Bites of the Best Books: December 2020
This month, passages on the dangers of political power for the religious, the problem of idealizing the
past, the need for deep souls, and the instructive power of pain.
Recent
Why You (Too) Should Listen Deeply to Those Driving You Nuts
After another contentious Presidential election, Americans are feeling unsettled and angry. If you’re looking for a way to opt out of the rancor this holiday season, Tracy Hollister has some advice.
The 2020 Vision of Joseph Smith and George Orwell
True, people can be self-interested, calculating, megalomaniacal, partisan, and power-hungry. But God sees the whole person—and so should we.
Reckoning with the Generational Estrangement of the Covid age
Covid is setting generations against each other. But it doesn’t have to. Latter-day Saint practices have helped prevent much of the present generational angst.
Why I Believe America is Exceptional
“Exceptionalism” in reference to America has become, in many circles, a dirty word. This is a fresh look at why it shouldn’t be.
Seven Ways Latter-day Saint Teaching about Sexuality Have Been Misrepresented
Much has been written in recent years about what “Latter-day Saints believe” about LGBT issues – only a fraction of which accurately represents our true convictions. Tragically, even today, many are only familiar with these widespread distortions.
Why Gratitude is Absolutely the Right Choice Right Now
The benefits of gratitude is so robust there is nearly nothing you could do to encourage more widespread happiness and relieve more suffering than encouraging the daily recounting of gratitude.
Latter-day Saint Radical Orthodoxy: a Manifesto
Many young believers feel the only options they have are to be rigidly dogmatic to the point of being fundamentalist or to reject the Church’s teachings in favor of progressive political doctrines and intellectualism. This statement encourages intellectual engagement with the Church of Jesus Christ in ways that are faithful and flexible instead of either rigidly dogmatic or heretical and doubting.
What was Really the Choice in the 2020 Election?
Partisans on both sides were seized upon by the urgency of picking their candidate for President—with everyone else encouraged to join the fray. Is that really the most important choice we just faced?
The Grinch Who (Almost) Stole Thanksgiving
How to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is a challenging question for many American families. Whatever the details of the decision, let’s hold on to the transcendent spirit of the holiday.
For Mature Audiences Only: Relabeling Crass Media
When movies include explicit scenes of violence, sexual activity, drug and alcohol use, or rampant profanity, it’s become common to label them as “adult” or “mature.” Why?