contention

The prevalence of a spirit of contention amongst a people is a certain sign of deadness with respect to the things of religion. When men's spirits are hot with contention, they are cold to religion. - Jonathan Edwards “The Book of Mormon does not supplant the Bible. It expands, extends, clarifies, and amplifies our knowledge of the Savior. Surely, this second witness should be cause for great rejoicing by all Christians.” - Joseph B. Wirthlin

Monday, November 29, 2021

Mormon book reviews on youtube

The November MOBOM newsletter went out on last week. (If you didn't see it, check your "promotions" email on gmail. Send any questions to mobominfo@gmail.com.)

The newsletter included a link to the Youtube channel "Mormon Book Reviews," in which evangelical Steven Pynakker interviews a variety of interesting people who have "multiple working hypotheses" on several topics related to the Book of Mormon. 

This is the type of project that can lead to harmonious understanding of one another. Steven is building bridges among groups that rarely communicated with one another. These are the conversations that foster harmony and unity.

Unlike many hosts of youtube channels that discuss the Book of Mormon, Steven is not pushing an agenda other than letting people explain their beliefs.

Sample interviews:

Richard Bushman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pm-1GiOBUg&t=215s

Rod Meldrum on DNA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0wxhLJj4KM

Jonathan Neville on Jonathan Edwards - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRZ2J2lsksk&t=5s

Don Bradley on the lost 116 pages - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1smM8sRMCRU



Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Living a productive life

 More good advice:


1. Read and write more. 2. Don't hesitate to admit when you're wrong. 3. Be comfortable changing your opinion. 4. Find a mentor. 5. Stay teachable. 6. Make mistakes and learn. 7. Don't get offended easily. 8. Ask questions. 9. Spend time with nature. 10. Stay humble.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

No two of us are the same

This video shows how no two of us are the same.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/no-two-of-us-are-the-same?lang=eng




There's plenty of room in the Church for those who believe M2C (the Mesoamerican/two-Cumorahs) and for those who believe NYC (New York Cumorah). 

Why won't LDS intellectuals and their publications and websites acknowledge that?

At every opportunity, ask Book of Mormon Central, the Interpreter, BYU Studies, Meridian Magazine, etc., to be more inclusive. 

Let's break down the M2C citation cartel.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

We're each responsible

If you're still relying on experts to tell you what to think about the Book of Mormon and Church history, you're doing it wrong.

To use President Nelson's terminology, "lazy learners" depend on scholars to assign their opinions to them. "Engaged learners" consider what scholars say in the sense of "trust, but verify." They read original sources and think for themselves.

As Naval has put it, 

"Doctors won’t make you healthy.

Nutritionists won’t make you slim.

Teachers won’t make you smart.

Gurus won’t make you calm.

Mentors won’t make you rich.

Trainers won’t make you fit.

Ultimately, you have to take responsibility.

Save yourself." -

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Five great signs of intelligence:

Prof. Feynman@ProfFeynman

Five great signs of intelligence: 


• You're not afraid or ashamed to find errors in your understanding of things.

• You take mistakes as lessons.

• You don't get offended with accepting the facts.

• You are highly adaptable and very curious.

 • You know what you don't know.