The American republic could die, just like Rome. Wavering for some time on the verge of becoming a complete oligarchy, America is on the verge of flipping from a democratic republic to a strongman or autocratic form of government, something that’s happened to dozens of democracies in the past few decades, but never before here. … Read more
I was in a social situation the other day with a group of people I mostly knew. One of the guests, whom I didn’t know, was wearing a T-shirt that had a picture of an American flag. Above the flag it said, “Welcome to America.” Below the flag it said,”NOW SPEAK ENGLISH.” This shirt offended … Read more
Nephi provides us with some good advice on how to read the scriptures. He recommends that we liken the people and events in the scriptures to our own lives and the events around us. … I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto … Read more
“Selling out” is a common idiomatic pejorative expression for the compromising of a person’s integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles in exchange for personal gain, such as money. Wikipedia An artist or musician who compromises his or her original artistic vision in order to produce more “commercial” work may be accused of “selling out.” A politician … Read more
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam … Read more
We in the United States like to think that we live in a representative democracy. We are attracted to Lincoln’s optimistic idea that America stands for “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” We have been taught that, despite the wrangling that occurs, our political processes eventually result in government policies … Read more
Recently in my Elder’s Quorum meeting, the Instructor asked us to look through 4 Nephi, Chapter 1. The chapter describes a society that, following Christ’s visit to the Americas, had 200 years of peace and prosperity. The Instructor asked us to point out the defining characteristics of that society. I immediately noticed verse three. And … Read more
The Latter-day Saints have a unique form of knowledge we call “testimony.” And a testimony, when expressed, is a particularly strong statement of belief. And yet, a testimony is expressed humbly, quietly, gratefully. It is not an expression of personal superiority. To an outsider, a Mormon testimony may appear to be a self-delusion or a … Read more