When I recently asked someone why she voted for Trump, she said “Trump will fix it.” I don’t think she realized that she was quoting, verbatim, a slogan from the Trump propaganda machine. On election night this meaningless, but appealing, slogan was actually printed on the front of the podium as he spoke. Thus we … Read more
For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. – Doctrine and Covenants 45:57 Learning to recognize and use reliable … Read more
The accounts in Alma 30–31 clearly demonstrate the power of words—for evil and for good. The “flattering” and “great swelling words” of a false teacher named Korihor threatened to bring “many souls down to destruction” (Alma 30:31, 47). – “The Virtue of the Word of God,” Come, Follow Me, Book of Mormon 2024, July 15-21. The … Read more
I want you to do a brief thought exercise. It consists of three questions. The purpose of a thought exercise is to help you see something that may be familiar from a different perspective. The three questions are about your beliefs – your personal convictions. For the purposes of this exercise, let’s include ALL types … Read more
One of the Book of Mormon’s many cautionary tales for our day is contained in Alma chapter 1. This chapter tells the story of the demagogue Nehor. Nehor went about preaching that every priest and teacher should become popular and be supported financially by the people. Nehor quickly became very popular because he taught that … Read more
The culture war is not fundamentally between left and right, liberal and conservative, progressive and reactionary, tolerant and intolerant.Fundamentally it has nothing to do with ideals, values or visions of the future. It’s a fight between decent people and sociopaths. Jeremy Sherman I have been perplexed for years how supposedly decent, good-hearted, moral, people – … Read more
An essential component of populist rhetoric is telling the people what they want to hear. Many politicians throughout history have attracted mass followings by simply reinforcing people’s selfish beliefs and prejudices – including their misconceptions. Donald J. Trump, along with his supportive right-wing media, is a master at this type of manipulation. Creating an enemy … Read more
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, … Read more