Daniel C. Peterson's Blog, page 1106

New Testament 196

    Luke 12:2-9 Compare Matthew 10:26-33; Mark 4:22; 8:38; Luke 8:17; 9:26   The world in which we now live is, all too often, one of intrigue, backstabbing, covert gossip, secret cattiness, plotting, stealthy slander, and, yes, these days, anonymous online malice.   This world, however, is not forever.  Such things will eventually be [Read More...]

“How Islamist Extremists Warp the Fatwa”

    A nice statement on the Islamic idea of the fatwa, typically misunderstood in the West, by the grand mufti of Egypt — in other words, by that nation’s chief issuer of fatwas.   http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1262903...   Many years ago, I wrote the (very brief) article on fatwa for an encyclopedia of Islam.  I can’t [Read More...]

“Lost Boys: Moms of Radicalized Western Jihadists Form a Support Group”

    “All happy families,” Leo Tolstoy wrote, “are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”     Put yourself in the position of these mothers.  Can there be a greater parental unhappiness in this life?  If so, it’s hard to imagine:   http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/07/...   Posted from Carlsbad, California    

“Can light orbit massive objects?”

    http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/...   Posted from Carlsbad, California    

The Tabernacle Choir’s Current East Coast Tour

    Were you aware that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is out on tour?  Here are some articles about how it’s going:   Mormon Tabernacle Choir Draws Large Crowds During East Coast Tour   Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings at Yankee Stadium on East Coast Tour   Mormon Tabernacle Choir Performs Fourth of July Concert at [Read More...]

Family

    “A happy family is but an earlier heaven.”  (John Bowring, d. 1872)   I was able to join in the blessing of my nephew’s new baby girl Emma today, in the Santa Gertrudes Ward in Whittier.  Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch and good conversation with him, his wife, my sister-in-law, and others at his [Read More...]

“5 Reasons Why Mormons Are Happier”

    Social science survey data indicates that they are.   But why?   http://janariess.religionnews.com/201...   Posted from San Diego, California  

Personal Encounters with Elder Packer (Part 3)

    Despite the almost instant phone call that I mentioned in my previous installment, that episode didn’t begin a period of constant interaction with Elder Packer.   So this next encounter was quite discrete and unexpected.   First, you need to understand that I’m a living, walking, breathing violation of Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 [Read More...]

“The science of sleeping in, and why you probably shouldn’t”

    http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/s...   Posted from San Diego, California    

New Testament 195

    Luke 12:1 Compare Matthew 16:5-6; Mark 8:14-15   “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”   Just a little bit of leaven affects the entire loaf.  So, too, just a tiny trace of obvious hypocrisy taints a person’s reputation, authority, and moral stature.   Posted from San Diego, California   [Read More...]