Daniel C. Peterson's Blog, page 1108

“State Department, governors guard for threat on July 4″

    Unfortunately, this is the world in which we now live:   http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/03/politic...   Be careful, be wary, but have a great Fourth of July weekend!   Posted from San Diego, California

President Boyd K. Packer dead at ninety

    Not altogether surprising, but, still, sad:   http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article...   This may also be of interest.   I’ll be posting some of my own memories and impressions of President Packer a bit later.  I had enormous respect for him, and I liked him very much.   His unique voice will be missed.   There are [Read More...]

“A Response to Denver Snuffer’s Essay on Plural Marriage, Adoption, and the Supposed Falling Away of the Church – Part 2: Facade or Reality?”

    It being Friday, Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture has published yet another essay for your edification and enjoyment:   http://www.mormoninterpreter.com/a-re...   And, as always, we provide it at no charge.   Posted from San Diego, California  

“Pointing a knife at the freedom of faith communities across Canada to hold and practise their beliefs”

    Canada doesn’t have a precise equivalent to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.   Still, this is a troubling decision, and one that indicates a highly possible trajectory for the United States a few short years from now:   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/n...   You think, since it’s from a foreign country, [Read More...]

“The Only Three Heavy Elements in the Universe that Aren’t Made in Stars”

    Our universe is, actually, quite a remarkable place.   And its “remarkableness” is apparent, if and when we think about it, even in very “ordinary” things.  As here:   http://www.forbes.com/sites/ethansieg...   Thinking about ordinary things in this way should increase our wonder and astonishment.   Posted from San Diego, California    

A very nice day in every regard (some of it confidential)

    We participated in a session at the San Diego Temple this afternoon with the friend who’s been down here with us.   Afterward, we dropped her off at the airport.   We next had a really good seafood dinner at Roy’s San Diego Waterfront restaurant, right on the marina.  Beautiful weather, too.     And [Read More...]

“How to Save the Mormon Sabbath”

    http://www.realclearreligion.org/arti...   I’m not particularly enthused with the idea of abolishing Sunday School.  I served for more than eight years on the Church’s Gospel Doctrine writing committee, generating curriculum material for the Sunday School.  I’ve spent much of my adult life teaching Sunday School, my absolute favorite among Church callings, and, in fact, [Read More...]

“The Supreme Court Ratifies a New Civic Religion that is Incompatible with Christianity”

    David French, an Evangelical Christian with a Harvard law degree, writes an insightful little essay here from which Latter-day Saints, too, can benefit:   http://www.nationalreview.com/article...   Posted from San Diego, California    

On judging people

    “We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.”  (John Wesley)   Posted from San Diego, California    

“Ending Tax Exemptions Means Ending Churches”

      http://thefederalist.com/2015/06/29/e...   Posted from Newport Beach, California