Tributes

The Gentle Power of Dave Joseph, Dialogue Legend

A tribute to a friend, teacher, and mentor to many young dialogue practitioners—including myself. Dave passed away October 25, 2021, and was memorialized this last weekend in Rhode Island.

Dialogue

A Call For Countercultural Christianity

In an age where Christians (and everyone else) tend to flow with the cultural current, the remarks of President Dallin H. Oaks on Friday at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville were striking in their departure from popular rhetorical trends.

Sexuality & Family

Pornography: An Aphrodisiac or Cold Shower?

A new study questions whether or not consensual use of pornography among partners can improve intimacy or the quality of the couple’s sex life.

Ben Pacini on the Politicization of History
Radical Civility

The Politicization of History

I discuss the politicization of history and how it applies in education with a couple of history educators. We also consider Christopher Columbus with historical empathy.

Identity

Exclude Not Thyself

In an effort to show compassion to our LGBT+ brothers and sisters, we should resist the urge to enable them in excluding themselves from the Plan of Salvation.

Faith

Visualizing Heavenly Mother

The “Certain Women” exhibit in Salt Lake reveals how Latter-day Saint women perceive the divine, including the unique doctrine of Heavenly Mother.

Illustration of Desks in School | Individual Thinking, Conformity, & Democracy in Education | Public Square Magazine | School Conformity in Education | Independence Thinking in Age of Conformity
Education

Independent Thinking, Conformity, and Democracy in Education

It’s a good thing to aspire for truth and “correct” thinking. But when the immediate aim of education is to ensure students think in the right way, it’s far too easy to begin infringing on the democratic ideals that make true education joyful and life-changing.