Can anyone explain the following from Ensign, January 2009, p. 77:
To align itself with other Church entities, including the new Church History Library now under construction, the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City is now the Church History Museum.
And sure enough, it already is, on the Church’s website. How does building the Church History Library change the alignment of the Museum of Church History and Art? Are the galleries on the second floor now only displaying a reminiscence of the Church’s past? Is next year’s Eighth International Art Competition the last of those triennial exhibits? Is some other “Church entity” taking on art curation?
General
About a week ago, I started re-reading Bushman’s classic Joseph Smith biography “Rough Stone Rolling.” I figured this would be a great way to get some good background for the gospel doctine lessons we will be participating in this year as we study Church history and the Doctrine & Covenants.
Re-reading “Rough Stone Rolling” is a mind-blowing experience: there are things I want to blog about on virtually every page. So, I will probably be referring to the book a lot this year. But one subject needs to be addressed right away, it seems to me: the early Saints’ view of nationalism vis-a-vis the United States. As Bushman says: “The United States figured only as one of the unnamed nations that were to suffer in the last days.” (p. 191)
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General
I have never been big on New Years’ resolutions, but after reviewing 2008, I realize that I need to make some changes in my life. So, I am compiling a list of resolutions and invite the readers of M* to share your resolutions for 2009.
Here are just a few of my resolutions/goals for 2009:
- Revise my budget and stick to it (I hope my wife has a similar resolution
)
- 30 minutes of scripture study every day
- No more rolling over and going to sleep without praying with my wife
- Teach my son to ride his bike without training wheels
- Be more charitable to my fellow man
- Upgrade to WP 2.7
What are your resolutions/goals for 2009?
General
Recent attacks by Somali pirates have led to calls for the navies of the world to do more to neutralize the threat of piracy. Setting modern Jack Aubreys loose on the fiends is a capital idea, but the first thing needed is more Tom Lingards. Read more…
General
As you may know, the Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in Christmas. A JW co-worker and I once had a very pleasant discussion about how Christ was almost certainly not born in December. I believe he claimed the evidence indicates Christ was born in October, while I said it may have been in April.
So, this morning I got a visit from our local Jehovah’s Witnesses (I live right next door to a Kingdom Hall). It was 15 degrees out, so they were not doing the usual tracting. One guy came to the door and rang the doorbell and handed me a pamphlet. I did not catch all of his pitch, but he said something to the effect of “did you know that the world is ending, and we have a message for you?”
Read more…
General
Nicholas Kristof of the NY Times examines the evidence and determines it really is true that liberals give to the needy much less than conservatives. Sounds like a good reminder to our liberal friends for the holidays.
General
One of my biggest dislikes about December is the busyness of Christmas shopping, parties and the stress associated with year-end activities at work. Today, thankfully, I had the opportunity to take a break from the stress of Christmas and take a brief moment to remember the reason for the season.
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General
If you scroll down this page a bit, you’ll see a whimsical post about Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada. Timely given a rare snow in Las Vegas just a few days ago.
I moved to Colorado this summer after living in a tropical climate for 22 years. Yes, you read that right. Twenty-two years. And I am never going back to the tropics. I have sweated my last day in humid 92-degree weather. Give me snow, and snow and more snow. I guess I would never have made it as a Nephite or a Lamanite.
Read more…
General
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is attending the live presentation of the Nativity at my in-law’s parish.
I hope you enjoy this “live” blogging event.
Before the Nativity starts, the kids get to pet the animals in a gated area. My daughter loves the goats.
The presentation starts with the cantor singing “The First Noel” and the procession of Mary and Joseph to a makeshift manger.
And no Nativity would be complete without shephards and bleating goats. Oh, don’t let me forget the Llama! (It’s Arizona, afterall.)
The story of the Nativity is told, with a reminder that St. Francis of Asissi conducted the first re-enactment of the Nativity. Again, the cantor sings “Away in a Manger” and the priest reads from the Gospel of Luke.
The deacon then reminds the gathering of the simple nature of Jesus’ birth and a reminder how much He loved us to come down to die for us.
Just so you know, Mormons do not have a monopoly on good food at gatherings. After the Nativity, we have chili, hot dogs and hot chocolate in the parish hall.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions, or Nativity re-enactment stories?
General
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