust in the North American Church
Latter-day Saints enjoy high levels of social trust in their communities thanks to shared beliefs and values. This is a blessing, but it has made us vulnerable to bad actors who misrepresent their beliefs.
A Look at Pastoral Burnout
Most American faiths are facing a shortage of pastors due to burnout and the avoidance of ministry among young people. Are there lessons from the Latter-day Saint experience that can help our fellow Christian brothers and sisters?
Under the Banner of Old Tropes
With the upcomin FX/Hulu series portraying The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a dangerous breeding ground for violence, it’s valuable to reflect on the long history of similar efforts
A Contagion of Comfort and Security
As the “great machine of pleasure and happiness” of our modern society expands, so also does our dependence on this larger system. Does the innate “inquietude” and “unease” say something about the ongoing shrinkage of our own souls this entails?
The Middle Ground is Disappearing
As the doctrine of the “self-centered” West becomes increasingly distinct from the doctrines of the Restored Gospel, the faithful can no longer stay in a middle ground.
What’s the Point of a Prophet Who Already Agrees With You?
A new letter from the First Presidency has opened up many conversations about the reasons and universality of following prophetic counsel. But prophetic counsel is meaningful because it can stretch us in new and unexpected ways.
The Whole Earth Shall Be in Commotion
W.B. Yeats saw a time when the center wouldn’t be able to hold and the world would spiral out of control. What is our center? And if it’s failing what could the repercussions be?
Tales of the Texas Blackout
Messages of light emerging from darkness are so common as to be almost cliché. Until you experience it yourself. Like I did in an unusually cold, isolated Texas in February.
The Mark of the Beast is More Than a Punchline
If journalists had greater religious literacy, they could have predicted and addressed religious concerns that vaccine passports resembled the mark of the beast rather than resorting to ridicule.
Zero Population Growth Isn’t the Answer, My Friend
Zero population growth was the rave in the 1960s and 1970s. I almost got caught up in it myself. As I look at my family today, I thank God I didn’t. Surprisingly, it’s still a thing today.
Is the World Going to Burn Up?
More and more, people talking about climate change seem outright apocalyptic. But without the happy ending other End Timers are looking forward to.
