We must claim and care for each other for God to care for and claim us–King Benjamin makes the connection very clear. Yet order of operations is essential, as is wisdom. We don’t improve so we can be loved; we improve because we love ourselves and God. This sermon maps our path to a virtuous… Continue Reading
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King Benjamin begins his sermon emphasizing the condescension of God, the depravity of human nature (less than dust and an enemy to God), and urges us to be grateful as we serve God and our fellow humans. These chapters invite reflection on the relationship between the human and divine, the role of Jesus, and how… Continue Reading
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Covid-19 has disrupted our lives both personally and globally. I hope we are all taking care of ourselves and each other as best as we can. The secret to disruption is that it can be an invitation to lasting change and nurturing of relationships. I have issued this special episode to provide resources to support… Continue Reading
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The Isaiah chapters baffle most of us, but they really do come down to a few fundamental questions that all of us grapple with: How do we deal with loss? Specifically, how do we deal with loss when it feels as if our promises and hopes are shattered and burning? How do we move forward… Continue Reading
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The Book of Mormon is a story about dysfunctional families and intergenerational trauma. These masterful chapters at the beginning of 2 Nephi teach us about the importance of agency and the quest for joy. Our reading will be most constructive as we take seriously the fact that the Book of Mormon is about and shaped… Continue Reading
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As a rule, it is the most difficult experiences that shape us the most. We don’t like that fact, but we can’t avoid it! The story of Lehi’s family in the wilderness provides a model (positive and negative!) of our own lives and relationships. Everything is an opportunity to grow closer to God and salvation.… Continue Reading
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I am reissuing the wonderful conversation I had four years ago with Grant Hardy and McArthur Krishna about the nature of and relationship to the Book of Mormon. Before we begin the Book of Mormon Sunday School year, I sit down (virtually) with Grant Hardy and McArthur Krishna (In North Carolina and India respectively) to… Continue Reading
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The way we celebrate Christmas… with lights on trees, sharing gifts, carols with loved ones… is a mix of different traditions, and its present form is surprisingly recent! All traditions go back to Winter Solstice festivals… the hopeful celebration of the power of light in darkness, and the return of life after death and darkness.… Continue Reading
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Hebrews urges us to face the future with faith, not slide into the mistakes of the past, and above all, relationship with the ever-present living God. I hope this eloquent book will inspire us to move beyond “types and shadows” and improve our relationship to God and true principles. Reading: Hebrews 1-6 (Nov 10); Hebrews… Continue Reading
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I love gospel paradoxes, which are life paradoxes. What makes a good leader? The same characteristics that make someone a good servant or disciple. What makes us ready to die? The same principles that make us ready to live. How can we be prepared for Jesus to return? By doing the same things that make… Continue Reading
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