Why Modesty Still Matters
No, women aren’t responsible for men’s thoughts. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to lay aside all morality standards.
Recent
Read More
Are Demographics Destiny for Latter-day Saints?
Lutheran demographer Lyman Stone wrote for the Institute of Family Studies today a fascinating article about fertility rates between religious groups. His main takeaway is that the religious have much higher fertility rates: But in the back half of his article, he discusses if the fertility rate of different religious groups is high enough to maintain stability. While Stone lumps Latter-day Saints in with many other groups, so doesn’t dig into his numbers in this article, but his article suggests that if current trends remain, Latter-day Saints should expect to see decreases between 10%-40%.
Envy, The Wall Between Women
An undercurrent of envy can poison relationships, breed division, and chase away joy. Let’s overcome covetousness so we can find a life of abundance instead.
Are Publicized Abuse Cases Exceptional or Representative of Our Faith?
Responses to key questions regarding the Associated Press report alleging attempts to cover up sexual abuse cases in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Encanto, The Anti–Superhero Movie
Forget the god with a hammer. Remember the God on the Cross.
Amos C. Brown Fellowship Lifts Off
We wanted to draw your attention to some wonderful news out of the Church’s newsroom today: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/amos-c-brown-fellowship-ghana Part of the Church’s partnership with the NAACP included starting the Amos C. Brown Fellowship. This trip is intended to let students learn more about Ghanian culture. The NAACP and the Church started their relationship in 2018 when they held a joint news conference to call for racial harmony and the end of prejudice
Is Life Ruthlessly Determined or Full of Possibility?
When social scientists overstate the role of surrounding causes and conditions, they fundamentally misrepresent the nature of human experience—while undermining fundamental moral agency, accountability, and possibility itself.
New Yorker’s Odd Swipe at the Church
The New Yorker published a story last week about the authorship and provenance of the 1971 book Go Ask Alice. The book is presented as the diary of a teenage girl, but a new book suggests that it was composed by Beatrice Sparks, a woman who claimed to only have found the diary and edited it. The article is a fine read, asking interesting questions about the ethics of publication, and the difficulties of identifying authorship. But near the end of the article they include this line, “As a few ex-Mormons have pointed out, Sparks was not the first Mormon to publish a text ostensibly based on an original source that the rest of the world did not get to see.” The line takes a not-quite veiled swipe at the founding of the religion that Sparks was a member of. I can’t help but wonder if Sparks was a Catholic, would the author have been as comfortable opining, “Sparks is not the first Catholic to put out a book where the original sources aren’t available.” This kind of winking attack feels more fitting on the ex-Mormon Reddit than in a major publication like the New Yorker.
New Study Shows Family & Church Key to Economic Mobility
A recent study sought to examine the factors that corresponded to economic mobility, which they define as the likelihood that a child born in one economic class will change during their lifetime. The two largest effects might be of interest to Latter-day Saints. Family stability – Children who have two-parent households are the most likely to move, when other factors are accounted for. Friendships with individuals from other economic classes – While this does not directly call out church as a factor, the researchers found that extracurriculars aren’t as effective at cultivating these friendships as they are becoming increasingly segregated by class. But the researchers found that churches are successful at forming these kinds of friendships. Brad Wilcox of the Institute for Family Studies concludes that, “Cross-class relationships will not easily be forged by policies/institutions/etc. *unless* a common ethos/end/telos undergirds such friendships.”
The Strength of Moral Tension
Although tension is rarely comfortable to experience, the strain of holding onto conflicting ideals can make us strong.
Faith Matters Gathering in October
We wanted to draw your attention to a Faith Matters gathering that’s taking place October 7-8, 2022. The gathering will take place at the Salt Palace. Speakers will include professors like Terryl Givens and Patrick Mason. But also therapists, mindfulness teachers, performers, and other luminaries. You can sign up here: https://faithmatters.regfox.com/restore And you can use PUBLICSQUARE as a coupon code for 20% off.
Unity Under Siege
When you reflect on some of the basic underpinnings of unity, it’s alarming to see how effectively these foundations are being undermined all around us today.