Daniel C. Peterson's Blog, page 1111

“The Audience”

    I’ve had some peak experiences with seeing plays of which I’d previously known essentially nothing.   I am, for example, an enthusiastic admirer of the playwright Michael Frayn.  His farcical comedy Noises Off, which I first saw at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, is, when performed with energy and good timing, [Read More...]

Attack and Defense: Jenkins/Hamblin Continues

    I’m not sure how long the exchange between Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Hamblin will continue, but more has now been posted.   First, there are three “rejoinders” from Professor Jenkins:   Jenkins Rejoinder 5: Persian Version   Jenkins Rejoinder 6: No ABMS   Jenkins Rejoinder 7: Where’s the Beef?   Then there are [Read More...]

“When you are about to find fault with someone . . . “

    “Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Two speeches in Las Vegas, 9-10 July

    It will soon be July, and, at that time of the year, my thoughts naturally turn to Las Vegas.   Where else would anybody want to be at this time of the year?   Anyhow, I’m going to be giving a couple of minor talks at FreedomFest, an annual event that I’ve really, [Read More...]

New Testament 184

    Luke 10:38-42 Compare John 11:1; 12:1-3   Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus, were friends of Jesus.  He apparently often stayed with them when he came to Jerusalem.   They lived in Bethany (Aramaic בית עניא, Beth anya; Greek Βηθανία), the traditional site of which is still known today, in Arabic, as al-Eizariyya (العيزرية), a name [Read More...]

“‘From Darkness unto Light’ takes a fresh look at recovery, publication of the Book of Mormon”

    Today’s installment of my weekly Deseret News column has now appeared:   http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86...    

“Jupiter’s movements made way for earth” (maybe)

    A new proposal for the early history of our Solar System that might account for some of its seeming peculiarities:   http://www.astrobio.net/news-exclusiv...    

“New ABC series features Mormon character wearing nothing but temple garments”

    Further evidence of Hollywood’s tender respect for the sensibilities of religious believers:   http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/tv/265647...   I’m trying to think of equivalent acts toward devout Jews or Muslims.   But there’s no real point:  You can be certain that Hollywood wouldn’t do anything equivalent.   Have you heard of the hit Broadway musical satire [Read More...]

Intelligent people have their uses.

    “There is usually only a limited amount of damage that can be done by dull or stupid people. For creating a truly monumental disaster, you need people with high IQs.” Thomas Sowell    

New Testament 183

    Luke 10:29-37   This is one of the most beloved and memorable of all of Christ’s parables.   My friend and former FARMS colleague Jack Welch offers a very interesting perspective on it here:   “The Good Samaritan: A Type and Shadow of the Plan of Salvation”   I discussed a fascinatingly different translation [Read More...]