Daniel C. Peterson's Blog, page 1199

Mosiah 26

    In this chapter, Mosiah 26, as I’ve argued at length elsewhere, we see the rise of a church, in the sense of a volitional or intentional sub-community within the larger Nephite society, in the Book of Mormon.  And it’s clear from Alma’s puzzlement, and the need for special revelation to get him out [Read More...]

Christmas Cheer 7

    Apparently, the world’s largest live nativity took place yesterday, at the opening of Rock Canyon, in Provo, Utah.  Enjoy the photographs:   http://ldsliving.com/story/77472-brea...    

Mosiah 24

    Today’s reading is Mosiah 24.   Perhaps the most important take-away from it is the lesson that the Lord doesn’t always immediately lift our burdens from us.  Often, though, as in this instance, he “eases” them for us — sometimes by increasing our capacity to bear them.   I’m reminded of psychiatrist Viktor [Read More...]

Pope Francis concludes his visit to Turkey

    During his three days in majority-Muslim Turkey, the Pope called upon Muslim leaders to condemn terrorism and spoke out against the persecution of Christians:   http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-...    

Christmas Cheer 4

    Nearly two weeks ago, I posted a link to a wonderful short video about the famous “Christmas Truce” of 1914 at Flanders Fields.  If you haven’t already seen it, please watch it now.  It’s only three minutes long:   http://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeter...   Even if you have seen it, you won’t be damaged much by [Read More...]

“The Blessings of a Mission Tour”

    I love to read the reflections of those who are serving the Lord full-time as missionaries.  Here’s a short piece from a friend in Samoa:   http://samoamission.blogspot.com/2014...    

A need for God

    “It seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and not just how. The only possible answers are religious. . . . I find a need for God in the universe and in my own life.” Arthur L. Schawlow (d. 1999), Stanford University, [Read More...]

Beautiful aerial footage of the temples in Utah

    Four fine minutes for a Sabbath:   http://www.ldsliving.com/story/77449-...    

Music of Christmas 3

    I’ve always loved Gustav Holst’s beautiful setting of Christina Rossetti’s “In the Bleak Midwinter.”  Listen, here, to choir and congregation sharing the wonder of the piece and its message:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobr...    

The real spirit of Christmas

    Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge