The “tumult of opinions”

In the year 1820, the area around Manchester, New York was caught up in “an unusual excitement on the subject of religion.” Joseph Smith noted that it “created no small stir and division amongst the people.” He further noted that: Notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time … Read more

Deceiving the Saints

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Colossians 2:4 Beguile (verb) – HOODWINK: To lead by deception Merriam-Webster Dictionary The apostle Paul warned the members of the church against people who would try to deceive them. His warning is even more pertinent today. There are many people and organizations … Read more

Escaping Trumpland

It’s not easy to change one’s mind. It is not easy to admit a mistake. It is not easy to abandon familiar people and places — even when you know they are evil and corrupt. It is not easy even when you know leaving them will lead you to a new world of clarity and … Read more

Spreading hatred at Christmas time

While shopping three days before Christmas, I saw a group of 3 or 4 young men walk by a large display of Christmas wrapping paper that was on sale. One of them said, gleefully, “I’d like to take all the Democrats and wrap them all up in a ball and throw them away!” I was … Read more

Farewell to the party of Lincoln

Before your LDS family and friends in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona blindly vote straight “Republican” once again, I strongly encourage you to call them and point out that the Republican Party they think they are supporting no longer exists. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, recently published a piece in which she documented the removal … Read more

Eight false beliefs voters cling to

Many Americans will be basing their voting decisions this year on strongly held beliefs that are complete nonsense. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that voters are stupid. I am saying that they often don’t do their homework thoroughly and are therefore easily deceived by simplistic slogans, false conspiracies, and fake outrage. Even worse, … Read more

2 issues that Republicans use to demonize the Left

The most telling symptom of fascist politics is division. It aims to separate a population into an “us” and a “them.” … Every mechanism of fascist politics works to create or solidify this distinction. Jason Stanley Fascists lure honest conservatives into fascism by constantly telling them that “the left” is an existential threat to their … Read more

10 Tactics of Fascism

Fascism is a cult of the leader, who promises national restoration in the face of supposed humiliation by immigrants, leftists, liberals, minorities, homosexuals, women, in the face of what the fascist leader says is a takeover of the country’s media, cultural institutions, and schools by these forces. And that’s why you need a really macho, … Read more