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The Malay Book of Mormon theory: It just keeps on giving!

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                                                (Wikipedia Photo: Banteng are native cattle to Southeast Asia)  I’ve been meaning to write a long blog post that details why the Malay theory of the Book of Mormon is the strongest geographic theory out there for where Book of Mormon lands took place, but I keep putting off the post because I get overwhelmed with all the interesting and exciting information that I keep discovering about the Malay Peninsula and the connections it appears to have to Book of Mormon lands. Rather than putting off my post, I’ll write a shorter post with the hopes of publishing my longer post in the future. It’s better to get something out than nothing at all!     To back things up a bit for those that have no idea what on earth I’m talking about, the Book of Mormon is a volume of scripture held sacred by members of my faith: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We believe it to be a second testament of Jesus Christ and companion to the Bible. We be
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It Is Better to Forgive...

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  As I was reading through accounts of the crucifixion during the administration of the Sacrament recently my mind lingered on Luke's account in chapter 23.  There, while enduring the incomprehensible pain of crucifixion (23:33-34) and summoning strength only available to a God, he looked down to see soldiers gambling for his clothing. At this pathetic sight, rather than expressing anger or derision he pressed the limit of charity with the appeal, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do". For me, this moment is the best example of the Savior's divinity in scripture and perhaps the moment he reached full perfection. As Alma explained, "And he will take upon him death..., that his bowels may be filled with mercy according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people...” (Alma 7:12, see also Heb 2:18). I reflected on, "for they know not what they do" since it seems the soldiers and all who had gathered to
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Seeing Through a Glass Darkly-1Cor 13:12

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  I follow the podcast "Unbelievable" which is produced out of the UK. The show usually presents debates pairing a Christian believer with an unbeliever. They're held in a spirit of understanding rather than a desire to score points which makes them worth listening to. Recently an episode pitted Bart Ehrman, a world-famous Bible scholar and agnostic against Justin Bass a believer and author of a book on the resurrection of Jesus. The Christian fellow was new to me, but I was very familiar with Bart Ehrman. In addition to being a prolific author, Ehrman shows up in most public forums where the Bible is discussed, particularly where the program host would prefers that the expert is an unbeliever such as NPR's Fresh Air. I found him many years ago through one of his lecture series in the Great Courses series.  I currently follow his podcast "Misquoting Jesus" which is excellent. He knows his stuff and isn’t trying to shake the faith of his listeners (I doubt
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No One Gets Out Alive

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Martin Heidegger is believed by many to be the most influential existentialist philosopher of the 20th century. During a lecture in 1961, in reply to the question of what one should do to live an authentic life (a life based on one's own values rather than following the herd), he said, " we should simply aim to spend more time in graveyards". Simon Critchley clarifies: " if we want to understand what it means to be an authentic human being, then it is essential that we constantly project our lives onto the horizon of our death. This is what Heidegger famously calls "being-towards-death "." Critchley  then backs this up with a quote from Cicero, "to philosophize is to learn how to die". If your  preference is silver throated country singers then there is this from Willie Nelson, " Live every day like it's your last one, one day you're gonna be right " ( from Live Every Day). All are saying that we will spend more time on what
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