The first movement of Robert Schumann's Piano Sonata number 2 (Op. 22) is labeled "So rasch wie möglich" (as fast as possible). Near the end of the movement, he writes "Schneller" (faster), followed shortly after by "Noch schneller" (even faster). It's an exciting piece to listen to (I recommend this performance by pianist Tiffany Poon),... Continue Reading →
Stirred Up
What would possess a group of people to invade and occupy their own Capitol Building while their elected representatives were conducting official government business on their behalf? How could they convince themselves that this action was morally acceptable, or that it was even helpful to their cause? The troubling events this week in the United... Continue Reading →
“Go Ye Forth of Babylon” – 1 Nephi 20:20
"The world is too much with us," wrote the poet William Wordsworth. He meant that our lives are influenced more than we realize by the society in which we live, leaving us unable to properly perceive "things as they really are" (Jacob 4:13). As Elder David R. Stone explained: Our culture tends to determine what... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be “Temperate in All Things?”
The prophet Alma told the people in the city of Gideon that he wanted them to be "temperate in all things" (Alma 7:23). He later gave the same counsel to his son Shiblon (Alma 38:10). To be temperate is to be restrained, moderate, self-controlled, or disciplined (Oxford English Dictionary). The apostle Paul taught the Corinthians... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be “Temperate in All Things?”
While serving as high priest over the church, Alma delivered a series of sermons in different cities. He admonished the people in the city of Gideon to be "temperate in all things" (Alma 7:23). He later gave the same advice to his son Shiblon (Alma 38:10). The apostles Paul and Peter both emphasized the importance... Continue Reading →
How Is Jesus Both “the Father and the Son?”
Yesterday, I wrote about a phrase used by the prophet Abinadi to describe the Savior: "the light and the life of the world." Today, I'd like to talk about another pair of titles Abinadi also applied to Jesus Christ: "the Father and the Son" (Mosiah 15:2). What did he mean by that? After quoting Isaiah's... Continue Reading →
And Also from Everlasting Death – 2 Nephi 10:25
25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen. (2 Nephi 10:25) I've been thinking today about physical and... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Wars in the Book of Mormon
During April, I have studied the wars in the Book of Mormon. In particular, I've focused on the following wars: Zoram leads the Nephite army to victory (Alma 16) The Lamanites attack the people of Ammon (Alma 24-25) The battle of Jershon (Alma 28) Captain Moroni defeats Zerahemnah (Alma 43-44) Captain Moroni prepares the Nephites... Continue Reading →
Being a Man of Much Passion – Alma 50:29-31
29 Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which was northward. 30 And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect, (which would have been a cause to have been... Continue Reading →
